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Best Garbage Disposals For Septic Systems
I have learned the hard way that having a proper garbage disposal is crucial to keeping your septic tank working well. After having to have issues fixed with this, you will learn to take care of everything heading down your drains from the start.
What is the best garbage disposal for your septic tank? The InSinkErrator Evolution Septic Assist is the best all-around for your tank. If you are looking for more grinding power, the InSinkErrator Evolution Excel is the best choice. And if you need something more affordable, the Waste King L-800 will get the job done well.
Below, I will outline why these three choices are the best garbage disposals for your septic tank, and in which scenario you should choose to get each of them. I will also include some tips and what to look for if you want to continue researching other garbage disposals on your own.
What to Look for in a Garbage Disposal for Septic Tanks
While all normal features of a garbage disposal are important, there are a few features that become doubly important when thinking about your garbage disposal’s functioning implications on your septic system. Here are the top features to think about when getting garbage disposals to be used with your septic tank:
- Grinding Ability
Grinding ability is the most important feature when looking to protect your septic system. The bacteria that are breaking down your solids still need help, so the smaller you are able to grind down the waste the more efficiently and effectively your septic tank will function. - Horsepower and Grinding
While power is not everything, you want to avoid tougher chunks of food getting through whenever possible. Getting a higher horsepower garbage disposal, especially with extra blades, will allow the toughest foods to be broken down into the smallest possible pieces. This, again, helps with the effectiveness and efficiency of your septic tank. - Easy Cleaning
Removing and cleaning your garbage disposal regularly can help to keep it performing in the best way possible. This includes the power and the ability to break things down. Having a disposal with easy mounting means easier access to manually clean it on a regular basis. - Enzyme Assistance
Enzyme assistance is a rare find in a garbage disposal, but, when you can find it, it is invaluable. If you can afford (and find) a garbage disposal with this feature as well as other good features then that should be the way you go. This will set you up for the best possible system in place for your septic tank as it adds “good bacteria” to quicken the waste disposal process once it reaches the tank.
Our Top Garbage Disposals for Septic Tanks
I have selected my 3 favorite disposals, following slightly different categories to give you exactly what you want to achieve depending on what you are looking for. Below, I have included a helpful treatment idea for septic tanks, which I recommend using regardless of the disposal you have but especially if you have one with fewer of the above features.
Our Top Pick: Evolution Septic Assist ¾ Horsepower Garbage Disposal
This is where quality meets cost-effectiveness. The Evolution Septic Assist packs a punch at ¾ horsepower- plenty for the average household. Personally, this is what I use in my kitchen, and I plan to continue using this indefinitely.
Why We Love It
Outside of being a great garbage disposal, it has loads of features that make it impossible to pass up:
- It’s Quiet
Okay, so no garbage disposal is truly “quiet”. Putting out some noise is generally the nature of garbage disposals. The Evolution is the quietest at its power that I have ever used, though, which can be a major bonus for most users. - The Bio-Charge
Most good garbage disposals are going to be septic-friendly, but this one has a little extra that makes us love it even more. The bio-charge pack is a septic enzyme additive that helps break down the food (and other waste) even more making this a bio-friendly pick as well as helping your septic system perform better. - 2-Stage Grind
This is something most people do not think to look for in their garbage disposal – they see high horsepower at a lower cost and that is the selling point. Looking further, not all horsepower is the same, the Evolution Septic Assist does more with a dual-grind to help break down the food as far as it can.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an affordable option that has the abilities of much more expensive models (and helps your septic system) this is the way to go. What tips it to the top position for us is the enzyme bio-charge, which is an amazing feature to have. Interested? See the price here.
Our High-End Pick: Evolution Excel 1.0 Horsepower
Packed with power, this is the most luxurious garbage disposal I have ever used. It is able to take down pretty much any waste and turn it into sand-sized particles (or less) for the septic tank.
Why We Love It
- 3-Stage Grind with Jam Assist
That’s right. 3 stages. The breakdown of waste in this disposal is unmatched, and just in case you have something extra tough, there is a built-in “jam assist” to help further with the breakdown of tougher, more durable items. This is able to take down just about anything and make it almost irrelevant to your septic system. - Quietest on the Market
Now, I can not say I have personally tried all of the 1.0 Horsepower garbage disposals on the market, but I would still put money on this being true. It is even quieter than the above-mentioned garbage disposal which, again, is a key feature that many find to make a more pleasant experience. - Everything
This might seem like a bit of a cop-out, but if you can afford this disposal, it is probably the way to go. Not only does it work possibly the best of any home disposal system, but it also looks good. It is like the sportscar version of a garbage disposal- only quieter.
Conclusion
If you have the money, this is your disposal system. The only thing you should consider adding is an occasional enzyme boost to help your septic system even further. Want to see the price? Check it out here.
Our Powerful but Affordable Pick: Waste King L-8000
If you need power but can not afford all the “extras” of the Evolution’s, we wanted to include one for you.
Why We Love It
- Power, Power, Power
At 1.0 Horsepower, and 2800RPM, this is a machine that can handle what you give it. While this is not as quiet as the others, it makes up for it with the ability to grind down anything into small pieces for your septic tank. - Easy Mount and Removal
If you are not used to garbage disposals, you should know they function best when cleaned regularly. On top of the ability to remove, installation is super easy. With a power cord ready to go, you should be good to use it within minutes. - Warranty
A warranty is a sign that a company likes its own products. A long warranty is a guarantee that you are getting quality. With a 20-year warranty, you can’t go wrong with this disposal.
Conclusion
While this isn’t our top pick, we wanted to include one that is more accessible to the money-conscious individual. This is still an awesome disposal with a lot of power, and worthy of helping you prolong your septic tank life. See the price here.
Can’t Afford a New Disposal? Try Septic Treatment
If you need something to help prolong your septic life, as well as break down food, you could try using some septic treatment packs.
Our personal favorites are on Amazon and affordable for a full years supply. All you have to do is flush one of these each month, and billions of microorganisms will go into your septic system and help break down any solids that did get through.
Want to try septic treatment? See the price here.
