Insinkerator (kitchen food waste disposal unit)

van_beano

Hi folks,

I must have been living under a rock most of my life as I had never heard of an Insinkerator before, apparently they're big in the U.S. In case there's other like me out there that don't know it's basically an appliance attached to the bottom of a separate sink that pretty much grinds up waste food and sends it out through the sewers, no need to bag food waste and putting it in the bin.

I'm in the process of getting a new kitchen. Has anyone ever had experience of one of these Insinkerators? If so are they worth the money (roughly €300-€400 excl fitting) and what should I be looking out for power wise, 0.3 Horse Power etc? Is there much maintenance in them in terms of keeping blades sharp?

Any replies will be greatly appreciated.

They're called "waste disposal units" this side of the pond. You'll get blank looks if you go asking for an insinkerator.
Edit: Thanks brightspark, it's a Brand name.

van_beano

[Deleted User] wrote: »

They're called "waste disposal units" this side of the pond. You'll get blank looks if you go asking for an insinkorator.

Thanks for the heads-up, just going by what the kitchen fella called them and he was Irish

brightspark

They are the name of a specific brand of waste disposer

http://www.insinkerator.ie

There are other brands available.

I looked into installing one myself some years ago, but eventually decided against it due to space issues under my sink.

From a maintenance point of view the biggest issue I remember from one site I worked in was spoons becoming jammed in the mechanism. The air switch was also liable to fail occasionally.

One concern I would have now is how much water you will need to use to flush the waste away effectively. (Too little and you will be dealing with blocked pipes).

Hate to say this but they were significantly cheaper online than locally when I checked.

aujopimur

They have been outlawed by recent legislation, I've no idea how they are going to enforce it.

aujopimur

aujopimur wrote: »

They have been outlawed by recent legislation, I've no idea how they are going to enforce it.

A quick google produces this report.

https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/waste/STRIVE_11_Phelan_Foodwaste_web1.pdf

I'm not sure if it has been acted upon, it may depend on the local council.
From what I can see trawling the web, it appears that if you are in an area that has a bin for food waste, they're banned.

aujopimur

That's why we are now provided with food bins by the refuse/recycling companies.

The Red Ace

it would be interesting to know how the powers that be can monitor their use in private houses if one is installed, I would class them as unhygienic at their best and horrible to work on, btw van beano I remember a few of the better off among us having them installed in East Galway as far back as the mid 70s

van_beano

The Red Ace wrote: »

it would be interesting to know how the powers that be can monitor their use in private houses if one is installed, I would class them as unhygienic at their best and horrible to work on, btw van beano I remember a few of the better off among us having them installed in East Galway as far back as the mid 70s

Thanks Red, would you believe I wasn't even thought off back in the mid-70's! There's always been plenty of money though in East Galway, kinda like the Donnybrook of Connacht!

After more research I see that the Insinkerator Evolution 100 has an inlet for the Dishwasher aswell, this way the Dishwasher water can wash down the Insinkerator pipes aswell, an efficient use of waste water.

I don't have a food waste bin, They are available in my area but I've not requested one nor have I been given one by my bin company. Maybe councils don't like the fact that they would be losing revenue from a) not collecting the food waste bin (€4 per lift I think where I am) and b) not benefiting from selling on the compost (if that's what they do with the food waste).

Other than that I think they're a great idea as the food doesn't get sent to landfill as in what happens with the waste from my house.

We have a dog and a compost bin, so virtually no waste at all and as we have our own wastewater treatment system, any bylaws wouldn't apply.

Derrigra

Just saw this post. We had an insinkerator fitted about 8 years ago and it works like a dream! A couple of spoons have fallen in while it was turned out with no noticeable damage! We only put our compost bin out once a year now, I'm slow to put a chicken carcass down it. Only positive things to say about them

van_beano

Derrigra wrote: »

Just saw this post. We had an insinkerator fitted about 8 years ago and it works like a dream! A couple of spoons have fallen in while it was turned out with no noticeable damage! We only put our compost bin out once a year now, I'm slow to put a chicken carcass down it. Only positive things to say about them

Thanks for the reply, I've got the InSinkErator Evolution 100 Waste Disposal Unit on order from Amazon for approx €322 (depending on the Sterling exchange rate when it ships in a couple of weeks). That seems to be a saving for that particular model of approx €170 from the retailers. Seems to suggest that bones can be put down it aswell.