How to Choose the Best Garbage Disposal?
Table of Contents
Top Best Garbage Disposals Based on Reviews and Price
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Why You Need a Garbage Disposal?
The garbage disposal unit is a device that is placed under the sink and which shreds organic waste from the kitchen. Once shredded, this waste is only a few millimeters and does not clog the pipes or generate bad odors. Also called a sink crusher/shredder, or garbage shredder, a garbage disposal is an appliance that is gaining market share every day.
It is an excellent tool used to facilitate the organization and cleaning of kitchens. The price can vary greatly from one model to another. And nonetheless, the price doesn’t portray the level of quality of the tool.
With that in mind, we have created a guide with everything you need to know about these garbage crushers, from installation to durability and safety issues.
9 Factors to Consider When Buying a Garbage Disposal
9. Types of Garbage Disposal
There are basically two types of waste disposal units. Both are designed for different needs and priorities: be it for kids’ and pets’ safety or convenience.
Continuous-feed Disposals
These are the most popular types and are less expensive. As the name suggests, they work continuously but have great ease of use and are activable with just any amount of food or scraps that enter it. Except you’re a really savvy do-it-yourself enthusiast, their installation requires the service of professionals.
However, it’s not advisable for people with pets and curious kids. While the unit is on, if anyone or animal puts their hands inside the drain, this might turn catastrophic. Also, if anything apart from food or scraps enters it may damage such prior to its retrieval. If you must choose this device, you must be a very careful and overly cautious person.
Batch-Feed Disposals
More expensive than the first, the batch-feed waste disposals work only when needed. Hence, they are safe to use and are ideal for people with kids and animals around.
While they are safe to use, they aren’t as convenient to use because they aren’t as automatic as the continuous-feed type. They aren’t use-as-you-go devices. You have to wait till they fill up before you can activate them.
Although the sink crusher is a very powerful device, you should avoid putting too large waste or bones in it, as this could damage it. Meanwhile, there are fewer chances of accidents and offer peace of mind to the user.
8. The Power
Before trying to find out how to buy garbage disposals with better value for the money, the power of the device isn’t a trivial feature. The power of a waste disposal unit is an important criterion to take into account. You have the choice between machines whose power goes from 300 W to more than 1000 W.
For domestic use, a model with a power of 500 W is more than enough to dispose of all your organic waste. On the other hand, if you are a restaurateur, it is preferable to equip your commercial setup with a device with minimum power of 1000 W.
On some models, the engine power is expressed in horsepower. To avoid getting confused, a small conversion is essential. In this case, you have to take into account that each horse is 735.5W.
A powerful sink shredder will allow you to make immeasurable savings on your household waste. On average, the use of this device will guarantee 25% less waste.
7. The Dimensions
The sink shredder is a very bulky device. Before buying one, make sure you have enough space under the sink. If otherwise, an arrangement is required. Know that the more powerful a disposal is, the more impressive it is.
If the most compact machines weigh only 3 kilos, professional-quality ones can weigh 100 kilos or more. It is, therefore, necessary to check that the dimensions of the device correspond to the space you have.
If you don’t want to make any modifications to your kitchen, our buying guide for the best garbage disposals recommends that you opt for the 5-kilo models. In terms of performance, these devices will not disappoint you.
6. Ease of use
Most garbage disposers underwent an antimicrobial treatment before being launched on the market. This is very important because it guarantees the absence of microbes and bacteria in your kitchen. Shredders are resonant devices, but if the noise bothers you, there are soundproof models. Some models let you recover wastes into composts.
The waste disposers are no longer equipped with grinding blades but are equipped with a high speed rotating disc. 2,500 RPM is considered quite effective for a garbage disposal unit.
Of course, these shredders are just as dangerous as many other utensils with rotating discs. So if you’re sure you can be extra careful with them and want more ease of use, choose the continuous-feed types. It is better to cut off its electrical power in case you do not need to use it or need to clean it. And, most importantly, always ensure it’s protected from those small children!
5. Installation
The installation of this type of equipment is usually not complex, but to avoid problems, it is always advisable to rely on models that have an instruction manual.
It should also be noted that in some cases there are parts necessary for installation. These can include some tires and tubes that do not come with the unit and must be purchased separately.
You do not need a plumbing expert to install your garbage disposers if you have some basic knowledge. In addition, asides the manuals, some crushers are sold with quick installation kit and drain adapters.
4. Noise Level
The disposal has a motor and, consequently, makes noise when operating it. When it comes to a model for domestic use, it is advisable to look for a product that is as quiet as possible. The models with SoundSeal are the most effective in terms of sound insulation. They are renowned for maintaining ultra-low quietness even when processing the noisiest garbage materials.
This technology is available in some InSinkErator models. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a safe decibel model, know that 65-70dB is the maximum range your machine can go. If more than this, know you’re opting for a very noisy machine. Look for another model!
3. Manufacturing Elements
Opt for a waste disposer that contains stainless steel components as it is essential to ensure the life of the appliance and prevent corrosion. Garbage disposals with grinding chambers that resist corrosion, in fact, give the users some confidence the product can last timelessly.
With this kind of material, this is why you see manufacturers offer a warranty covering a period of 5 to 7 years. So, while stainless steel is recommended, never choose models with ABS or other less-stronger materials.
2. Antimicrobial Treatment
Garbage disposals shrink the quantity of your wastes, but it still accumulates them under your sink for some time. So, the chance of smelling that stink is always still there, irrespective of the product advertisements, which may say otherwise.
Certain waste disposers have an antimicrobial treatment installed in their structure. This is essential to guarantee the absence of bacteria in your kitchen and keep the garbage fresh.
Disposal stoppers and splash guards which are designed to be in the unit help to filter small garbage particles and water. This helps in fighting odor-creating microbes and stains.
1. Essential Features
- Crushing chamber: The crushing chamber capacity is measured in milliliters. Around 1000 ml, they are perfect for the homes of 4 people. A 500 ml tank is perfect for a kitchen used by two people.
- Scraping-pushing tool: There are practical accessories such as a scraper to evacuate waste more easily. You can also equip your drain with a magnetic band that will catch the kitchen cutlery. This is in case you are not very skilled and/or distracted!
- Shredder disc: The crushing of household waste is not designed to treat fibrous debris. These can be wrapped around the disc or the parts of the apparatus. Certain commercial disposals are equipped with toothed discs that can treat them with some efficiency. However, it is better to recycle or dispose of this waste in the garbage container!
- Waste recycling: Crushed food wastes are evacuated in most cases to the septic tank. However, they can also be retrieved to compost; some models offer easier evacuation than others.
Takeaway
If you are thinking of purchasing a household waste disposal, what matters most is the number of people living in your home. Small garbage disposal will not make the size if you are many members in the home using the kitchen sink. It can cause your engine to overheat and break down!
Once you have determined the power of the waste disposer, analyze some aspects to guarantee the comfort of use and the durability of the product. Remember, when purchasing a product of this type, asides price, warranty and ease of maintenance, you must also pay special attention to the ease of installation, power, the type that suits you most.
We hope this guide assists you in making an informed purchasing decision.
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