Are all garbage disposals created equal?

Yesterday I heard dripping after the faucet had stopped.  Yup, this was the culprit, from the bottom of the disposal.  Gave me a good reason to clean out under the sink...

I did a little checking, friends suggested if I bought the same model it should be a quick unscrew the top and reconnect.  I found a PDF from the company that had recommended replacements for obsolete units, the only one for this was a Contractor 333.  It's $284 on Amazon.

Meanwhile I see other units are $110 - 150 - $200.  I know it's a hard-wired unit (vs plug in), otherwise do I care about anything else?

Waste King.

They're a little more expensive and take up a little more room in the cabinet under the sink, but they're absolutely worth it.

Jerry said:

Meanwhile I see other units are $110 - 150 - $200.  I know it's a hard-wired unit (vs plug in), otherwise do I care about anything else?

Some are stainless guts, so they will last longer - yours probably rusted through internally.  Also some are "quiet".  They are basically encased in a styrofoam sound insulator similar to a Honda Generator.  So the outside is a bit bulkier under the cabinet.

wae said:

Waste King.

They're a little more expensive and take up a little more room in the cabinet under the sink, but they're absolutely worth it.

I use these and they are always good. I have not experienced a failure from the other brand other than the contractor installed units though.

That metal p-trap looks pretty crusty at the bottom. Change that out with PVC while you are in there

Waste king is on sale on Amazon right now. 3/4hp is $84, 1/2hp is $44. Look at the pics on Amazon, they give measurements you can compare with your existing unit

There are 2 different types of disposals, ones that are switched and others that you stick a plug into and turn to engage the motor. I prefer one with a switch mounted on the wall or under the cabinet. Her father has one that you need to put the plug into to engage and it seems like a giant PITA.

I've had great luck with Insinkerators. Old badger 1/4 horse lasted over 20 years, noisy though.

Cueerntly have 10 years on a stainless quiet unit.

After putting my third disposal in my house in 6 years,  I went a bit nuts and bought this. 

it's loud. Pretty loud.  But I think I could put a whole turkey down the snout of it and it wouldn't care much. 
 

Moen EXL100C EX Chef Series 1 HP Continuous Feed Lighted Garbage Disposal with Sound Reduction, Power Cord Included, or Unfinished https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VDMMY23/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_879GB648Q7AMJFZZMCKQ

I don't have anything helpful to add (sorry).

I replaced mine with from Costco.  Picked it up at the local store along with a nice piece of meat to smoke.

It was larger and more powerful, but also much more quiet.

I had to change the drain on the sink to fit it.  It was included in the kit.

My PVC P-trap bolted right up and I plugged it into the existing switched outlet under the sink.

Took maybe most of an afternoon, much of it finding a few tools and cleaning out under the sink.

The meat was done on the smoker by the time I was finished installing and testing the disposal.

They really aren't hard to install, just a bit cumbersome since you're working under the sink.

Put some pillows down to help bridge the gap between the floor of the cabinet and the actual floor, it will really help your back.

In reply to Stefan (Forum Supporter) :

I ended up ordering the one on Amazon after multiple reviews said this was an exact swap for the 20 year old unit like mine. I'd rather spend a few bucks than fight with plumbing I'm unfamiliar with.

I will remember the pillow advice. And I made the leak much worse by switching on the disposal for a few seconds while rinsing off a pan. Now it's Niagara Falls. Just bought some epoxy putty this morning hoping to stop-gap for a few days.

Since our house was wired for one, but not plumbed for one when I bought it, I had the local plumber down the street do it. No idea what brand is under the sink I just said, "Install the one you guys have the least problems with."

In every house I'd ever lived in the disposal was painfully loud.  
 

in our current house, it's so quiet I accidentally  left it running while standing by the sink. 
 

For me it's definitely worth the extra $$ for a quiet one

The pillow advice is very worthwhile!

I have a Waste King 1hp model, and its weight is substantial.  Pillows saved the day on that one for sure.

Some disposals, the luckiest ones,, become blended beverage makers. 

Picture a 5 gallon round water cooler, a disposal, some plumbing and a power source.

5+ gallons of blended margaritas makes for a hell of a college party. I have limited memories but too many pictures to prove it.

*edit* not a helpful response. I know