5 Best Garbage Disposals 2022 Review

Top 5 Garbage Disposals

Best For Wide Sinks: InSinkErator Evolution Compact Garbage Disposer Best For Shallow Sinks: InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal Best Warranty: Moen GXS75C Host Series Garbage Disposal Best Value: Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal Best For Large Sinks: Waste King L-3200 Garbage Disposal

Best for Wide Sinks: InSinkErator Evolution Compact Garbage Disposer

Pros and Cons

✔ Uses an anti-vibration horse clamp✔ Is equipped with a protective liner to prevent leaks✔ Only uses an average of 3–4 kilowatts of energy per year ✘ Does not include a power cord✘ Has a higher price point than many other garbage disposals on the market

What Customers Are Saying

Those who left positive reviews for this product said that it had a slim design, strong motor, and long life. On the other hand, those who left negative reviews complained that it was difficult to mount under a sink and that it struggled with larger food particles.

Best For Shallow Sinks: InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with a wrench and other tools and components for installation✔ Has a compact design that’s just over six inches wide✔ Can fit with existing InSinkErator hardware for quick installation ✘ Does not come with sound-reducing technology✘ Is made with galvanized steel, which is more prone to rusting than stainless steel

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who were happy with this product said that it was easy to install, made of high-quality materials, and long-lasting. However, dissatisfied customers said that it was prone to leaks.

Best Warranty: Moen GXS75C Host Series Garbage Disposal

Pros and Cons

✔ Grinds food quickly with a 2,700-revolution-per-minute motor ✔ Uses a 0.75-horsepower motor for tough food scraps✔ Is designed with SoundShield technology that helps with sound insulation ✘ Not as compact as some top-rated garbage disposals✘ Doesn’t fit with all existing plumbing systems

What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers said that the splash guard was easy to remove for cleaning and that the chamber and motor were able to handle a lot of food. Customers also liked that this product didn’t require a lot of tools for installation. However, some customers had to manually push food into the grinder. Other unhappy customers disliked that it was loud.

Best Value: Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a corrosion-resistant polymer grind chamber✔ Has a compact design that’s just 5.25 inches wide✔ Is equipped with an accessible front-mounted reset button ✘ Has weaker horsepower than some other disposals✘ Several customers mentioned that it was noisy

What Customers Are Saying

Those who were happy with this disposal said that it was quiet, featured a powerful motor, and had a compact design. However, those who were unhappy said that its installation was difficult and its drain size was smaller than expected.

Best For Large Sinks: Waste King L-3200 Garbage Disposal

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with a power cord✔ Has a removable splash guard for convenient cleaning✔ Is made with rust-resistant stainless steel components ✘ Can be difficult to install, requiring several tools✘ Is not designed to grind raw meat or fish

What Customers Are Saying

Those who were happy with this disposal liked its mounting system, low noise level, and easy-to-follow instructions. Dissatisfied customers didn’t like that the stopper was made from plastic instead of more durable steel.

Buyer’s Guide

Before buying a garbage disposal to get rid of your food waste, it’s important to consider how its specifications impact its performance. Here are three factors to think about when purchasing a disposal.

Dimensions

A garbage disposal’s dimensions impact its compatibility with your kitchen sink. For example, larger models might not fit in the cabinet under your sink. While purchasing a compact garbage disposal removes the hassle of fitting the model under your sink, most compact garbage disposals sacrifice power for size.

Horsepower

A garbage disposal’s horsepower influences the type of food it’s able to grind. For example, a 0.25-horsepower disposal can tackle meat trimmings and other soft food, while a 0.75- or one-horsepower disposal can grind tougher particles, such as melon rinds.

Grinding Technology

Garbage disposals are split into two different types: continuous-feed and batch-feed models. Continuous-feed disposals run continuously once their power is turned on, making it easy for users to throw large amounts of food into their grind chambers. Most batch-feed garbage disposals run only when their drain covers are in place, limiting the amount of food that can be ground at once.

Material

Most residential garbage disposals have a grinding chamber that’s made from either stainless steel or galvanized steel. If you can afford the extra cost, we recommend stainless steel grind components because they are more resistant to corrosion and rust. While galvanized steel has a rust-resistant coating, the metal starts to rust as soon as this coating chips in one place. You’ll also find plastic grinding chambers. Though affordable and corrosion-resistant, plastic eventually cracks.

Garbage Disposal Dos and Don’ts

A backed-up garbage disposal can turn an already cumbersome meal cleanup into a nightmare. To get the most use out of your new disposal, check out what to do—and what not to do—below.

Dos

Do keep your garbage disposal clean. Do run your disposal regularly, as this prevents rust and corrosion. Do cut or tear large food particles into smaller pieces before loading them into the disposal.

Don’ts

Don’t put the following items down your garbage disposal: Fibrous vegetables Fruit pits Oils, fats, and other fluids that congeal Bones Anything that’s not food Don’t overload your disposal by putting too much food down it at one time. Don’t stick your hand down the disposal to remove a jammed item without turning off the power first.

How does a garbage disposal work?

You mount the garbage disposal to the underside of your kitchen sink to catch solid food as it enters the drain. Once the food is in the disposal’s grinding chamber, you can turn on the device to grind the food into small particles. These particles easily pass through your plumbing pipes instead of causing clogs.

How long do garbage disposals last?

Most garbage disposals last around 10 years. If your model has difficulty grinding food, makes a louder-than-usual noise, or frequently clogs, it might be time for a replacement.

How do I use a garbage disposal?

Run cold water in your sink before turning the disposal on. Once the device is on, gradually drop food into the drain. When you’ve finished disposing of the food, turn off the device. Leave the water on for a few more seconds to flush your pipes.

Do I need a professional to install my garbage disposal?

Though many garbage disposal manufacturers promise easy installation, we recommend consulting a plumber if you’re not particularly handy. You don’t want to install the disposal improperly, as this can lead to leaks.

How do I clean my garbage disposal?

To clean a garbage disposal, pour ice, lemon juice, or vinegar down the drain to clean the device naturally. You can also find a variety of cleaning products on the market that unclog and freshen garbage disposals.

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