Garbage disposals are a cook's best friend, grinding up and washing away kitchen refuse with the touch of a switch. Invest in a unit that delivers at minimum 1/2 horsepower; one of lesser power can get stuck easily and will likely need replacing after only a few years.
Most garbage disposals fit the standard drain outlet. They are either hard-wired or plugged into a 120-volt box or receptacle. The most common disposals are switch-activated, but there are 'batch-feed' models that start when you insert and turn a special drain plug.
Additionally, local safety codes may determine the distance a switch must be located from the sink; the farther away, the safer. A disposal will never be whisper-quiet, and, under certain sinks, such as stainless steel, they can be quite noisy if not generously insulated
Generally, the fatter the disposal, the more quietly it will run, although you need to make sure that the disposal you choose fits comfortably under your sink.
A good disposal can last for many years, especially if you avoid clogging it with such fibrous foods as celery, potato skins, melon rinds and other fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds.
