Saw a news segment yesterday about how garbage disposals are breaking down way sooner than people expect, like after just 5 years or something. Mine's been going strong for almost 10 years now, knock on wood...is this normal or am I just lucky?
- 10 years is pretty solid, actually—most disposals I've seen last around 8-12 years with decent care.
- Regular cleaning and avoiding tough stuff like bones or fibrous veggies helps a ton.
- Sounds like you're doing something right...keep it up!
"Regular cleaning and avoiding tough stuff like bones or fibrous veggies helps a ton."
Yeah, that's good advice generally, but honestly, my parents' disposal lasted almost 15 years and they weren't exactly careful—bones, celery, potato peels, you name it. Maybe it's partly luck or brand quality too?
Could be partly luck, but honestly, brand and horsepower rating probably play a bigger role than most people realize. I've seen some disposals last barely 5 years even with careful use, while others handle abuse for over a decade without issues. Usually, the higher-end models with stainless steel grinding chambers and stronger motors (like 3/4 or 1 HP) tend to hold up better against tougher stuff like bones or fibrous veggies.
Also, installation matters more than you'd think. If the disposal isn't mounted securely or if there's excessive vibration, it can wear out bearings and seals faster. I've replaced units that failed prematurely just because they weren't installed properly—loose fittings, poor alignment, stuff like that.
Another thing is how often it's used. Ironically, disposals that sit unused for long periods can actually deteriorate quicker because seals dry out and corrosion sets in. Regular use keeps everything lubricated and moving smoothly.
Your parents' disposal lasting 15 years despite rough treatment is impressive but not unheard of. Some older models were built like tanks compared to today's cheaper plastic-heavy designs. But I'd still recommend avoiding bones and stringy veggies if you want to maximize lifespan—it's just less strain on the motor and blades overall.
Did your parents ever sharpen or clean the blades specifically? Sometimes people toss ice cubes or citrus peels down there occasionally to freshen things up and keep blades sharper...that might've helped too without them realizing it.
