2025 Guide to Garbage Disposals

If you are tired of spending precious time scraping plates into the garbage or grossed out when you have to scoop food bits from your kitchen sink, it might be time to consider installing a garbage disposal. This underrated kitchen gadget is more than just a modern convenience—it’s a cleanup superhero ready to make your life easier.

Instead of wrestling with food scraps, you can wash them right down the sink, where your trusty garbage disposal grinds them up into tiny particles that flow safely through your plumbing. It’s a fast, efficient, and eco-friendly way to handle food waste, leaving your kitchen cleaner and fresher. Plus, it can help reduce the amount of trash you send to the landfill.

Whether you’re upgrading your kitchen or simply looking for ways to streamline your daily routine, a garbage disposal is a simple addition with big benefits. And the best part? Your trusted Pasadena plumber, Alpha Plumbing performs garbage disposal installations and repairs.

A Comprehensive Guide to Garbage Disposals

We’ve developed this guide to cover everything you need to know about getting a garbage disposal installed at your Pasadena home. With various types, features, and price points available, choosing the right garbage disposal can feel overwhelming.

This comprehensive buyer’s guide will help you understand the key factors to consider when purchasing a garbage disposal for your home.

How Does a Garbage Disposal Work?

A garbage disposal is a small appliance installed under your kitchen sink. It is designed to shred food waste into tiny particles that can safely pass through your plumbing system. It features a motor-powered grinding chamber that pulverizes food scraps using blades or impellers and then flushes the waste through the drain with running water.

Benefits of Having a Garbage Disposal

Whether you’re preparing a meal or cleaning up after one, this device makes disposing of food scraps simple and efficient. But beyond convenience, garbage disposals offer a range of benefits, from saving time to helping the environment.

• Reduced Waste: Food waste accounts for a significant portion of household trash. By grinding food scraps and sending them through your plumbing system, a garbage disposal minimizes the amount of waste that ends up in your trash can—and ultimately in landfills.
  
  
• Eco-Friendliness: Food waste in landfills produces methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. By using a garbage disposal, you help reduce methane emissions, making this a small but meaningful step toward environmental sustainability. Using a garbage disposal also supports wastewater treatment facilities that can convert waste into energy.
  
  
• Improves Kitchen Hygiene: Food scraps left in the trash can attract pests such as ants, cockroaches, and even rodents. Additionally, decomposing food can produce unpleasant odors and even harmful bacteria.
  
  
• Prevents Clogged Drains: It’s inevitable for food scraps to make it into your sink and, subsequently, your drains. A garbage disposal can help protect your plumbing against clogs by breaking down food waste into smaller particles.

Choosing the Right Garbage Disposal

Choosing the right garbage disposal involves considering your household’s needs, kitchen habits, and plumbing system. Look for a model with the appropriate motor size for your usage—higher horsepower for heavy use or smaller for light duty. Consider features like noise reduction, stainless steel components, and compatibility with your sink, septic, and dishwasher setup.

Types of Garbage Disposals

1. Batch Feed: This device operates only when a stopper covers the disposal, providing added safety. It is ideal for families with children.
2. Continuous Feed: Activated by a wall switch, allowing continuous waste disposal. It is more convenient and widely used.

Key Features to Consider

• Horsepower: Options range from 1/3 to 1 horsepower (HP) or higher. Recommendations by household size:
  • 1/3 HP to 1/2 HP: Small households (1-2 people)
  • 3/4 HP: Medium households (3-5 people)
  • 1 HP or higher: Large households (6+ people)
• Noise Level: Look for models with sound insulation for quieter operation.
• Durability: High-quality stainless steel components resist rust and last longer, while aluminum models are highly affordable but far less durable.
• Grind Stages: Garbage disposals are available in one of three grinding stages:
  • Single-stage: Basic grinding.Two-stage: Finer grinding for smoother waste flow.
  • Three-stage: Best for pulverizing tough food waste like bones.
• Material Considerations: Stainless steel is the gold standard due to its resistance to rust and wear, though other materials can be more budget-friendly.
• Eco-Friendly Disposal Options: Some models are designed to consume less water and electricity. Look for ENERGY STAR^®-rated units and those built from recycled materials.
• Smart Garbage Disposals: Wi-Fi-enabled disposals allow remote monitoring and usage tracking via apps.
• Septic-Assist Systems: Adds enzymes or chemicals for further food particle breakdown.

How Much is a Garbage Disposal?

The cost of a garbage disposal can vary widely depending on factors like the brand, motor power, and additional features such as noise reduction or stainless steel components. Installation costs can also differ based on whether you’re replacing an existing unit or installing one for the first time.

The below costs are national averages provided by Angi’s, a platform that connects homeowners with professional home services and collects data on home service projects. For an accurate estimate, it’s best to consult a professional plumber at Alpha Plumbing who can recommend the right garbage disposal service for your needs and budget.

Average Replacement or Installation Costs for Garbage Disposals

Installing a new garbage disposal can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,200, with the average cost being around $400. Why such a wide range? The cost of installation is greatly affected by the following factors:

• Replacement vs. New Installations: New installations are usually costlier than replacements because they often require extra work to set up the necessary electrical or plumbing for a garbage disposal.
• Product Model/Features: Garbage disposals with stronger horsepower and more durable material are more expensive. Special features like noise reduction or septic-assist systems can also increase the final bill.
• Plumbing and Electrical Work: New installations may require adding an outlet near the sink for the garbage disposal. Special models that can connect with your dishwasher in addition to your sink for added protection will require additional piping. Both aspects can add to your labor cost.
• General Labor Rates: Depending on where you live can influence the base labor rates of plumbers near you.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are long-lasting home appliances. Depending on daily care and deep cleanings, they frequently last 8 to 15 years. If your disposal is within this range or is showing any of the following signs, it is likely you will need to replace it.

• Frequent breakdowns
• Constant jamming
• Persistent foul odors
• Reduced grinding performance
• Loosened blades
• Leaking

Why You Should Hire a Professional Plumber

Plumbers have the expertise and experience to install your new garbage disposal safely and efficiently. They are trained to handle the electrical and plumbing connections involved in the installation, which can be complex and tricky for someone without the right knowledge.

A professional plumber will also ensure your garbage disposal is installed according to local building codes, reducing the risk of leaks, malfunctions, or future costly repairs.

Additional Benefits of Professional Installation

• Ensures proper alignment, preventing leaks and electrical hazards.
• Professionals can assess compatibility with your sink and plumbing.
• DIY attempts may lead to damage, leaks, or voided warranties.
• Professional plumbers often provide warranties on their work, adding peace of mind.

Routine Maintenance Tips for Your Garbage Disposal

A well-maintained garbage disposal not only extends the lifespan of the unit but also prevents common problems such as:

• Clogs: A neglected disposal can accumulate food particles and debris, leading to blockages in your drain.
• Unpleasant Odors: Residue from food can create foul smells if not properly cleared.
• Costly Repairs or Replacement: Regular maintenance can save you from expensive service calls or needing to replace the unit entirely.

Daily Garbage Disposal Care Tips

1. Run Cold Water While Using the Disposal: Always run cold water before, during, and after using your disposal.
2. Use It Regularly: Frequent use prevents rust, corrosion, and debris buildup. Even if you don’t have food to grind, running the disposal with water for a few seconds can keep it in good condition.
3. Avoid Overloading: Feed the food waste into the disposal gradually. Dumping large amounts all at once can overwhelm the blades and motor, leading to jams or damage.

Foods to Avoid Putting in Your Garbage Disposal

Not all food waste is disposal-friendly. To prevent damage, avoid putting the following items down your garbage disposal:

• Grease and Fats: These can solidify in your pipes and cause blockages.
• Fibrous Vegetables: Celery, corn husks, and onion skins can wrap around the blades and cause jams.
• Starchy Foods: Potatoes and rice can form a thick paste that clogs the disposal.
• Large Bones or Shells: Hard items like bones or seafood shells can damage the blades.
• Coffee Grounds: These can accumulate in the drain and lead to clogs over time.

Deep Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

Even with daily care, your disposal needs a thorough cleaning periodically—however, avoid chemical drain cleaners and instead opt for a natural cleaner and deodorizer. Follow these steps to keep your garbage disposal clean:

1. Power It Down: For safety, turn off the disposal’s power by unplugging it or switching off the circuit breaker.
2. Clean the Splash Guard: The rubber splash guard (or baffle) can collect food residue. Remove it and scrub it with warm, soapy water or an old toothbrush.
3. Use Ice Cubes and Salt: Grinding a handful of ice cubes with a tablespoon of rock salt can dislodge debris from the blades and clean the inside of the unit.
4. Deodorize With Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 5–10 minutes, then flush with hot water to remove any lingering odors.
5. Citrus Freshness: Tossing a few citrus peels (like lemon or orange) into the disposal can help neutralize odors and leave a fresh scent.

Keeping Your Garbage Disposal in Top Shape

A garbage disposal is a valuable addition to any kitchen, simplifying waste disposal and reducing household waste. By considering factors like type, motor size, material, noise levels, and additional features, you can find the perfect garbage disposal for your home. Whether you prioritize power, quiet operation, or environmental impact, there’s a model to suit your needs and budget.

Using your garbage disposal appropriately and performing regular care can go a long way toward its performance and longevity.

For help selecting the right garbage disposal, professional installation, or garbage disposal repair in Pasadena contact Alpha Plumbing at 443-218-6775. You can also request service online. Our experts are here to ensure your kitchen runs smoothly!