I think since you do composting that 1/2 HP will be enough. I have that now and it seems to do fine, but my old one was 3/4 HP and I loved it. And it didn't seem to take up more room under the sink than the current one. I forgot to double check the old one before I went to purchase the new one and like an idiot I let the salesman talk me out of the 3/4 HP. He said No way do you have a 3/4HP because they are for commercial use! So I bought the smaller one and when I got home and looked - I was ticked! But they were ready to install right then and had no choice. But again - it seems to do fine and I don't have a compost. HTH!

Look at the Insinkerator Evolution Compact model. It's what I have under my prep sink and it's great. I think it is 3/4 HP but a tad smaller than average and quieter. I had an electrician at the house who didn't believe it was on.

The most important factor in getting the best use of that under counter space is to plan the location of the plumbing to keep as much space open as possible and to carefully execute the plan.

I agree with Lascatx's post. Definitely the Insinkerator Evolution Compact model over any Badger model. The warranty is much better, and the Evolution series is all stainless steel. You will get more trouble-free years out of it, it will grind better, faster and quieter. Whenever a plumber is complaining about disposal plumbing issues, it is always about the 1/2 hp (or less) models.

I want to go one step further regarding your need to have more space under the sink. Have you already chosen your sink? With a 36" base for it, you have more options than most people. A good space-saver is a sink with an "offset drain". The offset drains are not in the center of the sink, but instead are towards the rear. By having the drain there, your plumbing is not in the center under your sink, and therefore allows more room for your garbage and other storage. You can find sinks with offset drains in various materials like stainless steel, silgranit, fireclay, etc.

We chose the Silgranit Blancoprecis Super Single, which has the offset drain. We love the drain location, and we love the Silgranit material. But, if we'd been able to have a 36" base cabinet, we would have chosen the Silgranit Blancodiamond Super Single, which is the next bigger size, and has the drain in the rear corner, even cooler.

This is the one we just purchased, great price and great reviews on Amazon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Waste King 1/2 hp

Thanks everyone! I will check out your recommendations.

alwaysfixin: I did already buy a sink. It's the Kraus 30" with the drain in the back. See link below.

Hopefully this will allow us to utilize the space under the sink as efficiently as possible.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kraus 30

Just wanted to add that we have had the same 1/2 hp Insinkerator for the past thirteen years. We are avid composters, but we do flip the switch and run our disposal a couple of times a day for small things (cat food, the stray onion, or sloshed coffee grounds). It has been plenty powerful for our needs. When we renovated in the next 9 to 12 months, I'll certainly consider getting a new 1/2 hp.

Sandlll - that's the exact one we just bought - for twice that price! grrrr!

I'm glad to see it has good reviews because as I said, I would've felt better to stick with a 3/4 HP (Kenmore) like we had before.

The rear drain will help use space. Mine is center rear and that worked well too because the space in front is good and the space to either side is wide enough to be usable. My sink base is also 36" -- there's a lot of room in there if you keep the plumbing under control.

I know the Evolution is not the cheapest disposal out there but my only regret after installing and using it was that we didn't get one for the main sink -- where we had a fairly new one before the remodel. If we need to replace it, that will be the way we go there too.