How to Tell which Type of Garbage Disposal Your Home Needs

If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you probably don’t think about when you’ll need to replace it. High-end garbage disposals last a long time, but they don’t last forever. Eventually, you’ll need to buy a new one, and here’s how you’ll know when the time has arrived.

With proper use, garbage disposals are meant to run smoothly with very few issues. If your system frequently plugs up with food, releases an unpleasant odour, leaks water or waste, or has to be reset, you likely need a new one. It’s up to you whether you opt for the same system you originally had, or if you choose a newer, potentially better one.

The two main categories of garbage disposal are the batch feed and continuous feed types, both of which are fairly self-explanatory. Due to their open food reservoirs, continuous feeds only require users to turn on a switch to grind up the food deposited into them. In most cases, this is easy and useful, but if you’re prone to dropping non-food items into your garbage disposal by accident, a batch feed system might be a better option for you. Batch feeds work when users put their food waste into the container within them and seal it with the lid it comes with, which starts up the grinder blades.

While most homeowners opt for continuous feed disposals, no two homeowners are alike, and the final decision will be based on several different elements. You may think you know exactly what you want before stopping to look at the finer details of the garbage disposal you’re considering.

The first element you’ll want to look at is the size of the motor the garbage disposal has. Small motors can only take small amounts of soft, easily ground food, which is ideal for a household of one or two people who don’t consume many hard-to-grind animal products or frequently go out to eat. For families who often cook meals at home and eat an abundance of animals products, big motors with the power to continuously grind large amounts of tough foods without risking jams are the best choice.

Chamber size is also important to think about when choosing a new garbage disposal, as much like disposal motors, larger chambers can hold and grind more food while maintaining sharp blades and resisting rust. The volume of larger chambers also makes cleaning much easier than it is with smaller chambers.

Some features are unnecessary, but nice to have. Pricier garbage disposals may have leakage protection, noise prevention, and anti-corrosion capabilities. Homes with septic systems can benefit from disposal devices that include food-dissolving enzymes, keeping all waste systems clean. If you have money to spare and find that extra features are worth it, buy an advanced system - it’ll last longer than a cheaper one will.

Though your garbage disposal shouldn’t be on your mind constantly, watch out for signs that indicate you need to replace it to keep your kitchen clean and functional.