Do You Need a Special Sink for Garbage Disposal? 


Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Garbage Disposal Sink

Garbage disposals are a convenient way of getting rid of any food or kitchen waste. They chop up the waste and dispose of it in your kitchen with minimal mess. However, you may wonder whether or not you need to install an extra sink to get a garbage disposal.

You don’t need a special sink for garbage disposal. However, garbage disposal requires specific features in a sink before it’s installed. Your sink needs to have a drain flange and a short pipe extendable underneath to fit the garbage disposal.

Keep reading to learn more about garbage disposals. I’ll explore which types of sinks accommodate garbage disposal systems and why garbage disposal systems fit in some sinks and not others.

By the end of this piece, you should know for sure whether your garbage disposal will fit in your kitchen sink or not.


What Kind of Sink Do You Need for a Garbage Disposal?

You know that you don’t need a special sink to install a garbage disposal system. However, you don’t know what kind of sinks you need, which sinks work best with garbage disposals, and what type of sinks allow for garbage disposal installation.

You need a sink with a 3 to 3.5 inch (7.6cm to 8.9 cm) diameter hole for garbage disposal. Thankfully, the majority of sinks used in kitchens meet this requirement. As a result, the vast majority of sinks can have a garbage disposal installed with relative ease.

 

Ruvati Brass Tone 36-inch Apron-Front Farmhouse Kitchen Sink - Matte Gold Stainless Steel Single Bowl - RVH9880GG

 

Garbage disposal systems also require the sink to have enough room underneath to install the garbage disposal. As a result, sinks need to have a few inches spare underneath a short pipe to provide space for the garbage disposal system.


Can a Single Bowl Sink Have a Garbage Disposal?

Garbage disposal systems can easily be installed into a high number of sinks, although some designs do not accommodate garbage disposal units. So are single bowl sinks capable of hosting garbage disposal without the need for adding another sink?

A single bowl sink can have garbage disposal without any issues. Garbage disposals are easier to install in single bowl sinks when compared to double sinks. Single bowl sinks also have enough space underneath to install the garbage disposal system. 

 

HOUZER PTS-4100 WH Platus Series Apron-Front Fireclay Single Bowl Kitchen Sink, 30", White, 30 Inch

 

A single bowl sink will need access to a power source that’s accessible from underneath. The garbage disposal unit needs electricity to operate, so you must have the necessary wiring before installation.


Can You Use a Garbage Disposal With an Undermount Sink?

Garbage disposal units are an innovative and convenient solution to your waste disposal needs. These units are adaptable and can easily be fitted to various sinks. But can garbage disposals fit an under-mount sink without the need for extensive construction?

You can use a garbage disposal with an undermount sink as long as there’s adequate space underneath the unit. The majority of undermount sinks already have garbage disposal units installed in them, as there’s typically more than enough space for the garbage disposal system. 

 

Ruvati 32-inch Workstation Ledge Undermount 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Single Bowl - RVH8300

 

If your undermount sink was installed correctly by competent professional plumbers, you should have no issue at all when trying to install a garbage disposal system.

That’s because under-mount sinks usually have more than enough space underneath for storage or for installing features such as garbage disposals.


Can I Put a Garbage Disposal in a Granite Sink?

Granite sinks are stylish, durable, and a fantastic way of giving your home a modern style. They’re also easy to clean and hygienic as they don’t facilitate bacterial growth as much as some alternatives.

However, can granite sinks be fit with a garbage disposal system?

You can put a garbage disposal in a granite sink. Granite sinks must have sufficient space to install a garbage disposal system underneath. These sinks must also have a hole with a wide enough diameter to accommodate a garbage disposal. 

Perhaps the most significant benefit to granite sinks is their beautiful appearance. You won’t want to disrupt this appearance with a garbage disposal unit sticking out underneath.

As a result, you should choose a garbage disposal that matches your sink’s aesthetic appeal. It allows you to gain the convenience of garbage disposal without sacrificing style.


Can You Have a Garbage Disposal With a Deep Sink?

As mentioned earlier, garbage disposals require some space underneath the sink for their installation. You may wonder what happens when you have a deep sink with little space underneath for the unit. Can you still have a garbage disposal installed?

You can have a garbage disposal with a deep sink if there’s enough space underneath the unit. Also, you can purchase specialized garbage disposal units to fit into smaller spaces. As a result, you likely can have a garbage disposal with a deep sink. 

There are several garbage disposal units available you can purchase to fit your deep sink. Typically garbage disposal units for deep sinks range in power from .5 to 1 horsepower, which is a powerful motor that can quickly grind up any food waste thrown it’s way.

 

InSinkErator Garbage Disposal, Badger 5, 1/2 HP Continuous Feed,Black

 

Check out these garbage disposal units for deep sinks available to buy on Amazon.com:

  • The InSinkErator Badger 5 is a budget-friendly garbage disposal unit. This unit is built to be reliable, affordable, and durable, making it a cost-effective investment. The compact design also allows for easy installation in tight spaces.
  • The Waste King A1SPC Knight is a powerful one-hp garbage disposal unit, ideal for use in your home. This garbage disposal is capable of 2800 rpm and has unique silent technology that significantly reduces noise levels.

Final Thoughts

Garbage disposal is a convenient tool that helps keep your kitchen tidy. You can easily fit one into a wide array of sinks as long as they have a wide enough diameter hole and sufficient space underneath for the unit.

Garbage disposal units can be installed into a range of sinks including, granite, under-mount, and deep sinks. However, garbage disposals require access to a power source as they need electricity to operate.

Sources

You may also be interested in… Does A Broken Garbage Disposal Affect Your Dishwasher? and Which Side of the Sink Does the Garbage Disposal Go On?