If you were to look through all of the options on this website and compare them according to their various functions, features, and the materials from which they are made, you would quickly see that this garbage disposal falls solidly in the middle of the pack.
However, this doesn’t really make it an mediocre garbage disposal, since all of the options are top of their various classes. Instead, it is fairer to say that it is an average machine among some of the best.
An Average Motor
One of the first aspects of this disposal you’ll notice is its midrange motor.
Generally, power for garbage disposals ranges from 1/3 to 1 horsepower. Though 1/2 hp isn’t exactly in the middle, it doesn’t exactly stand out when compared to the output of other popular options.
At 1/2 horsepower, this middle-of-the-road motor is capable of handling basic tasks. It may not be the best option for people who like to run their disposal for long periods of time or who need to feed it tough scraps, but it will hold its own when faced with regular household chores.
Typical Size
Despite Moen’s calling this a compact unit, we have several others on this list which are smaller and better suited for kitchens with little room to spare.
This particular disposal measures 13-3/8 inches tall. For comparison, consider that the InSinkErator Badger 5XP is only 12-5/8 inches tall and the KCDB250G from KitchenAid measures only 11.38.
However, the Badger 5XP and the KitchenAid use less durable galvanized steel grind components, whereas this one has stainless steel blades that are better at standing up to wear and tear.
Other Considerations
For the most part, the rest of the features and functions this unit offers aren’t all that special, although it does have a few worthwhile properties. Like most of the others we’ve selected, this Moen is stuffed with sound insulation which helps keep the noise level to a minimum. Also like many similar machines, it comes with its own power cord so you can plug it directly into an outlet. It is a continuous feed model and runs on a universal permanent magnet motor.
What does make it stand out (just a little bit) is its stainless steel grinding components. Though a handful of others on this list have stainless steel grinding discs, this feature is important enough to definitely merit a mention and is likely what pushed the price of an otherwise basic machine toward the upper end of the range.
- Easy to install.
- Splash guard helps prevent messy splatter.
- Stainless steel grind components are strong, rust-proof, and built to last.
- Dishwasher connection allows you to filter dishwasher water and food scraps through the system.
- Close to the higher end of the price range.
- The power cord is attached, which means that you do not have the option to directly wire this unit into the wall and to your switch.
