When we were kids the major kitchen appliances in our home were a range and a refrigerator. We sometimes had to use a plunger in the kitchen sink to free the drain of whatever made it past the strainer basket. Things are different in modern kitchens. There are many devices available that make our kitchen chores much easier. One such gadget - the garbage disposal - has been popular for decades and is here to stay.

There are purists who say that a disposal is anti-environmental. Yet, in a 100-unit condominium project, there is only so much kitchen waste that will fit into the community compost pile before it becomes a neighborhood sanitation problem. A disposal doesn't have to be used to grind all of the world's waste. It also can be used to ensure that your drain remains clog free. With a disposal in the kitchen sink, chunks of waste that get past the drain basket end up in the disposal chamber where they are ground up into tiny particles before being passed into the drain system.

Whether you are purchasing a disposal for the first time or as a replacement, it is important to know what's available. There are two basic types - continuous feed and batch feed. Both are installed in the same way, and they grind waste in the same manner. Continuous-feed disposals are operated by a switch on the wall or cabinet, and run continuously while waste is fed into the grinding chamber. Cold water must be kept running when it's in operation. The water cools and lubricates the grinding parts and helps to float the pulverized waste down the drain. The batch feed is used more like a food processor. Once it is filled with waste, the motor can only be turned on by replacing the sink strainer. The continuous-feed type is ideal for macerating great volumes of waste quickly and easily, but the batch-feed model is considered safer because it will not operate unless it is closed. Be prepared to spend $150 or so to purchase a batch feed. On the other hand, continuous-feed disposals are available in a wide range of prices and styles. And where there are choices - there are other considerations. Small units are lower priced but they don't last as long as larger, more powerful horsepower units. Those that have stainless steel housings and blades are of better quality and last longer. Remember: with disposals, price does have something to do with lasting quality. Also, pay a little extra and make sure to purchase a well-insulated disposal. This way you will be able to hear yourself think when the motor is running.

Tip: Even the best disposal sounds like a thrashing machine when installed in a cheap sink. Installing a disposal is a relatively easy task. The hardest part is lifting and then holding the unit in place long enough to interlock with the mounting ring. This part of the task might require assistance.

The first step is to install the disposal mounting-ring assembly which takes the place of the sink drain. Before installing the new parts, be sure that all of the old putty has been scraped away from the opening and that it is thoroughly clean. Three screws hold the new parts in place. We think it is one of the most ingenious connections in the home. Don't forget, the water seal is provided by a pencil-sized application of plumber's putty between the lip of the new drain and the sink. With the drain assembly tightly in place, the disposal can be twist-locked onto it with the turn of a disposal wrench. Last, connect the drain. If you have a dishwasher, its drain hose also is connected to the disposal. A plug located in the dishwasher drain inlet of the disposal will have to be knocked out using a hammer and a punch.

Once in a while you will find that the air vent on the sink will overflow when the dishwasher is running. This is because the disposal has thrown waste into the dishwasher drain hose and partially clogged it. When this happens, remove the hose from the disposal, clean it out with a hangar, and then replace the hose.

If the disposal ever jams, quickly turn it off. Use the end of a wooden mop or broomstick wedged against the opening of the disposal to loosen the blades that are located at the bottom of the disposal. In some instances, the reset button (usually located at the bottom of the disposal) will have to be pushed in to return power to the disposal. Caution: Never discard shells, pits or fibrous waste into a disposal. And, for continuous-feed disposals, never force large volumes of anything at one time. This can cause drain clogs.