Disposer (Disposal) Questions

I don't have a disposal (Disposer) at my current residence & will probably install one soon . I installed a 1/2 HP disposal at my former residence & a 1/2 HP at my mothers home . Neither had any problems with having enough power to grind whatever was put in them . I see disposals from 1/3 HP to over 1 HP . Is there any benefit to installing a higher HP disposal ? Is there any brands that I should avoid because of known problems ? Does a disposal that drains to a private septic system pose any significant problems for the septic system ? Thanks in advance .

While I grew up in a home with a septic system that had a diposal, generally, it isn't the greatest idea as you tend to then dump things like egg shells, and other gunk down there that won't be broken down in the septic system and then eventually must be pumped out. The higher power ones are often associated with better quality components - SS verses pot metal, auto reversing and enough power to start if you had stuffed it with more than you should have. The better ones also have better noise suppression.

Have a look at this link. I highly recommend the Insinkerator Evolution product line if you are going to install a disposer.
http://www.insinkerator.com/excel/grind_more_hear_less.shtml

Installing the Evolution in the Seattle area.

disposer

Not to nitpick, but "Disposal" is a GE trademarked brand, not a discription of a device, and manufacturers do not like to have their names used generically. The correct term is disposER. But, anyway, InSinkErator disposers are probably the most popular with plumbers. They also make a "septic" friendly one which injects a chemical with every usage. There is not a lot of benefit for higher horsepower units, because all of them have very little starting torque, so they can all be jammed by certain items being dumped down the drain.