How big of a garbage disposal do I need?

If you live in a 3-6 person household, your garbage disposer should have a ½ to ¾ HP engine. For a 5-8 person household, the minimum HP your disposer should have is ¾, but a 1 HP motor is preferable. For anything households that have over 8 members, a 1 to 2 HP model will be needed.

Just so, are garbage disposals one size fits all?

First, of course, is the garbage disposal itself. Disposers come in all different sizes with many different features. Motor size is a big consideration. They range from 1/3 horsepower to 1 horesepower.

One may also ask, do all garbage disposals fit all sinks? The first thing you have to know is that garbage disposal units are not compatible with all sinks. If you are getting a new garbage disposal unit for your kitchen sink, you should look at the attachment so you can know the type of garbage disposal that will fit your sink.

Moreover, what is the best garbage disposal for home use?

Here's our picks for the Best Garbage Disposals.

InSinkErator Essential XTR 3/4HP Garbage Disposer – Best To Buy in 2020.
Waste King L8000 Legend 1HP Garbage Disposal – Best Value Garbage Disposal.
InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1HP Garbage Disposal – Best High-End Disposer.

Is 1 3 hp garbage disposal enough?

1/3 Horsepower If you'll only be grinding soft foods, such as vegetables, live in a studio apartment, or you're on a very tight budget, a 1/3 hp may be a decent fit. Many people purchase a 1/3 horsepower garbage disposal because they are the least expensive.

33 Related Question Answers Found

Do I need a plumber to install a garbage disposal?

Most plumbers are qualified to install disposals, but if a GFCI outlet is needed, an electrician may also be needed. A typical garbage disposal unit will last between 10 and 12 years.

How much does a plumber charge to replace a garbage disposal?

The average labor cost to install a garbage disposal is $80 to $200 depending on if you hire a plumber or a handyman. Typically, it takes 2 to 3 hours to install or replace a garbage disposal. A handyman charges $25 and $45 per hour while plumbers charge $45 and $100 per hour.

How difficult is it to replace a garbage disposal?

When you flip the switch to turn on the garbage disposal and all you get is a hum-or a loud, metal-on-metal grinding noise-you know something's wrong. Fortunately, replacing a disposal isn't hard, even if you haven't done much plumbing.

How do you know what garbage disposal to buy?

How to Pick a New Garbage Disposal

Motor Size. – The smaller the motor size, the fewer and softer the foods need to be.
Grinding Chamber Size And Material. – Chambers in disposals with more HP will be larger, since their motors can handle more food.
Extra Features. – Of course, a garbage disposal is going to make noise.

Is a garbage disposal worth it?

Garbage Disposal Importance

Having a garbage disposal unit installed in your home is a great idea, any plumber would highly recommend doing so because it is an effective way to deal with common kitchen waste such as uneaten food by shredding them into small pieces. As a result they can easily pass through plumbing.

Can I install my own garbage disposal?

installing the new hardware

If your new disposal doesn't include a rubber seal, you'll need to use plumber's putty. Push the drain flange into place in the drain hole. Place another rubber seal on the drain flange on the underside of the sink. Most disposal units use metal mounting hardware, but some units use plastic.

How long does a garbage disposal last?

15 years

What is the shortest garbage disposal?

In my humble opinion, I think the Waste King Legend (L-1001) is the Shortest Garbage Disposal measuring an impressive 5.25 x 5.25 x 12.75 inches in diameter. This ingenious design saves lots of space for other appliances or utilities under your kitchen sink.

How much should it cost to have a garbage disposal installed?

Cost of Initial Installation

The average cost of a garbage disposal installation with a one-year manufacturer''s warranty is $185. The average amount of time taken to install a garbage disposal, including cleanup, is three hours. The hourly cost for labor will range from $20 to $40 -- $28 on average.

How do I know if my garbage disposal needs to be replaced?

Here are five ways to tell when it's time to replace your garbage disposal.

Strange or unusual noises are coming from your garbage disposal.
It has a bad smell that won't go away.
Your garbage disposal won't turn on.
Water is leaking from your garbage disposal.
You're frequently pressing the reset button on the unit.

Does HP matter for garbage disposal?

If you live in a 3-6 person household, your garbage disposer should have a ½ to ¾ HP engine. For a 5-8 person household, the minimum HP your disposer should have is ¾, but a 1 HP motor is preferable. For anything households that have over 8 members, a 1 to 2 HP model will be needed.

What can I do with my old garbage disposal?

Some consider cans and glass recyclable but not plastic, while others take certain kinds of plastic and glass. Select a spot to store the recyclable waste. You can purchase easy-to-open, stackable recycling bins from any home stores. Place the recyclable can next to the general disposal bin under your kitchen sink.

What is an air switch for garbage disposal?

The switch is a convenient and alternative method to turn on your garbage disposal. It uses air pressure instead of electricity to activate your unit. So it reduces the potential of an electric shock when you've wet hands. The air switch is a push button mounted on your countertop or kitchen sink.

What is a continuous feed garbage disposal?

Continuous Feed Disposals

The most common garbage disposal found in a home uses a continuous feed. This means that food waste can be added to the disposal as it is running. With this type of system you can continue to chop food simultaneously while the disposal is running, although this uses a lot of electricity.

Can you run the garbage disposal while the dishwasher is on?

Another urban legend floating around: You shouldn't run your disposal while the dishwasher is operating. This is false, experts say. Just be mindful of what and how much you put in there, and read your manual.

How do I tighten my garbage disposal?

Push the flange back into position and put the bottom flange on with the clip holding it into place. Tighten the three screws evenly until all three are tight. Scrape off any extra putty from the inside of the sink. Now you are ready to lock the garbage disposer back in place, reconnect the drains and test for leaks.

What brand of garbage disposal is best?

Recently Tested Garbage disposers

InSinkErator. Evolution Compact C.
InSinkErator. Badger 5.
Waste King. Legend 9980.
Waste King. Legend 9950.
Waste King. Legend 8000TC.
Waste King. Legend 8000.
Viking. Heavy Duty VCFW1000.
KitchenAid. Superba KCDS075T.