Can You Have A Dishwasher And Garbage Disposal With A Septic Tank?
Garbage disposal is a great idea to extend the solids in your septic tank. So many of us are curious to know, can you have a dishwasher and garbage disposal with a septic tank.
Well, you need to consider a few things before using a garbage disposal with a septic tank. Dive into the article to know everything about using a garbage disposal with a septic tank.
Can you have a dishwasher and garbage disposal with a septic tank?
Luckily you can use a garbage disposal with a septic tank. Just be sure to install a garbage disposal that is compatible with a septic system.

Buying garbage disposal can turn into waste if you fail to follow some precautions. You need to do some primary steps to ensure that garbage disposal and septic tank work together in your dishwasher outlet and offer a smooth food scraping system.
Garbage disposal
Maximum smart kitchen having a garbage disposal. It helps to grind up remaining food residue after a meal. Here is a list of benefits of garbage disposal.
- You can skip trash cans if you have a garbage disposal
- Diverts food wastage
- Easy to use
- Can discard food scrap from dishwasher efficiently
Despite that advantage, garbage disposal has some negative sides too. So before planning to use a garbage disposal with a specific tank, you need to know the below cons.
- Release odor
- Unable to handle all types of food residue
- Have chances to clog or block the system
Septic Tank

A septic system in the kitchen receives the wastage and processes the wastage with bacteria. Then release the liquid stream into a drain field. Naturally, a septic tank can hold up to 1000 gallons of water. Let’s give a look at the advantage of septic tanks.
- Give long-lasting services for over 25-30yeats
- Replace sewer system
- Efficient waste manager
Septic system also has drawbacks like a garbage disposal. Here it is
- Need regular maintenance
- Require pumping every year
- Reduce efficiency if you misuse
- Drop capacity from sludge
Read More: How To Install A Garbage Disposal With A Dishwasher?
Things you need to do

We give a primary idea about the overall functionality of garbage disposal and septic tank. When you are planning to use a garbage disposal with a septic tank in a dishwasher, you need to follow some tricks.
Both garbage disposal and septic tank are complex pieces of equipment. So you must require taking proper precautions to use them together. That ensures a long-lasting septic system.
- Septic tanks are sensitive and can cause costly problems if you put the wrong things inside the drain. Don’t place anything in the septic system that won’t decompose easily. For example, you need to skip coffee beans, trash, cat litter, etc.
- You should limit the amount of solid to manage septic tank capacity.
- Food requires comparatively more time to reach the drain. So give it the proper time to break down.
- If you need to use the garbage disposal so many times, then frequent pumping is required.
Most importantly, the garbage disposal is not working as a garbage can. Yes, you can pop anything at your disposal, but many problems can arise. The Septic tank fails to break down extra food in the tanks. So you need to be strategic in using a garbage disposal with the septic tank. Avoid the below things.
- Try cold water when grinding food. It helps to chop the food.
- Use some dish soap inside the disposal after washing the dishes. Then run the machine for 1minute with cold water.
- It is better to run disposal regularly to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Often grind hard materials to clean the garbage disposal walls.
- You need to avoid the below things to work the garbage disposal perfectly.
- Don’t put any food that is not biodegradable inside the garbage disposal.
- Never use hot water for grinding waste food. It can block the drain.
- Before completing the grinding, don’t turn off the machine. Keep the water running for at least 20 seconds after completing the food waste grinding.
- Avoid grinding fibrous materials such as onion skins, corn husks, etc. It can clog your garbage disposal motors.
- Never throw oil, fat, or grease into the drain or disposal. It will gradually clog the system and reduces the disposal’s grinding ability.
- You can’t pour a large size of food into the disposal. It is essential to cut it into pieces before pouring inside.
- Avoid expandable food such as rice or pasta in the disposal system. As you add water, this item can expand and creates jams in the drain.
- Never put coffee grounds. It also has chances to clog the drain.
- Don’t place glass, plastic, metal, or any combustible item inside the garbage disposal.
So if you can follow the above tips, you can use a garbage disposal with a septic tank in a dishwasher. But don’t forget to maintain the precaution to avoid further hassle.
Read More: How To Cap Off Dishwasher Drain On Garbage Disposal?
What is the best garbage disposal for a septic system?

If you own a septic system, it is not mandatory to have a garbage disposal. But it helps to improve tank security. When you use a garbage disposal with a septic tank, that can prevent complications.
Garbage disposal with a septic tank is an effective idea. The best part is garbage disposal offers excellent grinding power and a high Resolution per minute( RPM).
So it effectively reduces food wastage and works with a standard septic system. According to my experience, you can try the below model.
However, you need to limit the amount of leftover food grinding to get the best performance from your disposal. Based on the disposal model, you need to limit the amount and get risk-free services.
Every garbage disposal comes with a user manual. In that guide, you will find everything about your garbage disposal to avoid potential issues.
After buying a garbage disposal, you need to balance the septic tank size to allow extra storage for the wastage of food.
Bottom line
Can you have a dishwasher and garbage disposal with a septic tank is a popular question. Yes, you can use a garbage disposal with a septic tank in a dishwasher; it limits dishwasher food grinding ability.
You can only put down small food scraps and disposable items into the garbage disposal when you use it with a septic tank.
You can’t use the garbage disposal as a trash can. Because septic tanks can’t handle all types of food. So follow the above tricks to use the garbage disposal effectively.