Are garbage disposals bad for plumbing? Should I install a garbage disposal? Are garbage disposals worth it? The questions homeowners have regarding food waste disposers are limitless. If you’re having difficulties deciding on whether you should get one or not, we’re here to help. Our guide highlights the pros and cons of garbage disposals so you can make a well-informed decision. Read all about it below and get the bigger picture before you buy!
The Rundown: the Real Pros and Cons of Garbage Disposals
We will present some of the most significant advantages and disadvantages of garbage disposal units below. Learn more about the four main pros and three cons to consider below.
Pros of Garbage Disposals
From where we stand, there are more benefits than drawbacks when it comes to garbage disposers. In addition to being hygienic and convenient, they’re also good for your plumbing and the environment.
Hygiene
Preparing food can turn into a messy situation in just a few minutes. The same goes for clearing the table after enjoying a meal. A garbage disposal can help you throw away food scraps hygienically, eliminating the need of stuffing up trash cans. Your kitchen will be sparkling clean and you won’t struggle with nasty smells if you can’t take out the trash immediately.
Convenience
Let’s be real: time is money. In our fast-paced world, we have less and less time for extensive daily cleaning. Nevertheless, technology can help us reduce the time we spend on tasks like cleaning up after meals. By using a garbage disposal, we can quickly and efficiently remove food waste from our kitchens and dining rooms.
Plumbing Protection
The average homeowner’s pipes go through a lot. If you have been living without a garbage disposal, you may have accidentally clogged your pipes throughout the years. Food waste disposers use impellers to break down scraps into particles, liquefy them, and flush them down your pipes freely. As a result, you will lower the risk of damaging your pipes in the long run.
Environmental Support
In a previous article, we explained where garbage disposal waste goes. To put it shortly, the waste processed in your disposer transforms into biosolids and, subsequently, into renewable energy. Although a combination of using a garbage disposal and composting is ideal, the disposer alone will help reduce your impact on the environment.
Cons of Garbage Disposals
On the other hand, there is a series of potential shortcomings of garbage disposers. Although some can easily be avoided or worked with, you should be aware of them.
Odors
There is a separate set of pros and cons of garbage disposals in terms of odors. While disposers indeed help you avoid trash odors, they can also become the source of in-sink odors. Notwithstanding, you can learn about how to deodorize garbage disposal units naturally. If you give them a good cleaning every now and then, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Clogging
Maintaining a garbage disposal takes a bit of know-how. For example, if you put the wrong items in your disposer, it can jam or clog with ease. We generally recommend that you’re familiar with the golden rules of garbage disposal usage. Still, in the event of an accident, learning how to unclog a garbage disposal isn’t that hard. You won’t even have to call your plumber.
Safety
We’ve all heard garbage disposal horror stories. You know – how a child can crawl up on the sink and get their fingers in the drain. We don’t need to go into more detail. Nonetheless, you can prevent dangerous situations by purchasing a batch feed garbage disposal instead of a continuous feed unit. Alternatively, unplug your continuous feed disposer each time it’s not in use.
Conclusion
All in all, it’s essential to know all the pros and cons of garbage disposals prior to purchasing one. You may be tempted to buy a food waste disposer based on recommendations from family or friends. However, we always encourage you to take the time to gather information on your own. Once you’re aware of all the upsides and downsides, you can see what would be best for you.
Do you know any other pros and cons of garbage disposals? Share them in the comments!