I've had my share of garbage disposal disasters (um, potato peels, anyone?), so I've kinda figured out a routine to keep things running smoothly. First thing I do every week or so is toss in some ice cubes and a bit of coarse salt, then run it for a minute. Sounds awful but it really cleans the blades. After that, I usually chuck in a lemon wedge or orange peel to freshen things up—makes the kitchen smell nice too.
Once a month-ish, I pour baking soda down there, let it sit a bit, then follow it with vinegar. It bubbles up like crazy, but it seems to clear away any funky buildup. And every now and then, I peek under the sink to check for leaks or anything weird going on.
But honestly, I'm just winging it based on random internet tips and trial-and-error. Curious if anyone else has different tricks or maybe a better routine that works for them...
Your routine sounds pretty solid, but one thing I'd add—always run cold water while the disposal's on and for about 15 seconds after you shut it off. Learned this the hard way after a plumber visit (ugh). Hot water can melt fats and grease, causing them to stick further down the pipes. Cold water keeps them solid so the disposal can chop them up properly. Been doing this for months now, and no more surprise clogs...fingers crossed.
