Garbage Disposer Buying Guide
Shop for Garbage Disposers
Joneca Garbage Disposer Cross Section
What is a Garbage Disposer?
A garbage disposal, waste disposal unit, or garburator is a device, usually electrically-powered, installed under a kitchen sink between the sink's drain and the trap which shreds food waste into pieces small enough to pass through plumbing. Indispensable in the modern kitchen, a garbage disposal helps make food preparation and cleanup easy and fast.How Garbage Disposals Work
Attached to the underside of a kitchen sink’s drain, a garbage disposal works by shredding food scraps fed down the drain with the flow of water or the push of a garbage disposer accessory. When turned on the garbage disposer uses its motor to spin a turntable that pushes the particles in the unit to the outside of the chamber where is comes into contact with a grinding ring. The action of the spinning turntable forcing the particles into the grinding ring shreds the particles into small enough pieces to flow through holes in the turntable and grinding ring and into the plumbing. Dishwasher drain water can also be run through the garbage disposal so that any large particles are chewed up and drained away.Types of Garbage Disposers
There are two general types of disposers: continuous feed models and batch feed models. Most models you're likely to find are continuous feed models; the idea here is that you run the water and start the disposer running before you put any scraps in the chamber. In other words, continuous feed models are typically not designed to have to start stationary with scraps in the disposer. Starting the disposer with scraps already in the chamber could cause it to jam. Batch feed models are designed to be activated by turning a stopper after loading the disposal with garbage. Once that batch of scraps is disposed of, more can be added and the process repeated.Garbage Disposer Tips
* Use cold water when grinding food (hot water can melt fats and clog the mechanism and the pipes).* Do not overfill the disposer.
* Do not pour bleach, drain cleaners, or other chemicals into the unit.
* Do not grind overly fibrous materials, bones, or coffee grounds (check the owners manual) or materials like glass, metal, or rubber.
* Run water before and after you use the disposal.
Selecting a Garbage Disposal
Power
Residential waste disposers are generally available with 1/2 to 1 horsepower motors, with commercial units having even more power. There are two general types of motors used in waste disposers. Most have split phase induction motors, and you can tell these by the rpm written on the box: 1725. However, there are also disposers with commutator motors, and these generally spin much faster. Commutator motors are considerably smaller than induction motors, although that might not be apparent underneath the sound shielding surrounding the unit.Materials
The materials used in the construction of the grinding chamber of a waste disposer are the most important consideration in the selection of the disposer. These materials are subjected to water and garbage then are also allowed to air dry between uses. In order for the disposer to last and to continue to work effectively you want the grinding chamber to be made of high quality parts. Some manufacturers also coat the interior of their disposers with substance that can help the unit last the test of time and with garbage disposer smells.Noise
If noise is an important issue for you pay attension to the ways that different disposers dispense sound. The most obvious is sound insulation; most disposers have a sound insulator that is located around the grinding chamber. There are different degrees of such noise shielding, usually the more expensive disposers have more sound insulation.Other Features
It’s always important to look at the additional features of a disposer. There are many brands that offer unique options such as protection against bacteria caused odors, fast install mounting systems, removable splash guards, silverware protection guards and different methods for turning on the disposer such as air switches.
Garbage Disposer Comparison Guide
Shop for Waste Disposals
| Joneca | Anaheim Manufacturing Company | In-Sink-Erator | GE | ||||
| Waste Maid | Commodore | Titan | Waste King | Whirlaway | Badger | GE | |
| Economy | 58 | 5100 | T-560 | 111 & 1001 | 191 & 291 | 1 & 5 | 320 & 520 |
| Horse Power | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/3 & 1/2 | 1/3 | 1/3 & 1/2 | 1/3 & 1/2 |
| Type of Motor | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Induction | Hi-Torque PM |
| RPM of Motor | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | 2601 | 1750 | 2600 |
| Fully Balanced Grinding System | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Unknown | No |
| Bio-Shield Anti-Microbial Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Corrosion Proof Grinding Components | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Lifetime Corrosion Proof Warranty | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Stainless Steel Armature Shaft | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Partial Sound Shell | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Warranty (Years) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 & 2 | 1 |
| Power Cord Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Removable Splash Guard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Standard | 158 | 7100 | T-660 | 1001 | 391 | 5 | 520 |
| Horse Power | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| Type of Motor | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Induction | Hi-Torque PM |
| RPM of Motor | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | 2601 | 1750 | 2600 |
| Fully Balanced Grinding System | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Unknown | No |
| Corrosion Proof Grinding Components | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Lifetime Corrosion Proof Warranty | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Stainless Steel Armature Shaft | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Partial Sound Shell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Warranty (Years) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Power Cord Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Removable Splash Guard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Mid-Duty | 258 | 7600 | T-760 | 2600 | None | None | 530 |
| Horse Power | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | ||
| Type of Motor | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | ||
| RPM of Motor | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | ||
| Fully Balanced Grinding System | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | ||
| Bio-Shield Anti-Microbial Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | ||
| Corrosion Proof Grinding Components | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Lifetime Corrosion Proof Warranty | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Stainless Steel Armature Shaft | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | ||
| Fully Insulated Sound Shell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Warranty (Years) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | ||
| Power Cord Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Removable Splash Guard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Heavy Duty | 358 | 8100 | T-860 | None | 591 | None | None |
| Horse Power | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | |||
| Type of Motor | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | |||
| RPM of Motor | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | 2600 | |||
| Fully Balanced Grinding System | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Bio-Shield Anti-Microbial Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Corrosion Proof Grinding Components | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Lifetime Corrosion Proof Warranty | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Stainless Steel Armature Shaft | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Fully Insulated Sound Shell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Warranty (Years) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | |||
| Power Cord Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Removable Splash Guard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Deluxe | 458 | 9100 | T-960 | 3200 & 3300 | 991 | Compact & Essential | 720 |
| Horse Power | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 |
| Type of Motor | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Induction | Hi-Torque PM |
| RPM of Motor | 2700 | 2700 | 2700 | 2700 | 2600 | 1750 | 2700 |
| Fully Balanced Grinding System | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Unknown | No |
| Bio-Shield Anti-Microbial Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Corrosion Proof Grinding Components | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifetime Corrosion Proof Warranty | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel Armature Shaft | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Fully Insulated Sound Shell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty (Years) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 & 10 | 10 | 3/4/6 | 1 |
| Power Cord Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Removable Splash Guard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Premium | 658 | 11000 | T-1060 | 8000 | None | Excel | 1020 |
| Horse Power | 1 1/4 | 1 1/4 | 1 1/4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Type of Motor | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Hi-Torque PM | Induction | Hi-Torque PM | |
| RPM of Motor | 2700 | 2700 | 2700 | 2700 | 1750 | 2700 | |
| Fully Balanced Grinding System | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Unknown | No | |
| Bio-Shield Anti-Microbial Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | |
| Corrosion Proof Grinding Components | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Lifetime Corrosion Proof Warranty | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Stainless Steel Armature Shaft | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | |
| Fully Insulated Sound Shell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Warranty (Years) | 10 | 10 | 10 | Lifetime | 7 | 1 | |
| Power Cord Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Removable Splash Guard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | |
