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Anthony Bourdain famously said, "As a cook, your station, and its condition, its state of readiness, is an extension of your nervous system." Keeping things forensically clean and tidy is often a requirement for a chef looking to explore their own creativity. And, in many people's cases, keeping a clean kitchen is key to keeping your household harmonious.
Domestic bliss is hard to maintain when the dishes haven't been done. Luckily, there are brands like InSinkErator, which has been operating for close to a century, ensuring that your home remains pristine, and your marriage intact. We catch up with Ashley Munden, UK managing director of Insinkerator, about why the company has remained such a stalwart fixture in British kitchens.
Foodism: Nearly 100 years after the first disposer, home kitchens look nothing like they did in 1927. What is the single biggest behavioural shift among home cooks that’s forcing you to rethink disposer design right now?
As the kitchen becomes increasingly recognised as the heart of the home and a space where homeowners take great pride and spend most of their time, compact and sleek product design is key.
Right now, food waste disposers effortlessly combine style with functionality to help homeowners make the most of their kitchen spaces. They offer an efficient solution for managing everyday food waste, all while complementing the look and feel of a modern kitchen.
InSinkErator Evolution Plus
F: Whirlpool acquired InSinkErator in late 2022. What fresh resources has that move added to your innovation pipeline, and what wins will cooks actually notice in the next product cycle?
Since Whirlpool acquired InSinkErator, we have been busy building our next generation of products. The Next Generation products, such as the flagship model 1000SR, have new features, including a brand new, more powerful 1HP motor, and additional grind capabilities - a unique four-stage multi-grind, which can tackle more food waste than ever before.
Since space can be limited in modern kitchens, with our new range of disposers, we’ve reduced the diameter of the overall unit to be more compact to ensure our product can be added to any kitchen space seamlessly and unnoticed.
F: Waste-centric cooking trends such as nose-to-tail, root-to-leaf and batch cooking aim to cut scraps at the source. Where does a disposer fit once people are already cooking “waste-light” meals?
At InSinkErator, we largely encourage not to waste food, however, we recognise that food waste in some cases is unavoidable, especially where vegetable peelings, eggshells and chicken bones are concerned.
When food scraps and inedible food waste are inevitable, and composting isn’t an option, using an InSinkErator is an ideal way to deal with food waste as it allows for food waste to be dealt with instantly and hygienically.
F: Which engineering breakthrough are you most excited about?
When it comes to engineering, we’re particularly excited and proud of our innovative four-stage multi-grind technology. Engineered to handle more food waste than ever before while delivering the finest of grinds, it’s transforming the food waste disposal industry.
In addition, we’ve also developed our advanced SoundSeal technology, making our disposers the quietest on the market and have introduced our exclusive Lift and Latch design, enabling you to use both hands to lift the disposer and twist it over the mounting ramps until locked, making installation easier.
Food disposal made easy
James Guy
F: Foodism readers love a good kitchen hack. What’s one under-the-radar use case or cooking workflow where a disposer unexpectedly shines?
With regards to kitchen workflow, the core design typically revolves around the three most-used areas: the sink, the hob, and the fridge.
However, the flow between food waste disposal areas like bins, and food preparation or cooking surfaces is just as important and this is where a food waste disposer truly proves its value.
Leftover scraps sitting on countertops or lingering in the bin can quickly become unpleasant, especially as the weather warms up in the UK. But with a food waste disposal unit, that concern disappears as waste is dealt with immediately and hygienically, keeping your kitchen clean and odour-free.
F: Finally, paint us a picture: it’s 2035 and you’re hosting friends for dinner. What does that kitchen look, sound and smell like, and where is InSinkErator in that scene?
As kitchen space continues to evolve into the perfect blend of style and practicality, by 2035 we can expect this to become the norm. Most homes will feature cutting-edge technology designed to make food preparation, cooking, and cleaning as seamless as possible.
The familiar ding of appliances, the gentle grind of a food waste disposer in action, and the clink of ice machine all disguised by music from your favourite artists on the speakers and the natural hum of conversation will become commonplace across homes up and down the country.
Over the next decade, InSinkErator food waste disposers are set to become an essential kitchen appliance. In fact, many households won’t be able to imagine life without one. It will become a staple in modern kitchens, helping eliminate unpleasant odours and making the aftermath of hosting a number of people, more manageable and faster.
