Food and garbage disposers help reduce trash-hauling costs by minimizing the amount of food tossed in the trash and reducing staff trips to the dumpster.
Food and garbage disposers are typically installed in dish tables and pot/pan sinks as well as in vegetable prep, salad prep and meat prep areas. Although the basic disposer design has not changed significantly over the years, operators can choose from a wide range of models.
Commercial disposers are more heavy-duty, which allows them to grind more items compared with residential types. These systems are recommended for edible food waste only as waste like produce peels, seafood shells and corn husks can get stuck and clog drains. These systems offer a choice of sizes, voltage, mounting and controls.
Municipal bylaws or ordinances typically govern the disposal of any effluent into a municipal wastewater or sewer system and are enforced at the local level or through a regional municipal authority in accordance with state and federal environmental legislation. Various materials and chemicals that can be present in effluent being disposed of into the municipal wastewater system are detailed under these ordinances.
Disposers work by using two weighted pieces on a spinning disk that throws food onto blades at the sides of the machine. Systems suitable for use in commercial foodservice operations typically come equipped with a control, sink (or sink mount for existing sinks), stopper, water inlet hardware, back flow preventer, solenoid valve and flow control.
The system’s configuration and horsepower determine its operational capacity and volume. The majority of commercial disposers operate similarly to the residential type with between ½ and 10 hp.
Controls range from the basic manual start/stop operation to more technologically advanced electronics that reduce water use and energy use. Some disposers automatically reverse the cutting teeth to maximize the unit’s service life.
Operators can choose from a variety of disposer materials, with most including a corrosion-resistant finish that is easy to maintain. Options include stainless-steel, aluminum and cast-iron types that are either plated or coated.
Many disposers utilize rotor-fixed cutting teeth, but some units feature swivel cutting teeth. A hammer mill grinder is also available. All types include a high-speed cutter located inside a stationary shredder ring. Like materials, cutting mechanisms vary, ranging from durable stainless steel to rust-resistant nickel to high-strength tempered ductile iron. For additional durability, tungsten carbide cutter construction can be specified for easier processing of tough waste.
Units are single- or triple-phase, using 115, 208, 230 or 460 volts. Operation is with a standard electrical wall switch as with residential models or more sophisticated electronic controls for commercial units. Energy-saving models automatically determine when water is necessary and can turn the system off without an operator present.
While some systems use water for scrapping, others are installed in a trough application for multiple scrapping stations. Scrapping units may also use a basket instead of a disposer to collect insoluble food while allowing solubles to wash down the drain.
There are a number of disposer options, such as flanged feet and remote start/stop switches. Some units provide connections for external feeding/water recirculation troughs, while others include self-cleaning features that enhance efficiency while saving labor.
Environmentally friendly disposers can save water and reduce costs over time. Systems on some units help regulate the amount of water going into the disposer according to the disposer’s current draw. A sensor automatically turns off the high water flow when the grinding application is completed for water savings.
Disposer control panels that are more technologically advanced may also save water and energy.
An ultrasonic disposer system detects the operator’s presence at a scrap sink, cone sink or dishwasher. This type continues working as long as the sensor detects the user’s presence; when it doesn’t, the disposer switches from a normal high-flow operation that utilizes 8 gallons of water per minute to using 2 gallons of water a minute. If no one is detected in this area after two minutes, the system shuts off.
There are specific disposer models geared for different applications. Models designed for the correctional market prevent tampering with optional offset shoots, which sit several inches from the sink drain. For added safety, units can also be equipped with tamper-proof screws and guards that prevent accidents.
