Waste King L-2600TC Legend Series 1/2HP Batch Feed Operation Waste Disposer

I replaced an Insinkerator disposer that had a rusted and leaking mount. Installation was straightforward, no special tool required and the power cord came attached, ready to plug in. The instructions seem complete. I used plumbers putty rather than the included sink gasket but that was covered in the installation manual.

I received and installed my new L-2600TC this weekend. In general, it accomplishes the food grinding that it sets out to do. It's also compact and quiet. But there are a couple of significant flaws: 1) The stopper/activator thing is a massive piece of black plastic. I use the disposer every day and my hands are typically wet when I need it. So the only solution is to keep it in my sink or close by on my countertop. There's no getting around the fact that it's giant and ugly and always needs to be out in the open. 2) The new drain trim is made of plastic. Yes, it's shiny and chrome-coated, but it's a thinly-cast plastic piece. I would have expected chromed steel or brass. 3) Unlike traditional disposers, there is no rubber guard to keep silverware or small things from falling down in there. It's just an open pit in my sink. 4) If something does drop down in there and I have to stuff my hand down to retrieve it, my wrist pushes against the activation switch. I don't think it will turn it on, but I'm scared as hell because if it did, my hand would be gone in a second. 5) There is a punch-out for the dishwasher drain hookup. It's not visible, but it's there. It's referenced in the installation manual but not very conspicuously. I suspect that like me, many people hook it all up and then watch as their dishwasher strains to drain. Maybe there should be a more prominent mention in the manual.

So far I am very satisfied with the disposal. It seems to work well and is reasonably quiet. You can't beat the price for a lid control type disposal although it is only .5 horse power. My biggest concern was when the package arrived. The unit was in it's original light weight carton with only extra package tape applied. If it had had to travel any further it would have fallen completely apart. Although everything was still in the box I would have been happier if it had come in a more robust package. Also' including a bit of plumbers putty in the box would have saved me a trip to the hardware store.

I started researching garbage disposals when I knew I was going to replace my 40 year-old sink and faucet. I never heard about Waste King before. Seems like most hardware and big box stores just carried InSinkErator brand. Many models but still only that brand. I was hoping to purchase a made in the USA product and Waste King is just that. Plus I was able to get a compact profile batch-feed model allowing me more space under the sink and no switch required. I like the batch feed feature. No switch to have to turn on, no excess running, and held prevent unwanted items being crunched in the blades. All parts were included and installation was a snap.

Had a different model for years and one day it quit working. Priced around and once again found Amazon to have the better deals. I needed a batch feed and those are more difficult to find. I installed it myself and it went okay (not super handy). Issues during installation had little to do with the device. Grinds up what I need it to and enjoy the batch feed style.