What Is the Difference Between Garbage Disposals and Disposers?

Disposals and Disposers

• Garbage disposals help to reduce the amount of food waste you put into your trash can and send out to municipal trash systems. After scraping soft food and vegetable peels into the drain and running cold water from the faucet, you can turn on the unit. Powered by electricity, the disposal grinds up the food waste until it is small enough to be washed down the drainpipe and into your sewer or septic systems.

Speed

• Garbage disposals are distinguished by the horsepower of their motors. Choices range from ¼ horsepower to 1 horsepower. Most households use at least a ½-horsepower unit; anything slower isn’t powerful enough to deal with waste efficiently. A 1-horsepower unit uses more electricity than others. Its motor runs louder, but the units often come with soundproofing.

Septic vs. Sewer

• If your home has a septic system rather than a connection to a municipal sewer system, pay careful attention when buying a new garbage disposer. Some units will send too much or too bulky food waste into the septic system. This can interfere with normal waste decomposition and lead to serious septic problems down the line. Make sure the disposer you choose is rated as good for septic systems and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for what to run through it.

Considerations

• If you are installing a disposal unit in a sink that has never had one before, choose any brand that fits your needs, regardless if it calls itself a disposer or a disposal. If you are replacing a unit that has worn out or been damaged, consider buying a unit by the same manufacturer. You might be able to use the existing mounting hardware to put the new unit in place, which will cut down on time and effort during installation.