Garbage disposals, waste crushers, and grinders, or “Garburators” as mostly called in Canada, are different names for one thing; a typically electrically-powered appliance placed under the kitchen sink. It shifts the food waste from garbage cans to plumbing after shredding it into small pieces, less than 2mm. The best garbage disposal is the high-quality device that comprises a package of features that match the user’s needs.
A brief history
Thanks to John W. Hammes, the inventor of the garbage disposal, the first item appeared in 1927. He was issued its patent in 1935, and by 1940 it was available on the market for consumers. The early version can be described as a plastic housing with a metal grinding plate with two teeth “impellers” connected to a motor. Around the plate is the grinding ring, a perforated metal ring. As the machine is grinding the waste, water flushes the particles through the holes in the ring. The use of the garbage disposers was illegal in many cities and localities in the U.S. in the 1930s and 1940s; NYC rescinded the ban on disposers in 1998. And until today, the usage of garbage disposals is not allowed in dry areas with inadequate water supplies or sewer systems.
Garbage disposal is of many benefits as well as demands. It helps keep the kitchen drain pipe clean and therefore reduces its clogs. It also gets you rid of the food waste without needing garbage cans. On the other hand, it demands adequate plumbing and sewer systems in your home and area. Another challenge that garbage disposals cast is the difficulty of picking the unit that suits your needs when deciding to buy one. To help you choose among the wide variety of features and models, we present you ten tips to buy the best garbage disposal.
1 Consider your needs
The first step to thoroughly enjoy the benefits of garbage disposal is to make sure it matches your needs, home, and the area where you live. For example, if you need it to dispose of soft waste, a 1/2 HP motor equipped unit will serve you well. For tougher residues like carrots and avocados, you are going to need a higher HP rating.
Besides, keep in mind that a weak sewer system and a shortage of water supply are enemies of garbage disposers. So, before taking the decision call the local sewer authority and enquire about the disposer policy, and whether the municipal sewer system in your area can bear the process of shifting the food wastes from your garbage can to the drain.
The selection should also depend on the amount of garbage, according to which you will identify the right feed type which leads us to tip number two.
2 Decide the suitable feed type
Garbage disposals come in mainly two categories: the batch feed units and the continuous feed ones. The batch feed type cannot be turned on until the grinding chamber is full, while the continuous feed unit works without waiting for the chamber to be filled. Batch feed disposers are suitable for small amount of garbage. A continuous feed one is your need if your homes produce a lot of waste daily, but take care if you have children as its open filler neck could harm their hands. Batch feed models, on the other hand, have a safety cover feature. They cannot be turned on until the cover is in place.
3 The motor size
Rated in Horsepower “HP”, the disposer motors’ standard sizes include 1/3 HP, 1/2 HP, 3/4 HP, and 1 HP. Households widely use the 1/2 HP units. However, if your waists frequently include tough stuff, consider more powerful motors. The 3/4 HP and 1 HP, despite not common for home use, reduce the jams and make the disposing operation smoother.
Another aspect to consider is the size, for the HP of the appliance impacts its size. So, make sure the under sink space is suitable for the disposer. If not, you need to decide whether you will make accommodations to widen the area or go for a smaller device with less high HP.
4 Fix any plumbing issues first
It’s not only the status of the sewer system of your locality that you need to check but your home plumbing condition as well. Before you install a garbage disposal, you may need to inaugurate plumping repairs or enhancements. If you witness clogs and backups frequently, the added load of the disposer could increase them.
5 The auto-reverse guarantees easier cleaning
Look for the options that ease the cleaning process. It’s much simpler to clean garbage disposals with an auto-reverse feature if a jam occurred inside the appliance. The auto-reverse mode enables the spinning blades to get rid of the jammed waste. Another helpful option, in this case, is the” jaminator” which oscillates about the blades.
6 Pay the grinding chamber appropriate attention
The grinding chamber is an essential part of the garbage disposal. Therefore, the appliance you choose should comprise a grinding chamber of efficient features. Stainless steel chambers are considered more durable and accessible to clean than steel chambers. The grinding chamber size, torque, and pulverizing power are affected with that of the motor.
7 Long-warranty- period ensures high-quality
A significant aspect on which your choice should depend is the warranty the manufacturer offers. What could reflect the trust of a company in the quality of their product more than an extended warranty period? Warranties coverage can reach ten years and sometimes cover the life of the appliance. Just keep in mind that such long warranty periods might increase the price.
8 Make sure the disposal doesn’t work noisily
Modern garbage disposals produce less sound while working compared to the old-school models. Large-sized disposal units work quieter than smaller ones, mainly due to their robust construction and the insulation surrounding the grinding chamber. However, all these enhancements haven’t turned the appliance utterly silent while working; they just reduce the sound. Plus, the manufacturers haven’t developed a standard sound-rating system for the different kinds of garbage disposals yet. Therefore, comparing the models according to noise level is not easy.
9 Don’t ignore the quality for a low price
Determining the cost range that you can afford is an essential step. The more vital part is to achieve a balance between the price and the quality and features you need. For example, the continuous feed disposers are cheaper than batch feed ones. However, a continuous feed item is not a practical choice if your place doesn’t typically produce a high amount of garbage. Also, consider the problems that small cheap models could cause such as jams and noise.
10 Quick-Mount Neck for the DIY fans
It’s a feature meant to ease a DIY installation of the garbage disposals for homeowners. However, bigger units, as the 3/4 and 1 HP models, weight up to 30 pounds; therefore, installing it below the sink is probably not a one-person task.
A Garbage disposal is a handy device that comes with many benefits and demands. It’s of great significance to do your research properly about what you are buying, especially if it’s a durable appliance. So, make sure your garbage disposal unit is a profitable investment of your money.