Garbage disposals for septic systems are the best and most convenient way of getting rid of waste food in the kitchen. A garbage disposal system is a device that is installed under a kitchen sink and is used to grind up food waste so that it can be easily washed down the drain.
The system consists of a motor that is connected to a series of blades or grinders that are used to break down the food waste into very small pieces. Once the food waste has been ground up, it is washed away through the drain and into the sewage system or to a septic tank. Garbage disposal systems really are a convenient and hygienic way to dispose of unwanted food waste.
If you haven’t used a food waste disposal before and you are looking for the best ones available, or if perhaps you just want to replace the one you have with a newer more efficient model then I’m sure there will be something suitable for you here.
All of the garbage disposals reviewed here are suitable for use with septic systems.
| Editor’s Award | Household Size | Grind Capability | Brand | Click Image to Read Review |
| Best Low Noise Garbage Disposal | Medium – Large | Tough Food Scraps | InSinkErator Evolution Excel |  |
| Best Compact Garbage Disposal | Medium – Large | Everyday Food Scraps | Waste King L-8000 |  |
| Best Compact Runner Up | Medium – Large | Tough Food Scraps | InSinkErator Evolution Compact |  |
| Best Bang For Your Buck Garbage Disposal | Medium – Large | Tough Food Scraps | InSinkErator Badger 5XP |  |
| Best Budget Option Garbage Disposal | Small – medium | Everyday Food Scraps | Waste King L-111 |  |
| Best Garbage Disposal with Septic Assist | Medium – Large | Tough Food Scraps | InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist |  |
| Another Worthy Mention | Medium – Large | Everyday Food Scraps | TITAN 10-US-TN-1060-3B Garbage Disposal |  |
Click link to jump to each section.
- Best Low Noise Garbage Disposal
- Best Compact Garbage Disposal
- Best Compact Runner Up
- Best Bang For Your Buck
- Best Budget Option
- Best Garbage Disposal with Septic Assist
- Another Worthy Mention
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Best Garbage Disposal for Septic Systems Reviewed
You might be after the quietest or most compact garbage disposal, or perhaps you are on a budget and need real bang for your buck. We’ve reviewed the best garbage disposals for septic systems so that you can choose for yourself a food waste disposal that best suits your needs.
Best Low Noise Garbage Disposal: InSinkErator Evolution Excel
Best Low Noise Garbage Disposal
If you are looking for the quietest food waste disposal that is currently available, then look no further.
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the quietest of them all.
Not only is this food waste disposal whisper-quiet thanks to the noise-reducing SoundSeal Technology it is also very powerful too.
Plugged into a 120-volt power supply (drawing 1500 watts) the 1 HP Dura-Drive Induction motor will make short work of grinding up the toughest of food scraps.
With a 40-ounce stainless steel grind chamber capacity and alloy stainless steel grinding components combined with the 3 stage Multigrind Technology system, you can be sure of fast and efficient disposal of foodstuffs every time.
As for the installation of the disposal unit, size-wise you are looking at 13 x 12 x 12 inches and if you are replacing an old InSinkErator model than thanks to the easy swap quick lock mount system which is compatible with all the InSinkErator models, the swap out job will be a quick and easy one to do.
What We Like:
- Nice And Quiet – Well insulated and the SoundSeal system ensures that this is the quietest of all the food waste disposals.
- 3 X Grind System – Ensuring even the toughest of foodstuffs will get ground down into small particles.
- Powerful Motor – With a 1 HP motor supplying the grinding power, this thing will handle your toughest foodstuff.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Compact Garbage Disposal: Waste King L-8000
Best Compact Garbage Disposer
This is a perfect compact garbage disposal for septic systems and ideally suited for medium to large households. This garbage disposal will grind up those everyday food scraps with ease with its powerful 1 HP motor.
It’s also space-saving thanks to its compact design and you’ll be pleased to hear that it comes with a pre-wired power cord, so it’s a breeze to install too.
This 1 HP, 115-volt garbage disposal sized at just 8. 5 x 8. 5 x 16 inches and weighing in at 11.94 pounds from Waste King runs at 2800 RPM.
This fast running speed helps to make sure that all those food scraps are well and truly ground up by the Waste Kings stainless steel grinding components before they are disposed of into the drain. It also features a rust and corrosion-proof glass-filled nylon grinding chamber and drain housing to deal with whatever foodstuff is fed into it.
The EZ mount makes for quick and easy installation and also makes cleaning easy too.
And remember this garbage disposal comes with an installed power cord so it’s just a case of plugging it into your power outlet when it’s ready for use.
With an incredible 20 year limited warranty, Waste King garbage disposals are perfectly safe to use with septic tanks that are properly sized for your home.
There’s nothing not to like here, you get everything you need in this package which includes the waste king garbage disposal unit, a sink flange, a drain elbow and mounting assembly, splash guard, reset button, a drain stopper, and power cord.
What We Like:
- Compact And Powerful – The perfect combination of space-saving and functionality.
- Everything You Need – All in one package, this waste disposal even comes with the power cord installed for ease of installation.
- Amazing Warranty – How does 20 years sound? because a 20-year limited warranty is what you get.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Compact Runner Up: InSinkErator Evolution Compact
Best Compact Runner Up
InSinkErator Evolution Compact
Coming in as runner up, this septic tank friendly garbage disposal is even more compact than our top pick.
Measuring just 8.00 x 8.00 x 12.13 inches it certainly gives incredible grinding performance and is definitely worth serious consideration.
This compact garbage disposal for septic systems from InsikErator was invented, designed, and assembled in America. In fact, the company has been producing disposal units since they invented them way back in 1927 and is the world’s largest manufacturer of garbage disposals.
Thanks to its compact design, it is perfect for places with limited space, ideally suited for use in medium to large households.
The powerful 3/4 HP garbage disposal features noise-reducing SoundSeal Technology, a long life Dura-Drive Induction Motor, and a feature that InsinkErator calls, 2-Stage multigrind technology.
This 2-Stage multigrind technology with a grind chamber capacity of 34.6 ounces and grinding components that are made from alloy stainless steel really do a great job with grinding up all those food particles. This intern means that it can easily cope with the toughest of food scraps such as melon rinds and chicken bones, and reduces the chances of clogs or jams.
If you are replacing an old InSinkErator model than thanks to the easy swap quick lock mount system that is compatible with all the InSinkErator models, the job will be a quick and easy one.
This garbage disposal unit doesn’t come pre-wired with an electric cord as our top pick did, so if you require a new electrical cord you can purchase one from Amazon via the link InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Power Cord Kit, CRD-00
What We Like:
- Great Performing Garbage Disposal – Quality guaranteed from an American company that invented the garbage disposal unit.
- Quiet And Very Powerful – This under sink unit will grind even the toughest of food scraps with ease thanks to its 2-Stage multigrind technology.
- Easy Install – With the easy swap quick lock mount system replacing an old InSinkErator unit with a new model is a breeze.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Bang For Your Buck: InSinkErator Badger 5XP
Best Bang For Your Buck
The badger 5XP garbage disposal for septic systems from InSinkErator is reliable, easy to install, and powerful enough to cope with tough everyday food scraps.
As you’d expect from a company that has a reputation for producing great disposal units. this unit continues that great tradition.
A strong, reliable, and powerful 3/4 HP motor with galvanized steel components will grind those food scraps with ease, this disposal is rated as standard noise level when grinding.
So when its mealtime, from preparing the food right through to the final clean up this septic tank friendly garbage waste disposal unit with a 26-ounce grind capacity is there ready and waiting to get rid of any food scraps that you don’t want.
If you are swapping out an old InSinkErator model then thanks to the easy swap quick lock mount system which is compatible with all the InSinkErator models, the task will be a quick and easy one to do.
This 1 X grind system offers dependable and affordable performance without compromising on quality, a very popular choice and made in the U.S
What We Like:
- Bang For Your Buck – Real value for money and offers good, dependable performance.
- Easy Install – Thanks to the quick lock mount system, swapping out to a new InSinkErator model is an easy job.
- Well Made – Made in the U.S.A by InSinkErator, the manufacturer that invented disposal systems.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Budget Option: Waste King L-111
Best Budget Option
This budget choice garbage disposal for septic systems gives great performance with a 1/3 HP motor that delivers 1900 RPM.
The Waste King L-111 is perfectly suited for small to medium-sized households and can deal with everyday food scraps.
Priced at the lower end of the waste disposal market this unit still offers great value and comes with a 2 year limited warranty.
Installation is easy with the EZ mount system and no electrical expertise is needed as it comes with a pre-installed electrical cord, so it’s just a matter of plugging it into an electrical outlet when the unit is installed and ready for use.
What We Like:
- Budget Price – Great for small to medium-sized households.
- Good Warranty Period – 2-year limited warranty for your peace of mind.
- Electrical Cord Installed – No electrical expertise is needed as it comes with a pre-installed electrical cord.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Garbage Disposal with Septic Assist: InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist
Best Garbage Disposer with Septic Assist
InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist
While all of the InSinkErator models are septic tank friendly this waste disposal unit has the added extra of an automatic system for the injection of microorganisms to help break down food waste.
Powered by a 3/4 HP motor this powerful 2 X grind 1725 RPM disposal unit sits at the quieter end of the noise output range when grinding and that’s down to the advanced noise reduction technique used called SoundSeal technology.
Featuring the 2-Stage multigrind technology the grinding components are made from alloy stainless steel and really do a great job when grinding up all those food particles.
Even the toughest of grinding jobs are done with a minimal amount of noise.
Size-wise this waste disposer measures 14 x 11 x 16 inches and weighs in at 22.1 lbs.
If you are changing an old InSinkErator garbage disposal for septic systems with a new InSinkErator model then thanks to the easy swap quick lock mount system which is compatible with all the InSinkErator models, it’s a quick and easy job to do.
What We Like:
- Microorganism Injection System – An added boost to help break down food waste.
- Powerful Disposal Unit – 3/4 HP and 1725 RPM of grinding power to tackle the toughest of food scraps with ease.
- Quieter Than Standard – This waste disposal system uses the SoundSeal technology system to keep the noise down below what you would expect from this category of disposal unit.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Another Worthy Mention
This garbage disposal for septic systems didn’t make it into our top picks sections but we think that it’s still definitely worth a mention.
TITAN 10-US-TN-1060-3B Garbage Disposal
The Titan 1-1/4 HP premium disposer gives high grinding power performance.
Key Features:
- Bio Shield – An agent moulded inside the disposer providing protection against odour caused by bacteria.
- Powerful – 1-1/4 HP motor running at 2800 RPM.
- Stainless Steel Impellers – Anti-jam stainless steel impellers ensure a smooth grinding operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are garbage disposals OK for septic systems?
There are many types of garbage disposals available today that are ok to use with septic systems. But you should always check in the product description and specification section that the make and model of the waste food disposal you are looking to buy is indeed septic tank compatible.
There are some disposals, such as the InSinkErator septic assist unit that incorporates a separate injection system of microorganisms to assist in the breakdown of food waste.
Is it better to throw food away or use garbage disposal?
If you decide to just throw your food waste into the trash, then environmentally speaking you need to think about how your food waste (along with your other household waste) will then have to picked up by a garbage truck and transported to landfill and then left to decompose.
Unfortunately, when the food waste decomposes it gives off methane gas, which as we know is a greenhouse gas and not at all good for the environment.
A better way of getting rid of food waste is to use a garbage disposal, all that food waste is instantly ground up into small food particles and then travels along with all your wastewater to the water treatment plant. Any methane gas generated at the plant is captured and is often used to power other facilities at the plant.
How do you know when your garbage disposal needs to be replaced?
With kitchen equipment that you regularly use every day such as food waste disposal, you get to know how long it usually takes when it is grinding up all those food scraps.
You use the disposal that often that you get to know what sound it makes and at what stage you can put more food waste down there without clogging it up and jamming the blades.
So when the grinding process starts to take a lot longer than usual and that disposal is making some strange weird noise as it grinds away, you should be thinking, ‘hey something isn’t right here’. You’ve checked for blockages and given it a good clean out but it makes no difference, then it’s an indication that the grinding blades are dull and it’s time for a new disposal.
There’s also the obvious signs to look out for, is the garbage disposal leaking water from its housing? if so then stop using it, unplug it from the electric outlet, and either get it repaired or replaced.
It may sound funny to say but you also get to know how your disposal smells, if you notice strong odors that still persist even after cleaning then it’s time to replace the disposal.
And finally, these things don’t last forever. If your disposal starts to show any of these signs and is over 6 years old and has been in constant daily use, then you could say that it has done you good service and it’s time for a new disposal.
How often should a garbage disposal be cleaned?
This is a question that gets asked a lot. The answer very much depends upon the type of food waste that is put into the disposal and also how often the disposal is used.
If you have a busy kitchen and there’s lots of food waste going into that garbage disposal every day and that food waste is tough foodstuffs then you really should be looking at giving that disposal a good clean out every week.
If you are a smaller household and generally the disposal is used for light use, everyday food scraps, then you should be cleaning that disposal out every 2-3 weeks.
Of course, you can sometimes tell from the way that the disposal is working and sounding and if any odors are not clearing quickly that it may be time for a cleanout.
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