Can a farmhouse sink have a garbage disposal? 

Unlike other types of kitchen sinks like drop-in or under-mount sinks, farmhouse sinks feature a wide, exposed apron instead of being hidden by a cabinet. This makes them an excellent option for anyone who prefers an appealing, centerpiece-quality sink in their kitchen. Even better, they maintain their look for years and usually last longer compared to top-mount sinks. 

The only issue with farmhouse sinks is that they are also significantly bigger than other types of sinks. For that reason, some homeowners claim that they may not be compatible with garbage disposals. But, is that really true? Can a farmhouse sink have a garbage disposal? 

Read on to find out! In the meantime, here’s something you should know about farmhouse sinks! 

What’s a farmhouse sink? 

Also known as a farmer’s sink or apron-front sink, farmhouse sinks are becoming increasingly popular in the market today. As the name suggests, farmhouse sinks were traditionally used in farmhouses. However, they’re now quite popular in modern homes, thanks to their incredible versatility and compatibility with almost every style. For that, you can use them to complement any kitchen style ranging from contemporary style to rustic kitchen design. 

The most notable feature of most farmhouse sinks is that they usually have an under-mount setup. Moreover, they don’t come with pre-drilled holes since they do not have a sink deck line like most drop-in kitchen sinks. As a result, you have to drill holes for soap dispensers, sprayers, faucets, and other accessories into the countertop.

However, you can find drop-in farmhouse sinks with pre-drilled holes on the sink deck, even though their options are somewhat limited. Also, these types of farmhouse sink attach differently to the kitchen countertop than their under-mount counterparts. 

Another popular feature in farmhouse sinks is that they have a broad, deep basin with the apron front protruding out of the base cabinet. As a result, their front side is exposed and extends a few inches from the cabinet. Best of all, their basin is deep enough to handle most pans, pots, and other large dishes. 

What are farmhouse kitchen sinks made of? 

Like other types of kitchen sinks, farmhouse sinks are crafted from various materials. For instance, they can be made from materials like cast iron, copper, stone, and stainless steel. However, most farmhouse sinks are usually made from a durable ceramic material known as fireclay, which is fired at extremely high temperatures. 

Are all kitchen sinks compatible with garbage disposals? 

While most kitchen sinks can handle a garbage disposal, some sinks aren’t compatible with garbage disposal due to insufficient space. Specifically, larger and deeper basin kitchen sinks consume too much space in the sink cabinet below, leaving little room for a garbage disposal. 

On the bright side, garbage disposals are usually compatible with any kitchen sink. However, you should always check the dimensions of the base cabinet to make sure you have adequate space to fit the disposal unit beneath the sink.

In addition, thicker kitchen sinks such as those made from fireclay or stone may need an extended flange to make the disposal unit compatible with the sink. This is because the material thickness prevents the disposal from extending far into the drain, meaning you will need an extra drain flange. 

Can a farmhouse sink have a garbage disposal? 

Yes, you can install a garbage disposal underneath a farmhouse sink. However, you might need an extra drain flange to make up for the material thickness of the farmhouse sink, especially if it’s made of thicker materials like fireclay or stone. 

In addition, you will need to consider the amount of space beneath the farmhouse sink. As mentioned earlier, farmhouse sinks usually take up a lot of space in the cabinet underneath as they’re on the deep side. For that, it’s important to measure the base cabinet and check the available space underneath before buying the best garbage disposal for a farmhouse sink. 

This will prevent you from buying a garbage disposal that is too large to fit in the space under your farmhouse sink. Luckily, there are many compact garbage disposal units that are specifically designed for sinks that consume a lot of cabinet space. Moreover, a few options are suitable for smaller spaces, so you’ll not have too much trouble finding the ideal unit for your farmhouse sink. 

After finding the perfect garbage disposal for your farmhouse sink, the next step should be to buy an extended flange that is compatible with the disposal unit. If possible, check with the manufacturer to see if they offer an extended drainage flange that works with your specific garbage disposal model. 

How to install a garbage disposal in a farmhouse sink 

If you know how to install a garbage disposal to a standard sink, you can certainly install one to your farmhouse sink. After all, the installation process is the same, with the addition of an extended drain flange if necessary. 

However, if you’ve never installed a garbage disposal before, I’ll show you how to go about it step by step. But first, make sure you have the following tools and supplies; 

• Garbage disposal for farmhouse sink 
• Channel-type pliers
• Screwdrivers 
• Hammer 
• Wire nuts 
• plug-in power cord 
• Rag 
• Drain pipe extension parts (if necessary)
• Plumber’s putty 

Step-by-step guide on how to install a garbage disposal in a farmhouse sink 

Step 1: Install the mounting ring 

To start, install the mounting assembly that holds the garbage disposal underneath the farmhouse sink. The mounting assembly consists of a drain fitting with a mounting ring and sink flange. One piece tightens against the bottom of the kitchen sink while the other piece fits above the drain. 

Also, if your installation needs an extended drain flange, you can install it in the step. To accomplish that, apply a 1 ⁄ 2 ” thick bead of plumber’s putty around the mounting ring to seal the drain opening. Then fit the disposal flange into the kitchen sink opening and press it tightly against the plumber putty. Ask someone to help you hold the flange in place, while you tighten the bottom piece underneath the sink. 

Next, insert the gasket and triangle attachment into place by sliding them up onto the sink flange’s tailpiece. And snap the round clip ring into the tailpiece to secure it in place. 

Step 2: Tighten the assembly

Now that you have loosely secured the mounting assembly to the farmhouse sink, you need to tighten it using the 3 mounting screws. Tighten each bolt at a time, without exerting too much pressure on the farmhouse sink. Also, don’t over-tighten the mounting assembly, especially if you have a fireclay farmhouse sink as it can easily crack. 

Once you have tightened the mounting assembly, wipe away the excess plumber’s putty inside the farmhouse sink with a clean rag before moving on to the next step. 

Step 3: Wire the power cord to the garbage disposal 

To wire the power cord to your garbage disposal, remove the electrical cover plate near the bottom of the unit. Then uninstall the strain relief fitting in the hole where the power cord will pass through and tighten the new fitting with channel-type pliers. Insert the loose-wore end of the power cord through the strain relief fitting and tighten the clamp onto the power cord with a screwdriver. 

Connect the white and black (hot) lead on the garbage disposal to the power cord’s neutral/ wire and black wire respectively using wire nuts. Also, make sure you connect the green ground lead on the disposal to the green ground wire on the power cord. 

After connecting all the wires, fit them into the garbage disposal’s electrical box and re-insert the cover plate and secure it in place. 

Step 4: Prepare the dishwasher connection 

If the dishwasher connection feeds into the drain line through the garbage disposal, you need to connect its tube to the garbage disposal. In most cases, the dishwasher connection is located toward the top or in the middle of the garbage disposal. 

Once you locate it, insert a screwdriver into the dishwasher inlet nipple on the garbage disposal. And gently tap the end of the screwdriver with a hammer to remove the plug covering the dishwasher connection. 

Unfortunately, the plug will fall into the grinding chamber of the garbage disposal. Therefore, you need to remove it before you mount the unit on the assembly or plug it into power. To do this, use a pair of pliers or kitchen tongs to reach down the grinding chamber, grab the plug and pull it out of the disposal unit. 

Step 5: Mount the garbage disposal 

Lastly, attach the garbage disposal to the mounting assembly underneath the farmhouse sink. Align its top collar with the 3 mounting ears on the assembly and rotate it until the mounting ears engage with the collar on the bottom of the drain fitting. If the garbage disposal is too heavy to hold with one hand, ask someone to help you hold it while you rotate the collar. 

Conclusion 

Assuming you have successfully installed the garbage disposal underneath your farmhouse sink, connect the dishwasher lines (if applicable) and drain lines. Sometimes, you might need extension plumbing pieces to make your drain lines work, but that will depend on the size of the disposal and cabinet. 

Next, lock the garbage disposal in place by tightening its rotating collar with a special wrench or screwdriver until you feel a distinct click. Finally, turn on the water to the garbage disposal, inspect all the connections for leaks, and tighten the loose areas accordingly.