There are some models that are made for septic use. I believe Insinkerator used to make one called septic assist. It has a liquid (enzyme?) that helps to break down the solids in the GD.

We have a GD in a single bowl and I have a strainer that I think was called a silver saver (amazon)...it has a wide enough opening for food but doesn't let silverware or other items fall in. (Mine is switch operated however and not a batch feed)

We have lived in a house with a septic system for 22 years and have had a garbage disposal the whole time. No problems at all with the septic tanks or pipes. We don't put that much down the GD but it's mostly soft stuff. It's an Insinkerator Evolution Premier, about 6 years old.

We have the InSinkErator Spetic Assist. In our area, if you're on septic, you are only allowed to have a GD if you have one designed specifically for septic systems. Before assuming you don't need one designed for a septic system, check your local Code requirements.

We also don't usually use it for major jobs, like you, but we have occasionally (like when I peeled 10 pounds of potatoes for a large batch of potato salad last summer). I highly recommend it. It does a great job and its lasted over 11 years now with no issues.

https://insinkerator.emerson.com/en-us/shop/insinkerator/insinkerator-sku-76006

BTW...we purchase the BioCharge refills on Amazon every 4 to 6 months or so, depending on when it's needed.

It's possible the strainer Barnes Custom Builders mentioned will fit, I don't know. We haven't found a need for it. We purchased a Kohler flange b/c it was better built and matched our Kohler DuoStrainers better -- we have a double-bowl cleanup sink and single-bowl prep sink. (The GD, unfortunately, is on the cleanup sink, not the prep sink -- actually, there should have been one at each sink.)

https://www.us.kohler.com/us/Disposal-flange-with-stopper/productDetail/kitchen-fittings/422299.htm?skuId=399140 (we have Brushed Stainless)

https://www.us.kohler.com/us/Duostrainer-sink-drain-and-strainer-with-tailpiece/productDetail/kitchen-fittings/420276.htm?skuId=389461 (Vibrant Stainless)

A simple 1/3 - 1/2 hp Badger disposal is all you need. Period. If you want to spend a little more money for sound insulation, fine... but you don't have to.

Garbage disposals made for septic tanks are absolutely nonsense!

Look, any garbage disposal that is reasonably competent will grind food into smaller pieces than what is entering via the toilet.

What's more, the little bit of enzymes that is introduced via a gimmicky garbage disposal is tiny once it's been diluted with a bunch of water and is minuscule compared to the bacteria that is introduced from the toilets - and thus growing in abundance already in your septic tank.

They are unnecessary at best.

Small amounts of solid food waste will not harm your septic tank. Again - compare it to the solids from the toilet.

What does hurt your septic tank are fats, grease, and oils. They will form a layer of scum over the top of the tank and they don't really break down like organic solids do. They can clog up the finger system. Avoid putting meat, bacon grease, meat fat, vegetable oil, etc. down the disposal.

Also, really large amounts of chlorine or harsh chemicals can do bad things - but it takes a lot, more than is usual for laundry and such.

Thanks everyone.

Barnes - I put that strainer on my wish list and will look into it closer when the sink is hooked up.

Hojo- thanks the reassurance is welcome! I think I'm going to go wirh the Insinketator Evolution compact to fit under the deep sink.

Buehl- So that Kohler flange is made for disposals? Does it work in place of the one that comes with the Insinkeraror?I checked out the Insinketator with the septic assist but it is too big for under our sink. I think I'm going to go with the Insinkerator evolution compact and I'll just have to be good about putting the treatments/bacteria down regularly. We just had our septic pumped for the first time since we moved in two years ago. We had a really hard time locating it, it wasn't where we were told it was. It also turned out to be buried 4ft down. Our neighbor who we bought it from said her parents never had it pumped . Doesn't seem possible but it does seem to work well.

Jake- yeah the grease is hard. I always scrape any grease off before I wash but there is always some left, and I then there is the liquids, I like to cook pulled pork in my slow cooker in a carbonated soda and I've always poured the liquid down the drain, using a strainer for bits of meat but realized lately that the liquids would have a lot of fat in it. We do not have a finger system apparently. There are tiles underground that take the water to the city (or something like that) since our house is old we are grandfathered into being able to do this, if we ever have to redo the septic we'll have to add those though so we're motivated to keep it working!

Yes, just install the Kohler flange instead of the one that comes with the GD.

Just be aware that if your municipality requires you to have a GD that's specifically designed for septic systems and you don't put one in, there can be consequences later. However, it doesn't sound like you have a true septic system -- or at least what I consider a true septic system. We have a septic tank and septic field in our front yard -- it does not connect to a public system of any type...it's standalone.

I strongly discourage you from getting a Badger -- they're cheap builder-grade GDs that don't do a very good job at grinding much of anything and they're more likely to break down.

Most people over the years here (GW) who complain about their GDs not being very effective or breaking down have had Badgers. (They're what production builders put in homes, along with the cheap-o cabinets that start deteriorating b/f you even move in!)

Even if you don't plan to put anything substantial down your GD, someone else inevitably will, so get one that can handle it.