Some considerations include grind power, size, and how it runs.
Read on to learn more about your garbage disposal options, helping you choose the right model for you.
What Is a Garbage Disposal?
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Agarbage disposalis an electrically powered appliance installed in a kitchen sink under the sink basin.
You might need to replace a unit that needs frequent resets, stops working, or poor performance.
Garbage disposals usually last about 10 years.
If you have to reset the disposal frequently, your garbage disposal may be too old.
If the electrical system is working, schedule a garbage disposal inspection.
An inexplicable power issue can be a dying motor.
For example, New York City didn’t lift a ban on them until 1997.
The city feared garbage disposals would put too much stress on an aging sewer system.
Today, many if not most New York City apartment buildingsparticularly prewar-aged buildingsstill don’t allow them.
They are housed in the cabinet under the sink, connected between the drain and the trap.
Replacement cartridges can cost as little as $15 and last up to six months.
Material
The better models will be made primarily of stainless steel parts.
Stainless steel can last a lifetime, likely outlasting the motor.
Some garbage disposals have plastic parts that will eventually dry out and crack.
Avoid models that use galvanized steel; these will rust quickly.
Size
The size of the unit depends on the horsepower you buy.
The dimensions of units vary.
The electric motors for most residential garbage disposals typically range from 1/3 to 1 hp.
The next significant consideration is a batch feed or continuous feed model.
1/3 Horsepower
The lowest horsepower garbage disposals available are 1/3 hp.
Although they may seem like a great economical option, their utility level is limited.
These appliances get easilyjammedand usually have the cheapest internal components, which quickly rust.
It costs less than $100.
1/2 Horsepower
A 1/2 horsepower model is the minimum horsepower recommended for typical home use.
you’ve got the option to get one for around $100.
These appliances are smaller than 3/4-hp and 1-hp units, making them suitable for tight spaces.
The noise level tends to be relatively high for these disposals.
3/4 Horsepower
A 3/4 horsepower unit is an ideal size that will serve most kitchens quite well.
A 3/4-hp unit should work well for a three to five-person family.
At this size, a garbage disposal has plenty of power for all those leftovers and more.
Stainless steel grind components, for instance, offer much longer life, so look for that whenever possible.
Also, most disposals at this size will have more sound protection to run quieter than 1/2 horsepower units.
you’ve got the option to get an excellent 3/4-hp disposal for under $200.
Thanks to better insulation, they can end up being quieter than even the 3/4 horsepower models.
These appliances can be quite large, and you will need quite a bit of space under the sink.
you might get a 1 1/4 to 2 hp garbage disposal for families with eight people or more.
As you add horsepower, the price jumps commensurately.
They must be used with a stopper and are better for households with rambunctious, exploring children.
The stopper prevents items from accidentally falling into the machine.
you might add food wastes while the disposal is running.
Some models offer auto-reverse functions, advanced grinding features, and special circuitry to help eliminate jams.
Your average cost will shoot up if you choose to get a batch feed over a continuous feed model.
Depending on the brand, the price might double for a unit with the same horsepower.
It will likely take about 1 to 2 hours.
Replacement of an old unit costs significantly less, budget about $150 to $200.
How do I really know what horsepower to choose?
The higher the horsepower, the better the disposal will operate when it comes to garbage disposals.
However, higher horsepower usually means it takes up more space.
So, confirm you have sufficient under-sink space for it.
For most average-sized families, a 3/4 to 1 hp unit works fine.
Does noise level really matter?
Quiet models with sound insulation work at about 45 decibels.
Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes will have some of the largest selections available.
Buying In-Store
You will find the best selection and best price comparison online.
The downside is that most stores can only carry a handful of models in stock.
Buying Online
When buying a garbage disposal online, check the return policies.
If you order the wrong size, check to see if you will be charged for the return.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is ordering a unit without measuring the cabinet space underneath the sink.
Check your under-sink measurements and match them to the model dimensions before buying.
So not all garbage disposals will fit every under-sink cabinet.
Garbage disposal installation is a straightforward process, especially when replacing an old unit.
If the wiring and connections already exist, follow the steps in the instructions.
Garbage disposals make kitchen cleanup easier and eliminate the smell of decomposing food in your kitchen’s garbage can.
