Best Garbage Disposal for Farmhouse Sinks
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Farmhouse sinks are usually larger and more difficult to install than standard kitchen sinks. On top of that, these types of kitchen sinks can be quite heavy, especially if they are made up of fireclay. Due to these factors, not every type of garbage disposal will fit underneath your farmhouse sink.
For instance, if the garbage disposal is too tall, it may not fit underneath the farmhouse sink due to the limited space underneath the sink. And if the disposal unit is too heavy, it will add unnecessary stress to the farmhouse sink and the frame supporting it.
With that in mind, the best garbage disposal for farmhouse sinks should be compact and light to fit perfectly underneath the cabinet without putting too much stress on the sink. But where do you get a garbage disposal that meets these requirements?
Well, you’re on the right track! In this article, we’ve reviewed the X best garbage disposals for farmhouse sinks to help you find the perfect unit for your kitchen!
6 Best garbage Disposals for Farmhouse Sinks
1. Insinkerator Evolution Compact Garbage Disposal
Interestingly, despite its compact design, this unit has an exceptional ability to tackle even the toughest food scraps. Thanks to its 2-stage grinding system and 3⁄4 hp DuraDrive induction motor. This allows it to grind tough food waste like bones and break the food particles completely. On top of that, its grinding chamber has a capacity of about 34.6 ounces of food waste, allowing it to handle heavy loads at once.
In addition, the disposal is designed with SoundSeal technology that reduces its noise by up to 60% while grinding tough food waste. Better yet, the unit is designed to be long-lasting as it’s made from stainless steel components with a LeakGuard liner for extra strength and even features a solid and sturdy grinding chamber.
As for the drainage, this disposal comes with a 1 ½” hose clamp to keep your kitchen completely tidy. Overall, this Evolution Compact checks everything you need for garbage disposal for farmhouse sinks.
Benefits
- Anti-vibration 1 ½” drain attachment
- Noise-reducing SoundSeal technology
- Powerful and long-lasting 3/4 HP Dura-Drive Induction motor
- Budget-friendly
- 4 years warranty
- Fits any farmhouse sink perfectly
- Easy to install
- 2-stage grinding systems shred even the toughest food waste
Drawbacks
- Drains slowly
2. Insinkerator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal
In addition, this unit is one of the most budget-friendly and best-selling ½ HP garbage disposals on the market. So, if you want a fairly standard garbage disposal model for your farmhouse sink without having to spend a lot of money, the Badger 5 is the perfect option for you!
The only issue with this garbage disposal is that it’s not ideal for handling tough food scraps like fibrous vegetables and chicken bones. However, its ½ HP DuraDrive induction motor rotates at a maximum speed of up to 1725 RPM, allowing it to handle soft to regular food waste. Plus, it’s made from coated steel components, making it a durable and reliable option for small households of about 1 to 3 people.
Bottom line, if you want reliable garbage disposal for your farmhouse sink on a budget, the Badger 5 is the way to go. It’s affordable, easy to install, and efficiently handles regular to soft food waste to keep your kitchen clean at all times!
Benefits
- Compatible with any farmhouse sink
- Suitable for daily use
- Space-saving design
- Made of durable galvanized steel grinders
- 4-year warranty
- Delivers a quiet operation
- Great price point
- Easy to install
Drawbacks
- Not a great option for medium to large households
3. Insinkerator Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal
Another interesting thing about this garbage disposal is that it can handle a large amount of food waste at once. Thanks to its stainless steel grinding chamber that can handle up to 40 ounces of food waste. Even better, it’s equipped with a jam sensor that automatically reverses the grinder if it becomes jammed. At the same time, it increases the power behind its blades to break through the jam.
Moreover, this unit is relatively easy to install as it comes with a 3 ft power cord, wire terminals, a strain relief clamp, and an easy-to-follow user manual. Better yet, it plugs into a regular power outlet after installation, meaning you don’t need an electrician to install it.
Finally, the Evolution Excel model is about 13” tall. As a result, it will perfectly fit under your farmhouse sink and still leave a lot of space under the sink. However, this unit is more costly and heavier than other garbage disposals we’ve reviewed so far as it weighs around 23 lbs and costs about $400. To be fair, the price point is justifiable as it’s more powerful and a lot quieter than the other Insinkerator models we’ve mentioned above.
Benefits
- Quietest garbage disposal for farmhouse sinks
- Simple to install
- Comes with a 7-year warranty
- A 3-stage multi-grind system shreds any food waste finely
- Durable construction
- Auto reverse jam sensor
Drawbacks
- Heavier and pricier than other models
4. Waste King L-8000 Garbage Disposal
To be precise, this unit is equipped with a 1 HP motor that runs at a maximum speed of 2800 RPM. This gives it enough power to grind heavier food scraps in a matter of seconds. In addition, the motor has a permanent magnet to ensure it reaches full speed almost instantly, reducing the chances of jams.
Regarding the construction, this unit consists of stainless steel grinding components, while its chambers are made of rust-resistant glass-filled nylon. On top of that, it comes with a 32” long power cord, eliminating the need to buy one separately, while making it easy to install.
Talking of installation, this unit has a premium space-saving design that makes it easy to attach to your farmhouse sink. It’s a little less than 12 lbs, making it one of the lightest garbage disposals on the list. Nonetheless, it’s quite strong and durable seeing that it’s made from rust-proof components. And if the unit even shuts off due to electrical overloads, you can easily turn it back on with the manual reset button that ensures safety.
Benefits
- Powerful, high-speed motor
- Easy to clean & install
- Relatively affordable
- Lightweight, but durable design
- Sound insulated for quieter operation
Drawbacks
- Noisier than Evolution Series garbage disposals
5. Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal
On the downside, this garbage disposal is not the most powerful model on our list as it’s equipped with a 1 ⁄ 2 HP motor that runs at 2600 RPM. Nonetheless, it’s powerful enough to handle basic food waste if you avoid fruit pits, fatty meats, and bones. Moreover, it’s recommended for smaller households with a deeper farmhouse sink, but don’t cook as much.
Another interesting thing about this garbage disposal for farmhouse sinks is that it’s affordable and easy to install. Even better, it offers some level of sound insulation and is even considered safe for use with septic systems.
Additionally, this unit comes with a 2-year protection warranty and a replaceable splash guard. The splash guard makes it easy to clean, while the corrosion-proof polymer grind chamber extends its durability and gives it exceptional strength.
Benefits
- Long-lasting construction
- Lightweight design
- Operates at a high speed
- Easy to install and clean
- Great price point
Drawbacks
- Not suitable for handling tough food items
6. Waste King Knight A1SPC Garbage Disposal
Specifically, this unit is equipped with a 1 HP permanent motor that runs at a maximum speed of 2800 RPM. Therefore, you can expect it to be super-fast when it comes to grinding any type of food scraps.
In addition, this garbage disposal is extremely easy to install as it’s compatible with most 3-bolt mounting assemblies. Better yet, it is compatible with all-mounting mounting systems from other brands like Moen and Insinkerator.
Still, on installation, this unit comes with a pre-installed power cord. This eliminates any extra electrical work, allowing you to get the unit up and running in no time, especially if you’ve got a power outlet underneath your farmhouse sink.
On top of that, the grinding components of these units are made from stainless steel to extend their overall lifespan. Best of all, this unit is backed by a Lifetime limited warranty for in-home repairs and replacements to guarantee its durability.
Benefits
- Compatible with all 3-bolt mount systems
- Lifelong guarantee & durable performance
- Powerful, high-speed 1HP motor
- Continuous feed garbage disposal
- Made from durable stainless steel grinding components
Drawbacks
- Heavier and more expensive than other Waste King models
Best Garbage Disposal for Farmhouse Sinks Buyer’s Guide (Important Things to Consider)
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Available cabinet space
The size of the kitchen cabinet is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a garbage disposal for your farmhouse sink. For that, it’s crucial to the space available under the farmhouse sink before you settle on any model. This will help you narrow down and determine the perfect garbage disposal size for the sink.
Generally speaking, most countertops in the United States are about 36” or 3 ft high on average. On the other hand, a farmhouse sink can take up a space of about 12” or 1 ft in the kitchen cabinet. Assuming you include 6” to account for the space allowance above and below the sink, you’ll have about 18” of available cabinet space for the disposal. Therefore, the best garbage disposal for farmhouse sinks should not exceed a height of 18”.
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Garbage Disposal size
After determining the available cabinet space under your farmhouse sink, the next step is to find the right garbage disposal size for your home. Typically, compact-sized disposal units are recommended for homeowners with farmhouse sinks. This will help you use the space under the countertop efficiently and ensure the disposal fits perfectly under the farmhouse sink.
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Grinding power
The grinding power of a garbage disposal refers to the appliance’s power per pound. Unfortunately, this is not usually specified by the manufacturer as it goes beyond the unit’s HP.
Instead, you need to put both the unit’s motor power and grinding chamber capacity into consideration. For instance, a 30 oz capacity disposal unit with a 1 HP motor has better grinding power than a 50 oz capacity with the same horsepower.
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Noise reduction
Grinding produces a lot of noise, which is not an exception with garbage disposals even though they’re hidden under the kitchen sink. For that, it’s important to look for a unit that is equipped with various noise-reducing mechanisms to minimize the amount of noise it produces while running. Good examples of garbage disposals for farmhouse sinks that produce the least amount of use in their operation are Evolution Excel and Evolution Compact.
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Installation
Most garbage disposals are relatively easy to install since they’re designed to fit in various types of kitchen sinks. Also, their topmost part easily connects to the sinkhole, eliminating the need for any drain hardware.
Installing garbage disposals in farmhouse sinks is even easier since all sinkholes have the same cut. In most cases, it’s as easy as the pop-and-lock method. However, it’s important to check the manufacturer’s manual to determine how to properly connect your specific garbage disposal to the farmhouse sink.
Also, you need to be careful when installing the garbage disposal to your farmhouse sink, especially if it’s made from fireclay. This is because fireclay sinks have a thicker bottom compared to other types of farmhouse sinks, making their installation difficult.
For instance, the Insinkerator models we’ve listed are compatible with fireclay farmhouses with a thickness of between ½” and ¾”. So, if your sink is thicker than ¾”, you’ll certainly need a sink flange extender.
