The Tiny house Blog

How to Choose and Get a Great Garbage Disposal Unit

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
December 20, 2024
How to Choose and Get a Great Garbage Disposal Unit

Have you been thinking about getting a garbage disposal unit for your kitchen? You’ve heard a lot about these products, and you know just how useful they can be for your household. They simplify waste management, as well as reduce the odor and generally help keep your kitchen clean. Since those are all some great benefits, it is no wonder that you have decided to buy this product and enjoy the advantages that it brings to the table.

The thing is, though, if you’ve never owned one of these items before, you may be slightly confused about how to actually find and get the best one for your kitchen. Naturally, you want to get a great garbage disposal unit that will serve its purpose very well, and that you will be absolutely happy with. And, in order to do that, you will need to do some careful research, and keep some crucial things in mind so as to ultimately make the best choice.

Of course, you’ll need some help with that. Therefore, what we are going to do is talk about some of those steps you should take, and some of those important factors you will have to consider when aiming at buying the perfect garbage disposal unit for your kitchen. So, without any further ado, let us start sharing those tips and pieces of advice that can be rather helpful in the process of making this purchase.

Understand Your Needs First

Clearly, the very first thing you should do is understand your specific needs before you go shopping. So, take a look at your kitchen, and consider your household size, so as to be able to assess the amount of waste you’ll be generating. Larger households, naturally, produce more waste, meaning they may need more powerful garbage disposal units. Furthermore, think about the type of waste you’re producing, because, once again, this will help you determine the power of the unit you need. And, naturally, the frequency of daily use will have a say in this as well.

Decide on a Budget

After determining your needs, you will have to decide on your budget as well. Ask yourself how much you are actually ready to spend on this particular product, and then start searching for those that fall within the desired price range. Remember, of course, that there is nothing wrong in going a bit over the budget in case you find the perfect product. But, in general, you want to decide on a budget and try to stick to it as much as possible.

Consider the Build Quality

It goes without saying that you don’t want to buy a product that will be of poor quality, and that will, therefore, not last very long. That would not be a smart investment, as you would have to replace the product shortly after getting it. So, what you have to do is consider the build quality, and the actual materials, in an effort to determine the overall durability, and thus figure out if certain garbage disposal units are worth your money or not. Stainless steel is the most popular choice for the grinding components, thanks to not only its durability, but also its corrosion resistance.

Check Installation Requirements

The next thing you will have to do is check whether the product you’re thinking of buying is actually compatible with your sink configuration, and with your entire plumbing system for that matter. This is because, if it isn’t compatible, you won’t be able to install it, or you will have to make some expensive changes in order to fit it into the overall design. So, take correct measurements of the space below the sink, but also check the electrical requirements, as well as the complexity of installation, as some units can have to be installed by professionals, while others might be easier to install, meaning you could do it yourself.

Check Safety Features

Safety is one of the crucial factors to consider here, and that goes especially if you have children. So, consider different types of garbage disposal units and check their safety features. Some of them operate only when the chamber is sealed, while others come with automatic shut-off systems and similar safety features. Whatever you do, though, it is crucial for you to understand how these work, so that you can also understand how to stay safe while using them.

Check Noise Levels

There is absolutely no doubt that these products come with some quite amazing benefits. But, we also can’t fail to mention the fact that most of them tend to make a lot of noise, which can be a concern for a lot of households. Luckily, manufacturers nowadays incorporate certain sound insulation features, aiming at reducing those noise levels. So, if you want to prioritize quietness, you should look for those noise reduction features.

Keep Cleaning and Maintenance in Mind

Naturally, you will have to take good care of your garbage disposal unit in order for it to function perfectly. So, it would be best for you to choose one that is easy to clean and maintain, especially if you run a busy household, and thus don’t have much time to devote to the cleaning and maintenance of this product. Therefore, remember to look for features that simplify those processes, such as anti-jamming mechanisms, removable splash guards, as well as self-cleaning modes.

Choose the Right Brand and Supplier

On top of all this, you will also have to be careful when choosing the right brand and the right supplier. This will have a direct impact on the quality of the garbage disposal unit you will buy. And, as we have made it clear already, you want to get the perfect quality product for your kitchen. So, check supplier reputation, and read some reviews to determine the quality of the units they are selling. Furthermore, also compare the prices, and then choose the product that will provide you with the best value for money.

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