
There are many reasons why you should strive to get one of the best garbage disposals that you can. Whether it’s in your home, office or somewhere else there are lots of advantages to getting a garbage disposal. There are also lots of different types with some being better than others. A look on the internet will show hundreds of models each claiming to be the best. It can get pretty overwhelming which is why I created this site.
These are what I feel are the top 5 options that you should consider when looking to buy a new product. They are rated based on quality, price and reputation. If at any time you want to read the full garbage disposal reviews or check price on Amazon you can just click the link.
Top 5 Best Garbage Disposal On The Market
1. InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Evolution Compact
If you’re looking for a quality kitchen garbage disposal at an affordable price then the InSinkErator Evolution Compact just might be the choice for you. Insinkerator is another very reputable brand and one that I review a few times on this site.
The evolution series is of the highest standard, and the compact model is powerful, affordable and one of the quietest garbage disposal units. What more can you ask for? The stainless steel looks attractive and serves it’s purpose of making the disposal last a long time. DuraDrive technology makes the motor powerful and capable of pulverizing your food waste.
Pros:
- Compact size for small kitchen
- Stainless steel grinding components.
- Full of noise reduction technique of InsinkErator Evolution Excel.
- Dual stages of grinding up processes.
- Easy to install with the Quick Lock® function.
- 4-year parts & in-home service warranty.
Cons:
- Does not have a jam loosening tool or access for fixing jams when necessary.
- The power cord does not come to the unit.
2. Waste King 1 HP Garbage Disposal with Power Cord
The Waste King Legend is one of the most well know and highly rated products in the garbage disposal industry. It is a powerful continuous feed model that will liquefy your food waste with ease. It has tough stainless steel construction that not only resists corrosion, but looks quite good as well.
The motor is 1 HP and reaches speeds of 2800 RPM permanent magnet motor is sound-insulated and jams less, giving it a lot of power per pound. Just because it’s powerful doesn’t mean it’s noisy. The insulated components reduce noise and vibration very well.
Pros:
- Compact size (9x9x14.25 inches)
- Powerful high speed motor
- Longevity with stainless steel material
- Good at noise reduction.
- No-hassle installation.
- Come with a power cord.
Cons:
- Not in a great power (only 1/2).
- Five-Year In-Home Service Warranty.
3. InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Badger 5
There’s a reason that so many different plumbers recommend the Insinkerator brand. It’s reliable and affordable. The InSinkErator Badger 5 is no different and is made in the United States for top quality. The 1/2 horsepower motor is powered by dura drive technology that makes it grind tough food scraps easily.
Installation and replacement is made easy with the quick lock technology that allows Insinkerator brand garbage disposals to be installed and interchanged painlessly. The one stage grind chamber makes sure that the food is liquefied before going down the drain so clogs and jams are greatly reduced.
Pros:
- Good exterior looking
- 1/2 HP powerful, heavy-duty Dura-Drive Induction Motor.
- Save electricity bill.
- Easiest to install.
- 2-years in-home limited warranty, free charge of phone calls, parts, and labor.
Cons:
- A little bit noisy from the flingers.
- Not included power cord.
- The upper housing is made of plastic, which is durable, but not as rugged as metal.
4. GE Disposall Continuous Feed 1/2 Hp Motor Garbage Disposer
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel is another grinder in the evolution line that is top quality. The main difference to the evolution compact is the additional power provided by the 1 horsepower induction motor that delivers high power while not being extremely noisy thanks to the sound seal technology.
The stainless steel will look good in your sink while resisting corrosion and other damage. Like other similar models it has quick lock technology that makes it easy to interchange with other Insinkerator units. There are many reasons why the evolution line is a worthy choice to invest in.
- Finish Stainless Steel for longvity
- Quieter 60% than other standard disposal
- Liquefied food waste with A three-stage grind
- Preventing jams or clogging more efficient with Auto-Reverse grind system
- Automatic increase momentum when detecting jams
- Easiest installation in this industry.
- Jam-Buster wrench to un-clock jams
- 7-year In-Home Limited Warranty
Cons:
- Quite pricey for anyone love it.
- Not come with a compact size.
- Need more water for the best performance.
5. Waste King L-2600 Legend Series 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal with Power Cord
Another compact garbage disposal is the Waste King L-2600 Legend Series. The stainless steel components are well insulated to reduce noise. The motor is 1/2 hp and runs at 2600 rpm making it very strong when you consider power per pound.
This model is one of the few units that actually includes a power cord. Most disposals require that you buy a cord separately which is kind of a pain especially if you ordered one and weren’t aware. This is solved with the L-2600 because they provide a superior 36 inch cord that meets US Energy Administration qualifications. The small size of this unit makes it fit easily under your sink at 14 inches in height and 9 inches wide.
Pros:
- Compact size (9x9x14.25 inches)
- Powerful high speed motor
- Longevity with stainless steel material
- Good at noise reduction.
- No-hassle installation.
- Come with a power cord.
Cons:
- Not in a great power (only 1/2).
- Five-Year In-Home Service Warranty
How a garbage disposal works – InSinkErator garbage disposal benefits?
Garbage disposals do much of the “dirty work” in the kitchen by grinding food scraps and allowing them to go down the drain and feed into the sewage system to decompose. Quite literally, these appliances dispose of your food garbage for an ultimate convenience. Again, often taken for granted until it’s broken or needed. However, garbage disposal benefits are among the most practical of all kitchen and plumbing appliances.
Benefits of Having a Garbage Disposal:
- Eliminate messes and cut down on organic trash in your home.
- The possibility of pests, bugs, and rodents being attracted to your garbage and trash is drastically reduced due to the reduction of decomposing and rotting food within it.
- Garbage disposals are considered green because waste that would normally end up in a landfill is shifted to a composition that can be disposed of through a wastewater system and treated.
How Important Are Garbage Disposals?
- Many cities and municipal laws require that new homes be built with garbage disposals. And don’t forget that many communities and cities charge a lot of money for standard waste removal these days.
- Garbage Disposals help keep a clean environment and community as well as save those with disposals already installed save lots of money yearly on trash bills.
Types of kitchen waste disposers:
When reading garbage disposal reviews there are two main types that you should know about. Continuous feed and batch feed. I will walk you through what the differences are between them below.
1. Continuous Feed: This type of unit is one that runs continuously just like the name would have you think. This means that from the moment you turn it on it will run until you shut it off.
- Pros:
- Great for grinding large amounts of food because you don’t have to fill the chamber beforehand
- They are cheaper than the batch feed units
- Great for multitasking, you can clean while you do other stuff in the kitchen like clean
- Cons:
- Need to ensure that children are nowhere near the garbage disposal when it is on, as anything they put down it will be damaged quite badly
- It is recommended to run cold water while using this disposal so the water bill might be a bit higher
2. Batch Feed: The difference with the batch feed style is that first you will be required to fill the chamber with food waste. Then you will need it to turn down the stopper to start turning the blades.
- Pros:
- For small amounts of waste they are very efficient
- They are equipped with a stopper/cover that stops foreign objects from falling in through the top
- A bit safer than continuous feed as the chamber must be covered before turning it on
- Cons:
- Overall batch feed models are more expensive than continuous feed ones
- Batch feed is not ideal for large amounts of garbage as it takes quite a bit longer to grind it all up
How to choose the best garbage disposal in your kitchen:
With so many different features and functions it can get confusing when you’re trying to pick the best garbage disposal for your needs. Some of the most common things that need to be considered when purchasing will be covered.
- Motor Horsepower: The power of the motor will depend on what you plan to grind in your garbage disposal. The 1/2 hp models can easily handle the grinding of bones and soft waste. If you need to regularly grind tougher items, such as hard vegetables like carrots, then opting for a 1 hp unit might be a better choice. This will allow you to grind these items more easily and prevent the sink from jamming. On the other hand, 1/2 hp motors are ideal for smaller families of 2-3 people, as they provide sufficient power for everyday use. In contrast, the 1 hp models are more suited for larger families of 4 or more, offering the additional power needed to handle higher volumes of food waste. Therefore, selecting the right motor size depends on your household’s needs and the type of waste you plan to dispose of regularly. The 3/4 hp models are in the middle and are great for medium sized families with 3-5 people.
- Electrical Cord: Something that is often overlooked is if the unit comes with an electrical cord or not. If it doesn’t have one then you need to purchase it separately or pay extra to hard wire it in.
- Auto Reverse Feature: Clearing out jams can be a pain in the butt. If the garbage disposal features the ability to spin it’s blades in reverse then that is a huge bonus as it is easier to clear any jams that might happen.
- Steel grinding chambers: There’s no question that stainless steel is attractive, and it extends the life of whatever it’s used to make. The garbage disposals are no different, and having one made with stainless steel parts is ideal.
- Size: Most of the time the bigger disposals will be a bit quieter than the smaller ones due to having less work to do to finish the job. It’s important to buy one that will fit well under your sink and operate quietly.
- Warranty: Every company will have different policies regarding warranty. It’s up to you to check what they are before buying. It makes sense though that the longer the warranty the more confidence that the company has in their product.
How to properly install a garbage disposal in your kitchen?
- Turn off power and water supply: Before starting, make sure to turn off the water supply and unplug an electrical power going to the existing garbage disposal or outlet.
- Remove the existing disposal:
- If you’re replacing an old disposal, use pliers or a pipe wrench to loosen the drainpipe connected to the old garbage disposal.
- Disconnected the wires and removing any electrical connections by unscrewing the plate.
- Remove the disposal unit.
- Prepare the sink and new mounting bracket: Clean the sink and attach the mounting ring to the sink flange. Then apply plumber’s putty around the edge of the drain hole on your sink. Secure the mounting ring under the sink and tighten it using the mounting hardware included with your disposal.
- Connect the drain pipe: Connect the drainpipe to the new garbage disposal and tighten it with a pipe wrench.
- Install the electrical wiring: Connect the wires inside the disposal according to the manufacturer’s instructions. With the mounting ring and assembly already in place, align the garbage disposal with the mounting bracket. Afterward, secure the wiring and reattach the electrical cover plate.
- Mount the garbage disposal:Twist the disposal to lock it into place, ensuring it is securely mounted and will not shift.
- Install the drainpipe: Attach the dishwasher hose to the drain port using a hose clamp. Use a pipe wrench or pliers to attach the drainpipe to the disposal’s outlet.
- Check the connections, test the garbage disposal and clean up: Double-check all connections to ensure everything is secure and tighten any loose screws or bolts. Test the disposal by running cold water through it and turning it on, to ensure everything is running smoothly, and there are no unusual sounds or leaks. Afterward, clean any excess putty around the sink flange and check that the sink drains properly.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right garbage disposal for your home doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By considering factors like price, durability, power or noise level, you can find a model that best suits your needs.
The picks reviewed in this article offer a great balance of performance and value, whether you’re looking for a compact unit for a small kitchen or a heavy-duty model for a larger household. Each model has been selected for its reliability and ability to meet different kitchen needs.
Ultimately, investing in a high-quality garbage disposal will not only enhance the efficiency of your kitchen but also contribute to a more eco-friendly home. You’ll enjoy the convenience of quick food waste disposal. So, choosing the right garbage disposal can have lasting benefits for both your home.
Images Source: Amazon.com