What Is a Garburator?

Modern conveniences are designed to save space, time, and money by performing any number of unpleasant household tasks quickly and efficiently. One such item that can be found in homes across the globe is a garburator, and while you may not know what one is you may be surprised to find that you have one in your kitchen.

What's in a Name?

Traveling the world is a great way to expand your horizons, cultural awareness, and vocabulary, but you don't always need to travel far to learn something new. Here is a list of some common items that have different names depending on where you reside in the U.S., and a few that are unique to our neighbors to the north.

Carbonated Drinks

The most common terminology for carbonated beverages among those living in the midwest is "pop", while "soda" is used most often in the northeast. The terms "soda" and "pop" are interchangeable out west, while southerners tend to prefer the word "coke".

Drinking Fountains

Thirsty people on the West Coast typically drink from a "drinking fountain" while easterners like to quench their thirst from a "water fountain"—but if you live in Michigan you may shun both of those names in favor of drinking from a "bubbler".

Athletic Shoes

When it comes time to exercise, what do you put on your feet? If you're like most Americans you strap on a pair of rubber-soled "tennis shoes" unless you live in New England or southern Florida where you might opt to wear your "sneakers", or if you take a trip to Canada, where “runners” might be a more appropriate choice.

Waste Disposal Appliance

When it comes time to clean up at the end of preparing or eating your food nothing beats a garburator for the fast, efficient shredding of organic waste—but what is a garburator and where can you get one? Before you head to your nearest home improvement store take a look under your sink. If you find a garbage disposal there, you already have one; a garburator is simply the Canadian word for a garbage disposal system.

The Last Meal of the Day

Whether you call it "dinner" or "supper" you're among good company, as both of these terms are commonly used across the country to describe the evening meal.

Circular Traffic Devices

The majority of Americans call the convergence of two or more roads that end up in a circular formation a "traffic circle", with the exceptions being those that live in the northeast where it is called a "rotary", and the midwest, where they prefer the word "roundabout".

Garburator Maintenance and Usage Tips

Regardless of what you call it, a garburator can help you dispose of organic matter by shredding it into particles that are small enough to be carried down the drain. You can help to increase the efficiency and lifespan of your unit with these tips:

• Avoid placing hard or fibrous foods into the disposal.
• It's important to keep your appliances clean, and you can treat the disposal each month using a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Leave the mixture to sit in the hopper with the power off for 30 minutes and then run cold water to rinse.
• Call the experts at Mr. Appliance for reliable garbage disposal repair and troubleshooting.

For all your appliance repair needs, you can trust the experts at Mr. Appliance. Contact us online or call to schedule an appointment today.