Garbage disposal - what's the very best?

[justagirl28]

Hi everyone. Hope the question is not too basic or stupid! I really don't care a lot about plumbing items, as long as they work. HOwever, I really hate garbage disposals and every one I've had always gives me fits. The one I have now is a "Badger". So..just curious, if money were no object, which garbage disposal would you guys recommend?

[Terry]

The plumbers like Insinkerator.
They also make them under some other nametags too.
I notice that the PRO that the plumbers carry has some parts that the big box disposers don't have, and the in-home warranties tend to be a year longer.

I don't care fro WasteKing. They tend to run them at too high a speed, and I don't like the sink connection that they come with.

http://www.insinkerator.com/product/...6&template=hhd
Evolution Excel Disposer

[mtcummins]

I'm not a pro plumber, and don't have nearly the experience as Terry or many others, but I also have had good experiences with Insinkerator.

Just don't get the low horsepower ones and you should be fine with most disposers. The cheapies are usually under-powered if you dispose of things other than coffee grinds and grapes.

[jimbo]

Insinkerator is the way to go. The Badger 1 ( 1 year warr.) and Badger 5( 2 year warr) or the 5+ ( 3 year warr) are literally installed by the millions every year. The reasonable expected useful life is about double the warranty, and most folks get more than that. The more you pay for a disposer, the more stainless steel you get and the bigger motor you get, and an added bonus is quiet. $$$ These days, for my own home, I would never use anything but one of the Evolutions. Love'm. Landlords, assuming the tenant is just going to screw it up, opt for the Badger 1 or 5.
Top of the line....the Evolution EXCEL, which will run you over $300. Unless you get into the Commercial Disposers. Add a zero.

[SteveW]

I have an Insinkerator Evolution Excel that I put in about 4 years ago. It is the quietest disposer I've ever heard, and it will grind up just about anything you can put down it - including bones.

The best thing about it is that I have not had any clogs since putting it in. Prior to this disposer, we would routinely clog up the pipes with potato or carrot peelings and usually right before company is coming (i.e. when you are preparing a big meal and peeling vegetables.)

The Evolution Excel chops food up into smaller pieces so it is less likely to cause a clog.

[justagirl28]

THanks for the replies! I guess I have an Insinkerator and didn't know it. Mine is the Badger 5. I thought Badger was the brand when I first looked at it. I don't know how old it is exactly. I would guess at least 4 years old. It's ok, but it locks up a lot. I try and be careful what I put down the sink, but it seems like it just doesn't keep up real well. I might go for the higher end model when I go buy one, which will be soon.

[Terry]

The Badger 5 is my entry level disposer. They work, but then not a lot is epected of them either.

The Evolution series is so much quieter and is my favorite upgrade.

[jimbo]

I think Insinkerator Badger 5 1/2 HP way to go garbage problem and easy install.It is affordable priced.The bacteria coming from the garbage disposal to infect the food.

You are not supposed to eat the food AFTER putting it in the disposer! We agree that the Badger 5 is the designated workhorse in the tract housing and apartment industries. If you abuse it...to much food, too fast, not enough water, wrong foods, etc. it will clog the pipes on you.

[BobL43]

You are not supposed to eat the food AFTER putting it in the disposer! We agree that the Badger 5 is the designated workhorse in the tract housing and apartment industries. If you abuse it...to much food, too fast, not enough water, wrong foods, etc. it will clog the pipes on you.

reminds me of a Seinfeld episode where Kramer cooked his food in the shower while he was showering