Garbage Disposal for Farmhouse Sink — Your Best Options [2023]
You look at the aisle of garbage disposals, and they look the same. You check their “specs” but these are just numbers.
Worry no more as we will walk you through everything you need to know. Read on to see top picks, as well as tips and reminders before buying!
Reviews of Garbage Disposals for Farmhouse Sinks
We’ve rounded up the top five garbage disposal for farmhouse sinks. Find out which one would suit you and your kitchen best!
1. InSinkErator Evolution Compact - Best Overall
The Compact is one of the premium models of InsinkErator. Backed by ¾ HP motor, its DuraDrive induction motor can process heavy loads and tough food waste.
In addition to its 2-stage grinding system, it is equipped with SoundSeal technology, a feature that mutes noise to a bare minimum.
Is this for you? This bags our best overall award. With its premium features, you can be sure that every penny is worth it. It checks everything we need in a garbage disposal: a powerful motor, stainless steel components, and case, a solid and sturdy grinding chamber, plus noise-canceling features.
2. Waste King - L3300 - Best Value
One of the popular units from the Waste King Lseries, this garbage disposal is powered by a ¾ HP permanent magnet motor.
Its high-speed motor boasts a speed of 2700 RPM, making it easy to process touch solid wastes. It doesn’t come with noise insulation technology but it isn’t loud compared to average disposals.
Is this for you? If you are looking for a disposal that checks all your boxes for performance, price, and a reliable kitchen friend, this is for you. Its durable case and magnet motor do not cost a lot. It has a removable splash guard and a height of 14.5 inches. Plus, it comes with a manual reset button in case it gets jammed.
3. InSinkErator Badger 5 - Lightweight and Budget Option
The Badger 5 is the best seller among the ½ HP options. Its size makes it the most compact out of all the units reviewed in this article.
It only measures 11.5 inches in height. Don’t be fooled though, it still is a powerful unit with an induction motor speed of 1725 RPM.
Is it for you? The Badger 5 is made for small households of about 1-3 people. Its motor can handle soft to regular food particles and wastes but not a lot. It’s perfect for those who are on a budget but still want to install a trusty garbage disposal under their farmhouse sinks.
4. Waste King - Knight (A1SPC) - Lifetime Companion
This is our top pick for busy kitchens with farmhouse sinks. This 1HP unit comes with its own power cord and a lifetime warranty for replacements and in-home repairs.
More powerful than the L-series from Waste King, it is equipped to process disposal of around 15 pounds. So if you have a family who loves to eat a lot while still keeping your kitchen waste in check, this is it.
Is it for you? This is perfect for permanent residents who are not looking to relocate or move any time soon. It’s also a good option for those who plan to do a lot of cooking. It costs more than other units from Waste King and weighs heavier too.
5. InSinkErator Evolution Excel - Most Quiet Operator
Similar to the Knight model from Waste King, the InSinkErator Evolution Excel comes with 1 HP motor.
It is equipped with an advanced 3-stage grinding system. This would enable it to process tough food wastes in its 40oz disposal capacity. In addition to its noise insulation technology, it has an Auto-Reverse feature and Jam Sensor too.
Is it for you? Evolution Excel has the most number of features on our list. In addition to being the “smooth operator”, it is built with a high-speed motor and smart technologies, such as Auto Reverse and Jam Sensor.
Best garbage disposal option for those who look at specs and performance, or prefer a tech-savvy option.
Garbage Disposal for Farmhouse Sink Buyer’s Guide
Size matters but it's not the only thing that counts when it comes to deciding which is the best garbage disposal for your farmhouse sink. Here are few things you should consider when weighing your options:
Design and Build
Before anything, one should take note of the measurements of the available space under the farmhouse sink. This would help you determine and narrow down your choices for garbage disposals.
To give you an idea, a countertop in the U.S. has an average height of 3 feet or 36 inches. A farmhouse sink can take a space of 1 foot or 12 inches in depth.
To account for the space allowance above (countertop thickness, baseboard cabinet) plus below (base cabinet, toe kick space), let’s remove about 6 inches from the remaining space. That leaves us with...
18 inches of cabinet space - which is more than the average height of garbage disposals.
Second, quality over looks. A number of garbage disposals for farmhouse sinks look the same. What it boils down to would be the quality and build of the units. Some things you can check would be the material used.
If possible, go for a garbage disposal with stainless steel grinding components or chambers. Stainless steel would save you both the money and the trouble in the long run.
Check the processing system or technology of the disposal as well. Technology keeps evolving and garbage disposals should too. For example, the motors or systems installed in the unit would determine the efficiency of the garbage disposal.
This also affects the performance of the disposal. A loud garbage disposal would not be suitable in an industrial context.
A highly used kitchen would also need the best technology there is to process huge amounts of food wastes and heavy loads.
Grinding Power
When talking about grinding power, this is not as simple as relying on the unit’s HP alone. Grinding power refers to the unit’s power per pound value. This isn’t usually quantified by the manufacturers or seen in the unit’s brochure.
To help one determine which disposal has a stronger grinding power, consider this scenario: when you are choosing among a number of 1 HP motor garbage disposals, the units with lower pound value imply a stronger grinding power.
For example, a 30oz capacity garbage disposal fares better in this category compared to ones with 50oz capacity.
In other words... It means it can exert 1 HP to 30oz load, compared to the other unit wherein the power is spread to a 50oz load of food waste. Some say a good indicator of garbage disposal performance would be having more power per pound.
Type of Garbage Disposals
Garbage disposals can be classified into two types depending on how the wastes are disposed into the disposal: batch feed and continuous feed disposals.
Most options suitable for farmhouse sinks are continuous feed disposals. This simply means that the unit can process wastes that are added anytime while it is running. This also makes it easier to operate.
In contrast, the batch feed only processes waste by - you guessed it - by batch.
Once the grinding chamber is filled, the cover is closed and food waste is processed. The batching process makes them safer compared to continuous feed units.
However, since the batch feed disposer units have a bigger grinding chamber, some come in bigger sizes, usually more than 15 inches. These are more suitable for houses with bigger kitchen space or at least, a countertop with more height.
Size of Garbage Disposal
A homeowner with farmhouse sinks would typically prefer compact-sized disposal. As the space under the countertop needs to be efficiently utilized, each square foot should be maximized. It should fit perfectly under your farmhouse sink.
A big garbage disposal unit should only be considered when there is a need for it. For example, a bigger and busy household might call for a bigger garbage disposal model.
Easy Installation
Installation is pretty easy as most garbage disposals are designed to fit in most kitchen sinks.
The topmost portion of the units easily connects to the sinkhole, thereby removing the need for any drain hardware. Some units have their own power cord too.
This is easier when it comes to farmhouse sinks as the sinkholes all have the same cut. It’s as simple as the pop and lock method; however, be sure to double-check the manual to help you properly connect the one to the sink.
Another issue that may arise in installing a garbage disposal is when the farmhouse sink is a fireclay sink. Compared to others, a fireclay farmhouse sink has a thicker bottom, which might make the installation difficult or impossible.
The InSinkErator options listed above are compatible with fireclay sinks that are more than half an inch thick but less than ¾ of an inch. If it is thicker than ¾ inch, there would be a need for sink flange extender.
Amount of Noise
Grinding always comes with a bit of noise. Garbage disposals are no exception even if they are hidden under the sink. If this is a major factor, the units with the least noise are from InSinkErator.
Both the Evolution Compact and Evolution Excel do their work without drowning the whole room with noise.
Thanks to their built-in technology, these two options also jam less compared to other units in the markets. The Auto-reverse and JamSensor technologies enable the units to function with no fuss or buzz.
Price and Warranty
Price and warranty [1] play an important role in any buyer’s decision-making process. Garbage disposals are an investment and they don’t come cheap. Thus, it is important to factor these in before making any decision.
Our top pick for a budget-friendly option is the InSinkErator Badger 5. It’s the best option for garbage disposals on a tight budget.
If you are looking for a garbage disposal for farmhouse sink with more features and higher specs, these would be more expensive and on the premium side.
Lastly, length and coverage of the warranty should also be considered. Warranties help you gauge the standard of the product. In some cases, it can be an indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in the quality of their product and their service.
Always study the warranty and avoid changing anything in the waste disposal that may void the warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have a garbage disposal with a farmhouse sink?
A definite yes! Since most farmhouse sinks are cut in the same way, the first step would be to determine the size of the equipment that would fit in the space under the sink.
After checking this, the next step would be to know the price range you’re willing to spend and the features you value the most.
There are a number of options available that would fit your farmhouse sink, your budget, and your preference.
Our Top Pick For a Garbage Disposal for Farmhouse Sink: InSinkErator Evolution Compact
The best garbage disposal unit is not only determined by which one fits best under your farmhouse sink. It should also meet your standards and needs.
Our top garbage disposal choice is the InSinkErator Evolution Compact since the technology of this model really stands out from the rest. Its sensors and system are undoubtedly smart and useful in any household. It also has ¾ HP.
Our last reminder, as always, make sure to consult with a licensed contractor if you have some doubts along the process to avoid damaging the sink material. Let us know your thoughts and if this article helped you decide! Send your questions and comments below.
