Trash Masher – Introduction
Posted by Vivek on September 21, 2007
We briefly mentioned trash masher in our article “Kitchen Appliances - Now” on 19th August.
It is not a very popular device yet in India. Reasons for this are not yet know but we suspect that lack of awareness is one primary reason. Food habits and cost are the other possible causes.
Image Courtesy: georgiamagazine.org
So what exactly is a trash masher or a garbage disposer?
It is a modern electrical gadget which is installed just under the kitchen sink. The entry part of this device is the outlet of the kitchen sink and the outlet of this device is the plumbing line which normally takes the water and waste material away from your kitchen sink.
What is it’s function?
The main purpose of this device is to crush and pulverize solid/semi solid particles that are inadvertently dumped into the kitchen sink. This action of crushing/pulverizing makes sure that you do not end up with a blocked kitchen sink which can cause foul smell and also encourage breeding of insects as lot of food for them is present now in the plumbing lines.
How does it work?
Garbage disposals are simple devices that all work on a similar principle. At the bottom is a flat plate on which rotating steel ‘mashers’ are mounted. These mashers work in conjunction with the serrated inside wall to grind up food waste. When you switch the unit on, a motor rotates the flat plate, forcing the mashers to swing toward the outside of the spinning plate, which grinds up waste so it can be flushed away.
Purchase checks
- Make sure you have an expert to come and install the same in your place
- The noise levels have to be checked before purchase
- Power rating – you do not want high electricity bills
- RPM – the motor’s “revolutions per minute” – determines the crushing power
- Capacity – based on your cooking style and sink hole diameter
Word of caution
A garbage disposal can easily jam if a foreign object falls inside, causing a masher to get lodged against the inside wall. Most appliance repair technicians have rescued coins, bottle caps, jewelry and plastic bag ties from inside a garbage disposal. It’s a good idea to keep small objects away from the sink.
Portions of this article are taken from georgiamagazine.org
Hope you liked this information. Please leave your comments behind.
Have a great weekend.
Karthik said
Nice thought, and first time i am hearing of it. It makes a lot of sense to smash junk from the sink. If i am right, making it smaller, increases the surface area of the waste and easier for microbes to act on the waste.
one or two things id like to know,
1) can we switch it on and off as per our convenience ?
(always on would be a little silly.)
2) Does it offer any protection form pests entering back into your kitchen from the sink ?
3) Does it prevent foul smell from emanating ?
deeptrance said
Interesting appliance, Vivek,
This is a standard feature in US apartments – at least in the bay area. It helps prevent clogs.
There is a switch to turn it on and off. Unfortunately, that switch is close to another one for the wash light in most cases. I’ve lost many a spoon/fork by turning on the wrong switch.
It works on the same principle as our regular ‘mixie’. All the pitfalls, motor issues etc. go with it. It is most useful for someone not in the habit of clearing their perishable garbage every night.
Vivek said
@ karthik
I think of it as a one way valve. So surely it would not let pests get in through your sink opening. Actually thats a good advantage which I can think of arising from this discussion.
@ deeptrance
thanks for the note. Dont loose more spoons/folks
Vivek said
@ deeptrance
what do you think about the new name for the blog?
Lavanya said
that’s a good one.metoo hearing it for the first time…andalmost every appliance has its own merits and demerits….would like to know more abt it.keep posting.all the best.
Vivek said
@ lavanya
many thanks. stay tuned and we will have more interesting posts coming your way……
cibi said
thanks for the info. i m planning to install one in my kitchen.
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