In Sink Garbage Disposal Systems Buying Guide

Most households today practice some form of recycling to reduce the amount of garbage that goes straight to landfill. While kitchen waste like food scraps and vegetable peelings use to be composted for the backyard vegetable garden, with today’s busy lifestyle, and the prevalence for more people to live in apartments with restricted storage, means that an in sink garbage disposal system is a good investment. There’s a plethora of make and models on the market today, but before rushing out and buying just any garbage disposer, based on price only, first take the time to factor in your requirements, so that you don’t make an expensive mistake by purchasing the wrong garbage disposer.

Some things to consider when evaluating different garbage disposal units:

• What garbage disposal feed mechanism would better meet your needs – a batch feed unit or a continuous feed?
• Would you prefer a stainless steel grinding chamber or ultra quite operation?
• What size motor would best suit your usage habits and volume of waste to be disposed off?
• Any other conditions that might affect your choices, such as having a septic tank?
• Installation considerations. Make sure you hhttp://insinkgarbagedisposal.com/wp-admin/tools.php?page=redirection.phpave enough space under your sink to install the chosen model. If space is tight, look for one of the compact garbage disposal models.

Let’s examine at each point in more detail.

Batch Feed or Continuous Feed Disposers?

There are 2 types of garbage disposal units – Batch Feed and Continuous Feed models.

The batch feed units operate by manually placing a special stopper in the grinding units opening, which in turn activates a switch that turns on the disposer’s grinder. They are a little more expensive then continuous feed garbage disposers, but might be the choice if you have small children with inquisitive fingers

Continuous feed models, by far the most popular units sold, instead of having a stopper, have a special rubber shield that lets you feed garbage into the grinder, but protects you from food particles flying out when the disposer is in use. They are “continuous” in operation, meaning they are activated as soon as you place any food scraps in the grinding chamber. Something to keep in mind if you have young children and are concerned about their safety. A stopper is used to plug the sink when needed to hold water.

Garbage Disposal Construction and Quietness of Operation

Lower end garbage models tend to have a grinding chamber made of reinforced fiberglass and cheaper metal parts, while the more up-market disposers grinding chambers and grinding plates made of stainless steel. As for quiet operation, the higher end models use sound insulation technology such as baffles and insulated outer chamber casing to reduce noise. Some of the cheap garbage disposal units can be very loud while in operation.

Garbage Disposal Motor Power Rating – 1/3 – 1/2 or 1 HP?

Again, the more expensive units tend to use 1 HP motors, while the budget models start at 1/3 HP models. These models are really only effective on soft waste like vegetable and fruit peelings and households of 1 or 2 persons. The ½ Hp models can grind harder waste materials, while the 1 HP models can cope with food scraps such as chicken bones. Keep in mind that a higher powered disposer will generally be quieter than the low powered garbage disposers.

Garbage Disposal Systems for Septic Tanks

If your household is connected a septic tank, there are garbage disposal systems especially made for use with septic tanks. These disposers feed in special enzymes and micro-organisms injected from a cartridge into the liquefied food slurry before it is piped off to the septic tank. These additives help in the breakdown of waste material in the septic tank. The cartridge’s usually last anywhere from 3 to 6 months before needing to be replaced. Some considerations when using a food disposer is that you may have to pump out the septic more frequently, due to the extra water be flushed by using a disposer. Also, some kitchen waste such as seafood shells e.g. prawn, lobster, oyster shells etc do not breakdown in a septic tank.

Anti-Jamming Features

For smoother operation and less hassle, look for garbage disposal units with an anti-jamming mechanism. There are generally three types of anti-jamming mechanisms:

• One where the spinning blades periodically reverse to “unclog” or lessen the chance of jamming
• The second type of anti-jam system auto-reverses as soon as it detects a jam.
• The third type, which you operate manually by pushing a button on the unit when the unit grinds to a halt.

Connecting your Dishwasher to the Garbage Disposer

Many of the more expensive models allow you to hook up your dishwasher to the disposer, and avoid the task of having to pre-rinse your dishes. As the food scraps are washed off your plates, pots and pans, they are feed through the bottom of the dishwasher into a tube connected to the disposer, instead of being directly connected to the drain pipe.

Some Do’s and Don’ts When Operating an In Sink Garbage Disposal Unit

Do:

• Run the cold tap water while grinding food waste. Run water for at least 15-20 seconds after grinding has finished, to ensue that all waste is flushed out of the disposer.
• Don’t be afraid to grind harder materials such as fruit pits, small bones etc, as this helps scour out waste build up on the grinding chamber walls.
• To freshen up the smell of a food disposer, grind a small amount of citrus peelings. Or use a commercial deodorizer.
• Regularly use a commercial cleaner designed for use in garbage disposal units

Don’t:

• Don’t run the hot water tap while grinding. It’s OK to run hot water before and after grinding.
• Don’t pre-empt the grinder and turn it off before it has finished grinding.
• Avoid putting stringy fibrous material into the grinder such as celery stalks, artichokes or corn husks.
• Do not tip cooking fats or oils into the disposer. Fats or oils should never be disposed of down the sink, whether you have a garbage disposal unit or not.

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