Whether you are installing a new garbage disposal or replacing your existing garbage disposal, you will have the option of choosing either a batch feed disposal or a continuous feed unit. Understanding the difference between these two types of garbage disposals will help you choose the right disposal for your kitchen.
A batch feed unit grinds food waste in batches. First, the disposal is loaded with waste, then the stopper or lid is closed, and finally the unit is turned on. It will not run unless the stopper is in place. The advantage here is that the stopper must be in place for the grinder to operate which makes this type of garbage disposal a little safer than continuous feed models. The stopper prevents fingers from accidently getting into the disposal and also prevents inadvertently dropping something into the disposal while it is running.
This might be an important consideration if you have children who may not know the danger of putting their hands inside the disposal. It can also save you from ruining a piece of jewelry, silverware, or some other item that accidently goes down the drain. The downside of a batch feed disposal is that it takes a little longer to use than a continuous feed disposal.
A continuous feed garbage disposal operates without a stopper in place and kitchen waste can be fed into as it is running. A continuous feed garbage disposal runs continuously as long as the switch is on. This makes disposing of kitchen waste with a continuous feed garbage disposal more convenient and faster, but there is the increased risk of injury or damage to foreign objects that fall down the drain while the disposal is running.
