Few kitchen appliances get a workout like your garbage disposal; here's how to keep it running

BALTIMORE - No other kitchen appliance works as much as your garbage disposal. But most people don't think about it until jams or stops working. And if you don't work it properly or maintain it, your disposal can break down and cause plumbing issues which could lead to costly repairs.

"Nine times out of 10 when people have a blockage it's because they have put a bunch of food down the disposal and then turned it on and then turned on the water," says plumber Russ Graves. "What that does is it creates a situation where it shoots a whole bunch of food all at one time through the unit."

To get the most out of your disposal and keep it from clogging, turn on the cold water and let it run for about 15 seconds. Then turn the disposal on, feed the unit bits at a time until the food is all gone. Then let the water run another 30 seconds to clear everything out and get it all down the drain.

You want to use cold water because hot water can melt fat which can clog your pipes.

Don't overload the unit. Cut large food items into smaller pieces and put them slowly into the disposal. You should also avoid certain items, like stringly vegetables. Things like celery don't get chopped up in the disposal. Instead, the strings wrap around the blades and over time stop them from working.

To maintain your disposal, use it often. Not running it for several days or weeks could allow the blades to rust and corrode. You can toss pieces of ice down the unit to help keep those blades sharp. Adding a few pieces of lemon will help remove odors.

Even if you keep it maintained, you'll need to buy a replacement after several years.

"When it's time to buy a new disposal, do some quick math. If you plan to live in your house for at least five years, it's worth investing in a high end model," says Angie Hicks of "Angie's List." "A high end model is quieter, more powerful, and will likely last 10 to 20 years."

Garbage disposals start around $50, with some models costing up to $250.

Angie's List recommends hiring a plumber to do the job when it comes time to replace your old unit.

"If you're replacing an existing unit, a plumber can take care of it. If you're installing a new one you'll have to hire pros to do both the plumbing and the wiring," says Hicks.

Here are 6 tips for hiring a plumber :

1. Licensed & insured? If required in your state, check to make sure a plumber's license is current and check if there are any complaints against the license. Any plumber you hire should have a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance and a current workers' compensation policy.

2. Ask about rates: Plumbers either charge by the hour or job. For basic plumbing services, such as leak repair - expect pay at least $50 per hour for a service call, then at least $60 each additional hour. Some highly rated companies said they charged as much as $100 per hour. For weekend or after hour calls, expect to pay time and a half.

3. Spell out the project in the contract: The quote should provide a written estimate that includes payment terms, a materials list and any additional agreements related to the project.

4. You got a permit for that? Are there certain permits required to do the work? If so, check with your plumber that he/she will obtain these permits.

5. Plumbing service contracts: Some plumbers offer service agreements that offer an annual inspection into your home's plumbing - including checking the garbage disposal.

6. Once you find a good plumber, keep him/her: In an emergency, it's better to call someone who already knows you. Once you find a plumber you are satisfied with, keep his/her number handy.