Need a new Garbage Disposal... 1/2 HP enough?

[Jeff7181]

Garbage disposal rusted through today so there's a big hole in the side now. Looking at some new ones on sears.com... a Kenmore for $70, but it's a 1/2 HP model. There's Heavy duty ones that are 5/8, 3/4, and 1 HP. Obviously more powerful ones are better... but I don't need to chip tree branches... is it worth an extra $30 to get a 3/4 HP vs. a 1/2 HP?

 

[arcenite]

edit: a half horse is enough unless you plan on chopping trees.

 

[amdskip]

More power!

1/2 should be plenty.

 

[bmacd]

even 1/4 horse is still a powerful disposal. I have no doubt that 1/2 horse will be perfect.

-=bmacd=-

 

[BooGiMaN]

more power more power...youll thank me later if your ever in a pickle and you need to get rid of those dead bodies asap...

 

[Gravity]

Go for the full pony!

 

[NetWareHead]

Get the turbocharger option

 

[Bulk Beef]

I can tell you that a 1/2HP is not enough make a busted dinner plate go down the drain.









Don't ask me how I know.

 

[PHiuR]

im thinking you should remove the / and make it a 12 HP one...

 

[xEDIT409]

Get a NOS kit, and maybe an exhaust.

 

[brtspears2]

1/2 horse plenty. Just get one with good insultation.

 

[Freejack2]

Go for the 1hp model. Put a bunch of vtec and performance stickers on it. You should get 20hp out of that bad boy!

 

[Thegonagle]

Consumer Reports reported on garbage disposals in Feb '04:

The Kenmore 6011 1/2 HP for $70 (with 1 year warranty) was their Best Buy, being the best performer of all 1/2 HP models and, one of the cheapest disposals in the test. It came in #8, below 7 much more expensive models between 3/4 and 1 HP.

The Kenmore 60554 3/4 HP, $135, 7 year warranty (wow!), was #3, just barely below the #2 ISE 555ss, 3/4 HP, $160, and the #1 Viking Pro VCFW1020, 1 HP, $420 (yikes!).

How much power? Consumer Reports says:

"Consider your food waste. Even models with the least powerful 1/3-hp motor can handle softer waste such as carrots and corn kernels. But if your kitchen waste typically includes tougher stuff, look for a more powerful 3/4-hp or 1-hp model. Those we tested ground bones fastest and finest, reducing the chance of clogged plumbing traps." (p. 43)

 

[glareman]

I would suggest a 3/4 HP model with autoreverse to clear jams. Just bought a new Kenmore to replace my 24 yr. old 3/4 hp. Kenmore.

 

[LittleWolf]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Consumer Reports reported on garbage disposals in Feb '04:

The Kenmore 6011 1/2 HP for $70 (with 1 year warranty) was their Best Buy, being the best performer of all 1/2 HP models and, one of the cheapest disposals in the test. It came in #8, below 7 much more expensive models between 3/4 and 1 HP.

The Kenmore 60554 3/4 HP, $135, 7 year warranty (wow!), was #3, just barely below the #2 ISE 555ss, 3/4 HP, $160, and the #1 Viking Pro VCFW1020, 1 HP, $420 (yikes!).

How much power? Consumer Reports says:

"Consider your food waste. Even models with the least powerful 1/3-hp motor can handle softer waste such as carrots and corn kernels. But if your kitchen waste typically includes tougher stuff, look for a more powerful 3/4-hp or 1-hp model. Those we tested ground bones fastest and finest, reducing the chance of clogged plumbing traps." (p. 43)

The 1/2 Kenmore is not bad. My old Kenmore crapped out too last week, rusted center-bolt. So too on CR receommendation bought the 1/2 hp one. It was on sale for 59$ and I had a 10 off 50. So it was a good deal. So far it's working fine, no complaints. If you wish to find a reasonably good one at a cheap price, IMO it is a good buy. If you plan to chop trees or bones all day, better to go with more HP. Also if your budget is higher (mine wasn't) you might want to consider the reversable one. But IMO it's not a big deal.

 

[DrPizza]

I had one from sears, "all stainless steel" inside. Well, except for one part - the screw/fastener in the center holding it all together. That rusted through, the whole insides went kablooey, and sears wanted $30 for the new part.

We replaced it with one from Valu Home centers (western NY) - much much longer guarantee than the Kenmores. (it may have been lifetime for rusting, 5 years for the motor, or something like that.) Regardless, it was also cheaper than at Sears.

 

[Jeff7181]

The 1/2 HP one only had a 1 year warranty... so I decided to go with the $90 5/8 HP Heavy Duty one with a 3 year warranty. Got it installed, just waiting for my dad to find some adhesive for the trap because he didn't use it last time like I told him to and it's leaked ever since... oh yeah, and this weekend we're replacing the wood floor under the sink since it rotted from the leaking water