InSinkErator’s Evolution Excel offers all of the best features of every other machine we’ve reviewed in one package, with the exception of an induction motor.
That being said, an induction motor isn’t for everyone, since it is less energy efficient than the permanent magnet motor contained in this disposal.
Three Stages of Grinding
The only garbage disposal on this list with a three-stage grinding system, this unit passes food scraps through three different grinding discs before allowing the final particles to make their way into your drain.
The first disc grinds the food into chunks and creates a kind of slurry equivalent to that of single-stage disposals. The second grinding disc breaks food down a little further into a finer pulp, and the third turns it into such tiny particles that it shouldn’t cause a problem even in narrow pipes or septic tanks.
In fact, although the this model was finally chosen as our top choice for people with septic systems, this one would do a good job as well.
Jam Sensor and Auto Reverse
The three-stage grinding process makes blockages in your pipes and septic tank problems much less likely, but clogs can still occur in any garbage disposal if food scraps manage to jam the grinding discs.
Thankfully, a jam sensor, swivel impellers, and an automatic reverse system have all been built into this machine. If anything gets stuck, the machine will automatically change the direction in which its disks spin. The swivel impellers turn themselves around as the discs start moving the opposite way.
This process basically jiggles the blockage around until it unjams itself and things are running smoothly again, without the user having to do a thing.
Few other disposals have a comparable system. In fact, the closest equivalents that we feature on this page also have swivel impellers and the ability to reverse, but require you to manually turn the system on and off to make use of these.
Oversized Grind Chamber
An oversized 40-ounce grind chamber allows you to push extra waste inside for those heavy-duty jobs. The 1 horsepower motor (a feature shared only by the Waste King L-8000) is capable of handling this challenge, making it a good fit for large families and enthusiastic cooks.
Surprisingly, three stages of grinding and a 40-ounce grind chamber don’t all add up to make this the largest machine on our list. In fact, at 13.5 inches tall, it is closer to the middle than the top of the list in terms of its size.
- Very quiet as it runs.
- Three stages of grinding mean few plumbing problems.
- Jam sensor and auto-reverse will help it unstick itself automatically.
- Large 40-ounce chamber lets you deal with more food waste at a time.
- Dishwasher connection allows dishwasher water to cycle through the system before it enters the drain.
- Quite expensive. The price is well beyond that of other garbage disposals.