Can you put coffee grounds in a garbage disposal?

Answer 1

Coffee Grounds Down Garbage Disposals

• From what I've read, yes, and no. I hate getting rid of the grounds from my french press, so I've done a bit of online research. If you have a septic tank, the answer is no. Solids of any kind contribute to the build up of sludge in the tank, which means having it work less efficently, and having it cleaned out more often. If you have a sewer connection, as long as your pipes aren't prone to clogging, I can't see any harm if you flush it well with water. But it could get trapped in the bend under the sink too. So it depends on how your pipes are connected.

• Garbage disposals are the real question mark. I've found two websites that encourage regular grinding of coffee grounds as a way of scouring and freshening up the drain. At least one manufacturer's site says grounds are perfectly fine. On the other hand, some sites put coffee grinds on the same level as corn husks, which I know from direct observation to be a bad idea in the disposal.

• Why don't you start a compost pile and use the grounds there? I take grounds from anybody I know for the pile. Wish I could get more. Makes it smell good, too.

• I just add more water to my french press and then swirl and toss out the door or window into the bushes. Coffee grounds are a good source of nitrogen.

• Doesn't hurt a thing.

• I've been putting coffee grounds down the disposal for years with no problems. Only have it pumped out on ten year basis. Two in the house and 1000 gallon septic tank. Why have a disposer if you can't flush all your garbage?

• It really just depends on your plumbing system. I have a french press and an espresso machine. I find that the best way of getting rid of the french press is simply dump in in the trash if the grounds are only slightly moist. Otherwise compost piles are great and the coffee grounds work great for keeping some animals out of your garden. As far as the espresso machine portafilter is concerned. I found a mini puck dispenser at a specialty coffee supplier that sits on the counter. It looks much like the ones you see in coffee houses with the padded bar in the middle to hit the portafilter on to remove the espresso puck.
• Garbage disposals are not for flushing your excess food down the sink, it is for disposing of the small bits of food that may not make it down the sink AFTER you have scraped off all you can...
• Coffee grounds form cement in a garbage disposal (description of repair person). Had to dispose of the disposal. I suspect inadequate water flush contributed to the problem. We were conserving water in the middle of a drought. Not willing to take the chance and do it again tho.
• DO NOT PUT COFFEE GROUNDS IN YOUR DISPOSAL. A plumber is at my house this very instant cleaning coffee grounds out of my drain. A couple hundred bucks gone because of coffee grounds.