Garbage disposals (also known as garbage disposers) act to grind food waste into
tiny pieces that can be washed down the drain without causing clogs. The garbage
disposal can be a very valuable tool in homes where food waste from the sink would
either be washed down the drain in clog-inducing chunks or thrown away in the trash
otherwise. With a garbage disposal, it is easy to just wash chunks of food waste
from meal preperation and dishwashing down the drain. The homeowner can do so with
confidence that simply running the garbage disposal will grind the waste down into
tiny particles that flow easily down the drain. With minimal care, using a garbage
disposal won't cause clogs, and it is an easier, more convenient, and less smelly
way of dealing with such garbage.
Much of the food waste that garbage disposals are intended to take care of can also
be used for composting. Because of this, homeowners in rural areas and other locations
that encourage composting may have much less need for a garbage disposal. Many still
have a garbage disposal installed to dispose of such waste when composting is inconvenient,
such as during the winter months. Some may also use a disposal for types of food
waste that aren't suitable for their composting needs, or just to grind down bits
of food that escape down the drain during dishwashing. For the large portion of
the population that has no place or need to compost waste, the garbage disposal
is an even more useful tool.
History
The garbage disposal was first invented in 1927 by an architect named John W. Hammes.
He went on to found In-Sink-Erator, which sold their first disposal in 1938, is
now the largest manufacturer of garbage disposals in the world. Competitors such
as General Electric also got into the garbage disposal business early, marketing
their first one in 1935. Over the years, manufacturers had to work with local municipalities
to convince them that using garbage disposals would not put an undue strain on community
sewer systems. In many locations, the use of garbage disposals was prohibited because
of the potential impact on sewer systems, while some communities actually required
the use of garbage disposals because of how conveniently they deal with food waste.
In many boroughs of New York City, the use of garbage disposals was illegal until
as recently as 1997.
Because of such concerns, as well as the impact on business and consumers of World
War II, it was not until several years later that the garbage disposal started to
gain widespread popularity in American kitchens. Many households and house builders
first installed garbage disposals in the 1970s and 1980s, and since then they have
become more and more prevalent.
Types
There are two main styles of garbage disposal available. Continuous feed garbage
disposals are by far the most common, although batch feed garbage disposals can
still be found in some homes. Both can be great options, so the choice of one over
the other is a matter of personal preference, availability and budget.
Continuous Feed
Continuous feed disposals are turned on or off by a switch, generally an electrical
switch on the wall close to the sink. It is important to keep the water running
the whole time the disposal is operating, and to never stick hands or utensils into
the disposal whether it is running or not. Some models can be installed with an
air switch rather than an electrical switch. This mechanism involves a button, generally
on the sink itself, that delivers a puff of air to switch the control unit on or
off when pressed. The advantage of air switches is that they can be safely operated
with wet hands, since no electricity is involved. Elecric switches are far more
common, however. Prices range from about $60 to $350, depending on the features
and power level of the individual unit.
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Batch Feed
Batch feed garbage disposals are often harder to find than continuous feed models,
and they may be more expensive. Rather than using a wall switch, they can only be
turned on by inserting and turning the special drain plug. This is a nice safety
feature that makes it impossible to place hands in the garbage disposal while it
is running, but the convenience of the contunuous feed style has made it the dominant
type in the market. The notable exception is in the market for higher end models.
Many of the batch feed garbage disposals currently available are higher powered
versions with 3/4 to 1 horsepower, and they are likely to come with extra options
such as auto reverse mechanisms. Prices range between about $160 and $500, depending
on the features and power level of the individual unit.
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Commercial Garbage Disposals
Garbage disposals are also utilized in commercial environments, such as food preperation
plants. Commercial disposals such as those made by
Red Goat Disposers are much more powerful, much more expensive, and require
a larger volume of water during operation than household garbage disposals. This
higher power allows them to process more food waste in a day than most home garbage
disposals would process in an entire year. Commercial units may cost anywhere from
$1000 to over $4000.
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Power
Garbage disposals are available at a variety of power levels. Higher horsepower
units are generally more expensive, but may also have a longer functional life. More
power is also desirable in households where the garbage disposal will be used a
lot. Most household garbage disposals offer either 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower, which
is sufficient for most users. Some higher end models are available with 3/4 or even
1 horsepower. In addition to being able to handle larger volumes of food waste,
higher power garbage disposals also generally have a longer functional life, as
the higher power leads to less wear from the same amount of use in comparison to
a lower powered unit. Lower power garbage disposals do tend to be less expensive,
so homeowners expecting to use the garbage disposal only once in a while may prefer
to get a 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower unit. Buyers who intend to use the garbage disposal
frequently or for difficult material, however, will be better off buying a more
powerful unit and may find extra features such as auto reverse to be worthwhile
additions. Warranties also vary between units, and often last longer for higher
powered units.
Features
Some high end units emulate commercial designs by including an additional cutting
blade positioned below the turntable. This adds more cutting power, and it can slice
fibrous material that would otherwise be prone to causing clogs. This can be useful
in homes that need to dispose of materials such as fibrous leaves and peels.
Safety and convenience concerns have lead to many improvements over the years. Most
garbage disposals include an overload switch that will cut off the electricity if
the motor starts to overheat. This is particularly useful in the case of a jam slowing
or stopping the mechanism from turning, since otherwise the motor could burn out
and have to be replaced. This overload switch is generally a small red button on
the underside of the unit, under the sink.
Jams are always a concern, since they can cause the motor to overheat. Most garbage
disposals come with a hex key that can be used to manipulate the unit from below.
This provides the ability to turn the mechanism in reverse without reaching inside,
which is often sufficient to clear the jam and let the machine operate normally.
Be sure to turn off the power to the garbage disposal any time it needs to be worked
on!
Another feature found in some high end disposals is an automatic reversing mechanism,
which spins the turntable in the opposite direction each time it starts. This helps
to prevent and clear minor jams without the need to turn the mechanism manually
as described above.
Stainless steel components are considered the best, whether in an entry level unit
or a deluxe model. Stainless steel will not rust or corrode, so the life of a unit
using stainless steel is generally longer than with other materials.
One more factor to look at before buying a garbage disposal is the manufacturer
warranty. Many lower powered units will come with a one or two year limited warranty,
while more powerful units are often covered for a period of five years or more.
Technology
Garbage disposals all use the same basic technology, although different models may
offer different features and different power levels. The garbage disposal is installed
under the sink between the drain and the trap, and is easily accessible for installation
or servicing. Professional installation is generally recommended. Food waste is
washed down the drain and drops directly into the disposal. Water passes through
the garbage disposal freely, and running water is, in fact, an essential factor
in smooth operation of the machine. The water should be running any time the garbage
disposal is being operated, and it is highly recommended to continue running the
water for several seconds after shutting the disposal off. This additional water
helps to ensure that the ground up food waste is washed clear of the disposal and
trap, so that it doesn't accumulate and produce unpleasant odors.
The base of a garbage disposal unit is a high torque electric motor. The motor is
well insulated to prevent any contact with water, and some models also offer additional
sound buffering for quieter operation. The motor provides the power to spin the
turntable within the disposal. This is the surface that the garbage accumulates
on before running the garbage disposal. There are generally several blunt edged
toggles mounted on top of the turntable. The walls of the garbage disposal are formed
by the shredder ring, which completely surrounds the turntable. The shredder ring
is perforated with several sharp edged holes or slots around the full circumference.
When the turntable spins, the combination of centrifugal force and pressure from
the toggles mounted on the turntable forces chunks of food against the shredder
ring, where they are mashed and ground until the pieces are small enough to be washed
through the holes. Running the water while running the garbage disposal ensures
that the particles wash through once they are small enough, which helps to prevent
jams and overheating. It's also recommended to continue running the water for a
short time after turning off the garbage disposal. This helps to prevent unpleasant
odors from developing.
Additional Products
There are a few additional products that garbage disposal owners may find to be
useful for improving the experience of daily garbage disposal operation. These types
of products are not necessarily essential, but can prevent common difficulties such
as bad smells or dropping non-trash items into the disposal.
Screens
One inexpensive addition is the simple garbage disposal screen. This product is
inserted into the drain opening, so that anything going down the drain has to pass
through the screen first. It is designed with openings large enough to let most
food particles through easily, while stopping items like cutlery, jewelry, or change.
This type of screen only costs a couple of dollars, but can be a great addition
to any home garbage disposal.
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Cleaners
Garbage disposal cleaners offer additional cleansing power to get rid of or prevent
the stubborn odors that may sometimes develop. There are a variety of commercial
products specifically intended for use with garbage disposals. In addition to these,
there are a variety of home remedies that may or may not be effective. Some of these
home remedies include running bleach, lemons, or citrus peels through the garbage
disposal. In general, proper operation of a garbage disposal should not result in
unpleasant odors, but if odors do develop, these products can be a great option.
Remember to run the water while running the disposal, and it is recommended to continue
running the water for several seconds after turning off the disposal in order to
help clear the drain and trap. Garbage disposal cleaners generally cost between
about $10 and $20.
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