I've heard that no disposal with a septic yarn for years, not true. In fact I've seen reports indicating that the shredded material from the disposal actually helps the biome in the tank work more efficiently.
Do Any garbage Disposals Have "Sharp blades"?
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jakeseacrest
Well-known member
My parents have had a septic and a disposal since 1991. They only use it after washing dishes to clear out whatever was left on the plates or pans or soup bowls. They've never had a problem.
I Can't Imagine A Modern Kitchen Without A Disposer
It is one of the most useful environmentally ways to clean up a kitchen and keep your home odor and mice and bug free.
If I lived in a place that banned disposers I would keep and old blender in the kitchen [ or get a portable disposer ] and just poor the ground stuff down the drain, Or do like we did as kids and just flush food waste down a toilet.
I simply don't know how you can dispose of semi liquid food wastes like a canning jar of tomatoes that has spoiled or the fiber pads they put in meat and fish packages to absorb liquids to prevent leakage it would stink to high heaven to put such stuff in the trash.
John L.
It is one of the most useful environmentally ways to clean up a kitchen and keep your home odor and mice and bug free.
If I lived in a place that banned disposers I would keep and old blender in the kitchen [ or get a portable disposer ] and just poor the ground stuff down the drain, Or do like we did as kids and just flush food waste down a toilet.
I simply don't know how you can dispose of semi liquid food wastes like a canning jar of tomatoes that has spoiled or the fiber pads they put in meat and fish packages to absorb liquids to prevent leakage it would stink to high heaven to put such stuff in the trash.
John L.
I still have an old VitaMix SS "monolith" 3500 I bought at a yard sale that I used as a disposer in a home that didn't have one.The house was on a septic tank.The old VM could grind stuff finer than most disposers anyway-only cost like 25 bucks at the garage sale.Still have the machine cleaned up the jar and sometimes use it for smoothies.It has that famous VM "forward-Reverse" action that is FUN to do!!!The septic tank did just fine with the VM "disposer"I had another VM machine as well.Bought it new-4000.DON'T flush waste down a potty-in a radio station studio lounge with kitchen-DJ's liked to flush stuff down the potty-the kitchen had a disposer-The potty got clogged-use the toilet auger in the pot-up came the remains of a Ceaser salad-Firmly told the jocks to put the slads down the disposall instead.-Sine there was one there to use.Yes,as a station engineer you become plumber,cobbler,radio-TV repairman,and electrician!The manager would say----"You are the engineer--FIX IT"!
ozzie908
Well-known member
I have an Insinkerator basic model, It needs replacing
Its now 3 years old and I have had more clogs from this model than ever had with a more expensive one.
I am going to buy a new one but am wondering which would be the best to get? I have read about the self reversing ones are they worth the extra £ ?
Anyone recommend a good one for the UK please.
Thank you Austin
Its now 3 years old and I have had more clogs from this model than ever had with a more expensive one.
I am going to buy a new one but am wondering which would be the best to get? I have read about the self reversing ones are they worth the extra £ ?
Anyone recommend a good one for the UK please.
Thank you Austin
Better ISE Disposers
Hi Austin, Always get a disposer with all SS grind components, the cheaper models corrode quickly and start passing much larger stuff down the drain.
In general with disposers [ and range hoods ] the more you pay the better the machine is, currently ISE makes by far the best disposers worldwide if you buy their better models, no other maker currently comes close.
There is a place in Baltimore that sells used building materials etc called Second Chance, they do home deconstruction and sell all the kitchen cabinets appliances. I love going there and picking up TOL ISE disposers $300-400 models for $25, it is a great way to get high quality models at bargain prices.
Last time I was there I picked up a 1994 real MT disposer for $15 that I parted out to get a spare water seal for my MT 1994 FB-5 which has leaked on and off over its life because I always used to grind tea bags in it.
John L.
Hi Austin, Always get a disposer with all SS grind components, the cheaper models corrode quickly and start passing much larger stuff down the drain.
In general with disposers [ and range hoods ] the more you pay the better the machine is, currently ISE makes by far the best disposers worldwide if you buy their better models, no other maker currently comes close.
There is a place in Baltimore that sells used building materials etc called Second Chance, they do home deconstruction and sell all the kitchen cabinets appliances. I love going there and picking up TOL ISE disposers $300-400 models for $25, it is a great way to get high quality models at bargain prices.
Last time I was there I picked up a 1994 real MT disposer for $15 that I parted out to get a spare water seal for my MT 1994 FB-5 which has leaked on and off over its life because I always used to grind tea bags in it.
John L.
Hi Austin,
Go for the Evolution 200.
We had a Builder Grade badger originally, which we replaced with a remanufactured Model 65, we used that till it failed. It was good, but loud. We then bought a Grey market import Evo 200 from the UK. The thing is almost silent and destroys almost anything you can put in it. Over here, its a lot of $$ at $1500 but we lucked out on this grey import one for $700. It was definitely a good decision.
Regards
Nathan
Go for the Evolution 200.
We had a Builder Grade badger originally, which we replaced with a remanufactured Model 65, we used that till it failed. It was good, but loud. We then bought a Grey market import Evo 200 from the UK. The thing is almost silent and destroys almost anything you can put in it. Over here, its a lot of $$ at $1500 but we lucked out on this grey import one for $700. It was definitely a good decision.
Regards
Nathan
My friend in England installed the ISE Evolution 200 and she is very happy with it. Like Nathan said, its performance is excellent and it is very quiet. They now come with removable splash guards that also block noise. Unfortunately these new “Quiet Collar” baffles also make the sink slower to drain and the food needs a little more pushing through with your hand. But you can still install the traditional baffle with the wider opening (installed underneath, not the easily removable type) if you prefer. That’s what I do — I don’t like the removable type.
"I can't imagine a modern kitchen without a disposer
Wait, what!?!?!?!
Does life without a disposer exist?
Lol
Wait, what!?!?!?!
Does life without a disposer exist?
Lol
Yes,I have had to do it.But didn't like it-glad I was finally able to use disposers.One house didn't have one,and one apartment.
ozzie908
Well-known member
Thank you
For those superb suggestions I will look into getting a new one asap.
Austin
For those superb suggestions I will look into getting a new one asap.
Austin
Septic tanks
Lived in a house in Alabama for a while that was built in 1987 and had a septic tank. Whole development was outside city sewer service. Had a garbage disposal and never had any issues with it. I'm sure all the houses had them too. The house next door even had a swimming pool. Whatever tank design they used, it must have been really big and really dependable.
Lived in a house in Alabama for a while that was built in 1987 and had a septic tank. Whole development was outside city sewer service. Had a garbage disposal and never had any issues with it. I'm sure all the houses had them too. The house next door even had a swimming pool. Whatever tank design they used, it must have been really big and really dependable.
aunabreslun20
Member
Disposers for the UK Market
Like i said before. Anything by Max appliances is good. just get a maxmatic or a westminster if you're in the UK
Like i said before. Anything by Max appliances is good. just get a maxmatic or a westminster if you're in the UK
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
A swimming pool wouldn't affect a septic tank unless it were installed in the leaching field. If it were, given sufficient rain to saturate the field and sufficient input from the house, it could back up. And that would be all kinds of wonderful!
Garbage disposals: I think I'm an outlier here. I've never lived in a house or apartment that had one. And none of my friends or relatives had one as far as I know.
Garbage disposals: I think I'm an outlier here. I've never lived in a house or apartment that had one. And none of my friends or relatives had one as far as I know.
Hi Austin, get the most powerful ISE you can. We’ve got the ISE 75, I think it’s replaced by the Evolution range now as it’s years old. Everything, and I do mean everything goes down it without missing a beat. Yesterday it ate the turkey carcass, as it has done every Christmas, and it routinely chomps through whole corn cobs, broccoli stalks, just about all bones I’ve tried, eggshells, you name it. The only thing I tend to be wary of is rice, as I don’t see how it would be grounds any finer and I imagine it could clump up in the pipes. However I’m happy to include rice in a mixed grind of bigger waste. It’s a big beast, takes up about double the space of a bol ISE but well worth it. The air switch is massively worth having too!
ozzie908
Well-known member
I have taken the advice of those in the know 
And just bought an Insinkerator Evolution 200 its due to arrive in the new year. The Model 46 installed with the kitchen 3 years ago is not far short of useless.!! Blocked up again today with cauliflower leaves it is hardly worth the bother of using.
Chose not to have the air switch as I have Quartz worktops and the thought of trying to drill a hole to fit the switch leaves me cold in case it cracks or something horrid. Also we are used to putting a hand in the cupboard below and flicking the switch on and off so its not a bother, I installed an air switch at mums house in a hole in the sink itself and it was as if that was what it was made for but it was so the sink could go either way round with a mono bloc tap.
I will keep the removed insinkerator 46 as if we move will take the new one with us
Thank you everyone who advised me to get a decent one it may be the most expensive but I am hoping it won't block up every time its used.... !
Austin
And just bought an Insinkerator Evolution 200 its due to arrive in the new year. The Model 46 installed with the kitchen 3 years ago is not far short of useless.!! Blocked up again today with cauliflower leaves it is hardly worth the bother of using.
Chose not to have the air switch as I have Quartz worktops and the thought of trying to drill a hole to fit the switch leaves me cold in case it cracks or something horrid. Also we are used to putting a hand in the cupboard below and flicking the switch on and off so its not a bother, I installed an air switch at mums house in a hole in the sink itself and it was as if that was what it was made for but it was so the sink could go either way round with a mono bloc tap.
I will keep the removed insinkerator 46 as if we move will take the new one with us
Thank you everyone who advised me to get a decent one it may be the most expensive but I am hoping it won't block up every time its used.... !
Austin
Overhere in the NL disposers are not forbidden, but using one is in contrary with the rules of waste. Disposing of solid waste through the sewage lines is not allowed. Using a disposer means more pulp in the sewage system and that means more stress on the sewage treatments plants. Costs of the sewage treatment would go up while we have a good system for recycling green waste.
Lately some experiments are being done in some apartment building where recycling is more difficult. So there is an opening, but I don't think we will see a change towards disposers soon.
Lately some experiments are being done in some apartment building where recycling is more difficult. So there is an opening, but I don't think we will see a change towards disposers soon.
ozzie908
Well-known member
@Louis
I can see the reasoning behind the rules against as you say it costs more to treat the waste. Sadly where we are at present there is no recycling of food waste available so it all goes to landfill and am sure there is enough already so waste disposers are encouraged or at least not discouraged
Austin
I can see the reasoning behind the rules against as you say it costs more to treat the waste. Sadly where we are at present there is no recycling of food waste available so it all goes to landfill and am sure there is enough already so waste disposers are encouraged or at least not discouraged
Austin
Air switch
You can use either the sink itself (if it's a separate unit with a rim, like stainless steel) or even the cabinet.
By the way, I'm installing the air switch in my kitchen today, as soon as my husband arrives, because I need a second person to hold it in the exact place while I'm inside the cabinet tightening the nut.
You can use either the sink itself (if it's a separate unit with a rim, like stainless steel) or even the cabinet.
By the way, I'm installing the air switch in my kitchen today, as soon as my husband arrives, because I need a second person to hold it in the exact place while I'm inside the cabinet tightening the nut.
reactor
Well-known member
Old Wives' Tales
It is difficult to believe, in the 21st centaury they "old wives' tales that still exist in the use of a residential garbage disposer (disposal.)
Egg shells are composed of calcium carbonate and so are bones. Both grind up to fine particles that easily flow through your plumbing system. Egg shells are NOT "famous" for creating clogs, neither are potato peels, fruit pits, celery, ad infinitum.......
You ask ten people on the street what you can't put in a garbage disposal, you will get ten different answers--each person with their favorite forbidden food wastes that you "absolutely positively, cannot" put in your disposal. I will guarantee that virtually none are correct.
The biggest problem I see with disposals clogging is improper installation. The trend for the last few decades is to install a disposal the easiest and quickest and cheapest way possible. That is by using a disposal tailpipe installation kit that you see at Lowe's and Home Depot.
The tell tell sign is the disposal has been installed by turning it to its side (so the front manufacture's label does not show) and discharging it directly into the adjacent sinks drain pipe. This saves the plumber a few cents worth of PVC by not having to use a separate trap, and the uneducated (in plumbing at least) homeowner the two or three minutes worth of mental task of how to install a separate trap and line for the disposer.
People and lazy plumbers use a "disposal installation tailpipe" to do this. The pipe has a baffle in it that forces the disposal's waste downward into the drain pipe and also allows the sink above it to drain through.
So a disposal's waste output is being forced to make an instant 90 degree turn in only half the diameter of the pipe. If you are going to get a clog, this is where it's going to be.
A disposal should be mounted the way its designed by the manufacturer. The front of the machine is facing out so you see it read the Brand Name label you open the cabinet. The discharge goes directly out the rear, into its own trap and line, and into the main drain line. No constrictions, no sharp 90 degree angles and free water flow.
As a credit to the good grinding ability of today's disposers. often they will function with this poor-excuse-for-a-plumbing job. However, stringy wastes or bulky waste will one day create a clog at this vulnerable junction, especially after the disposal gets older and the grinding ring gets dull.
So, of course, the disposal gets the blame for human stupidity.
Not running enough water, is probably the second most common cause of drain clogging. Full flow while grinding with the water left running for about ten seconds after the disposal is the best defense against clogs.
If the water is turned off prematurely when the water velocity slows, it drops its food load and leaves it at the bottom of the pipe or junction. It's important to allow the water to run long enough to allow the food waste laden water to reach the septic tank or street line before water flow is stopped.
Sadly, most homeowners do not maintain their plumbing and allow pipe buildup. When a clog occurs never would they be willing to accept the responsibility as theirs. Instead the disposal, of course, gets the blame. And whatever they were grinding at the time of clogging, of course, now becomes the culprit.
If Aunt Edna was grinding turnip peelings when her sink stops up, then she tells sister Sue that you can "never, ever put turnip peels down a disposal" as it clogged up her sink tight. Sister Sue tells neighbor Agnes, then that you absolutely cannot put turnips down a disposal. Neighbor Agnes tell Mrs. Goodly at the PTA meeting, that turnips can never, ever be put into a disposal. Neighbor Agnes tells husband John that turnips put down a disposal will cause you to have to install a new plumbing system. John tells Mr. Vickers at the water cooler the next day at work, Mr. Vickers goes home and tells his wife, who tells her hairdresser...and so on and so on ...Ad Infinium.
So is the birth of a new Wives Tale.
Substitute egg shells for turnips, or potato peels, or plum peelings or virtually any food wastes. They have all had a turn at being THE verboten food waste item that you can "absolutely positively can never ever" put into your machine.
The only food wastes that I have seen consistently appear in manufacturer's literature are artichoke leaves. Some manufacture's warn about too LARGE of a quantity of a given waste at a time (such as corn husks) but other than that there are few forbidden items.
The residential food waste disposer is one of the most near perfect of home appliances. It can handle virtually any food wastes and helps to keeps our solid waste stream free of organic materials. Materials that can produce methane in land fills and provide breeding grounds for the growth of vermin such as rodents, flies and maggots which in turn lead to the spreading of communicable diseases.
Sadly, old wives tales and human ignorance prevent the disposal from truly doing its job and being the ecologically responsible tool that it was designed to be.
It is difficult to believe, in the 21st centaury they "old wives' tales that still exist in the use of a residential garbage disposer (disposal.)
Egg shells are composed of calcium carbonate and so are bones. Both grind up to fine particles that easily flow through your plumbing system. Egg shells are NOT "famous" for creating clogs, neither are potato peels, fruit pits, celery, ad infinitum.......
You ask ten people on the street what you can't put in a garbage disposal, you will get ten different answers--each person with their favorite forbidden food wastes that you "absolutely positively, cannot" put in your disposal. I will guarantee that virtually none are correct.
The biggest problem I see with disposals clogging is improper installation. The trend for the last few decades is to install a disposal the easiest and quickest and cheapest way possible. That is by using a disposal tailpipe installation kit that you see at Lowe's and Home Depot.
The tell tell sign is the disposal has been installed by turning it to its side (so the front manufacture's label does not show) and discharging it directly into the adjacent sinks drain pipe. This saves the plumber a few cents worth of PVC by not having to use a separate trap, and the uneducated (in plumbing at least) homeowner the two or three minutes worth of mental task of how to install a separate trap and line for the disposer.
People and lazy plumbers use a "disposal installation tailpipe" to do this. The pipe has a baffle in it that forces the disposal's waste downward into the drain pipe and also allows the sink above it to drain through.
So a disposal's waste output is being forced to make an instant 90 degree turn in only half the diameter of the pipe. If you are going to get a clog, this is where it's going to be.
A disposal should be mounted the way its designed by the manufacturer. The front of the machine is facing out so you see it read the Brand Name label you open the cabinet. The discharge goes directly out the rear, into its own trap and line, and into the main drain line. No constrictions, no sharp 90 degree angles and free water flow.
As a credit to the good grinding ability of today's disposers. often they will function with this poor-excuse-for-a-plumbing job. However, stringy wastes or bulky waste will one day create a clog at this vulnerable junction, especially after the disposal gets older and the grinding ring gets dull.
So, of course, the disposal gets the blame for human stupidity.
Not running enough water, is probably the second most common cause of drain clogging. Full flow while grinding with the water left running for about ten seconds after the disposal is the best defense against clogs.
If the water is turned off prematurely when the water velocity slows, it drops its food load and leaves it at the bottom of the pipe or junction. It's important to allow the water to run long enough to allow the food waste laden water to reach the septic tank or street line before water flow is stopped.
Sadly, most homeowners do not maintain their plumbing and allow pipe buildup. When a clog occurs never would they be willing to accept the responsibility as theirs. Instead the disposal, of course, gets the blame. And whatever they were grinding at the time of clogging, of course, now becomes the culprit.
If Aunt Edna was grinding turnip peelings when her sink stops up, then she tells sister Sue that you can "never, ever put turnip peels down a disposal" as it clogged up her sink tight. Sister Sue tells neighbor Agnes, then that you absolutely cannot put turnips down a disposal. Neighbor Agnes tell Mrs. Goodly at the PTA meeting, that turnips can never, ever be put into a disposal. Neighbor Agnes tells husband John that turnips put down a disposal will cause you to have to install a new plumbing system. John tells Mr. Vickers at the water cooler the next day at work, Mr. Vickers goes home and tells his wife, who tells her hairdresser...and so on and so on ...Ad Infinium.
So is the birth of a new Wives Tale.
Substitute egg shells for turnips, or potato peels, or plum peelings or virtually any food wastes. They have all had a turn at being THE verboten food waste item that you can "absolutely positively can never ever" put into your machine.
The only food wastes that I have seen consistently appear in manufacturer's literature are artichoke leaves. Some manufacture's warn about too LARGE of a quantity of a given waste at a time (such as corn husks) but other than that there are few forbidden items.
The residential food waste disposer is one of the most near perfect of home appliances. It can handle virtually any food wastes and helps to keeps our solid waste stream free of organic materials. Materials that can produce methane in land fills and provide breeding grounds for the growth of vermin such as rodents, flies and maggots which in turn lead to the spreading of communicable diseases.
Sadly, old wives tales and human ignorance prevent the disposal from truly doing its job and being the ecologically responsible tool that it was designed to be.
