One of the most convenient machines that we have in our households is the best garbage disposal. If you were to go outside of the US, you would find that many homes don’t have this handy device, meaning that you have to throw any food scraps into the garbage before cleaning your dishes.
Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about that, unless of course there is something wrong with our disposal. Most of these units are built to last for many years, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t break down eventually. When that happens you will have to replace it with something just as durable and reliable, but how do you know which one is best?
When it comes to finding a new disposal, we have compiled a list of some of the greatest models out on the market. Also, we’re going to show you what features to look for to ensure that you’re getting the best deal of Best Continuous Feed Garbage Disposals.
Best Continuous Feed Garbage Disposals - Comparison
How to Choose The Right Continuous Feed Garbage Disposals
One thing that we should mention is that there are two primary types of garbage disposal from which you can choose. We are going to be looking at continuous feed models, which means that you can turn them on and off with a switch and they will chew through food as long as they are active. The other type of disposal you can get is batch-feed. These disposals require you to seal the system before you can turn it on, which is safer and better if you don’t go through a lot of waste in your home.
Overall, continuous models are far more ideal for most households, but it’s important that you are aware of your options.
Size
When comparing different disposal units, you will see that some of them are quite compact while others take up quite a bit of room. The reason for the size difference is usually with regard to the motor and the grinding chamber, so if you opt for something with more power, then it will take up much more space under your sink. Thus, it’s imperative that you measure your current unit and see what limitations you might have before buying a new one. You don’t want to waste time and money purchasing a new disposal only to have it not fit correctly.
What else you should look at regarding size is the grinding chamber. The large it is, the less you have to worry about getting clogs or backups in your system as you can process more waste at one time. That being said, it’s also important to get a model with multiple grinding levels so that you can chew through food better without worrying about clogs.
Motor
As you’ll see, garbage disposals come with motors that are measured in horsepower. At first glance, it might seem like a good idea to pick the one with the most power, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you get the best results. While having a more robust motor is important, there are a couple of other things that you should look at to make sure that you’re getting the best machine for the job. RPM is another factor that can determine the quality of grinding you get, as well as the material of the impellers. In the end, a larger motor can be a great thing, but don’t assume that it’s the only thing worth paying attention to.
Material
As far as internal components go, you want to make sure that you’re getting high-quality materials that will last for years. For the most part, disposals will either come with galvanized or stainless steel parts, with the latter being far better than the former. We strongly advise getting a stainless steel model because it won’t rust or corrode easily, ensuring that it will last longer overall. That also means that you don’t have to replace it as regularly as you would with other units. Also, stainless impellers usually stay sharper for longer, meaning that they will chew through food much more efficiently than galvanized. The main reason to choose galvanized steel instead is that it’s more cost effective.
Best Continuous Feed Garbage Disposals - In Depth Reviews
1. Waste King L 2600 Garbage Disposal
There are a few different disposal brands that stand out above the rest, and one of them is Waste King. As you will see, this company is committed to making some of the best Continuous Feed Garbage Disposals on the market, which is why it is so dominant in the industry. Simply put, you get better materials, higher quality, and better results with these machines, so all you have to do is figure out how much power you need, and you’ll get a top quality machine.
At first glance, you’ll notice that this model comes with a reliable one-half horsepower motor. Because it operates at a speed of 2600 rpm, you get some of the best grinding action that will ensure that all food is
chopped up quickly and efficiently. Best of all, the impellers and components are made with stainless steel so that it will last longer and won’t corrode. In fact, Waste King guarantees that the unit won’t rust and they are willing to provide a limited lifetime warranty to ensure you of that fact.
To install this unit, you get a proprietary mounting bracket that makes installation super easy. Also, if you swap between Waste King products you don’t need to switch brackets each time, meaning that you can get up and running in minutes.
Finally, you get an incredible five-year warranty on this product, meaning that you know it’s of high-quality. Waste King will even come out to your home to perform service on it, the warranty is that good.
Pros
- Robust half-horsepower motor
- Spins at up to 2600 RPM
- Less noise thanks to insulation
- Impellers are stainless
- Rust and corrosion proof
- Three-foot cord provided
- Durable splash guard is removable
- Proprietary mounting bracket
- Five-year limited in-home warranty
Cons
- On rare occasions, the unit may leak slightly
- Some components are not as durable as others
2. Waste King L 8000 Garbage Disposal
As you saw above, the 2600 model is a fantastic disposal, but this one has a lot more going for it than the other. When comparing the two, you’ll see that the 8000 is a step up from the 2600, so if you are planning on going through a lot of waste or want something that can handle more than your average disposal, this is the unit to get.
First of all, this model has all of the usual features that you would come to expect from Waste King. It has stainless steel parts to ensure that the whole thing doesn’t rust or corrode over time, it’s insulated to make it as quiet as possible, and it comes with the standard mounting bracket so that you can swap it out with older or newer units with less hassle.
As far as what makes this product unique, it has a formidable one-horsepower motor that spins at an incredible 2800 rpm. The speed and torque of this disposal make it one of the better units out there as it will tear through food waste like nothing else. The best part about this particular model is that it not only comes with the warranty regarding corrosion, but it also has one for parts and labor, meaning that it’s built to last longer than it competitors. All in all, this is a fantastic choice for any household.
Pros
- Durable and reliable one-horsepower motor
- Spins at up to 2800 RPM
- Internal components are made of stainless steel
- Quieter than the competition
- Guaranteed not to rust or corrode over time
- Easy Waste King mounting bracket included
- Three-foot cord provided
- Thick splash guard is removable
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Might produce an off-putting smell
- On rare occasions, this product may leak slightly
3. KitchenAid Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
While most people are familiar with KitchenAid as a brand of consumer products, the fact is that the company also makes some pretty excellent disposals as well. This model is the standard unit from KitchenAid, and it has quite a few features that will make processing food waste a breeze.
The performance of this unit is admirable, as it comes with a robust ¾ horsepower motor that operates at 1725 rpm. While this isn’t as fast as the Waste King, it’s still more than enough speed to power through most food easily. Also, this model has a lot of torque so that it can grind better than most other disposals. In fact, this particular unit has two stages of grinding to avoid clogs and ensure that your waste gets disposed of properly.
Other features of this disposal include stainless steel components, a huge forty-ounce grinding chamber, and Soundseal technology to ensure that the whole thing is relatively quiet as it operates.
Pros
- Powerful ¾ horsepower motor
- Operates at 1725 rpm
- Sound Seal technology for lower noise
- Dual-stage grinding
- Forty-ounce grinding chamber
- Stainless steel components
- Easy to install
Cons
- In rare cases, the unit may be loud
- In some instances, it may have trouble with large batches of food
- Does not include power cord
4. Kitchen Aid KCDB250G 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
So far, we’ve seen disposals that are built to power through most food in record time. However, if you have limited sink space or don’t go through that much food in your home, then you might be wondering if you need all of that power. If not, then this model from KitchenAid might be for you. It’s still a high-quality unit, but it doesn’t have a lot of extra oomph that you don’t need. Also, it is more compact than the other models we’ve seen, so if you are low on under-sink space, this is the best option for you.
As far as performance goes, this disposal has a ½ horsepower motor that spins at 1725 rpm. It also uses stainless steel components and has overload protection to.
prevent it from burning out if something gets stuck in the impellers. To make it easy to reset, the button is located on the front of the machine so you can get back on track once the blockage is removed. Overall, this disposal is tough and reliable, but it’s not built to handle large capacity households
Pros
- Powerful ½ horsepower motor
- Operates at 1725 rpm
- Stainless steel components
- Secure mounting system
- Overload protection
- Reset switch on the front
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- Not as powerful as other models
- Does not come with a power cord
- Some components are not as durable as others
5. Waste King 9980 Legend Series 1 HP Continuous Feed Operation Garbage Disposer
Our final stop is with the top of the line Waste King Disposal. The 9980 is one of the best models we’ve seen, provided that you want something that has a lot of power and is built to last. You’ll notice that this and the 8000 share many of the same specs and features, but this is still a slight upgrade with regards to reliability and power, so if you want to get the best of the best, this is a great option.
When looking at the performance of this model, you’ll notice that it has a full horsepower motor that runs at 2800 rpm. Rust and corrosion-proof stainless steel components ensure that you get the best results possible, and a quick-mounting system means that you can be up and running in no time. This model is also insulated to reduce noise and comes with two limited lifetime warranties. The first is against corrosion and the second is on parts and labor. Overall, this is a fantastic disposal.
Pros
- Powerful one horsepower motor
- Operates at 2800 rpm
- Quick mounting system
- Stainless steel components
- Rust and corrosion proof
- 36-inch power cord included
- Insulated to reduce noise
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Installation can be tricky for some users
- In rare instances, the unit may leak
- May not grind all foods equally
Final Verdict
When comparing these different units to each other, it’s clear that the best option for you will most likely be the Waste King 8000. The reason that it’s our top pick is that you get the best motor, the best materials, and a limited lifetime warranty on parts and labor. Overall, this model has all of the features that you want and need in a Best Continuous Feed Garbage Disposals, and it’s backed by a monumental guarantee. This means that the 8000 will last for years in your home without any significant issue, meaning you don’t have to worry about it at all.
Also read our expert review about Best 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal
Holly Curell is the editor extraordinaire for Plumbing Lab. Having grown up in Michigan, Holly has spent time living in New York, Virginia, & currently North Carolina, where she lives with her husband & family. Holly loves DIY & has years of experience with at-home plumbing problems that arise from having 3 kids & living in colder climates. When she’s not writing about her plumbing knowledge, Holly enjoys reading, hiking & relaxing with family.