After going through two garbage disposals in eight years, I decided it was time to upgrade. Now the first disposal was a contractor model 1/3 HP, and died when my son cleaned a fish take and got a rock in it.
My Badger 5 with a ½ HP began leaking from the bottom. After a quick look on the internet on how to fix a leaking garbage disposal, I found that if they are leaking from the bottom it's time to replace them. Since the Badger 5 only had a two year warranty and lasted almost eight years I decided to go back with InSinkErator.
After reading many reviews I decided on the Evolution Excel 1 HP model. With a 67% savings it really was a better deal than many of the lesser models even price wise. I ordered disposal on Sunday evening and received it on Thursday (Valentine's Day) just in time to cook dinner for my wife.
Goal: Surprise my wife by cooking Valentine's Day dinner. Obstacles: The InSinkErator didn't arrive until 1:45 pm, and I needed to get it installed, the kitchen cleaned up, and dinner going by 4:30 pm. This would give me an hour or less to get the old garbage disposal out, the new one installed and everything cleaned up if I was going to get my surprise dinner done in time.
First off I had pre-planned on everything I would need and had it ready by going to this site and watching what I found to be the simplest explanation on how to replace a garbage disposal.
1. [...]
2. [...]
Since both of the disposals were from InSinkErator they would match up and I could have used the old parts, but over eight years of use the old Sink Flange had become a bit dingy so I decided to remove everything and put all new in. (Would this extra step cause dinner to be late?)
Now since I watched both videos, and they both show steps the other leaves out, I knew to sit my disposal on top of the Sink Flange to help hold it in place as I put the other parts on. Believe it or not getting the snap ring on was the hardest because I kept pushing the flange up. Finally I help the flange in place by pulling down on it while I snapped the snap ring on using my free hand. Success!
One think you want to do is look where the mounting ring is before you take your old one off. Try to get the new one to line up the same because when you put the disposal on and twist you will want it to match up with your existing plumbing. If you're not careful you could be out of square with the plumbing and put some of your connections in a bind.
Also note that you have a Sink Baffle. It goes in from the top and is removable. My old one was inserted from the bottom and was not removable, this might save someone a few minutes of frustration knowing this.
If you have a dishwasher, they tell you to knock out the dishwasher drain plug. In the video they showed it coming out in one piece. Mine broke into three pieces and I had to clean the inner circle out with a screw driver because it left edges. I then had to pick out seven pieces from inside the disposal. I tried to turn it upside down and shake them out, but nothing would come out. I finally ended up using needle nose pliers to pick the pieces out.
Next thing that was different was the Discharge Tube (M) the one coming out of the disposal as an elbow. My old one was bolted in, whereas this on you work into the Anti-Vibration Tailpipe Mount and then use the supplied Spring Type Hose Clamp to secure it. Make sure the clamp in on the Discharge Tube before installing it into the Tailpipe Mount. This was easy to do and I was able to put it on using my fingers to open up the spring and place it over the rubber section of the Tailpipe mount, but you might have a pair of pliers just in case.
Another word of caution. This unit is most likely bigger than the one you are replacing, both in length and in diameter. Mine went on fine, but when I went to turn on the cold water it rubbed against the side of the disposal. I had to move it over about 1/8" to get the water on. It worked, but it did cause my Sink Flange to be ever so slightly off center (about 1/16"). This wasn't a big deal, and I plugged in the disposal hit the reset button (don't forget to do this, or your disposal may not start), turned on the water and though is it running? As I listened sure enough it was.
I checked for leaks there were none, and I was ready to clean up. Looking at the clock only 30 minutes had passed. Wow, I was doing better than I though. I started on dinner, and got so far ahead I even had time to write a review.
Rating Best Being 5. Worst being 1.
Installation: 5
Instructions: 4 (5 combined with the internet)
Looks: 5
Quality: 5
Quite: 5
Power: 5
So far the Excel Evolution has taken anything I have thrown at it, and not only did it do it quietly, but efficiently. The supplied Sink Baffle is very tight so you may have to have something to help push items down the disposal. I already had Safety Stuffer, so this wasn't an issue.
I will update my review in 30 days to give an update on the disposal, but so far it gets 5 stars from me.
The one thing I would really tell everyone is to make sure you check your dimensions under the sink to make sure it will fit before beginning installation. I was ½" or less from mine not fitting.
UPDATE: 10/15/2014
So it's been 20 months since I purchased and installed this Disposal. I still like it as much today as the day I put it in (maybe better). It has taken everything I have thrown at it and never missed a beat. It has never been jammed, had to be reset, or even put into a bind from excessive items being put down it.
The long term rating is 5 all the way. I couldn't give this a higher rating!
| Manufacturer | InSinkErator |
|---|---|
| Part Number | Excel |
| Item Weight | 20 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 13 x 12 x 12 inches |
| Item model number | EXCELCORD |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | Silver |
| Style | Without cord |
| Finish | Stainless Steel |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Pattern | Garbage Disposal |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Wattage | 1500 watts |
| Horsepower | 1 hp |
| Installation Method | Freestanding |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Mounting Type | Plate Mount |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
