Smallest Garbage Disposals On The Market

Benefits of Compact Garbage Disposals

Finding The Right Sized Small Garbage Disposal

Space Requirements

When purchasing a garbage disposal, you will need to measure the physical space that you have available under your kitchen sink.

Also, you will need to figure out what HP (horsepower) motor to purchase. Smaller areas, such as studio apartments or RVs, are usually used much less frequently and will not require as much HP as larger homes with more people.

Horse Power

Horsepower (HP) is a unit of measurement based on the 1800s power of draft horses. When it comes to garbage disposals, units start at about 1/3 HP and go up to 2 HP.

Small apartments or homes of 1-2 people require a 1/3 or 1/2 HP unit. Larger homes or 3-6 people should use a 1/2 to 3/4 HP unit, and homes with more than six people or a heavily trafficked kitchen area should use a 1 HP or higher unit.

Flow Rate and RPM

The flow rate of your garbage disposal will mostly depend on the GPM (gallons per minute) that your sink outputs, and whether your garbage disposal is clean.

This is one of the reasons you should never run your garbage disposal without the water turned on. When it comes to RPM, this refers to the revolutions per minute that the motor rotates at.

Material

When purchasing a garbage disposal, you’ll want to make sure that it is built with quality materials that are meant to last. I recommend finding a garbage disposal with a stainless-steel chamber, as they are less prone to rusting.

Feed Type

There are two types of garbage disposals: continuous feed and batch feed. Continuous feed garbage disposals are much more common in homes, and these are the garbage disposals that are turned on using a switch. Continuous feed means that the garbage disposal will continue to run until you turn it off.

With batch feed garbage disposals, the unit is virtually always "on" but will only be activated when the drain cap is put in place.

Installation

Installation for kitchen garbage disposals is usually considerate a moderate task that shouldn’t take a DIYer more than a couple of hours. There are plenty of videos online to help you get started, and most garbage disposal manufacturers offer technical support to walk you through the process should you need assistance.

Price & Warranty

When making a home purchase (especially one that is meant to last at least a decade), price, of course, is a consideration. Depending on your budget and needs, you can rest assured that there is a garbage disposal to fit your lifestyle.

Warranty is another consideration. Some companies, like InSinkErator, offer a 5-year guarantee that includes everything including labor (on select models).

Do Compact Garbage Disposals Work Well Enough?

Garbage disposals work by using centrifugal force to obliterate food particles and send them on their way. Having a garbage disposal not only reduces waste that goes into landfills, but it also decreases the number of greenhouse gasses that are released into the air from rotting food.

All garbage disposals require a lot of running water to flush out the food particles properly, but as long as you have a decent water connection, you can install a garbage disposal nearly anywhere, including small studio apartments and even RVs.

How to Install Small Waste Disposals

Installing a compact waste disposal is a job that you can likely do yourself if you have a basic understanding of plumbing and electricity. There are many how-to tutorial videos on the Internet (we suggest this one from Lowe’s) and a little patience can go a long way.

For a DIY project, installing a garbage disposal shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. A seasoned plumber might be able to finish the job in 20-30 minutes. If you’re considering hiring a plumber to install your new waste disposal, keep in mind that most plumbers work at an hourly rate.

With over 35 years experience, Active Plumbing, a Melbourne plumber recommends looking for a contractor that offers a guarantee with their work.

And if you don’t already have a GFCI outlet under your sink, you’ll need to contact an electrician. This safety outlet is now required in the US.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical compact garbage disposal last?

Most plumbers agree that the average lifespan for a compact garbage disposal is 12-15 years.

How can I make sure that my garbage disposal unit will last longer?

Properly maintaining your garbage disposal can help increase the lifespan. One great tip that we’ve learned over the years is that ice cubes are a garbage disposal’s best friend.

About once a month or so, while running cold water, dump a large amount of ice into your garbage disposal. The ice will help clean the disposal, sharpen the blades, and break down any grease that may be trapped as well.

Should I get a plumber to replace a garbage disposal?

While replacing a garbage disposal is a job that can be done yourself, many people choose to have a professional plumber install their new garbage disposals not only to save time but also to assure that all of their current plumbing and electricity it up to code and running both safely and smoothly.

How do I know the correct size of garbage disposal unit to buy?

In addition to physically measuring the space under your sink to accommodate a garbage disposal, you will also be faced with deciding what level of "HP motor" to buy. The HP stands for horsepower, and when it comes to the standard American home, most garbage disposals are listed as 3/4 HP.

As a rule of thumb, small apartments or homes of 1-2 people require a 1/3 or 1/2 HP unit. Larger homes or 3-6 people should use a 1/2 to 3/4 HP unit, and homes with more than six people or a heavily trafficked kitchen area should use a 1 HP or higher unit.

Where is the best place to buy compact garbage disposal units?

Amazon is a great place to purchase compact garbage disposal units, as they carry all of the brand names we trust at great prices.

Conclusion

And, there you have it!  Five fantastic options for compact garbage disposals that will make any sized kitchen easy to work in and clean up in.