When you take a look at entry-level garbage disposals, it is not all that hard to see just what makes them entry-level. Most obviously, their motors are usually fairly mediocre, just like in this case.
At 1/2 horsepower, the permanent magnet motor in this machine can run for a moderate length of time. It will see your garbage disposal through most normal, basic household requirements without offering any serious performance.
What you may notice as you review this unit’s specs, however, is that there are a couple of things which lift it beyond average.
Slightly Better-Than-Average Grind System
An average grinding system features galvanized steel grinding discs and impellers; this system is no different in that regard. A single-stage grinder, this system utilizes only one grinding disc. Though galvanized steel isn’t quite as durable or rust-resistant as stainless steel, it is still plenty good enough to be used in the majority of household garbage disposals.
What raises this system a little above average is its swivel impellers.
To achieve the best grinding performance, impellers are angled in the same direction that the discs they’re mounted on spin. Swivel impellers are capable of turning around when the disks go the other way, allowing you to simply turn the machine off and then back on again to unclog minor problems
Other budget-friendly machines do not feature swivel impellers, which means you’ll have to take care of any jams manually.
Other Interesting Information
There are a few other things you may want to know about this not-spectacular but perfectly serviceable garbage disposal. First, it comes with a one-year warranty. Though that may not seem long, few manufacturers offer long warranties, despite building their machines to last between 10 and 12 years.
Measuring a mere 12.69 inches tall, this is one of the smallest options on our entire list – when this is important at all, like in an apartment’s kitchen, it really matters. It also has one of the smallest grind chambers. At only 27 ounces, this tiny capacity illustrates that this machine is meant only for small amounts of waste at a time.
Bottom Line
If you need something more heavy duty, capable of running for long periods at a time, and able to handle tough, dense food scraps, you may want to look at something more powerful that would be capable of withstanding that kind of workload. You might need something like the Badger 5XP, or the Waste King L-3200 and L-9940L, which both have 3/4 hp motors.
We over here at All the Stuff definitely believe in paying for quality, but we also know that most people only have normal household needs which can be served by cheaper household garbage disposals, including this one from General Electric. This unit can be expected to give several years of reliable service to a smaller family with average cooking and cleaning habits.
- Rather compact compared with other units, which makes it great for people without much under-counter space.
- Swivel impellers and a split-phase motor reduce the likelihood of clogs and help unstick jams.
- Dishwasher connection allows you to grind and dispose of waste from the dishwasher.
- Splash guard reduces messy discharge in your sink.
- Galvanized steel isn’t quite as durable or rust-resistant as stainless steel.
- A 1/2 horsepower motor means that it is not as strong as some.
