Since InSinkErator introduced it to the market in 1940, the garbage disposal has remained one of the most popular time- and labor-saving fixtures in any era’s contemporary kitchen.

It’s pretty clear why the garbage disposal is so beneficial: it grinds up and eliminates food and bacteria buildup from old, rotting food particles.

So what should you look for when shopping for a garbage disposal? First of all, there are two different types:

• Continuous-feed: Easy to use, but the wide filler necks open a risk to small hands going in and food scraps (like bone shards) flying out. Just run the water and keep feeding this hungry fella.
• Batch-feed: These are generally more expensive, but their safety features far outweigh the cost concerns. This one’s designed to be loaded prior to start-up.

Like every household appliance, the garbage disposal is full of feature options, like:

• Electric cord: These can be used with switched outlets.
• Auto-reverse mode: If your disposal gets jammed, this is a nice feature to get it un-jammed.
• Horsepower: The motor in a typical garbage disposal is ¼ to 1 horsepower (hp) and is usually rated at 200-750 watts. InSinkErator features a disposal with as many as 10 hp in its Commercial collection.
• Installation features: Quick-mount neck and safety covers are designed to help with the installation process.

Be aware that you can’t just dump every kind of food into your garbage disposal. There are quite a few items that should NEVER go in, like:

• Hard foods like un-popped popcorn kernels and hard shellfish
• Fibrous and starchy foods like banana peels, celery and corn husks, as well as rice, flour and bread
• Anything that’s not food like glass, fingers, plastic, paper, hair, coinage, string, cigarettes, toys, utensils and bottle caps

Once you’ve installed your garbage disposal (and you’re avoiding the things to avoid), prolong its life with proper maintenance.

• Run cold water while it’s in use to help prevent overheating of moving parts.
• After combining lemon juice and vinegar, freeze and run these cubes through to remove any blade buildup.
• Regularly clean the blades with a paper towel.

Believe it or not, some households still operate without a garbage disposal (guilty!). But for those looking for one, there are plenty of options out there, so just be sure to get what you think is right for your home and make sure installing one is appropriate in your area and your plumbing can handle the demands.

Until next time, Happy Home Improving!

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