I'll butt in here, and mention our dishwasher (we're all familiar with the DishDrawer, right?). When the drain filter separated, we ran the machine on the Heavy cycle, with our regular soil levels (pretty bad). Either the detergent or the wash pump actually 'disposed' most of the grit in the machine!
That isn't to say that peas and the like were non-existent in the sump area, yet the machine got rid of the yick pretty well. I suppose the larger stuff won't get into the pump, because it is a TIGHT space between the filter plate and the inlet area for the pump, but if the stuff got stuck, the pressure would eventually chew away the food. Anything else was handled quite well by the main pump impeller. Probably wasn't very good for the machine, but it should be good if we can't get a drain filter for the machine if it breaks again out of warranty! The drain filter, by the way, was used during circulation. It forms part of the Filter Plate, where the garbage is "swept into" the filter. It also stops the largest stuff getting into the drain area, though one tends to find peas and the like caught down there when cleaning the machine.
