"Zilbandy" > wrote in message
...
> On 3 Dec 2006 18:04:17 -0800, "Jocelyn De Contents"
> > wrote:
>
>>I always was told never to run hot water in the disposal as it can
>>overheat the motor. I do place ice cubes in mine to "clean" and
>>"sharpen" the mechanism. But I use cold water for the process.
>
> Any electric motor used in a device like that will not overheat just
> because it is run for a minute or less, no matter how hot the water
> is. Besides, the motors have a thermal cutoff switch for those times
> the disposal won't start because of foreign matter stuffed in the
> opening.
>
> --
> Zilbandy - Tucson, Arizona USA >
> Dead Suburban's Home Page: http://zilbandy.com/suburb/
> PGP Public Key: http://zilbandy.com/pgpkey.htm
>

I was also told by a plumber not to use hot water when disposing of fatty
foods, but it had nothing to do with burning up a motor. I have forgotten
the precise reasoning, but it had to do with cold water being more likely to
keep fat in pieces that could more readily be washed down the drain instead
of gathering in one place to clog the drains. I know that wasn't exactly
the explanation, but he was referring specifically to fats that would melt
in hot water.

MaryL