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up vote 2 down vote favorite

Let's not discuss the economics of this - the fact is that it sometimes does happen.

I don't think food is physically that different from "poop" (especially certain types of it)

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It's fine if you use a Humanure composting toilet. – Jay Bazuzi Aug 31 '11 at 2:40
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Are you on a public sewer system, or a septic system? Flushing whole foods into a septic system can cause serious problems or complete leach field failure. Beware! – shirlock homes Sep 2 '11 at 10:23
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FWIW, uneaten food is very different from poop. Poop is mostly water and dead bacteria, plus a little fiber and some other minor undigested bits. Decently healthy food is mostly complex carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, all of which are much less soluble, so they are much more likely to stick, clump, and clog in your system when they reach corners and build-up along the pipes. – richardtallent Sep 6 '11 at 23:19
I'm puzzled: why on earth would you want to flush food down the drain, any drain? What's wrong with putting it in the trash? (Or in the compost bin if you have one?) The disposer's purpose is so you don't have to sit there fishing grody food waste out of your sink after washing the dishes, not to act as a waste receptacle. – Martha May 4 '12 at 1:53

3 Answers

up vote 8 down vote accepted

Depends on the type of food.

Just because it will "go down," that doesn't necessarily mean that it's ok to flush it. Grease is a rather popular example.

Unfortunately I don't know that anyone has compiled a list of all foods that will clog your pipes or otherwise damage your plumbing, but here's a start:

  • Oil and butter
  • Mayonnaise and sour cream
  • Cheese
  • Sauces and dips
  • Salad dressing
  • Cake frosting
  • Pie dough
  • Gravy
  • Turkey and chicken pan drippings
  • Fat remaining on plates from BBQ’d steak

http://www.elocalplumbers.com/blog/clog-prevention-tip-5461

Grains also aren't good, as they will expand as they soak up water.

If you want a safe place to dispose of a little extra food, imo, toss it in a bag and make a trip to a convenience store. Toss it in the trash, go in and buy a soda. The food that would've stunk up your trash can is gone, your toilet isn't clogged, the convenience store guy is happy to have your business, and you're drinking a soda. Life is good. :sunglasses:

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How is it that different from a sink drain, a disposal drain, or dish washer drain (aside from possibly size, and amount)? Lots of the things on this list would find their way to the sewer via the kitchen sink, why is it that the toilet is so special? – Tester101♦ Aug 31 '11 at 12:05
You shouldn't put these things down the kitchen sink either, or anywhere in the drainage system. I put them in an old coffee container, then toss it in the trash. Or, I just dump the stuff onto a paper towel, then toss that out. – mbrownnyc Aug 31 '11 at 12:51
@mbrownnyc: Of course you are not going to drain the deep fryer down the drain, but I imagine small amounts of all of these things are rinsed down the drain on a daily basis in many homes. – Tester101♦ Aug 31 '11 at 15:32
they are... but when they "get cold," they harden. By "get cold" I mean whatever temperature it takes for the organic matter to return to a solid. For instance, fry some bacon, leave the pan hanging out on the stove... return. Solid. Imagine that stuff slathering along the side of metal pipes, and your drain trap. Yummm! Line hardened arteries. – mbrownnyc Aug 31 '11 at 19:21
up vote 0 down vote

Many municipalities are now offering compost collection service (in Hamilton, ON we have a 1 trash bag/week limit, composting is a major part of our waste diversion). This is really the best answer for spoiled/waste food. If your municipality doesn't offer it, you can consider your own composter.

With that said, Sharptooth's answer covered it well. From a waste treatment point of view I think you're ok, but try to avoid overly solid objects (see this for an idea why). From a pipe safety point of view, Michael's answer is pretty good, but I don't encourage making your trash problems someone else's.

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up vote 4 down vote

First of all, you should abstain from flushing down anything that doesn't degrade. In case of food it's anything that has bones - they are mineral and don't degrade and can cling to some ledge in the piping and then stuff will start collecting there and you've clogged pipes in no time.

Then you should abstain from flushing huge pieces of hard food. Anything thicker than about 3/4 the cross-section of piping can collect and lead to clogged piping.

Finally watch out for the list that user Michael provides in his answer - it's quite reasonable and stuff mentioned there can pose mild to serious risk for piping.

Also it is very important to flush thoroughly so that stuff doesn't collect in horizontal piping close to your toilet. If it collects it can start consolidating and attaching to pipe surfaces and this will lead to a clog much later.

That said you should think twice before flushing. Most of the times you can just throw it into trash. The risk of abuse that would lead to a clog is not very high, but real and you won't like the consequences.

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