You know that satisfying whir of your garbage disposal gobbling up food scraps after dinner? It’s one of those modern conveniences you don’t think much about—until it stops working. Then suddenly, you’re staring down a sink full of questionable water, wondering if that potato peel from Tuesday is staging a revolt in your pipes.

Garbage disposals are kitchen workhorses that deserve more credit than they get. These unsung heroes quietly grind away food waste, keeping your trash can less smelly and your plumbing happier. But here’s the thing: installing one isn’t exactly a DIY weekend project you should tackle after watching a couple of YouTube videos. Let’s dive into why these devices matter, what shouldn’t go down them, and why calling a professional is the smartest move you’ll make for your kitchen.

Why Your Kitchen Needs A Garbage Disposal

Think about all the food prep that happens in your kitchen. Vegetable peels, coffee grounds, bits of leftover dinner that didn’t make it into the Tupperware—it all adds up. Without a garbage disposal, you’re either scraping everything into the trash (hello, smelly garbage bag) or risking clogs by letting small bits slip down the drain.

A good disposal transforms your daily cleanup routine. You can rinse plates directly into the sink without playing the “catch every crumb” game. It reduces the amount of organic waste heading to landfills, which is actually better for the environment than you might think. Food waste in landfills produces methane as it decomposes, but when it goes through your disposal and ends up at a wastewater treatment facility, it’s processed more efficiently.

Plus, disposals help keep your pipes cleaner. When food particles go straight down the drain without grinding, they can accumulate over time, creating those stubborn clogs that make you regret every life choice that led to this moment. A properly functioning disposal pulverizes food into tiny particles that flow through your plumbing system without causing drama.

Why Professional Installation Isn’t Optional

Sure, you’re handy. You’ve assembled IKEA furniture without crying, changed your own oil, maybe even installed a ceiling fan. But a garbage disposal? That’s where you want to pump the brakes on your DIY ambitions.

First, there’s the electrical component. Disposals need to be hardwired or plugged into an outlet under your sink, and electrical work in wet environments is not the place to learn on the job. One wrong connection and you’re looking at a fire hazard or, at minimum, a disposal that doesn’t work and a breaker that keeps tripping.

Then there’s the plumbing side of things. Your disposal needs to connect seamlessly to your existing drain configuration, and if you have a dishwasher, that adds another layer of complexity. The connections need to be watertight and properly aligned, or you’ll end up with leaks that damage your cabinet and potentially the floor beneath it. Professional plumbers know exactly how to integrate the disposal with your specific setup, whether you’ve got a single or double sink, what type of drain assembly you’re working with, and how to ensure everything flows correctly.

Professionals also understand local building codes. Some jurisdictions have specific requirements about disposal installation, and the last thing you want is to fail an inspection if you’re selling your home down the line. A licensed plumber ensures everything is up to code from the start.

And let’s talk about the disposal itself. These units are heavier than they look, and holding one in place while trying to secure it to the mounting assembly is an awkward, arm-straining experience. Professionals have done this hundreds of times—they know the tricks to get it seated properly without cross-threading bolts or creating stress points that could lead to leaks.

If something goes wrong during a DIY installation, you might end up needing a garbage disposal repair anyway, and now you’re paying for both the repair and fixing whatever got messed up during your installation attempt. Starting with a pro saves you that headache.

Should You Buy The Disposal Or Let Your Plumber Supply It?

This is one of those questions that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some solid guidelines to help you decide.

If you let your plumber supply the disposal, you’re getting the benefit of their expertise. They know which brands hold up well, which models fit your sink configuration, and which units offer the best value. Most plumbers have relationships with suppliers and can often get better pricing than you’d find at a big-box store. Plus, if something goes wrong with the unit itself, they typically handle the warranty claims and replacement—you’ve got one point of contact instead of dealing with a manufacturer’s customer service line.

The downside? You might pay a markup on the unit itself, though this is often offset by their purchasing power. And you’ll have less control over the specific model and features.

Buying it yourself gives you complete control over brand selection and features. You can research reviews, compare prices, and choose exactly what you want. If you’re particular about things like noise level or grinding power, this route lets you be picky. However, you need to make sure you’re buying the right size and type for your sink, and if the unit arrives defective or doesn’t fit your setup, that’s on you to handle the return and replacement.

Here’s a middle-ground approach that works well: talk to your plumber first. Ask what they recommend for your specific situation. Get their input on horsepower, brand reliability, and features. Then decide if you want them to supply it or if you’d prefer to purchase it yourself. Many plumbers are perfectly happy to install a unit you’ve purchased, though some charge a slightly higher installation fee since they’re not making anything on the disposal itself.

What To Look For In A Garbage Disposal

Horsepower is the first thing people look at, and it matters. For most households, a 1/2 to 3/4 horsepower disposal is plenty. If you cook a lot or have a larger family, consider 3/4 to 1 horsepower. Anything beyond that is typically overkill for residential use, though more power does mean the motor is less likely to bog down or jam.

Noise level can make or break your satisfaction with a disposal. Look for models with sound insulation—your family will thank you when they’re not hearing that grinding roar every time someone rinses a plate. InSinkErator and Waste King both make quieter models, though you’ll pay a bit more for the peace and quiet.

Stainless steel components last longer than galvanized steel, especially the grinding chamber and impellers. It’s worth spending extra for stainless if you plan to stay in your home for a while. Corrosion is a real issue with disposals, and stainless steel significantly extends the lifespan.

Warranty length tells you something about how much the manufacturer stands behind their product. Look for at least a 5-year warranty, though some premium models offer 10 years or even lifetime warranties. Read the fine print—some warranties only cover the motor, not all components.

What Never To Put Down Your Disposal

Even the toughest disposal has its limits. These machines are impressive, but they’re not magic. Knowing what to avoid can save you from costly repairs and extend your disposal’s lifespan considerably.

The absolute worst offenders for your disposal include:

• Fibrous vegetables like celery, asparagus, corn husks, and artichokes—these stringy vegetables wrap around the disposal’s grinding mechanism like dental floss around your finger
• Grease, oil, and fat in any form—they solidify as they cool and create stubborn clogs throughout your plumbing system
• Starchy foods including pasta, rice, and potato peels—they absorb water, expand, and turn into a gummy paste
• Coffee grounds—they accumulate like sediment and create dense, compacted messes in your pipes
• Hard items such as bones, fruit pits, and shells—these can damage or dull your disposal’s grinding components

Onion skins fall into the fibrous category too—those papery layers seem innocent, but they can slip past the grinder and create a membrane over the drain that traps other debris. It’s one of those things that doesn’t cause immediate problems but contributes to slow drains over time.

Egg shells are controversial. Some people swear by them for “sharpening” disposal blades (spoiler: disposals don’t have blades, they have blunt impellers). The membrane inside egg shells can actually wrap around the grinder, and the shells themselves can create granular sediment in your pipes. Better to skip them entirely.

And this should go without saying, but anything non-food has no business near your disposal. Twist ties, rubber bands, glass, plastic, metal, produce stickers—all of these can cause jams, damage components, or create dangerous situations. Even something as small as a twist tie can wrap around the impeller and cause problems.

Keeping Your Disposal Happy And Healthy

Once you’ve got your disposal professionally installed, maintaining it is straightforward. Always run cold water while using it and for about 15 seconds after you turn it off. Cold water solidifies any grease or oil that accidentally went down, allowing it to be chopped up and flushed through rather than coating your pipes.

Cut large items into smaller pieces before putting them in. Your disposal will handle them more efficiently, and you’ll reduce the strain on the motor. Feed items gradually rather than jamming everything in at once—think of it like feeding a shredder rather than dumping a stack of papers in all at once.

Clean your disposal regularly by grinding ice cubes and citrus peels. The ice helps scrape buildup off the grinding components, while citrus peels freshen up any lingering odors. Some people like to freeze vinegar in ice cube trays for an extra cleaning boost. So if you’ve ever wondered if you could put ice your garbage disposal, the answer is a resounding YES. 

If your disposal jams, turn it off immediately and use the reset button (usually on the bottom of the unit) or an Allen wrench in the hole at the bottom to manually turn the motor and free whatever’s stuck. Never stick your hand down the disposal, even when it’s off.

Wrapping Up Your Disposal Decision

Garbage disposals are one of those kitchen features that make daily life easier, but they need proper installation and care to do their job well. Bringing in a professional to install your disposal ensures it’s connected safely, works efficiently, and complies with local codes. It’s an investment that pays off in peace of mind and a disposal that lasts for years.

Whether you choose to have your plumber supply the unit or purchase it yourself, make sure you’re getting quality components that match your household’s needs. Don’t cheap out on something you’ll use multiple times every single day.

Treat your disposal right by being mindful of what goes down it, and it’ll be a reliable kitchen companion for the long haul. And if something does go wrong, don’t wait until you’re ankle-deep in sink water to call for help. A small garbage disposal repair now can prevent a much bigger plumbing disaster later.