In 1997, New York City made in-sink garbage disposers legal. This was big news if you were renovating your kitchen or had plans to do so. I recently bought the Sears 3/4 hp Food Waste Disposer. Here’s why:

Reason #1: Consumer Reports

In my opinion, no other reviewing organization comes close to CR. I trust CR’s impartiality (the publisher accepts no outside advertising and no free test samples; the organization’s testing is rigorous, thorough, and expertly conducted).

Under Quick Picks (“choices that merit first consideration”), two of the three disposers listed as “best for most; convenient, competent” were by Kenmore (models 6011 and 60554). The Kenmore 6011 was listed as a Consumer Reports Best Buy. The Kenmore 60554’s price was less than that of similar models produced by In-Sink-Erator and KitchenAid, despite having a clearing device lacking in similar models by other brands, and a longer warranty. The clearing device, according to CR, “makes the Kenmore best for large households or frequent entertaining.”

In the Ratings section, three of the eight top-rated disposers were by Kenmore—more than any other brand. All three of these models received overall ratings of “very good,” as well as “very good” ratings for speed and fineness. All three models received a rating of “excellent” for ease of use. The warranties for the two more expensive models were for seven and nine years; the warranty for the inexpensive model was only for one year—but then, the inexpensive model only costs $70, and outperformed by far other comparably priced models.

Reason #2: epinions.com

I like epinions because it’s the voice of the ordinary, everyday, technically challenged user who speaks only from personal experience. Sort of like I do.

I sorted garbage disposals according to rating, and the four highest rated disposals were all Kenmore. All four had received five-star (highest possible) ratings.

Comments (also a reason I like epinions, because they can be very revealing of specific problems—or strengths) included the following: “Pros: The best one out there. Powerful, Stainless Steel Parts, Autoreverse, Less Noise, Easy to install. Cons: none.” In all of the user reviews, the following strengths were repeated over and over: quiet, powerful, easy to install. Now that’s my type of disposal! A final reviewer added, “Pros: reliable, excellent customer service.” I have very rarely seen customer service praised in any review.

Reason #3: the Sears Web site

Before buying anything, I make sure to visit the manufacturer’s Web site and look at what information it gives about its product—including technical specs, prices, and pictures. Kenmore got me where it hurts—price and looks. The prices were substantially lower than those of other disposer manufacturers. And what can I say? The nail in the coffin was … that damn disposer looked cool.