Whether you’re shopping for a garbage disposal to install in a new home or upgrade your current kitchen, selecting the right model is critical. The service life of a garbage disposal is around 10 to 15 years, so you’ll likely be using the disposal you pick for a decade or longer. Making a poor selection could lead to operational mishaps and untimely replacement if you end up with a low-quality unit that fails to live up to your expectations.
The best garbage disposal for your home isn’t necessarily the most expensive—it’s the one that matches your household’s needs. When comparing models, you should pay attention to motor size, grinding performance, noise reduction, construction materials, feed type, and compatibility with your existing plumbing system. Choosing the right combination of features can improve performance and extend the life of your disposal.
Many homeowners only think about horsepower when picking out a disposal, but it’s important to look past this familiar metric when evaluating your options. We here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are familiar with all the factors involved in selecting the right disposal, and we offer the following information to help you make an educated decision for your household.
Quick Takeaways
- Your disposal’s motor size should match your household’s cooking habits.
- Multi-stage grinding helps reduce clogs.
- Noise insulation makes a noticeable difference.
- Stainless steel components improve durability.
- Continuous-feed and batch-feed disposals each have advantages.
- Proper compatibility and installation are just as important as the disposal itself.
1. Motor Size
Residential garbage disposals are equipped with motors of varying sizes. These are the most common motor sizes, along with recommendations on the types of households that each is best suited for.
One-third horsepower to one-half horsepower
Disposals outfitted with these modestly proportioned motors are ideal for households with just one or two people. They are not capable of handling large amounts of tough material and should be used only for processing limited quantities of soft food items.
One-half horsepower to three-fourths horsepower
These mid-sized disposal models are a good fit for small families of two to four individuals. They can effectively manage a wider range of materials than lower-horsepower units but are unable to deal with bones and other hard items.
Three-fourths horsepower to one horsepower
Disposals in this performance range make popular choices for medium-sized households. They offer sufficient power for most residential kitchen uses without taking up too much space or consuming excessive amounts of energy.
One horsepower and above
Big households and food-service operations benefit from high-end disposals that utilize heavy-duty motors of a horsepower or more. These models are less likely to jam even when tackling sizable quantities of very hard waste material and can easily grind up tough, difficult-to-process items.
It’s important to remember that a bigger, more powerful disposal isn’t necessarily the optimal choice. A larger disposal may not fit into the limited under-sink space found in some homes. Scaled-up disposals also often cost more than smaller units.
2. Grinding Performance
Disposals are available in single-stage and multi-stage grinding configurations. As the names suggest, single-stage disposals process material just once as it passes through while multi-stage disposals utilize two or three grinding steps to completely pulverize waste before it washes down the drain.
Single-stage disposals are ideally suited for light usage. They’re more likely to jam if tasked with processing large amounts of tough materials, and incomplete grinding could lead to drain clogs. Multi-stage disposals generally cost more but are a better choice if your household needs a unit that’s capable of tackling a wide array of kitchen waste.
3. Noise Reduction
The open-concept design of many modern kitchens makes noise one of the top factors to consider when selecting a disposal. Fortunately, disposal models with quieter motors and added sound insulation are available. These features often come at a price, but the extra expense may be worth it if you cook at home regularly or host frequent dinner parties and social gatherings.
4. Quality Construction
As is the case with most appliances, choosing a high-quality disposal fabricated from premium materials by a reputable manufacturer usually ends up saving time and money in the long run. This is especially true if you’re likely to use your disposal on a daily basis. At a minimum, you should look for stainless steel grinding components, built-in corrosion resistance, and durable construction in the disposal you buy. Strong warranty protection from the manufacturer is also a plus.
5. Feed Type
Continuous-feed disposals feature open tops for inserting waste material. When switched on, these models run non-stop as waste is fed into the unit. The main downsides of continuous-feed disposals include accidental ejection of objects and being able to reach inside while the motor is running. Despite these concerns, continuous-feed models are the popular choice for households that need large amounts of disposal capacity due to family size or frequency of use.
Batch-feed disposals are equipped with lids to prevent splashes and injuries. A small quantity of waste is inserted into the device and processed with the cover in place. This type of disposal is ideal for families with small children and households that generate limited quantities of kitchen waste at a time.
6. Compatibility With Your Home
The last thing you want to do when picking out a new disposal is choose a model that won’t fit into the space under your sink or link up with your existing plumbing. Your home’s breaker panel must be able to serve the new disposal, and special care must be taken to ensure compatibility if you have a septic system.
If you’re like most homeowners, you may not be familiar with the internal workings of your plumbing system or the specific electrical requirements of a garbage disposal. That’s where our professional expertise comes in. Our skilled personnel will go over everything you need to know about selecting a new disposal and provide detail-oriented installation to ensure seamless functionality with your home’s existing features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size garbage disposal do I need?
Primary factors for sizing a garbage disposal include the number of people in your household, how often you cook at home, the space you have available, and the amount of money you want to spend.
Is a higher-horsepower garbage disposal worth it?
If you generate a lot of tough kitchen waste on a regular basis, a high-horsepower disposal may be worth the added expense. If you have a small household or seldom cook at home, you should probably opt for a lower-powered unit.
What’s the difference between continuous-feed and batch-feed disposals?
Continuous-feed disposals process waste on an ongoing basis as it passes through the grinder. Batch-feed devices manage small quantities of material at a time and must have a cover in place before operating.
How long should a garbage disposal last?
The average lifespan of a disposal is around 10 years with most models functioning as expected for eight to 15 years.
Choose the Right Garbage Disposal for Your Home
The team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is standing by to help you select a new garbage disposal based on the unique needs of your household. We’ll then follow up with prompt, professional installation of the disposal you choose to promote years of successful operation.
Give us a call if you’re located anywhere in or around Orlando to book an appointment with The Punctual Plumber® at your earliest convenience.