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Garbage disposals are easy to connect with your dishwasher. They usually come with an existing dishwasher hose connection, so all you have to do is hook it up to your dishwasher.
If you have never installed a garbage disposal before, read our step-by-step instructions on how to install a garbage disposal first.
To install a garbage disposal with a dishwasher, you will need to knock out the dishwasher plug using a hammer and screwdriver. Do this before mounting it under your sink. The plug is kept there for people who don’t have a dishwasher. So don’t knock out the plug unless you plan to use it with a dishwasher because there will be a hole in your garbage disposal.
Once the plug is knocked out, you can begin to mount the disposal. Twist your disposal and ensure it will connect to the drainpipes and dishwasher hose at the right angles. You can secure the drainpipes first, then insert the dishwasher hose and tighten the clamp.
That’s all there is to it! You don’t have to do anything special to connect your garbage disposal to your dishwasher.
Most people have problems because they don’t realize that they have to knock out the dishwasher plug to insert the hose, so they wonder how it’s possible to connect the two.
Do dishwashers have garbage disposals?
A common question people have is: Do dishwashers have built-in garbage disposals? The answer is yes. However, the garbage disposal in a dishwasher is not the same as a regular garbage disposal.
The built-in disposal inside a dishwasher is meant to get rid of a very tiny amount of food scrap that is left on dirty dishes, whereas a garbage disposal is meant for purposely grinding larger food scraps.
For the most part, the disposal inside a dishwasher will not be enough to grind food on a daily basis. It will strain the dishwasher greatly. You’re really better off hooking up a garbage disposal to use with your dishwasher.
Can you install a garbage disposal and dishwasher on the same circuit?
Another common question people ask is whether they can install a garbage disposal and dishwasher on the same circuit. We don’t recommend it.
From a legal point of view, many local electrical codes now require separate circuits for garbage disposal and dishwasher. And from a practical point of view, you would be preventing any possibilities for circuit overload.
Most garbage disposals that we recommend purchasing have 3/4 horsepower motors or above, and when you use it along with your dishwasher, you’re likely to go over the circuit’s capacity, which is typically 20 amps in most US homes.
So install your garbage disposal and dishwasher on separate circuits.
