Garbage disposals, also known as food waste disposers, have become a staple of many kitchens as they allow food to be dumped down the sink as opposed to thrown in the trash. Depending on your lifestyle, these devices can be a useful asset in the kitchen, or they can provide some unfortunate disadvantages. Below, we take a look at a few benefits and disadvantages of food waste disposers so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase one for your home.
Pro: It Can Eliminate Odor From Trash
The smell from food waste is often what causes the most rancid stenches inside trash cans and bags. Using a food waste disposer helps homeowners eliminate the buildup of certain types of food waste, reducing bad odors in your kitchen.
Con: Garbage Disposals Can Develop Their Own Odors
A disadvantage to having a garbage disposal in your kitchen is that they can develop odors of their own. There are numerous foods that are not supposed to be put in a garbage disposal, and if put down the food waste disposer, disposals can develop foul odors of their own, especially if clogs occur.
Pro: Convenience
Garbage disposals reduce time spent cleaning and keeping food away from the drain. If you have a food waste disposer in your sink, you can drop food waste into the disposal and grind them up. This significantly reduces cleaning time, as many scraps can be put right into the disposal without any issue.
Con: They Can Clog
Just likes pipes, garbage disposals can clog if you put forbidden foods in them. This can often result due to a lack of water when running your garbage disposal, since sinks must be running when using your garbage disposal.
Pro: Reduces The Chance Of Pipe Clogs
Many people often send small food scraps down the drain of their traditional sink, whether they would like to admit it or not. Even the smallest scraps and lead to pipe clogs and damage. Fortunately, a garbage disposal grinds up food extremely fine, reducing the chances of pipe clogs in your home.
Con: Environmentally Unfriendly and Energy Inefficient
On the whole, food waste disposers are fairly energy inefficient, due to the need to constantly run water when using them. They also require an electrical connection, demanding both water and electricity to function. While more environmentally-conscious models are available, composting in your yard would reduce all of the extra energy that garbage disposals require.
The solution to whether or not you should purchase a garbage disposal for your home relies largely on what you value and how much money you’re willing to spend. If you are someone looking for environmentally-friendly options for your home, composting your food waste may be the better option for you. If you’re a homeowner looking to find solutions that provide comfort and convenience, it may be worth researching various food waste disposer models to see what will fit you home best. As with any purchase for your home, make sure you have the necessary information before purchasing any significant appliance for your home prior to construction or the completion of your home remodel.
