# Replace my garbage disposal or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 17, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199 "2015-03-17T14:15:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/1 "2015-03-17T14:15:03Z")
We’re getting ready to replace counter tops as well as the sink and cook top. My house was built in 2004 and has an Insinkerator disposal installed. It doesn’t get very heavy use, only some light plate scrapings and wash water. No bones, shrimp shells or potato peels as I learned that lesson in the old house. But since it’s all going to be torn out anyway I’m trying to decide if I should replace the disposer while it’s easy. The current unit’s been no trouble but with my luck it’ll break down a few months after the work is completed. So it it worth $200 for peace of mind, or perhaps the new units aren’t as god as the ones made 11 years ago? ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/2 "2015-03-17T15:39:57Z")
I’d replace it. They’re fairly cheap and really easy to install. The old one may look fine but they seem to corrode and deteriorate from the inside out until one day you have a nice puddle under your sink. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/3 "2015-03-17T16:05:07Z")
Yeah, I don’t have an estimate for the redo yet, but after a gas cook top, sink, and counter tops, $200 for a new disposal isn’t a blip on the radar. Time to shop! ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/4 "2015-03-17T17:31:28Z")
Our house was 11 years old when we bought it. I replaced the garbage disposal because it seemed like the shredder teeth inside were kind of dull; maybe the previous owner used it a lot, I dunno. Anyway, we replaced it with a model that specified being quieter than most, and indeed it is. So even if your present disposal isn’t on its last legs, if you’re replacing everything else, you might also consider getting a nice, new, _quiet_ disposal to complete the renovation. ---
**Author:** ![newme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e0b2c6/32.png) [@newme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newme)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/5 "2015-03-17T19:12:44Z")
Our Insinkerator started leaking at 11 years old. We replaced it with a WasteKing® that came with a lifetime warranty. This thing is a powerful beast. If Walter White had had one, he wouldn’t have needed to buy Hydrofluoric Acid. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/6 "2015-03-17T20:10:05Z")
I didn’t look too closely last time I was in Lowes, but I think I saw a disposer that injects something to counteract any smells from the unit. I usually run some ice through there once in a while to clean it, but I’ll have to investigate. Thus might be what I saw: InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist 3/4 HP Household Garbage Disposer [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G86NUW/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_awd\_OPicvb05KCF93](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G86NUW/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_OPicvb05KCF93) ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/7 "2015-03-17T20:14:09Z")
It’s been a year but I think those injectors were for people with septic tanks. Some sort of enzyme or something. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/8 "2015-03-17T20:14:31Z")
We do have a septic system, but have been told by experts in the field, so to speak, that everything the system needs is added whenever you flush the toilet. If there’s no sludge in your tank it’s out in the drain field and it doesn’t belong there. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/9 "2015-03-17T20:18:05Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Yeah, I don’t have an estimate for the redo yet, but after a gas cook top, sink, and counter tops, $200 for a new disposal isn’t a blip on the radar. > > Time to shop! Yes, but what else can you buy with that $200? Lots! If it ain’t broke, don’t replace it. It’s easy to replace (like 10 minutes) so if it breaks later, replace it then. No one will notice you didn’t replace it. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/10 "2015-03-17T22:20:36Z")
That’s true I suppose I can wait unless my wife disagrees. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/11 "2015-03-17T22:24:19Z")
I would wait until it stops working. Who knows it might go on working for quite some time. They are easy to replace and it takes like, not even a hour. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/12 "2015-03-17T22:35:16Z")
I’d swap it as part of the remodel. I’ve never had one that I thought was excessively powerful and efficient. I HAVE had some that would have trouble with wet bread, and they took up brain space. If you wait for the old one to fail, you risk getting mission creep while you shop for the replacement and then you come home with a super duper disposal that _almost_ fits your undersink hardware. Then you have to compromise your remodel by _making_ it fit, or you return it for something more sensible, knowing thenceforth you have an inferior disposal. It’ll mess with you and use up brain space. Get the beast now, make fitment the plumber’s problem, and feel better about your overbuilt kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/13 "2015-03-17T22:36:05Z")
We’ve blown through three in thirty years or so. We had a HELLUVA HARD TIME putting in new ones, it seemed the original was installed under the sink before the sink was put into place. Third time, with me feet covered in water, I said that’s enough. Took it out, put a nasty little screen thing in the drain, and will just have to learn to live with our smelly low-tech garbage-disposal-less sink. Get a new one, I found you can’t just stick one in like replacing a flashlight battery. Get a new one now, why put it off? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/14 "2015-03-17T23:05:29Z")
11years old? I’d probably replace it. But then, I’m not sure what part of your budget that represents. Since you are doing the sink and I assume the faucet, I just like the idea of everything new there. Yes, usually they are easy to replace. Sometimes they can be a pain in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/15 "2015-03-17T23:43:53Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Yeah, I don’t have an estimate for the redo yet, but after a gas cook top, sink, and counter tops, $200 for a new disposal isn’t a blip on the radar. > > Time to shop! I do this type of thinking, too, but it’s irrational. Take these situations: 1. You’re buying a couch for $1750. You know if you drive 2 miles you could get that same couch for $1725. Do you drive? 2. You’re buying a lamp for $75. You know if you drive 2 miles, you could get that lamp for $50. Do you drive? Most people will say ‘no’ to the first and ‘yes’ to the second. But this is irrational. _It’s the same $25!_ As for the OP’s question: If you haven’t had any trouble with this disposal and it hasn’t given any hints that it’s going to break, I’d say don’t replace it. As others have said, it is VERY easy to replace a disposal if this one does break. And if it doesn’t, you’ve saved $200. J. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/16 "2015-03-18T00:43:10Z")
I replaced my disposal when I was in a similar situation. But I did it as an upgrade - went from bottom of the line to high end, super powerful, super quiet. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-my-garbage-disposal-or-not/715199/17 "2015-03-18T02:26:11Z")
I’ll hit the box stores and Amazon to shop around some. If I do replace I’m going with quiet.