A garbage disposal’s splash guard is a rubber flange used to prevent water and food waste from splashing out of the garbage disposal. All garbage disposals have splash guards, but what sizes are they available, are they universal?
Garbage disposal splash guard sizes
Garbage disposal splash guards vary in size and design. They mainly come in two diameters; 3.25 inches and 3.125 inches. Garbage disposal models by the brands Waste King, Cleesink, GE, Whirlaway, etc use 3.125-inch splash guards, whereas those models by InSinkErator, Emerson, etc use 3.25-inch splash guards.
| Garbage Disposal Brand | Splash Guard Size |
|---|---|
| Waste King | 3.125 inches |
| Cleesink | 3.125 inches |
| GE | 3.125 inches |
| Whirlaway | 3.125 inches |
| InSinkErator | 3.25 inches |
| Emerson | 3.25 inches |
| Moen | 3.25 inches |
| Kohler | 3.25 inches |
Measuring a garbage disposal splash guard
When you are replacing your garbage disposal splash guard, you need to know what size it is to buy the new one. So how do you measure your splash guard?
A splash guard is measured in terms of its outer diameter. For example, a 3.25-inch splash guard has an outer diameter of 3.25 inches which matches the inner diameter of the garbage disposal neck.
Time needed: 5 minutes.
Steps to measure splash guard size
- Remove the splash guard from the garbage disposal
Remove the splash guard from the garbage disposal. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it.
- Put the splash guard on a flat surface
Putting it on a flat surface/countertop makes it easy to measure it with a ruler. Make sure to put it upside down so it lies on ts flat side.
- Measure using a ruler
Using a scale ruler, diagonally measure the splash guard. You can also use a vernier caliper if you have one.
You can also put the splash guard against the wall to make the measurement more accurate.
In most cases, the product you find on amazon or with any retailer will clearly mention what brand of garbage disposal it fits. So, if you don’t measure, don’t worry.
Are garbage disposal splash guards universal
Garbage disposal splash guards are not universal. Different brands and models of garbage disposals require different types of splash guards. A splash guard suitable for one model of garbage disposal may not be compatible with another model.
Let us see more about what splash guards are and why they are not universal;
Different sizes
As mentioned above, garbage disposal splash guards come in two sizes; 3.25 inches and 3.125 inches. Therefore, they won’t fit all garbage disposals.
Placement
Splash guards also differ in their design and placement. The splash guards of Waste King disposals are easily removable from the top. All you have to do is pull it out through the sinkhole. But for some InSinkErator disposal models like Badger, the splash guards are not removable. To take them out, you will have to dismount the garbage disposal from the sink. This makes it difficult to clean these splash guards.
However, the splash guards of some Evolution series garbage disposals are removable like Waste Kings. But the size of their splash guards is 3.25 inches nonetheless.
Special design
The splash guards used in InSinkErator Evolution disposals are different from others in their design. They have a special shape that retains a layer of water on them which muffles the noise coming out of the disposal. They are called QuietCollar Sink Baffles. Splash guards used in any other garbage disposal models do not have this feature.
The splash guards of some Evolution series disposals come with an anti-microbial coating, while some don’t. This anti-microbial coating helps prevent bacteria growth on the splash guard’s bottom side, which also prevents it from smelling.
Due to the vast number of differences, the splash guards of garbage disposals are not necessarily compatible with each other, and so they are not universal.
Best garbage disposal splash guards
Here I am listing the best splash guards for different types of garbage disposals. All of them cost less than $10 so do not hesitate to replace your splash guard if it is too dirty or worn out.
Cleesink splash guard
Cleesink splash guard is suitable for all garbage disposals made by Waste King, Whirlpool, GE, and other models that use EZ-mounts. It is 3.125 inches in diameter and 0.5 inches in thickness. It is made of high-quality, corrosion-resistant material and is easily cleanable.
Tezoro splash guard
This splash guard is made by Tezoro to suit all garbage disposal models by InSinkErator, SinkMaster, and some GE models. It is 3.25 inches in diameter. The design of this splash guard is the same as that of QuietCollar sink baffles that come with InSinkErator Evolution garbage disposal models. It helps to insulate noise from the garbage disposal.
Essential Values splash guard
This splash guard is compatible with Badger and other InSinkErator garbage disposals that have non-removable splash guards. It is 3.25 inches in width and made of high-quality, corrosion-resistant rubber. It is also compatible with Kohler, Moen and other garage disposal models that use a 3-bolt mounting assembly.
However, this splash guard is not compatible with Waste King disposals that use a 3-bolt assembly. The right one for them is the Cleesink splash guard listed above.
Does sink drains slow with garbage disposal splash guard
Sometimes your disposal’s splash guard causes the sink to drain slowly. This is because the fins of the splash guard are too hard. This happens when the splash guard is brand new.
But they will soften up after some time.
One thing you can do is pour hot water over the splash guard; this will reduce its rigidness. Another thing you can do is make the splash guard’s hole a little wider. But making it too wide can cause water and food waste to splash out of the garbage disposal. You can also try bending its fins to and fro; this may open them wider and let the water drain easier.
