Ahh. Garbage disposals. They’re so darn handy, but at the same time they can be a real pain (particularly when they chew up your measuring spoons, start to smell, or stop working properly).
In an effort to make garbage disposal purchasing and use a little less painful, here’s some basic info.
Garbage Disposal Buying
There are two types of garbage disposals. Continuous-feed disposals (which are the only type I’ve had in my kitchens over the years) are operated by a wall or sink switch and need a constant stream of cold water running in use. (If you’ve heard the sound they make when you forget to turn the water on, you’ll understand why.) Batch-feed disposals require a stopper for operation. This provides increased safety—the disposer only works when the sink plug is inserted, and turning the plug starts and stops it.
When you shop for a garbage disposal, make sure the one you choose will fit comfortably underneath your sink and that the sink can support the model. If you have a dishwasher, make certain your disposal has a dishwasher connection.
You’ll also want to figure out how powerful of a motor you need. A 1/3-horsepower motor works best in an apartment or small family home—use it too much, and it will get stuck. If you have a large family or cook a lot, a ½- to 1-horsepower model is a better choice.
Garbage disposals can be noisy. Fatter disposals (those with larger cases) are typically quieter. Models that come with sound insulation are best.
As with about any appliance available these days, garbage disposals are available with a variety of special features. If you want to go all out (and ensure you’re getting a quality disposal that will work), look for corrosion protection shields, anti-jamming devices, overload manual reset buttons, self-service wrenches, and anti-splash baffles.
Know-It-All Note: If your home has never had a disposal and you want to add one, check your local codes first. Some local laws dictate how far the switch must be away from the sink—or even say whether or not you can use disposals at all.
Learn more about buying garbage disposals. If you’re installing your disposal yourself, try these step-by-step instructions or check out this handy animated tutorial.
Disposal Maintenance
Once you buy your handy dandy disposal, knowing what can and can’t go down there (and how to clean it) will keep it running (and disposing) smoothly.
• Avoid tossing fibrous foods such as potato skins, fruit and veggie peels, and eggshells down the disposal. (Just ask my honey—the Thanksgiving he peeled all the potatoes into the sink and tried to run the garbage disposal and they all ended up in the basement laundry room at his parent’s house was … interesting to say the least.)
• Avoid dumping fats or grease down there too.
• Don’t pour bleach, drain cleaners, and other chemicals into the unit.
• Try not to overfill the disposal.
• Run cold water—not hot—when the disposal is in use.
• Whatever you do, don’t reach into the disposal while it’s on! (I’m extremely paranoid about this one and you should be too!)
When an object falls into the disposer, I’ve read recommendations that you should shut off the power, remove the splash guard, and look around with a flashlight. Or do like I do: shut off the power, stick your hand down there (if your hand is small enough), and root around until you find what you’re looking for. (Yes, it can be gag-worthy if there’s still food down there, but as long as you triple-check that the power is off and you don’t have to worry about broken glass or other dangerous objects in there, you should be fine.)
Here’s what to do if your drain is clogged or your disposal is smelly.
Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All
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