A composting garbage disposal for under sink use in a kitchen which separates food waste items into liquid and solid components. The liquid components are directed to a standard sewer or septic system. The solid components are directed to a removable storage bin. The food waste items are separated by use of a motor driven auger member which is in close proximity to the inside wall of a screened cup so that the liquid exits the screened portion of the cup and the solid exits through an aperture in the floor of the cup. A microprocessor circuit senses the strain on the drive motor and if the strain becomes excessive, automatically reverses the direction of the shaft and auger thereby releasing excess food waste that is causing the excess strain.