Do you intend to install a waste disposal? You may have recently moved into a new location with one and have never used it before. Regardless, we should dispel any confusion concerning waste disposal. In this article, we’ll examine the essential benefits and disadvantages of involving waste disposals for food waste.
What Is a Garbage Disposal?
A garbage disposal is an electrically driven device positioned beneath the kitchen sink that grinds food waste to be readily washed away with water through the drain pipes. It is also known as a trash disposal unit or a food waste disposer.
Garbage disposals are usually cylindrical and have a revolving plate or impeller that grinds food waste into small bits. An electric engine powers them, and they are often constrained by a switch on the wall or under the sink. We should look at what a kitchen waste disposal is, how it works, and a few benefits and drawbacks of having one in your home.
How Does A Garbage Disposal Work
The disposal unit consists of a motor and a grinding chamber directly beneath the sink. When you switch on the machine, the motor spins the blades in the chamber at high speeds, grinding up food waste and draining it down the sink.
Benefits of Garbage Disposals
People adore garbage disposals for a variety of reasons. Let’s go over the main benefits.
Tidy Up is So Much Easier
First and foremost, a garbage disposal will make cleaning up after cooking and eating a meal much more accessible. It’s still a good idea to put a mesh strainer in the drain opening to keep non-disposable things out of the hopper, such as cutlery and saltshakers. Catch your little, loose food waste bits and throw them away, or rinse them into the garbage disposal before running it.
They’re Not Expensive
Although installing garbage disposal adds a sense of luxury and convenience to your kitchen (especially if you’ve never had one before), it should be relatively inexpensive. In most situations, you’ll be able to find multiple dependable units for less than $100, and while installation may be simple for the “do-it-yourself” “-“-minded homeowner, the ordinary Joe will want the services of a licensed plumber. Fortunately, garbage disposals have quite a lengthy lifespan for the money paid, and you can easily anticipate a new unit installed today to last 5 – 7 years.
They Protect Your Plumbing
We are a terrible buddy to our plumbing appliances; simply tossing food scraps down the drain will result in a pipe obstruction in the future. Depending on how severe it grows, it could need a call to a plumber and a charge in the hundreds of dollars. A properly operated and maintained garbage disposal can help you avoid significant plumbing difficulties.
Garbage Disposals are Universal
Because of its universal design, a garbage disposal can be placed in practically any kitchen sink. You don’t have to redo your entire kitchen or replace your sink to reap the benefits of garbage disposal. The fact that they’ve been utilized in American households for nearly a century with no significant changes to the design demonstrates how distinctive and vital an invention they were.
Drawbacks of Garbage Disposals
Let’s be honest: garbage disposals are fantastic, but there are a few negatives. We’re not trying to steer you away from disposal but rather providing you with information to remember once yours has been installed.
Certain foods cannot be disposed of in a single meal.
Always keep an eye on what goes down the garbage disposal. While bones are an obvious “no-no” in the garbage disposal because they might cause blade damage, it’s also crucial to keep sticky material out of the disposal. That means no mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta down the toilet, as well as no cooking grease, coffee grounds, or stringy fruit and vegetable skins.
They Require Maintenance
Some people dislike the thought of waste disposal being “another thing that needs maintenance” and prefer to ignore them until they break. It is a small price to pay for having such helpful equipment in the kitchen. Try running hot water straight into the garbage disposal’s drain and letting the water and the device run for 30 or 40 seconds. Want to make your kitchen smell better? Toss a few lemon wedges into the garbage disposal while you’re at it. Your kitchen will smell lemony and clean, and lemon rinds are easy to break down and won’t clog your garbage disposal.
Garbage Disposals Can Jam, Clog, or Break
Your removal, similar to some other domestic appliance, could come up short given old enough related mileage or damage brought about by abuse. As recently expressed, a decent quality, very much kept up with unit ought to have the option to give 5 – 7 years of trustworthy help; know about what you put into it. Any garbage disposal that hums without turning on, creates banging or rattling noises, or has stopped working should be replaced.
FAQ’S
Do sinks need garbage disposals?
Garbage disposals are relatively common in American households. They are essential as they help to dispose of particular kinds of food waste. Nonetheless, having a garbage disposal isn’t needed. It is even more of a comfort as opposed to anything more.
What are the various kinds of garbage disposals?
Batch feed and continuous feed garbage disposals are the two main types. Look under your sink before shopping to determine how much space you have to add or replace a disposal. Some models will not fit under all sinks; nevertheless, miniature disposals are available for small spaces.
How long should a garbage disposal last?
Garbage disposal units have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. As with any item, proper care can increase its life.