This unit is about as powerful and solid as you'll find anywhere for residential applications. It replaces an old Kenmore 1/3 HP unit that was leaking. My little home was built in the 1930's (long before many of the modern conveniences we take for granted today), so I had some plumbing challenges to overcome - certainly no fault of the Waste King 9980. For the record, I paid about $107.00 shipped to my door.
I cannot add much to what others have written in praise of this appliance, so I'll just elaborate on my own experience. I decided to tackle this project around 11:30 PM after a long day at work, and *almost* conquered it before bed - spent about an hour getting the old unit off and preparing for the installation of the Waste King. If you have an older 3-bolt attachment holding your disposer to the bottom of the sink, this one should work for with a minimum of fuss. The directions are (mostly) clear and concise, written in plain English. Whatever you cannot glean from the directions can be deduced from common-sense observations or a call to the toll-free number. Waste King even provided a little sticker with the phone number on it to attach to the machine and a hand-written note of thanks on my invoice.....a nice touch appreciated by this end user.
Doing this install "solo" was a bit of a chore when it came time to lift and attach the Waste King to the bottom of the sink. It is fairly heavy, and I was tired.... so I cheated. I used the scissor jack from my Jeep (with a small piece of wood to act as a "platform" that equalized pressure from below) to raise and hold the unit in place while I tightened the neck to the collar. Used liquid dish soap to lubricate everything as directed. Once conquered, I easily finished making all the connections without worry. Using a small jack in this manner can make a huge difference in the install process in terms of energy expended and frustration quelled.
I kept the old parts nearby just in case I hit a snag and needed something, but none were needed. Everything is included except some basic tools and common sense. The only thing I had to run out and purchase was a PVC connector long enough to span the distance from the disposer to the drain. Eyeballed the measurements and hacked off the extra PVC, then just connected everything together.
All in all, did the install mostly alone in about two hours, including a trip to the local Ace Hardware for PVC and stuff, plus cleanup. Seals were tested with hot water, then the unit itself tested for proper operation. A plate of leftovers went down and through without a hitch.
A few words about noise..... if you're concerned that a disposer with the power of a wood chipper is going to be as loud as one, you need not worry. I was very pleasantly surprised with the noise level compared to my old Kenmore unit. This thing reeks of power, and what little sound emanates from the unit is certainly tolerable for the convenience provided. You'll hear a louder click as the motor engages when first turned on - this is normal, and not really bothersome. After that split-second "click", this thing practically purrs.... at least to my ears. Your mileage may vary.
There you have it - great value for $$$, reasonably easy install (even for someone like me with limited DIY capabilities), plenty of power, less noise, and a warranty that can't be beat. Add to that super-fast shipping from Amazon and great customer service from the manufacturer and you've got a WINNER ! Now add one to your shopping cart and don't look back..... or you can throw your money away on a lesser appliance. FIVE STARS for Waste King !
Edit to add : After a full year of almost daily use, I can honestly say the Waste King has exceeeded my expectations. It gnaws through anything and everything I've stuffed into the hole, including onion skins and stringy stuff that would've clogged my old disposer. I thought about using it as a chipper for some of the branches laying around my yard....it's THAT good.....the Waste King would chew up a broomstick if you fed it one !
| Manufacturer | Waste King |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 9980 |
| Item Weight | 12.93 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 8.5 x 8.5 x 16 inches |
| Item model number | 9980 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 1 HP |
| Color | Metallic |
| Material | stainless steel/corrosion proof polymer |
| Voltage | 115 Volts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Included Components | Garbage disposal |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 20 Year Warranty |
