Tips For Choosing a Garbage Disposal Unit

A garbage disposal is a convenient household appliance that will save you time and money while reducing unnecessary waste. Rather than dumping your leftover dinner scraps in the trash where they’ll end up in the landfill, you can flush them into the municipal sewer system or your home’s septic tank using a garbage disposal unit.

 

But with so many different types of garbage disposals available, some homeowners may find it difficult to narrow their selection down to a single one. If you’re struggling to choose one, we have some tips that will make the process easier.

 

Continuous Feed vs Batch Feed: What’s The Difference?

 

Most modern-day garbage disposal units fall under one of two different categories: continuous feed or batch feed. Continuous feed models feature an open mouth with an on/off wall switch. They are the easiest to use and also the most common.

 

Batch feed models, on the other hand, feature a special “hopper chamber” in which the food is placed inside and covered with a lid to activate. Batch feeds are more expensive, but they are also safer since there’s a lid covering the blades. In order for a batch feed garbage disposal to chop up the food, the lid must be closed, preventing any silverware or cutlery from researching the blades.

 

Motor

 

You should also consider the motor size when shopping for a new garbage disposal unit. Garbage disposal motors have come a long ways since the advent of these devices back in the late 1920s.  Some of the different motor sizes available today consist of 1/3 horsepower, 1/2 horsepower, 3/4 horsepower, and 1 horsepower.

 

The smaller motors, such as 1/3 and 1/2 are perfectly fine for chopping up small vegetables and fruits, but a larger motor will reduce the risk of clogged drains by pulverizing food into a near-liquid consistency.

 

Blade

 

The blade is the heart and sole of a garbage disposal unit, as it’s responsible for chopping up food to the point where it can travel through the home’s plumbing. Stainless steel blades are ideal for this purpose; they grind up food more finely, last longer, and won’t succumb to rust. You may have to pay a little bit more for a model with stainless steel blades, but it’s a smart investment that will pay off in the form of a more efficient garbage disposal.

 

Noise

 

Lastly, consider the noise level when choosing a garbage disposal unit. Unfortunately, this is something that’s difficult to gauge without testing the unit in person. Performing some investigative research online, however, will often reveal customer reviews of different models. If a particular model has numerous complaints about loud noise, you may want to avoid it.