Waste Disposers - Which one? 

 The type of food waste disposal unit you will want to buy depends on how you will be using it and how safe you want it to be. The two types on offer are continuous feed units and batch feed units.

 1. Continuous feed: Is operated via an air switch mounted on the top of the sink, or an electric wall switch. When switched on it will run continuously so that you can put food waste into the open waste in your sink drain throughout its operation. Once all the waste has been ground down, you simply switch the unit off.  It is the most common type of unit as it is fast, effective, and efficient.

 2. Batch feed: As the name implies, food waste can be put down the drain in batches. You put the waste you want to grind into a chamber. One the chamber is full you need to cover it with a plug that can be turned to start the operation.  This is a good choice for families with small children as it is the safest option. The waste disposer cannot be operated without the cover on and turned.
 In some cases, a continuous feed unit can be converted into a batch feed unit if you prefer this mode of operation. InSinkErator are one of the most popular brands of food waste disposer units, and offers a cover control accessory that will convert some of the continuous feed models.. Be aware that batch feed models do not require a switch as you operate it via the turning plug.
 You should also look at the type of switch that the unit operates by, while it is common to have an electrical switch on the backsplash near the sink, an air switch is a better choice as the electrics are isolated away from the kitchen sink. They are also easier to install as wires do not have to be run behind walls. 

 Grinding

When it comes to the grinding stage, disposal units with stainless steel impellers are the best. These are more robust, less prone to corrosion and give your disposer a far longer life. It should be able to handle hard food waste such as bones with ease, but this also depends on the next thing in this guide.

 Horsepower

The higher the horsepower, the more powerful the unit will be. It will be capable of grinding down tougher foods, ensuring the food is finely ground down with ease and not cause blockages. Those with a low horsepower may struggle to grind some things, such as bones or particularly hard food scraps, which can lead to drains clogging up. So, it is definitely worth getting a high horsepower model as it will grind almost anything and will last a lot longer. Although you should be aware that the more powerful a model, the more it will normally cost.

 Noise

 The size of the waste disposer generally affects the level of noise produced, as larger disposers will tend to be quieter. However, Insinkerator have largely solved the problem of the incredibly noisy disposers of old, but it is worth noting that your disposer will never be as quiet as a mouse as the vibration will cause some noise. Look for models that highlight how quiet they operate as a benefit, with some Insinkerator models, for example, operating up to 60% quieter than standard models.

Article courtesy of InSinkErator