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Short answer. A food waste disposer fits under a kitchen sink and grinds food scraps with water so they leave through the drain. Before you buy, check two things: the sink’s waste outlet (InSinkErator names 3.5 in / 90 mm as the standard opening) and the space under the sink.
1. How a food waste disposer works
A disposer is mounted under the sink drain. Food scraps drop into a grinding chamber and are ground with running water, and the resulting slurry leaves through the waste pipe. InSinkErator says its units have no blades: impellers on a spinning plate use centrifugal force to push the food against a grind ring. Blanco describes blunt moving parts, not knives, and says only cold tap water is needed. The unit is switched on by a switch, often an air switch at the sink or worktop.
2. What can go in and what should not
The brands disagree, so follow the manual of your own model. The table shows what InSinkErator and Franke say in their manuals; for Blanco, check the manual of your model.
| Item | InSinkErator | Franke |
|---|---|---|
| Small bones | Small bones are fine | Little bones (chicken, rabbit, fish) fine; large bones not |
| Corn | Corn husks: not in large amounts (fibrous) | Corn cobs fine |
| Banana skin | No specific rule in the manual we read | Not allowed |
| Eggshells | Not in large amounts | Fine |
| Citrus peel and fruit pits | Fine (not a lot of peel at once) | Fruit pips fine |
According to the InSinkErator and Franke manuals, do not put in:
- grease, fat and oil (InSinkErator: never pour them in; Franke: no excess fat or oil), or hot liquids;
- glass, china, plastic, or metal such as bottle caps, cutlery and tins;
- oyster and mussel shells (InSinkErator also names clam shells);
- drain cleaners, bleach, solvents, paint and other chemicals, or medicines;
- fibrous items such as artichokes: Franke bans artichokes and asparagus, and InSinkErator advises against large amounts of fibrous material.
Use cold water (Franke recommends it, and Blanco says it is all that is needed). After grinding stops, keep the water running to flush the trap: a few seconds according to InSinkErator, about 15 seconds according to Franke.
3. Will it fit your sink?
Check the sink’s waste outlet before ordering. InSinkErator names the standard 3.5 in (90 mm) opening as ideal, and Blanco requires a 3.5 in outlet for the FWD Max. Then check:
- Space: the InSinkErator Evolution Plus 750 EC is 31.2 cm tall and needs at least 30 cm between the sink bottom and the waste pipe. Franke’s TE-50/75 manual lists heights of 345 mm (TE-50) and 371 mm (TE-75); the Blanco FWD Max is 335 mm.
- Dishwasher: if you connect a dishwasher to the disposer, the knock-out plug in the inlet must be removed first. InSinkErator warns that the dishwasher may otherwise overflow.
- Air switch: if the sink or worktop has no hole, Franke’s manual says to drill one of 35–40 mm. Not every unit includes the switch: the Franke Slimline 45 is sold without one, while Blanco and the InSinkErator Evolution Plus 750 EC include it.
- Socket: a switch-controlled socket, with installation by a qualified electrician (Franke manual).
- Sink material: Franke offers an extended flange for ceramic sinks. See the sink buying guide.
4. Choosing the power
Motor figures are as listed on our product pages. Chamber volume and noise are shown only where the manufacturer states them.
| Model | Motor (per product page) | Further data |
|---|---|---|
| InSinkErator Standard 460 | 0.55 HP, 460 W | — |
| InSinkErator Premium 550 | 0.75 HP, 380 W | — |
| InSinkErator Premium 700 | 0.75 HP, 380 W | — |
| InSinkErator Evolution Plus 750 | 0.75 HP, 380 W | Grind chamber 980 ml (EC version, manufacturer sheet) |
| InSinkErator Evolution Plus 1000 | 1.0 HP, 450 W | — |
| Franke Elite Slim 50 | 1/2 HP, 375 W | — |
| Franke Elite Slim 75 | 3/4 HP, 500 W | — |
| Franke Elite Slim 125 | No power listed | — |
| Blanco FWD Lite | 0.5 HP | 900 ml, 2 grinding stages; noise below 70 dB (Blanco) |
| Blanco FWD Medium | 0.75 HP | 1200 ml, 3 stages; noise “below 60–70 dB” (Blanco) |
| Blanco FWD Max | 1.0 HP | 1200 ml, 3 stages; noise below 60 dB (Blanco) |
| Elleci Model 500 Top | 1/2 HP, 375 W | — |
| Elleci Model 750 Top | 3/4 HP, 500 W | — |
| Elleci Model 1000 Top | 1 HP | — |
Motor power alone does not tell you how a disposer will perform in your kitchen. Read the manual for what each model is designed to handle.
5. Noise, care and unjamming
- Noise: only Blanco gives decibel figures (table above; test method not stated). InSinkErator calls its units “surprisingly quiet”; Franke gives no figure.
- Care: run cold water after use. InSinkErator suggests grinding a little citrus peel for a few seconds; Franke says never to use drain cleaners.
- Clicking at start-up: Franke says the clicking of its swivel impellers is normal.
- Jams: switch off first. InSinkErator and Blanco supply a wrench for freeing the unit, and Franke says to turn the turntable with a wooden handle. InSinkErator then says to remove the object with tongs, wait 3–5 minutes and press the red reset button on the bottom. Franke and Blanco units also have a reset button.
6. Septic tanks
The InSinkErator data sheet for the Evolution Plus 750 EC says “safe for use with properly maintained septic tanks”, and the brand’s septic page makes similar claims for properly maintained systems. These are the manufacturer’s own claims, and the study the page cites used a simulated septic tank. We found no septic statement in the Franke or Blanco documents we read, so ask the manufacturer and follow your model’s manual.
7. Manufacturer environmental claims
According to Blanco, disposing of leftovers this way reduces the amount in the organic waste bin, with less bacterial growth, fewer pests and less odour. According to InSinkErator, disposers are an environmentally responsible alternative to landfill, and food waste can be processed for renewable energy. These are the manufacturers’ statements.
8. What we stock
We stock more than 22 disposers and accessories (air switches, flange parts) from InSinkErator, Franke, Blanco and Elleci. Browse food waste disposers and sink accessories, or pick a sink first: stainless steel, composite or ceramic. We deliver and can arrange installation across Estonia: see delivery and installation.
FAQ
Can I put bones in a food waste disposer?
It depends on the brand. InSinkErator says small bones can be ground, while Franke allows little chicken, rabbit or fish bones but not large ones. Follow the manual of your model.
Is a food waste disposer noisy?
Blanco states below 60 dB for the FWD Max and below 70 dB for the FWD Lite (test method not stated). InSinkErator and Franke give no figure.
Will a disposer fit any sink?
No. Check the waste outlet first: InSinkErator names 3.5 in (90 mm) as the standard opening. Also check the space under the sink.
Does a disposer work with a septic tank?
InSinkErator says the Evolution Plus 750 EC is safe for use with properly maintained septic tanks. For Franke and Blanco we found no statement, so ask the manufacturer.
Read next: kitchen sink buying guide · waste sorting guide · kitchen sink care