What a Do It garbage disposal strainer is and how it works

A Do It garbage disposal strainer is a basket-style filter that sits inside your sink drain opening, above the garbage disposal unit itself. It catches food scraps, bones, and other solid debris before they reach the disposal blades. The strainer has small holes that let water drain through while blocking larger particles.

Do It is a house-brand product line sold at Ace Hardware stores. Their disposal strainers are typically made of stainless steel or plastic and cost between $5 and $15. The strainer straightforward drops into your drain opening — no installation required — and you lift it out to empty it when food builds up.

The purpose is straightforward: protect your disposal from jamming or breaking down. Bones, fruit pits, fibrous vegetables, and pasta can damage disposal blades or jam the motor. A strainer catches these items before they enter the unit.

Key Takeaways

  • A Do It garbage disposal strainer is a basket filter that sits in your drain opening and catches solid food before it reaches the disposal blades.
  • Strainers cost $5 to $15 and require no installation — they straightforward drop into the drain and lift out for emptying.
  • Using a strainer extends disposal life by preventing jams from bones, peels, pasta, and fibrous vegetables.
  • A strainer does not replace proper disposal use; you still cannot put hard or fibrous items down the drain, and you should run cold water while the disposal operates.

What a Do It strainer actually prevents

A disposal strainer stops the most common causes of jams and motor failure. Chicken bones, avocado pits, and peach pits are too hard for disposal blades to break down and will either jam the motor or dull the blades. Fibrous items like celery, corn husks, and onion skins wrap around the blades and lock them up. Pasta and rice expand when wet and can clog the drain line below the disposal.

Without a strainer, these items go straight into the disposal chamber. Even if they do not jam when ready, they accumulate over time and reduce how well the unit works. A strainer catches them at the surface, where you can see and remove them.

That said, a strainer is a safety net, not a license to put anything down the drain. You still should not intentionally send bones, pits, or large amounts of fibrous food into the disposal, even with a strainer in place. The strainer catches what slips through normal rinsing — not what you deliberately put down.

Do It strainer materials and durability

Do It sells both stainless steel and plastic strainers. Stainless steel lasts longer and resists rust and corrosion. Plastic strainers are lighter and cheaper but can crack or warp if exposed to very hot water repeatedly, and they may discolor over time.

Either type will last several years with normal use. The main wear point is the basket itself — the holes can become clogged with mineral deposits or food residue, making it harder to rinse clean. Soaking the strainer in white vinegar for 30 minutes once a month helps dissolve buildup and keeps it draining freely.

If you have hard water, mineral deposits will accumulate faster. A stainless steel strainer is the better choice in that case because you can scrub it more aggressively without damaging the material.

How to use a Do It garbage disposal strainer

Drop the strainer into your drain opening so it sits flat and covers the disposal opening below. It should rest snugly but not require force to insert. When you rinse dishes or prepare food, water drains through the holes while solids collect in the basket.

Empty the strainer when you see food buildup — usually once a day in a busy kitchen, less often if you live alone. Lift it straight up and dump the contents into the trash. Rinse the strainer under running water to clear any remaining debris, then drop it back in.

Do not run the disposal with the strainer removed. The strainer is your only barrier between the drain and the blades. Always replace it before turning on the unit. If you forget and run the disposal without it, turn it off when ready and do not reach into the drain.

When a Do It strainer is worth buying

A strainer makes sense if your disposal has already jammed once or if you have a household that generates a lot of food waste. It is also useful if you have a garbage disposal in an older home where the unit is smaller or less powerful than modern models — older disposals jam more easily.

A strainer is less critical if you already have careful habits: you scrape plates into the trash before rinsing, you avoid putting bones and pits down the drain, and you run cold water while the disposal operates. In that case, the strainer is extra insurance rather than essential.

The low cost ($5 to $15) means there is little downside to owning one. Even if you do not use it every day, having it on hand for when you cook with bones or fibrous vegetables is practical.

Do It strainer versus other brands

Do It strainers are comparable to generic stainless steel or plastic strainers sold at other hardware stores and online. They are not a specialized product — the design is straightforward and has not changed much in decades. A strainer from Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe's, or Amazon will perform the same basic function.

The main difference is price and availability. Do It is Ace Hardware's house brand, so it is usually cheaper than name brands and available in-store. If you shop at Ace, Do It is a sensible choice. If you shop elsewhere, the equivalent strainer at that retailer will work just as well.

Some strainers have deeper baskets or finer mesh, which can catch smaller particles. These cost a bit more but may reduce how often you need to empty the basket. For most households, the standard Do It strainer is sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave a Do It strainer in the drain while the disposal runs?

No. Always remove the strainer before turning on the disposal. The strainer is meant to catch food while you rinse dishes, not to stay in place during operation. Leaving it in can damage the strainer or cause it to jam the disposal.

What if the strainer does not fit my drain opening?

Do It strainers come in standard sizes that fit most kitchen sinks. If yours does not fit, measure your drain opening and look for a strainer labeled for that size. Some sinks have unusual drain diameters, and you may need to order a custom size online or visit a plumbing supply store.

Will a strainer stop my disposal from smelling bad?

A strainer reduces odor by preventing food from sitting inside the disposal chamber, but it does not eliminate smell entirely. To keep your disposal fresh, run cold water for 30 seconds after each use and once a week grind ice cubes and lemon peels together. A strainer helps, but regular cleaning is still necessary.

Can I put a Do It strainer in a double sink?

Yes, if only one side has a disposal. Put the strainer in the drain opening on the disposal side. The other side drains normally. If both sides have disposals, you will need two strainers.

Do I still need a strainer if my disposal has a splash guard?

Yes. A splash guard prevents water from splashing out of the drain while the disposal runs. A strainer prevents food from entering the disposal. They serve different purposes and work together — use both if your sink has a splash guard.