Oh pshaw, on Sun 03 Dec 2006 10:41:57p, MaryL meant to say...

>
> "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.

Hot water + fat gradually coats the drain lines and may eventually clog
them. That mixture won't hurt the disposer. Cold water + fat does help to
keep the fat solid and more "grindable" and more likely to flushed down the
drain in tiny pieces.

--
Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________

I don't necessarily agree with everything I say.
(Marshall McLuhan)