Garbage Disposer Advice Needed

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johnrk

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Oct 3, 2017
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696
Location
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My garbage disposer has died--locked up. It was a Badger installed about 3yrs go by my plumber who said it was the most popular model their company used. I never did like it--it's one of those that has the slinging weights on a bottom plate. I can still get it to go on occasion after pressing the reset button on the bottom but it's obviously had it.

Does anyone on here recommend a particular brand? I think the model I was happiest with was about 20 years ago, a Craftsman/Sears. It had a reversible motor so it'd go a different direction each time it worked. I think it didn't have those slinging weights as I remember, but had sort of blade-type things on the walls of the chamber.

I've looked at YouTube and Amazon and apparently there are two types now--one uses some 'easy mount' system and the other does't. My Elkay sink is about 25 years old; is it a safe bet that it doesn't use that 'easy mount' system?

Though I live alone, I really miss the disposer. I do lots of beans and veggies and right now I'm trucking around the corner to dump small amounts in the toilet in my utility room half bath--and that ain't fun. I only have garbage service in my city twice weekly and with our heat, some stuff will start stinking in my garage if I leave it there.

Any advice will be surely appreciated.
 
Try to find a VINTAGE NOS disposer-some members-Volsboy- may have some he can sell.I WOULD NOT dump food waste in even a toilet-it can clog or worse yet clog your home main sewer line.shredded waste from a disposer won't clog the lines.I use an old Vita Mix blender to shred the waste-pour it onto the sink strainer and throw the stringy stuff into the trash.Most goes down the drain.The stringy stuff can cause clogs.
 
Silly me-now use an older Maytag disposer I bought from Volsboy.Does a GREAT job-the "slinging weights" or impellors are a benefit-like the blades on a Brush Hog tractor mower-the "weights" swivel away from tough stuff for another blow instead of jamming as fixed impellors can.The swivel impellors eventually along with the shred ring--"BASH" the waste to shredded remains.
 
tolivac

I never, ever toss anything stringy into either the disposer or into my toilet. Only stuff like gravies, etc. It's funny--I remember growing up and my parents tossed watermelon, celery, bones, etc., down our GE Disposall. But I never did. I can remember when a friend of mine had to call a plumber a while back because his teenaged son crammed too much pasta into the disposer and stopped things up!

I tend to save old food containers in the garage, specifically for dumping used frying oil in the garbage. I don't want it going into my drains. I'll also use those little plastic baggies from the grocery store to wrap stuff before going in the garbage.

The one appliance I never had and never wanted was one of those trash compactors. They were a nightmare down here where we constantly fight roaches for most of the year.

My biggest concern where I live, on this acre with a creek in the back, is that we have tons of raccoons and possums, a few coyotes and some armadillos. If we put our garbage out late at night to await morning pickup, it's no surprise when the sun comes up, to see that something has torn open the plastic bags. Solid cans are prohibited in our city.
 
I install a garbage disposal about once a month

So here's the opinion of a guy who does lots and lots of them.

1) Don't worry about the easy-mount system - if your current disposal is a Badger, then any disposal you buy will fit that easy-mount collar without difficulty. There's even an inexpensive adapter (and it actually works) to fit the other design to the one in your sink.

2) While the Badger 100 is a very popular one, they have a horrible problem lasting much beyond three years unless they are in constant use. Vital components rust out unless flushed constantly. Many of the Chinese knock-offs with 'stainless steel' and 'non-corroding' (means plastic) parts still use regular steel under the chamber and it still rusts through in, well, about three years.

3) I've not had a single problem with any of the InSinkErator Evolve units I've installed, some have now been running for over 10 years.

4) The Evergrind disposals offered by Menards are easier to install (pre-wired) and they hook-up to the easy-mount collar perfectly. They also have been subject to some scary recalls.

5) The GE system, which uses a brushed motor, will require either the adapter (no big deal, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, I do them all the time and if I can do it....) or replacing the three-bolt mounting collar, seems to last a bit longer when you get into the stainless steel designs.

6) If you want reversing and three-chamber grinding, go with the Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal by InSinkErator. It's a no-compromise unit at a reasonable price (about $400). If you've never installed one before, a third hand will help, but it fits the same collar as you currently have so you can definitely do it yourself.
 
Thank you, Endora!

I think this crappy disposer was only about $150, which is the cheapest I've ever gotten.

I'd rather pay more and get more--and longer-lived.

And no, I can't even get under my sink any more due to ruined spine, my plumber will put it in. I just bought a new sink faucet set and I'll get them both done on the same call.

Thanks again!
 
No problem,

Having to rely on someone else for plumbing is never fun. Regardless of what you buy, running it everyday with lots of water and flushing thoroughly after its done grinding will extend the life.
 
I installed an ISE Evolution here about 6-7 years ago and it never skips a beat, unlike the Badger before it that clogged the drain any time you put anything in it. With the new one the only maintenance I do is dumping the ice cube tray down it to clean out any built up particles that are stinking.
 
I sell a lot of the Kitchenaid KCDS100T units because they are the Insinkerator Evolution 1 hp units. We can get the kitchenaids cheaper than we can get the ISE units.

Everyone I have sold, the customers absolutely love them. I have one waiting to go in my kitchen when I get time.

The thing could probably chop up a cow carcass and you'd barely hear it.
 
I took our garbage disposal out about 3 years ago and I don’t miss it.

My experience with any of the garbage disposal that we’ve owned is that they seem to clog up at the most inconvenient of times, when
I ‘ve got five things going at once that I need to pay attention to, and then the garbage disposal would clog. And I was always careful to not overload the disposal, but even so there would still be the occasional clog. Of course then, when I needed the sink the most, I’d have to drop everything, get out the plunger, and hope that would do it. If that didn’t work, then I’d need to get out the snake. PITA! So, I really don’t mind disposing of my vegetable peels, ect in the garbage can. But we also live in a condo, so we have a remote dumpster that I can take the garbage to regularly, so its not stinking up the house. The other plus is that we now have more room under the kitchen sink. And since I took it out, not once have I needed to plunge the kitchen sink, so it works for me.

But that all being said, I do think that Panthera’s advice is right on if you must have a garbage disposal.
Eddie
 
The condo I moved into last year had an Ace Hardware version of the Badger 5. It clogged a few times in the first 3 months that I lived here. Replaced it with an ISE Evolution Space Saver from Lowe's. 5/8 hp and auto reverse all for only about $160. Haven't had a clog since
 
I am of the opinion that the main reasons why a plumber might say Badgers are the most popular is because they are CHEAP.  I regard them as garbage disposer bottom feeders. They appear to be "contractor grade", which generally means they'll last long enough for the contractor to be paid ;-).

 

This house came with a vintage brand disposer (original Waste King, I think) but it kept on overloading and needing resetting until finally I replaced it with a 3/4 HP "Titan" from Costco, about 15 years ago. The Titan has worked flawlessly, never clogs or bogs. It has stainless steel components so rusting is not a concern.  A drawback, if any, is that the diameter of the opening is a bit less than that of the previous model. So my hand won't fit in there. That may not actually be a drawback, though. Another issue may be the thin nature of the sink flange that comes with these units. It dents easily. However it is backed up by a strong black plastic and although the one in my sink as accumulated a lot of dents, it still works fine and doesn't leak. And I notice that newer models may come with a variety of sink flanges, like stainless, bronze, white, etc., so if one dents too much there are always spares... Ironically, the same design used in the Titan is now sold under the Waste King name... but of course they are not the same internally as the vintage Waste Kings.

 

I bought a second 1-1/4 HP Titan a few years ago to put into the second kitchen in the enclosed patio. I've held off on that because that installation would require some electrical work which I'm not too keen on at the moment. Meanwhile the 3/4 HP Titan in the main kitchen seems to have more than enough power.

 

As for disposer pros and cons... I'm convinced they make food prep a lot quicker... no need to worry about small bits clogging a strainer... and one can send stuff that might rot and fester in the under-sink wastebasket, down the disposer instead, out of sight/mind/aroma.

 

The Titan disposers are often on sale a local Costcos for $80. Here's a link to where one can be ordered on-line. The same design seems to also be sold under the name Waste King which is available on Amazon...

 

Purists may disdain the Titan/Anaheim/Joneca disposers because they are high speed (2600 rpm) and made in China. As far as speed goes, it seems to do the job nicely and is also quieter than lower speed older designs. As for made in China... that's become the new normal, hasn't it? The company does say they are American engineered and designed, for whatever that's worth.

http://https//www.costco.com/Titan-.75-Waste-Disposer-Designer-Series.product.100279019.html
 
Evolution

I can't recommend the ISE Evolution series enough.
They're incredibly quiet and powerful.
I found my Evolution Compact on Amazon for about 20$ less than in stores.
It's HEAVY but a breeze to install if you have the quick connect flange already.
It's got a plastic grind chamber, but the flyweel, lugs and grind/shear ring are all stainless. 3/4 HP.
 
Johnrk-I have roache problems along with raccoons,possums,and yes,coyotes-and occasionally--bears.I don't subscribe to a trash removal service-take mine to the "dump" a trash transfer station that has 2 dumpsters-one for appliances,another for yard waste,and a third for furniture.Then there are three compactors-one for general trash,another for cans addn bottles,newspapars-last for cardboard.I don't believe in home type compactors-compactors in trash trucks and the large ones at the dump site are more effective-and they can handle bulk waste.The trash services that pick up trash have EZ-Pack Goliath truck bodies on an International chassis.An EZ-Pak Goliath will crunch ANYTHING you can throw into its hopper.Other trucks are Pak-Mor and NewWay.The Greenville city area has new NewWay auto side loader trucks.Beatiful trucks!Too bad they will get grungy from trash hauling.Most ASL trucks use reciprocating ran compactors-they will crunch anything the ram can get a hold of.Seen one of these crush a 4X6 " piece of wood to kindling.Disposers and trash trucks are interests of mine.My NOS Maytag disposer I bought from Volsboy replaced an ISE Evolution Excell dispoer.The ISE was good but SLOW.The Maytag is faster and shreds just as well and with only 1/2 HP instead of one Hp.Honestly the OLDER disposer designs were better than today.
If you subscribe to the trash pickup services here-they provide with a container-These are designed to be used with the tippers on the RL trash trucks.In the city they give you a container to be used with the ASL trucks.In an area like yours or mine-think the solid containers should be REQUIRED.These are more likely to survive attacks by animals than bags.
 
I can't imagine living in a home without a garbage disposer. The last couple models I have had have been ISE's and the first model in the line with stainless grind chamber parts. First one lasted over 16 years, I'm about 8 on the current one. I have never seen any issue at all with clogged plumbing on the kitchen sink run. As long as you use the automatic dishwasher that shouldn't be a concern.

As for the Badger model, I wouldn't install one even if it were free.
 
Badgers are a builders brand disposer-also they are used in apartment buildings.The ones I lived in the DC area had them.If your disposer has worn shredders-as with an old Badger-then clogging is a concern.The plumbing in my current house sucks-the plumber was an idiot.Had to reslope the main drain line in my house a few times.Also I have a septic tank.Septic tank users have to be careful what goes down the drain as opposed to homes on a sewer system.
 
My KitchenAid is about eight years old, with no repairs or problems.

Too bad the old (Genuine) Maytag Batch-Feeds are no longer available, as they are great machines.

Of all the "builders grade" waste disposers I ever used, those cheap, tiny and loud old GE's of the sixties and seventies were great! I bought one as NOS off of Flea-Bay once. It was a dud. Years of sitting on the shelf had destroyed the bearings.
 
I also have an ISE Evolution Series installed a couple of years ago replacing a GE builders grade crap. The GE rusted out and ceased up. Had another one downstairs in the other kitchen and that one did the same just before the one upstairs did the same. Have another GE in the condo at the beach and that one is getting loud. I actually bought another one of them and its sitting in the closet ready to get changed out. The reason I bought another one is that it will just be removal and replacement. No need to change drainage at all. That one does not get as much usage so it will last a bit longer. Love the ISE though, quiet strong and non clogging.

Jon
 
I have a Sears

Kenmore disposer from 1996. Made by Insinkerator 3/4 h.p. with stainless steel grind chamber, parts and reversing motor. Quiet enough.
Worth the extra money. I re installed it after our 2011 kitchen remodel.
No egg shells, potato skins, stringy anything. Not good for the plumbing, and it's not a commercial garbell grinder.
Another disposer enemy is aquarium sediemnt small stones.
 
Two misconceptions

Which are good for my business, but bad for customers:

1) You're wasting water! The millisecond the disposal is done grinding, turn that water off! Oh, my paws and whiskers! You're wasting water!

2) A disposal which isn't in use doesn't wear out.

 

A cheap Badger will last and work very well for a very long time if you flush it thoroughly with plenty of water. Says so in the instructions. Even if you don't use it every day, you need to flush it to stop the rust from building up.

 

Misconception #2:

Stainless Steel and Plastique are truly non-corroding in this environment. Yee-Haw. Just, the seals and the drive components hooking the plate up to the motor? Surprise, dahlinks - they are NOT stainless steel! No, sir, they are not. That's why flushing is so important. But, heh, yeah: You're wasting water! They don't make that anymore! Denkt niemand an den Kindern!!!!
 
I had three Badgers in a row (home bought new in 1988 came with a Badger) and none lasted more than three years. BUT they cost under $50 back then, so every three years I'd pull out the old one and pop in a new one. On my fourth try, put in an ISE 333, which had a SS chamber/blades; I think this was their upscale model before the Evolution. Installed c. 2001, it lasted over a decade.

About four years ago, replaced the dead 333 with the Evolution (1 HP model). Works great. My father has the 3/4 Evolution Compact and it works great, installed eight years ago. He bought his from Lowes and used their contracted installer.
 
I've had my GE 1 hp continuous feed since February 1994 with hardly a hiccup.  Has clogged the pipe that goes across to the pipe that leads out to the sewer drain probably less than 10 times in all that time.  I throw just about everything at it (not beef bones.  It's on my left sink bowl and dishwasher drains in the right hand sink drain.  Many times after intense grinding, I'll fill the sink up[ with about 3 to 4 inches of cold water and drain the sink and run the disposer to flush out good.  This one has lasted 23 years and 10 months compared to the ISE builder model, which lasted  9.5 months at most.  I was without a disposer for a month or two.  But had to get a new one as I was having all my family for an extended weekend for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. 

 

I have no doubt the GE that's sold today is nowhere near the quality of what I got almost 24 years ago.  I guess the Evolution XTR would be the appropriate replacement.  I doubt Waste King can hold a candle to it either. 
 
One thing of which to be wary

Not only Evergrind but several other cheap Chinese knock-offs have had safety recalls for various problems (I still refuse to use the word 'issues' for a problem, what a silly thing. Don't much care for 'impact' as a verb, either).

The whole 'using the garbage disposal' to actually, you know, get rid of garbage (including bones) or not divides many a household. After my dear husband's friends threw all the wet garbage in the trash compactor and the damned bag split all across the floor on me, I threw a temper tantrum of truly epic proportions. These are the dear souls who don't run the dishwasher if it's only twice as full as a Bob-load (you could still put a plastic toothpick in there, somewhere, they're sure. The ones who never use paper towels but only cloth (including the towels one of them just used to wash the dog's face. Not that I don't love the dog, but, ewww - in the kitchen???) And who, never, ever put anything down the garbage disposal and freak like mad when I put anything more sturdy than a tomato peel down it.

 

You know what? I throw everything in, banana peels, potato skins, bones (yes, dear pearl-clutchers, bones and not just chicken bones. Everything. It's what it's there for.

 

OK - end of rant, but, really - we've long since established that what kills these appliances is the mounting point between the plate and the motor (it's not stainless steel) and the various seals. Not what you use it for. Just be sure to flush with lots and lots of running water and everything will be fine.
 
The vintage Waste King (slow) that was in this house when I bought it must have been at least 15 years old. It was my first exposure to a garbage disposer, so I didn't know quite what to expect. But I was not happy that it managed to let mass quantities of sauerkraut through untouched, which then proceeded to clog the drain from kitchen to main sanitary line. Unfortunately there was a laundry closet and a shower/bath/sink along the way. So the shower stall would back up when the washer was run, due to the recurrent kitchen/Waste King clogs.

 

Eventually the Waste King kept jamming (had to be reset) so much it was useless to even try running it. It would jam if you looked at it sideways. The kicker was when it would jam on nothing more heinous than a rubber band. I got a 50 ft power auger and cleaned out the main kitchen/laundry/bath drain, and installed the aforementioned Titan. Guess what? No more  jams, no more clogs, no more shower stall flooding. Yay.

 

Now, I love vintage appliances as much as anyone here. But when they have lived out their useful lives, and perform a function that is vital to keeping the house in proper function, it's time to replace them, and usually that means a new and improved version. Nobody wants to commute in a Model-T, after all.

 

 
 
Unused garbage disposals...

I have a Kenmore 2002 model similar to vacertor's.  Made by Insinkerator, 3/4 h.p. with stainless steel grind chamber, parts and reversing motor. No problems so far.

 

Had it installed when I bought this 1956 ranch, the house never had a GD or dishwasher befor<span style="font-family: Arial;">e. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a name="startPOSTER_73646.20"></a></span></span>

 

All was good for a year or so until potato peels caused a clog.  After that I never used it for anything but the bits left over from rinsing dishes.  I still like having it for that reason and run it every day.  Don't know if I'm being overly cautious but once burned...
 
I have an ISE Evolution that I got NIB on Craigslist for $50. It’s been a great unit. Quiet and I can throw anything at it. It’s the $450 model at Lowe’s but not sure you want to spend that much.
 
Endora

Whatever you put down there don't put tea leaves down there! Not even in the nice Evolution. You will need to cast one of your spells to clear that clog...
 

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