Carving jack-o-lanterns is a favorite Halloween activity for lots of Frederick County families. But a common misconception is that it’s okay to put pumpkin guts down the garbage disposal or drain. The slimy, stringy pulp can harden and cause clogged drains, and can get wrapped around the garbage disposal blade and cause damage. And just as no nuts should ever go into your disposal, seeds are also too solid to be ground up.
When Halloween is over, it’s also not a good idea to chop up your jack-o-lanterns and put them down the garbage disposal. Just like watermelon or honeydew, pumpkin rinds are too hard and tough for blades to chop up, so it’s very likely that you’ll have to call a plumber to fix or replace your garbage disposal.
What should I do with pumpkin seeds, pulp and rinds?
Before you start carving, lay out a newspaper under your pumpkin and then grab a bowl. Scoop the pulp and seeds into the bowl and catch the extra stuff on the newspaper. When you’re finished, throw all the pulp into the trash can or into your compost pile. For a special treat, rinse the seeds and lay them on a cookie sheet, sprinkle them with salt and bake at 325 for about 25 minutes.
If you compost, it will take a whole pumpkin quite a while to disappear, so cut it into pieces if you want it to rot down quicker. If you don’t normally compost, here’s a guide to help you get rid of your pumpkin.
Have a Happy Halloween!
We hope you and your family have a safe Halloween and enjoy lots of tasty treats. If you find yourself in a sticky plumbing situation, one of our professional plumbers from Putman Plumbing will be there to save you. Just give us a call.
