How to prevent a disposal unit from seizing with age?

Hi Marilyn, here's some info I found on the internet. I had the problem in a vacation home from lack of use. I do know the ice cube method suggested does help to keep blades sharp. Not sure if this really addresses your question for help with preenting the problem.

Garbage Disposal Blades Rusty

Rust can have a seriously negative impact on the efficiency of your garbage disposal. For this reason, it is important to keep this appliance nice and clean. If you notice a lack of performance in your disposal unit, it could be due to its rusty blades. A suitable technique to remove this rust is described below.

1. Mix 3 tablespoons of salt with 1 cup of lemon juice to make a rust-removing mixture.
2. Pour this amazing solution down the garbage disposal and let it sit there for 12-24 hours. Don’t run any water in the sink during this duration.
3. After that, wash the disposal unit with some cold water and drop some ice cubes into it.
4. Turn on the garbage disposal to grind these ice cubes. In addition to the removal of rust, this will sharpen the blades.

It is possible that the problem of ineffective working may persist after this procedure. In that case, a small clog could be responsible for the trouble. If that’s the case, you can use the following solution to clear your garbage disposal.

1. Pour 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar into the disposal unit. This amazing combination will start to foam which will remove the clog.
2. After a few minutes, pour a pot of boiling water into the garbage disposal. This will scratch away any stubborn traces of grease and other materials.

Hi Marilyn, here's a link thatt includes info about rusty blades prolem. It doesn't really address how to prevent this happening, especially in a vacation home that is only used part time. It does give some ideas about remedies for solving the rust that has already occurred. Hope it's helpful to you.

https://shinymodern.com/help-my-garbage-disposal-blades-arent-moving/

here is more info

http://www.johnsplumbinghvac.com/blog/how-to-protect-and-preserve-your-garbage-disposal/

you can use ice cubes or lemon slices on a daily basis to run the disposal and keep it from rusting as well

Hello. You might find some helpful tips in the link below with the discussion of this problem.

https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/garbage-disposal-jams-repeatedly-268973-.htm

Lemishine makes a great disposal cleaner. I use it about every other month.

Depending on how old your garbage disposal unit is, this may be a sign of a motor problem. A weak motor may mean your unit will jam easier. Some of the less expensive garbage disposal units have motors that are not as powerful, these units can also loosen over time causing jams.

Might be time to replace it. If it doesn't start then there is a problem with motor if there is no jam. If it gets rusty it generally means the impeller isn't working to drain the unit and water is sitting in it.

5 Tips To Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Properly

1. Run Your Disposal Regularly. The first step in making sure your garbage disposal doesn't clog or break down is to make sure you run it regularly, even if you don't have something you need to grind up. ...
2. Use Cold Water. ...
3. Run Your Disposal Longer. ...
4. Cut Waste Into Smaller Pieces. ...
5. Grind Citrus Fruit.

Hi Marilyn, you want to keep it clean, and it will run for a long time, hope this helps you out,

https://www.consumerreports.org/garbage-disposals/how-to-clean-your-garbage-disposal/#:~:text=Step%201%3A%20With%20the%20disposal,you%20hear%20the%20grinding%20stop.

https://www.discovercabrillo.com/10-garbage-disposal-tips-to-keep-your-unit-running-smoothly/

How old is the appliance?

I agree with William, that there comes a time when these units pass their 'shelf expiry date'.