FAQs: Garbage Disposal Frequently Asked Questions
What is a garbage disposal?
A garbage disposal is a state-of-the-art, motor-powered appliance installed under the sink. The equipment is designed to make the lives more convenient as it finely grinds food wastes into smaller particles to dispose of down into the drain. It is commonly called as garbage disposer, waste disposal unit and garburator.
How does garbage disposal work?
Many people believe that garbage disposal is like a blender. The truth is that the equipment is far different. There’s no chewing, chopping, and cutting involved throughout the process. Garbage disposals don’t really have blades. It only has a plate with two impellers. How do they work? They create the right amount of centrifugal force, propelling the food scraps against the chamber’s internal wall. The wall grinds the food into tiny particles before reaching the drain.
What is the ideal size of a garbage disposal?
Sink grinders or garbage disposals come in different sizes and shapes, making the selection process simpler. But it’s easier said than done.
Homeowners have different needs, and there’s a variety of sink disposals to pick. What’s the right size that can exceed one’s requirements? The secret here is to consider how much power you need. There are also a few factors to bear in mind.
How many household members live in residential property? How frequently will you be employing a kitchen disposal? What types of food are frequently prepared? How much waste can it create?
If you’re living with a big family, you probably will use the sink shredder more often than you’ve imagined. So, a garbage disposal with a larger size is worth the investment.
After that, think about the types of food waste you’ll be putting in the appliance.
Common and popular sizes include 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, 1, and 2+ horsepower.
What items can garbage disposals handle?
A sink disposal is a flexible and advanced machine homeowners cannot afford to miss. Despite the cutting-edge features, a garbage disposal cannot handle other items such as coffee grounds, eggshells, beans, pasta, rice, cooking oil, stringy fruits, veggies, and grease.
However, a powerful and feature-packed garbage disposal from a trusted brand could handle these items with functional performance. But to increase its longevity, you have to avoid coffee grounds, grease, beans, etc.
Why does a sink shredder smell?
Stinky garbage disposal? Don’t worry! The culprit is the food waste rotting in the grinding chamber. To fix the problem, run plenty of cold water into the system. Let it grind or flush the items in its chamber. What’s next? Clean the disposal to get rid of bacteria. Although a DIY service is a trend today, nothing can beat the services of a professional. The results are fast, long-lasting, and convenient, too. A qualified specialist also provides a careful and thorough inspection, so there’s nothing to worry about.
What are the two types of garbage disposals to take advantage of?
Aside from the size, sink shredder is available with Continuous Feed and Batch Feed. How do these types of garbage disposal differ from each other?
Continuous feed is the go-to option for most homeowners because it’s stress-free to use. The system works by just turning on the cold water, flipping the power switch, and adding food scraps. That’s it!
The Batch Feed, on the other hand, is not user-friendly as it only grinds food in a smaller batch. It requires a stopper to activate the power.
So, which is better? It will always depend on the given situation. Identify your needs before making a decision.
Is it important to run water while a garbage disposal unit works?
Of course, yes! Experts encourage homeowners to run water while using the sink shredder. This allows the equipment to grinding any food waste, guiding the small particles down the drain, and avoiding potential issues over time.
Are you tired of clogged pipes? Are you exhausted of repetitive and expensive replacement? Whatever the case may be, you better run water while the garbage disposal is on.
When grinding food waste, cold water can play a significant role in preventing the fat from liquefying. Over time, this can avoid any clogging issues, make grinding tasks simpler, and eliminating other hassles.
Hot water, on the other hand, is a perfect solution for cleaning sink shredders. It is an excellent alternative for baking soda, citric acid, vinegar, and other cleaning brands in the market.
Grinding citrus peels can also help with the maintenance. Then, combine it with enough cold water.
Plus, avoid unreliable cleaning materials for the device to last within a long time.
How to Install a garbage disposal?
Setting up garbage disposal can be a headache, especially for less experienced homeowners. But it has never been easier with the manual. Read any available instructions for optimal safety and convenience.
PS: we have written a complete and detailed article about how to install a garbage disposal by yourself.
For those who don’t have prior knowledge and necessary tools, it’s best to let the professional handle the job. From the experience to cutting-edge materials, a skilled specialist has them all.
Is a new installation convenient?
When adding disposal as part of a kitchen remodeling, the installation will be more complicated than you’ve ever thought. An expert will be your best shot. Although it requires extra cost, the services of a specialist are worthwhile.
Are garbage disposals loud?
It depends on the model. Since it is a motorized appliance, the unit creates some noise during operation because of the vibration.
With technological advancement, some appliances have anti-vibration features and built-in insulation. Other manufacturers also list the decibel level within the specifications of every model. Click here to check the quietest garbage disposals on the market.
Why does garbage disposals hum and buzz?
The sink shredder might be clogged. How to restore the unit’s functional performance? You just have to unplug the machine, get the Allen wrench, find a small hole under the unit, insert the wrench, plug in the equipment, and turn it on. For further information, please feel free to call the manufacturer of your option. A trusted service provider provides 100% customer support and quick response time at the most competitive rate.