Does size matter for garbage disposal?

The most important choice you will make is the motor's horsepower (hp). Horsepower equals grinding power and ranges from ⅓ to one hp. Take into account your family's size, how often you cook, how much food waste you generate and how often you will use the disposal.

Motor sizes are measured in terms of horsepower (HP). Disposals offer various ratings for motors, most commonly ranging from 1/3 HP to 1 HP. You'll find some with as much as 10 HP, but that is overkill for residential applications. The average motor size is 1/2 HP. If you're wondering what size garbage disposal you need, you're probably safe going with 1/2 HP, but the stronger the motor, the less likely a jam occurs. Spend a little more on a 3/4 HP or 1 HP motor and reduce the risk of jamming.

Grinding Chamber

The grinding chamber includes everything within the cutting area of the housing, and it's where all the magic happens. The chamber size tends to correlate with motor size. So a large motor will be accompanied by a large chamber, capable of doing more work in a shorter time. If you don't mind paying a little extra, stainless steel chambers are supposed to last longer than regular steel (which most disposals are made of). 

One thing you need to realize is that if you don't have much room under your sink, you may be faced with limitations on the disposals you can choose. Some grinding chambers are going to be too big to fit.

Other Features

There are a few features you should look for, like auto-reverse, which is anti-jamming technology that reverses the rotation if there is an obstruction. As you can imagine, this is a pretty useful feature.

You may also want to look for quiet garbage disposal. The problem is it can be challenging to find an adequately quiet unit. There are no standardized sound ratings, and you're relying on the word of manufacturers and salesman. Just know that the noise level doesn't matter that much unless you're worried about sleeping babies. Most households only need to run the disposal a few seconds a day, so the noise isn't that big of a deal.

How Long Do Garbage Disposals Last?

Typically, your garbage disposal will last you about 15 years but remember, that will depend on a few factors. Did you go cheap on your purchase? A high-quality disposal will last longer. How well have you treated your disposal? Have you been careful about what you put in it? Do you run it properly, with cold water? Take care of your appliances and they will last longer.