Baffle for a food waste disposer to reduce noise and associated methods

A food waste disposer, comprising:

• a grinding mechanism;
• a mounting gasket positioned over the grinding mechanism and connectable to a first drain opening of a sink, the mounting gasket containing a second opening which is smaller that the first drain opening;
• and
• a baffle separate from the mounting gasket comprising a diaphragm extending inwards from a sidewall, wherein the diaphragm
• (i) is capable of allowing waste to pass from the sink to the grinding mechanism,
• (ii) is positioned to substantially block the second opening, and
• (iii) is further capable of pooling water from the sink on its surface.

A food waste disposer connectable to a drain opening, comprising:

• a grinding mechanism;
• a baffle positioned over the grinding mechanism, the baffle comprising a diaphragm extending inwards from a sidewall, wherein the diaphragm
• (i) substantially covers the center of the drain opening;
• and
• (ii) comprises a pleated structure including a circumferentially alternating plurality of first flaps and second flaps, wherein the first flaps comprise tips substantially meeting in the center of the baffle, and wherein the second flaps form a baffle opening directed into the drain.