Get a Garbage Disposal Installed in Your Home

Learn about differences between garbage disposals. Find out how to pick the best garbage disposal and the benefits of professional installations.

Having a garbage disposal in your kitchen is a convenient tool. The disposal unit is mounted underneath your sink, acting as a storage chamber for loose food. When the disposal is active, a spinning disc known as an impeller plate pulverizes food particles into smaller pieces. The disposal has small holes in the chamber wall, which allows water to wash through and get rid of the particles. Even the strongest garbage disposal has limits. Tougher, more fibrous food may cause the disposal to jam. You also want to avoid pouring grease or oil into your disposal, as well as potato peels or pits.

Installing a garbage disposal may seem easy, but depending on the type of unit it requires both plumbing and electrical knowledge. Incorrect installation can lead to significant problems to your pipes. It typically only costs between $75 and $100 to hire a professional to safely install your garbage disposal.

Benefits of a Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal greatly cuts down on how much trash you produce. Not only does this mean fewer trips to take out the garbage, but you do not have to worry about old food festering in your garbage, causing your kitchen to smell. It also makes cleaning your dishes quicker, since you can scrape the remaining food particles directly into the disposal. A garbage disposal is also positive for your pipes. All of your food scraps are ground up by the disposal, preventing any loose food from getting into your drainage pipes and causing clogs or leaks.  

Choosing a Garbage Disposal

There are several considerations when selecting a garbage disposal. The first is the overall power of the unit. A common misconception is the bigger the garbage disposal, the more power it has. While this is true with some units, it does not apply to all of them. Instead, you want to look at the horsepower. There are four separate scales for horsepower.

1/3 horsepower is the weakest disposal unit and typically the smallest. These garbage disposals are commonly used in smaller locations, such as studio apartments. It can generally handle the amount of food produced by two people. The next size is 1/2 horsepower. These units are more powerful, intended for small families with limited kitchen spaces. 

A 3/4 horsepower disposal is most commonly used inside of a house. These units are strong enough to regularly support multiple people. 3/4 units come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with options for any type of kitchen setup. The last type of disposal, one horsepower, is traditionally only used by small businesses and restaurants, but particularly large houses may benefit from one of these units.

Another decision is whether you get a batch or continuous feed. Batch feeds grinds your food down in small bursts, while a continuous runs without interruption. Both methods are effective, but a batch feed is harder to clog. Many families with younger children prefer batch feeds because they are less likely to have issues when using the unit. Batch units are typically less expensive as well.

Professional Installations

There are several advanced techniques available during installation. If you are worried about the disposal being too loud, you can get your motor soundproofed. Soundproofing takes up more space, but is an excellent choice if you live in a smaller home or have thin walls. Many disposal units require an electric connection. Depending on your kitchen, a professional plumber or electrician can connect your disposal to your dishwasher circuitry. Professionals can also hook up your disposal to your septic tank, which is more involved than a sewer setup.

InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR Garbage Disposal

The Evolution Essential XTR is a 3/4 continuous feed disposal. It uses a secondary grinding feature to break apart food particles before it enters your sewer system. The interior of the disposal is made of stainless steel, so it can be used for years without having to worry about rusting. The XTR features advanced noise reduction technology, using multiple layers of soundproofing and anti-vibration parts to reduce sound from the motor. However, it adds to the size of the unit. The XTR goes for around $300 and comes with a nine-year warranty as of writing.

Waste Maid 058 Economy Garbage Disposal

Waste Maid is another continuous feed disposal, but it is designed with a smaller frame. Despite the small size, it still has 1/2 horsepower. The Waste Maid uses a magnet motor, which starts at full speed. This greatly reduces the chances of jams, even from larger pieces of food. The extra power does come with more noise from the motor, so you may want to consider soundproofing options during installation. The Waste Maid is one of the most affordable disposals, only costing between $50 and $75.

Waste King L-5000TC

Waste King is a high-speed batch feed unit. While it is a larger unit, it features an EZ mount system, which makes it compatible with most sinks. The mount also makes it easier to remove the splash guard so you can clean the underside of the unit. All of the parts are made out of stainless steel, and it features additional soundproofing to reduce noise from the powerful magnet motor. The L-5000TC goes for between $150 and $200.