Batch Feed Vs. Continuous Feed Garbage Disposals: Which Is Better?

Garbage disposals are one of the most common appliances in homes. They not only reduce the amount of trash that we produce, but also save us time. If you are looking for a new garbage disposal, there are two basic styles – batch feed and continuous feed.

A batch feed disposal turns on when you put a stopper in the drain. A continuous feed garbage disposal turns on from a switch on the wall. Otherwise, these two types of garbage disposals work much the same. You put food waste into the chamber of the unit through the drain of your kitchen sink, and turn on the unit.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both styles of garbage disposal. Let’s go over some details of each type to help you make the best decision for your home.

Garbage disposals break down food waste inside a black chamber that you can see under your kitchen sink. The sink drain is connected to the top of the chamber, and the drain pipe for your plumbing is connected to the side of the chamber. On the underside of the disposal chamber is a reset button and hex nut that works an allen wrench. We’ll talk more about the reset button and the hex nut.

When you put food waste through the drain of your kitchen sink, it enters the chamber of the garbage disposal. When the unit is turned on, angled blades spin at high speeds to break down the food waste.

The disposal uses a dual spinning action. The blades of the disposal are connected to a flat platform that rotates, and the blades also rotate. Running water from the kitchen faucet moves the pulverized food waste into the drain pipe of your plumbing.

The key difference between a batch feed and continuous feed garbage disposal is how you turn on the unit. With a batch feed garbage disposal, the stopper for the drain is the power switch for the unit. You put food waste into the chamber, place the stopper in the drain, and rotate it. This locks the stopper and turns on the unit.

For a continuous feed garbage disposal, you turn on the unit from a wall switch. The unit operates without a stopper in the drain, and you can add food waste while it is running.

Let’s take a closer look at each type of garbage disposal.

There are a few reasons why a garbage disposal won’t turn on. Check the red reset button on the underside of the chamber. It should be slightly depressed. If the button is not depressed, the garbage disposal has overheated. Let it cool down, and press the reset button. Check to see if the garbage disposal works.

If the reset button is already depressed, the issue is with getting power to the unit. Check to make sure that the unit is plugged into the outlet under your sink. If it is, you need to troubleshoot a bit more.

For a batch feed garbage disposal, the electrical connection between the stopper and chamber is not working. Replace the stopper. If the problem continues, the electrical connection on the chamber needs to be repaired.

For a continuous feed garbage disposal, check that the connections from the wall switch to the chamber are secure. If those connections look good, the problem is in the wall switch. Check the wiring or replace the switch.

A garbage disposal that won’t drain indicates a problem with the drain pipe of the plumbing. Some food waste, such as grease, rice, and pasta, clogs drain pipes. Turn off the garbage disposal and run hot water from the faucet for a few minutes. If this doesn’t help, use a plunger to clear the clog. You can also try a mixture of vinegar and baking soda or a drain cleaning solution. If you can’t clear the clog, have a plumber look at the pipes.

Related Questions

Should I run hot water when I use my garbage disposal?

Only use cold water when you use your garbage disposal. Hot water makes the food particles stick to the inside of the chamber and the blades.

How do I clean my garbage disposal?

Clean your garbage disposal with items from your pantry. Vinegar and baking soda dissolve food particles inside the chamber. Ice and salt clean the blades. Finish with a few lemon peels to deodorize the garbage disposal.

Do the blades of a garbage disposal need to be sharpened?

Garbage disposals do not have blades in the traditional sense. The blades of a garbage disposal are angled pieces of metal that do not need to be sharpened.

Batch feed and continuous feed garbage disposals reduce the amount of trash that is produced in your home. Batch feed garbage disposals are safer, quieter, and don’t require a wall switch. If you lose the stopper or if it gets damaged, you cannot use the unit. Batch feed garbage disposals also require more room in the cabinet under your sink.

Continuous feed garbage disposals are more efficient and affordable. You can find several styles of continuous feed garbage disposals, and they fit well under most kitchen sinks. These units are noisier, and food particles can come spewing out of the kitchen drain. You have to exercise more caution when operating a continuous feed garbage disposal.