Looking for the best waste disposal unit for a UK kitchen? Here’s an honest guide to whether a waste disposal unit (also called a garbage disposal or food waste disposer) is worth it, whether they’re legal in the UK, and which Waste Maid model suits your home.
Are waste disposal units worth it?
The good: no more scraping plates into the bin, no smelly food caddy, fewer bin bags, and a cleaner kitchen sink. Waste Maid says every model in its range can grind all types of food waste, read the product description before purchase.
The things to know: it uses a little extra water, you mustn’t put fat, oil or grease down it, and it needs an under-sink socket. If your council collects food waste every week, some people prefer to use that instead. Many people use both. Use your recycling bin for heavy foods like big bones, corn on the cob etc.
Are waste disposal units legal in the UK?
Yes. Food waste disposers are legal in UK homes, and no law stops you fitting one to your kitchen sink. There are a few sensible conditions:
- It’s an offence to put anything into the public sewer that could damage it or block it, so never put fat, oil or grease down the sink.
- Fitting a disposer to your existing sink waste usually isn’t building work, but moving the sink or altering drainage pipework can be.
- Water UK, the water industry body, advises against food waste disposers, but it can’t stop you using one at home.
- The rules for businesses (restaurants, schools and other commercial kitchens) are much stricter. This guide is for homes.
- On a septic tank, check with whoever maintains your tank first, as a disposer can make it fill faster.
- Do not use chemical cleaners to clean your disposer like bleach or other strong chemicals it is corrosive to some parts in the disposer, use Glisten its sold on our website it’s made for your machine.
Which Waste Maid is best for me?
All Waste Maid models are domestic disposers with a lifetime corrosion warranty. The main differences are motor power, grind chamber size, how quiet they are, how you switch them on, and the warranty.
| Model | Motor | Grind chamber | Switch | Warranty | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite S-599 | 0.5HP | Regular | Wall switch | 1 yr | Smaller households, entry level | Check price |
| Elite S-699 | 0.5HP | Large | Wall switch | 2 yrs | Compact kitchens (fits a 500mm base unit) | Check price |
| Elite S-799AS | 0.5HP | Large | Built-in air switch | 2 yrs | The average family home | Check price |
| Elite S-899AS | 0.625HP | X-Large | Built-in air switch | 3 yrs | Large families | Check price |
| Elite S-999AS | 0.75HP | XX-Large | Built-in air switch | 3 yrs | Busy kitchens | Check price |
| Elite S-1099AS | 1.25HP | XX-Large | Built-in air switch | 3 yrs | The most powerful domestic model | Check price |
| Elite 1785BF | 0.5HP | X-Large | Batch feed (stopper) | 2 yrs | Families with young children; fits a 600mm base with a bowl-and-half sink | Check price |
| Classic 258 Mid Duty | – | Medium | Wall switch | 2 yrs | Good value everyday model | Check price |
| Classic 358 Heavy Duty | 0.5HP | Large | Wall switch | 3 yrs | Larger families, people who entertain | Check price |
| Classic 458 Deluxe | 0.75HP | X-Large | Wall switch | 3 yrs | Cast stainless impellers, heavy use | Check price |
Quick picks
- Best value: the S-599 or Classic 258.
- Best all-rounder: the S-799AS, with a large chamber, built-in air switch and full Hush-Shield sound shell.
- Best for big families: the S-899AS or S-999AS, with cast stainless impellers and a 3-year warranty.
- Most powerful: the S-1099AS at 1.25HP.
- Best for safety with children: the 1785BF batch feed, which only runs with the stopper in.
- Small cupboard: the slim S-699 fits a 500mm base unit.
Continuous feed or batch feed?
Continuous feed disposers run while you scrape food in with the cold tap on. They’re quick and easy, and they’re the most popular type. Batch feed disposers only start when you put the stopper in, so hands and cutlery can’t go in while they’re running.
Air switch or wall switch?
An air switch is a push button on the sink or worktop. It works by air pressure, so there’s no electricity near the water and no wall switch is needed. The S-799AS, S-899AS, S-999AS and S-1099AS have one built in. Other continuous feed models need a fused spur wall switch, or you can add a wireless control switch.
Before you buy
See today’s prices on our waste disposal unit deals page. Check our guide on how to fit a waste disposal unit (sink size, cupboard space and electrics), or see every model on our Waste Maid waste disposal units page. All our Waste Maids are genuine, sent from stock with fast tracked UK delivery.