How To Choose A Garbage Disposal?
You can’t end the benefits of garbage disposal by counting.
For example, garbage disposals help dispose of food scraps conveniently and save the environment by reducing food waste sent to landfills.
Knowing those benefits, you decide to install a garbage disposal in your kitchen.
But the problem you encounter is choosing the best one from the different types of garbage disposal available in the market.
To resolve this issue, I compiled this buying guide to choose the best garbage disposal for your kitchen.
Without further ado, let’s jump in.
In This Article:
How To Choose A Garbage Disposal?
To choose the best garbage disposal, consider these 7 criteria:
1. Types of Garbage Disposal
Two types of garbage disposal– batch-feed and continuous-feed, are available in the market.
Batch-feed garbage disposal is the basic type of disposal, and it disposes of food waste in small batches.
The batch-feed garbage disposal works only when you place the metal top securely in the sink.
For example, take the plunger (a metal top), stick it into the sink, and twist that cover. And that’s what engages the disposal and starts working.
On the other hand, a continuous-feed garbage disposal has a switch that you need to flip on to turn on the unit.
It runs continuously and can handle a large volume of food scraps within a short time.
Now, the question is- what type of garbage disposal should I pick between these two?
Well, it depends on your personal preferences and the specific needs of your home.
Batch-feed garbage disposal is safer than continuous-feed garbage disposal. It only works when you put the topper in place.
As a result, there is no risk of accidental falls.
For example, your hands won’t go down, and there is no chance for foreign objects to enter the unit accidentally.
In short, you can consider a batch-feed garbage disposal to ensure safety if you have a home with children and pets.
But the downside of batch-feed garbage disposal is- it requires you to load the food waste manually.
On top of this, this garbage disposal requires you to put your hands in the dirty stuff to turn on the unit.
Stingy!
It’s not the best experience, right?
On the other hand, continuous garbage disposal is the most popular choice for homeowners. It can handle a large volume of food waste efficiently.
Continuous-feed garbage disposals are inexpensive and come with better warranties.
You can install an air switch to ensure the safe operation of this disposal unit.
2. Power & RPMs
Power and RPMs are the second criteria you should take into account before buying a garbage disposal.
In general, the more RPMs or spin speed, the better the warranty to the disposal.
Because that’s when a garbage disposal binds and it’s not strong enough to break through that protein a lot of times or those bigger bits of scraps.
It binds and wears out. It’s just like a motor that’s running harder.
Usually, horsepower is what determines the power of the garbage disposal.
Based on the size of your household, choose one of the following sizes of garbage disposal:
- 1/3 HP: If you have a home with two people, you can pick up the 1/3 HP garbage disposal. It will be best for grinding small amounts of food scraps.
- 1/2 HP: It’s a bit powerful compared to a 1/3 HP garbage disposal and can handle light to regular-duty jobs in a household of two or three people.
- 3/4 HP: The 3/4 HP garbage disposal will be sufficient to dispose of food scraps in a household with three to five people.
- 1 or 2 HP: Go for the 1 or 2 HP garbage disposal if you have a home with more than five people.
I recommend you go with the higher RPMs or a more powerful garbage disposal if you have the option.
The stronger the motor, the more it pulverizes, and the faster it can process food scraps.
You will enjoy two benefits if you choose the garbage disposal with a stronger motor.
First, garbage disposal with more power or RPMs has a longer warranty or lifetime.
Second, a powerful garbage disposal can get the food scrapes through faster to ensure quiet operation.
3. Physical Size of The Garbage Disposal
The physical size of the garbage disposal is another criterion you need to consider.
How big the garbage disposal is in space is important. Different shapes and sizes of garbage disposal are available in the market.
Some garbage disposal are a little stouter, a little smaller physically in the cylinder, or a little bit bigger.
In short, determine how much space there is under the cabinet so that the size of garbage disposal you pick fits there.
4. Material
The construction material of the garbage disposal ensures the durability of the unit.
Garbage disposals made with stainless steel are sturdy and resist corrosion. In other words, stainless steel garbage disposals outlast other units made with materials like galvanized steel or others.
On top of this, you don’t need to frequently clean the backed-up system, which reduces the frequent repairs or other issues.
Yeah, it will cost you more bucks to get a stainless steel garbage disposal compared to other disposals made with materials apart from stainless steel.
But it is worth the price as you will get a longer lifespan and optimal performance from the stainless steel garbage disposal.
5. Noise Level
Garbage disposals are not as noisy as a blender or a vacuum cleaner. But still, they make a noise.
I recommend you pick a food waste disposal that has a stronger motor. Powerful disposal can grind dense food waste like a charm and prevent the waste from binding.
As a result, they produce comparatively less noise than the disposal with weak motors.
Apart from motor strength, ensure the garbage disposal unit has better insulation that helps keep the noise level down.
6. Auto Reverse & Multiple Grind Stages
It’s like ice on the cake if the garbage disposal you pick has an auto-reverse system.
The auto-reverse feature can detect a jam and automatically reverse the spin direction to help dislodge the item.
Garbage disposals with multiple grind stages will help break down foods into smaller bits to prevent clogging in your drains.
Those features are not mandatory to have. But they will help increase the lifespan of the garbage disposals by preventing blockage.
7. Budget
The price range of a garbage disposal is between $75 to $1000 based on the model and intended use.
If you are looking for a garbage disposal that can handle light jobs like grinding and disposing of fruits and vegetables, go for a basic garbage disposal. It will cost you $50-$75.
On the other hand, you can choose the higher-end garbage disposal to handle almost every type of food waste. In this case, it will take up to $250-$540 from your wallet.
Higher-end models feature advanced technology like noise reduction features and auto-reverse systems.
I recommend you set the budget based on the features you seek in a garbage disposal.
FAQs
What are the reliable brands you recommend to get a garbage disposal?
InSinkErator, Moen, and Waste King are the most popular and reliable brands to get high-quality garbage disposals. While these brands are the most popular, you can also find high-end disposals from GE, American Standard, Whirlpool, and Kraus.
What size garbage disposal do I need for my household?
3/4 HP garbage disposals fit most kitchens and can handle every type of food waste, from fruits to dense foods like bones. However, if you have a home with two people, you can choose 1/3 HP disposal for light jobs. On the other hand, 3/4 HP garbage disposals will be best if there are five members in your family. In short, consider the size (horsepower) of the garbage disposal based on your household size and the type of food waste you want to grind.
Are there any specific installation requirements for garbage disposals?
The installation requirements for garbage disposal are how much space there is under the sink so the unit fits there. Besides, you need to connect the garbage disposal to a 120V outlet. Nonetheless, ensure the garbage disposal is compatible with the existing plumbing system.
What features should I look for to minimize noise from the garbage disposal?
Look for a garbage disposal with a stronger motor and better insulation to ensure quiet operation. A disposal with a powerful motor can process food waste efficiently, which produces less noise. And better insulation of the disposal helps keep the noise down.
How can I ensure the garbage disposal I choose is durable and long-lasting?
Criteria like construction material, warranty coverage, and reliability will help you ensure that you choose a durable and long-lasting garbage disposal unit. Garbage disposal made with stainless steel lasts longer. Such disposals are expensive and offer longer warranty to ensure the sturdiness of the unit.
Is it easy to install a garbage disposal?
Yes, the garbage disposal installation procedure is simple to follow. If you have the right tools at your fingertips, you can install a garbage disposal by following the instructions outlined in the manual. However, it will be better to call a professional if the installation procedure requires electrical connections and switch installation.
Is it worth having a garbage disposal?
Yes, garbage disposal in the kitchen is worth 100 times more as it helps you clean the food scraps conveniently. A garbage disposal also helps reduce food waste sent to landfills, reduces methane production, and adds value to your home.
Conclusion
To choose the right garbage disposal for your household, consider these factors:
- Horsepower: Assess the RPM and horsepower of the garbage disposal based on your household size.
- Disposal type: Choose continuous or batch-feed garbage disposal, depending on your usage preference and safety concerns.
- Noise level: Consider the noise level of the disposal unit, especially if your kitchen is near living areas.
- Material: Check the built-in material for the garbage disposal to ensure the durability of the disposal unit.
Balancing these criteria will help you choose the garbage disposal that meets your needs and delivers reliable performance.
Sohel Rana is the founder of FixTheDisposal.Com. He is a plumbing expert with 7+ years of hands-on repairing garbage disposals, water heaters, space heaters, and other appliances used in a home. Before the launch of Fix The Disposal, he wrote and provided advice on water heaters, sump pumps, and space heater repairing & troubleshooting tips for LilDutchUncle.Com.
