What to Consider When Buying a Garbage Disposal

Parts

• The best garbage disposals are made from stainless steel blades. Stainless steel never rusts, a huge plus considering that garbage disposals are exposed to dampness almost nonstop. Stainless steel also is stronger than other metals, which may help give your garbage disposal a longer lifetime. The downside is cost. Stainless steel models are more expensive than disposals made from other metals.

Horsepower

• Low-power garbage disposals are more inclined to break down after several years and need replacing, while high-power models have longer lifespans. Lower power models, at 1/3 horsepower, are best used for soft food waste, such as vegetable scraps, and for households that don't often use the disposal. If you plan to dispose of tougher waste, such as bones, or use the disposal very frequently, consider higher horsepower in the 3/4 to 1 horsepower range.

Feed Type

• There are two types of garbage disposal feed types: batch feed and continuous feed. Batch feed models require you to put food into the disposal and flip a switch or use a stopper to start the disposal. Continuous feed models turn on when food is pressed into the disposal. Continuous feed models can be more convenient, especially for heavy use of the appliance, and tend to cost less. Batch feed models are considered safer in homes with children, as the disposal will not turn on if they reach their hands down into the drain.

Plumbing System

• Some municipalities don't allow garbage disposals or they require a special permit because the waste can clog sewer lines. Check with your local jurisdiction before purchasing a disposal. Also, consider your home's waste water system. If you have a septic tank, consider avoiding a garbage disposal because of the extra waste that will be flushed into the tank. Alternatively, you can plan to empty the tank more frequently. If your home has older plumbing that tends to clog easily, consider avoiding garbage disposals. The sludge of food waste can easily clog inadequate plumbing systems.

Extra Features

• Within the wide range of disposals comes an array of extra features. Think about whether any of these features are important to you, and weigh the cost against the benefits. Extra features include noise insulation for a quieter disposal and auto-reverse to help free stuck food. Some disposals have a silverware guard to prevent the appliance from chewing up a dropped spoon or fork. Others have features that prevent odor-causing bacteria growth or squirt enzymes with the food sludge to promote its disintegration.