Garbage Disposer Install

[Coys1882]

I want to install one of these myself - not a tradesman but I consider myself somewhat handy - anything tricky I should be aware of? We have a outlet already installed under the sink which is nice so I don't have to do to much wiring either.

I'd like opinions on brands and types if possible please.

[Slava]

I just did this myself last week. Mine was a little more complex maybe, and I did have an electrician swing by. I would do this myself again though, its pretty simple.

[Coys1882]

Slava - what kind did you buy? How much did you pay and where did you get it?

[Slava]

I bought the trusty Kenmore, which it turns out is made by a company called Insinkerator. I bought a batch feed type and its hard wired. The batch feed means it has a magnetic switch to turn it on when you put the stopper in as opposed to a switch on the wall or counter.

I bought the 1HP and paid full price at $359.99, but keep watching for a sale so I can go back and have the price reduced accordingly.

[Coys1882]

This batch feed option sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the time Slava!

[Slava]

Anytime! I did screw up the plumbing on mine and had to redo it. I knew it was going to be an issue as soon as I did it, but then figured it would be fine and I would change it "later". Well later came very soon after using it!

[Nage Waza]

Coys, I just did mine about a month ago (along with a sink). I think a neat trick to do which was not that difficult was to have the dishwasher drain through the garburator, so it is always getting rinsed by soapy water.
Make sure the unit you get has no blades in it, our has just metal cogs that grind up the food against the casing.

[Frequitude]

Very easy

[sun]

Goddamn I love garburators. Your life will never be the same again.

[Ducay]

Installing them is pretty darn easy; especially if you've got the the power and switches already wired. Even though I didn't have an existing switch installed at my house, I still opted for a switch activated disposal, over a batch feed, simply for operational ease (don't like the batch feed style, I prefer to just turn it on and shove everything down as it gets ground up.

In my case, when I redid my kitchen, I had neither power or a switch, and had to run a new power line from a new breaker to under the sink and then install a switch; I opted for the air switch (installs in your counter) which saves having to cut into your wall and rough in a dedicated switch at counter height.

As for plumbing it in, my tips would be to test fit the whole run before you start gluing it, and to ensure you knock out the dishwasher plug if you're setting it up that way. Its usually easier to just cut your whole existing plumbing out and then rough in a whole new run, making sure that you've got everything running downhill properly, etc.

[DownhillGoat]

I've installed them a few times, and replaced one. Pretty easy to do (just make sure you grab any fittings/flanges/adapters you might need. Installing in the new house was actually a pita because the fittings were some oddball size that I couldn't get in Canada apparently. So I've got more flexible reducers than I'd like, but it worked.

I'd recommend going a minimum of 3/4 hp. And +1 for insinkerator. Totem quite often has them on sale.