KitchenAid Built-In Trash Compactor

Nobody likes sticking their hands down the drain to clean out the leftovers of the previous meal that are stuck there. That’s why it’s smart to purchase an efficient garbage disposal unit, to make cleaning the sink much more comfortable. Furthermore, garbage disposers cut down on the amount of old food left sitting around in the kitchen sink and garbage and prevent your sink from getting clogged up. In fact, because garbage disposals limit the amount of landfill waste, several cities such as Denver and Indianapolis require disposals in new homes preferring to send it to waste water treatment plants. Considering that many towns charge by volume for garbage removal, it’s easy to see why almost 50% of all American’s own garbage disposers. Here is a list of what to keep in mind when shopping for a new garbage disposal.

Types of Garbage Disposals
All garbage disposals in the U.S. are manufactured by only four different companies, although they brand them with several different names. In Sink-Erator makes 80% of them although some consumer ratings prefer Waste King and Kenmore models. There are three basic types of garbage disposals:

• Continuous Feed – Most continuous feed disposers are activated by a switch and the food automatically goes down together with running water however the open filler neck can pose a danger to children. Therefore it is usually required to install the switch as far away from the sink as possible, while still remaining in view.
• Batch Feed – Batch Feed models are more expensive but safer. The food must be loaded before turning on the disposer and can only be activated by pushing down a stopper. Although it is more burdensome to use, it prevents solid food shards such as bones from flying out of the machine during use, and makes sure that there are no fingers or forks in the way.
• Septic System Models – Septic models have special cartridges that release a chemical to help break down food waste. The cartridges must be changed every 3-6 months and are required for homes with septic systems that are near their waste capacity.

Power
Most experts recommend buying a garbage disposer with at least 1/2-horsepower although more is obviously better. Even the least powerful, 1/2-hp motor can handle bones but a more powerful motor will crush them faster, reducing the chance of clogging and prolonging the life of the machine. Nonetheless, according to Consumer Reports, even the stainless-steel grinding chambers of a 1-horsepower unit were dented while grinding beef bones. If you have a small family or don’t produce much food wastes, a less powerful model will do, however most people prefer to have a stronger machine so that they can enjoy the ease of a garbage disposer without having to worry about what they are throwing in.

Installment
Most garbage disposers have a quick-mount neck that makes it possible to install by yourself however due to the weight of the more powerful models (up to 30 lbs), it may be necessary to do it with someone else. Nonetheless, in many cases it is still advisable to have someone with electrical and plumbing experience install the unit. Some models come with electrical cords for easy connection to any outlet, however others must be attached to the home’s internal electrical wiring which will require an electrician. An electrician will also be necessary to attach a switch for continuous feed models. It may also be desirable to hire a plumber to connect the dishwasher to the disposal as well so that dirty water passes through it.

Some Additional Features to Consider:

• Fineness – Different unit provide different grades of waste grinding.
• Auto-Reverse Mode – This is a very helpful feature that reverses the direction of chopping blades to clear waste jams.
• Quiet – Some garbage disposal units are quieter than others. It’s therefore important to ask about the noise level and even try it out in the store if possible. In general, the larger and heavier the unit, the quieter it will run. The Viking model is the most quiet, although it is also substantially more expensive.

Ecological Downside
Although many studies find that garbage disposals are better for the environment, cutting down on food scraps that make up between 10% and 20% of all household waste, they nonetheless might not be the best solution in every location. Depending on where you live, the additional water use and extra burden on sewer and septic systems may outweigh the landfill space that a disposer conserves. Before buying a garbage disposal, check out the local plumbing laws and regulations because many places with septic tanks have restrictions on types of disposal units allowed.

If you’ve decided that a garbage disposer is for you, we hope that this information will help you make an informed choice when purchasing a new one without getting stuck!

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