When it comes to appliances for your kitchen, most people think about common items like a refrigerator or a stove. However, one device that can be as crucial (if not more) as anything is your food disposal. This handy machine makes it easier to clean up after meals by allowing you to dump your garbage into the sink, rather than having to clean your plate first. Even if you already have best food disposals, you still might want to upgrade, depending on how well it works. Most homes have not changed their units in years, which means that you might not be getting the same level of performance that you need.
If you can’t recall the last time you changed your unit, then it’s a good sign that you should do it now. You don’t want to wait until it breaks or has problems before you take action.So, with that in mind, let’s look at some of the Best Food Disposals on the market today, as well as see what features you should be paying attention to when making your final decision.
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Best Food Disposal comparison chart
Product Picture | Product Name | Editor Rating | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InSinkErator Badger 5 garbage disposal | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
| Waste King L-3200 Garbage Disposal | 4.3 out of 5 | ||
| KitchenAid Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal | 4.4 out of 5 | ||
| InSinkErator Badger 1 Garbage Disposal | 4.7 out of 5 | ||
| American Standard High Torque Kitchen Waste Garbage Disposer | 4.1 out of 5 | ||
| InSinkErator Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal | 4.5 out of 5 |
How to Choose the Right Food Disposals
Size
When determining the right size for your kitchen, there are two things you have to consider. First, you need to think about how often you use the machine and what kinds of things you are tossing into the sink. If you don’t put a lot of stuff into your disposal, then you probably don’t need anything too large.
The second thing you have to consider is the space underneath your sink. In some cases, if you do decide to get the biggest and best model it might not fit, which means that you will have to settle for something smaller regardless of your preference. Thus, be sure to measure the space you have so you know what limitations may occur.
Motor
While the size of the motor is not necessarily a definitive ranking of the quality of the machine, it can give you an idea of how powerful the unit will be. For the most part, food disposals range from ⅓ to one full horsepower, meaning that you could have a beast under your sink plowing through food with no remorse. One thing that you do have to keep in mind, however, is that a bigger motor does mean that it will be louder, so you want to see if that will be a problem for you.
Material
Even if you don’t use your disposal that often, you will still be running dirty water through it on a regular basis. That means that you want to make sure that the components can stay in shape after repeated use and won’t break down or rust over time. Stainless steel is the best material to get because it can take a lot of abuse. Also, you want to make sure that there are no components that will harbor mold, as the disposal can start to smell over time regardless of how often you use it.
Grinding
For most disposals, they come with a single grinding chamber to process the food. While that does work fine for most material, it may not be able to handle a lot of food at once. For that, you will need a device that has multi-stage grinding levels so that every piece that goes through it will be chopped up and disposed of properly. Simply put, if you want the best of the best you will have to get at least two or three grind chambers.
Best Food Disposals - In Depth Reviews
1. InSinkErator Badger 5
As far as disposal brands are concerned, one of the most well-known and respected is InSinkErator. This company has been in the business of making high-quality machines for decades, and it knows a lot about making a machine that works well and lasts a long time.
With that in mind, the Badger 5 is one of the most popular models from InSinkErator as it has enough power and performance for most households and can last for up to a decade without any significant problems if used carefully. What makes the Badger 5 so versatile is that it comes with a large grinding chamber, galvanized steel impellers, and a half-horsepower motor. All of that combines to chew through food at blazing fast speeds so that you can get your sink clean in no time.
What makes the motor so powerful is that it uses Dura-Drive Induction technology, which gives it more torque and enables it to power through most food without any problems.
The other thing that I like about the Badger, and, in fact, all InSinkErator products is that it comes with a Quick Lock mounting system. That means that you can install this unit under your sink in a matter of minutes. Best of all, if you’re replacing an InSinkErator unit, it will still work, making the installation process that much easier.
PROS
- Large 26-oz grinding chamber
- Galvanized steel impellers
- ½ horsepower motor
- Dura drive induction
- Flow rate of 30 CFM
- Quick-Lock mounting system
- Two-year limited warranty
- Made in the USA
CONS
- Some components are not as sturdy as others
- Some parts may break down under heavy stress
- Power cord is extra
2. InSinkErator Badger 1
As you can imagine, when comparing the Badger 1 to the Badger 5 you will notice that the higher the number, the more power it has. So, if you aren’t sure that you need the level of performance that the 5 model offers, you may be okay with something lighter like the Badger 1
Even though this particular model is not as robust as other units from InSinkErator, you still get the same level of quality and integrity that you would with anything else from the company. That means that even though the motor isn’t as big or as fast, you aren’t getting something that is cheaper or works any less. In fact, the only real difference between this and the Badger 5 is that this unit has a ⅓ horsepower motor instead.
That also means that you still get galvanized steel impellers, a 26-ounce grinding chamber, and Dura-Drive Induction technology to give the machine better results and more torque. Also, the mounting system is the same, meaning that you can swap out disposals with ease.
PROS
- Large 26-oz grinding chamber
- Galvanized steel impellers
- ⅓ horsepower motor
- Dura drive induction
- Quick-Lock mounting system
- One-year limited warranty
- Made in the USA
CONS
- Power cord is extra
- Might not be able to handle thick foods
- Some components are not as durable as others
3. InSinkErator Evolution Excel
Our next stop is the Evolution Excel from InSinkErator. If you want the ultimate disposal machine, then this will be the one for you. This unit has all the power and performance you could want and then some, so don’t be afraid to grind with impunity.
What makes the Evolution so powerful is that it comes with an extra-large 40-ounce grinding chamber. The reason that it’s so big is that it comes with three stages of grinding, so you never have to worry about clogs or anything else getting stuck in the machine. All of it is powered by a one-horsepower motor.
The other thing that I like about this unit is that it is insulated to reduce the amount of noise. Usually, when you get an extra sized disposal it can be deafening, but this creates a relatively
low hum, which is nice. Finally, I really like that this unit comes with a seven-year limited warranty, which shows that the company stands behind the product 100%.
PROS
- Large 40-oz grind chamber
- Stainless steel impellers
- SoundSeal technology for quiet operation
- Three grind stages for better results
- One-horsepower motor
- Quick-Lock mounting system
- Seven-year limited warranty
- Made in the USA
CONS
- Might be too big for your sink
- Even with the insulation it can be loud
- In rare cases, the motor may burn out suddenly
4. KitchenAid Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
While InSinkErator is a brand synonymous with disposals, KitchenAid is a company that specializes in all kinds of kitchen appliances, so it makes perfect sense that it would foray into these devices as well.
You might think that a company that has such a diverse lineup of products wouldn’t be on par with something like InSinkErator, but you would be wrong. While I can’t speak to the longevity of this model, I can say that it shows the same level of performance as any other unit we’ve seen.
First of all, it comes with a large 40-ounce grind chamber. Second, it has a ¾ horsepower motor to chew through food quickly and efficiently. Third, it has two grinding chambers to ensure
that all particles are processed correctly. Finally, the whole thing is insulated to reduce noise, making it better than some of the other disposals you can find. Overall, this is a highly capable device.
PROS
- Large 40-oz grinding chamber
- Stainless steel impellers
- Dual stage grinding system
- ¾ horsepower motor
- Insulated to reduce noise
- Operates at 1725 rpm
CONS
- Does not include power cord
- Some components are not as durable as others
- Warranty is extremely limited
5. Waste King L 3200
While InSinkErator is well-known for disposals, Waste King is another brand that specializes in these devices and as such makes some of the best in the business. The L-3200 is one of the top models that Waste King offers, and it’s easy to see why.
As far as performance is concerned, this unit comes with a powerful ¾ horsepower motor. Operating at 2700 rpm and using stainless steel impellers means that you can blast through almost any food without a problem.
What I also like about this unit is that it is insulated to reduce noise and comes with a splash guard, so you don’t make any accidental messes. Also, it comes with a power cord, which most other
disposals don’t have. Finally, the fact that it comes with an eight-year warranty means that this machine is built to last.
PROS
- Stainless steel impeller
- ¾ horsepower motor
- Insulated to reduce noise
- Operates at 2700 rpm
- Rust free components
- Splash guard included
- Power cord included
- Eight-year limited home warranty
CONS
- Even with insulation it can be loud
- Warranty doesn’t cover all components
- In rare cases, the unit may stop suddenly
6. American Standard High Torque Kitchen Waste Garbage Disposer
Our final stop is the Garbage Disposer from American Standard. I have had limited experience with this company, but this device seems to be an excellent find. In fact, this is stronger than anything else we’ve seen, which almost makes it ideal for commercial purposes.
The American Standard Disposer comes with a massive 1.25 horsepower motor, which is more than I’ve seen before. Coupled with laser-cut stainless steel blades means that you can toss almost anything (except bones) into the unit and it will chew it up with impunity.
One excellent feature that is unique to this unit is the inclusion of a magnetic ring, so silverware and other metal objects won’t fall into the grinding chamber. That means that you don’t have to worry about knocking something inside while operating. Also, the chamber itself is designed to have little vibration so that it will run much more efficiently. Overall, this is an incredible device for anyone who wants the most power possible.
PROS
- Stainless steel impellers
- Laser cut for better cutting action
- 1.25 horsepower motor
- Operates at 2700 rpm
- Magnetic guard ring to keep silverware out
- Vibration free operation
- Insulated to reduce noise
- Rust free components
- Power cord included
CONS
- May be too big for your sink
- Motor can burn out faster than other models
Why You Need a New Disposal
Now that you’ve seen what options are out there, you may be wondering if you need to upgrade the one that’s in your home already. For some people, the idea of replacing something that works “just fine” is outlandish, meaning that they would rather wait until the old machine breaks or starts causing problems.
However, that would be a mistake. Because your disposal is connected to your plumbing, it can affect a lot more than your ability to clean. If your current model starts to act up, it can clog and cause problems with your piping. Worst of all, if it doesn’t process food properly you could be creating clogs further down the pipe as the food particles collect and congeal together. If that happens, then you will be looking at more repairs and more money out of your pocket as a plumber has to try to find the backup and clear it out.
So, do yourself a favor and be sure to upgrade your current system as soon as possible. Unless you have already purchased a new disposal within the last five years, you are probably due for a new model.
Final Verdict
When comparing these disposals, I have to say that I like ones with more power and more features as they are built to last longer and can handle almost anything. So, with that in mind, I would highly recommend either the InSinkErator Evolution Excel or the Waste King L-3200. Not only do those units have the best results but they also come with incredible warranties that will make sure that they will last for years.
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.