Fight Dirty with Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is a device, usually electrically powered, installed under a kitchen sink between the sink's drain and the trap. The disposal unit shreds food waste into pieces small enough—generally less than 2 inches (5.1 cm)—to pass through plumbing.[1]

Garbage disposals are standard equipment in new kitchen cabinets in the United States and Canada. Many homes in other countries do not have them because they are not considered a necessary part of the kitchen.

How it works: When switched on, the motor spins and grinds up any food that is fed down the plughole. The grinding process creates heat, which helps to break down any fat or grease that may be in the food. The spinning action also forces water from the tap up through the plug hole and over the blades, washing away any small particles of food.

The ground-up food and water are then flushed away through a pipe into the main sewer line.

What are the different kinds of Garbage Disposal?

There are two main types of garbage disposal: batch feed and continuous feed.

Batch feed models require the user to place a cover over the opening before turning on the motor. This type of disposer is usually activated by a switch located on the wall or countertop near the sink. Once turned on, the motor will run for a pre-determined amount of time before shutting off automatically.

Continuous feed models do not require a cover to be placed over the opening. This type of disposer can be activated by a switch or lever located on the unit itself, or by a switch located on the wall or countertop near the sink. With continuous feed disposers, food can be added while the unit is running.

What are some tips for using a Garbage Disposal?

-Avoid putting hard objects, such as bones or fruit seeds, down the disposal as they can damage the blades.

-Cut large pieces of food into smaller pieces before feeding them down the disposal.

-Fibrous foods, such as celery or corn husks, should not be put down a garbage disposal as they can tangle around the blades.

-Run cold water through the disposal while it is in use to keep food from clogging up pipes.

-Never put your hand down into a garbage disposal!

What are the functions of Garbage Disposal?

A garbage disposal is a device, usually electrically powered, installed under a kitchen sink between the sink's drain and the trap. The disposal unit shreds food waste into pieces small enough—generally less than 2 cm (0.79 in)—to pass through plumbing.

Most modern disposals are connected to the dishwasher drain pipe and to an electrical outlet. When switched on, the disposal unit grinds up any food waste that is fed down it. The grinding process generates a fair amount of noise, so most units also have some form of sound-dampening material lining the inside of the housing.