Trash Masher – Introduction
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.
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Posted by Vivek
on Sep 21 2007 Filed under Trash Compactor.
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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 ?
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.
@ 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
@ deeptrance
what do you think about the new name for the blog?
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.
@ lavanya
many thanks. stay tuned and we will have more interesting posts coming your way……
thanks for the info. i m planning to install one in my kitchen.
have been looking for one for a while now.. any ideas on where i can buy one??
Hello Priyanka
In India, trashmashers are manufactured by atleast two vendors.
a) Hindware – - > http://www.hindwarebathrooms.com/products/products.asp?catid=175
You can check their website for information on how to purchase one in your city.
b) We also recollect that Venus manufactures these devices, although no information is available on their website.
May we know which city are you located in?
Updates:
It seems that a company from Coimbatore called “Sharp Pumps” also manufacturers trash mashers.
you can have a look at this website for more details:
http://suppliers.jimtrade.com/151/150180/40617.htm
hi vivek,
a very good info actually we were thinking about it for quite sometime after having dreadful experiences with our kitchen sink
we hv purchased a flat and the same is under construction do we have to inform the builder for any special provisions for the disposer
also, can u pl let me know the price range – its not available in jimtrade website
i am from chennai
@ Vinoth
I think the best people who can comment on installation requirements are the manufacturers of the device. Try calling Hindware people if possible.
Their contact information is :
M. K. M. Chambers (Annexe) 1st Floor,
154 & 155, Kodambakkam High Road,
Chennai – 600 034 (INDIA)
Ph.: (+91-44) 28220912
Email: chennai@hindware.co.in
And please share your learnings here for others to benefit from.
Last, I do not know what this device would cost. And, it would be advisable to have an electric socket present near your sink to connect the trash masher.
after dialling more than 3 numbers….
the costs is from 4990 – 6990 (varies on capacity and motor power)
diameter of the sink outlet should be 4 inches
shd provide for 5 amps plug point below the sink and a switch above
the power consumption is not too much it seems – the motor to be run jus 20 secs after the washing is done
costs seems to be reasonable and i hv seen this device working well in a nearby creche too
i forgot to post the telephone numbers
vijay enterprises, chennai – 65170040 / 41
technician number – 98840725640
@ Vinoth
I will put these findings in a post so that others can have a look at the same.
many thanks for the information you have provided here.
@ Vinoth
The technician’s number seems to be incorrect
it has 11 digits. Is the number 98407 – 25640 ?? (there was an extra “8″ in the 98407)
sorry…
it is 98840 72564
You could contact me for a Food Waste Disposer.
We have been manufacturing this appliance for the past 6 years. Contact us on 91-022-25947301/7605.
I am in need of a Trash Masher
can you please guide me
i stay in pune , i offten come to mumbai but dint find it in local hardware shops
you can email on impulse.rishi143@gmail.com or call at 9773266248
regards
Rishi Pathak
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