Smart Choice 1.25HP Corded Garbage Disposal - White

About The Smart Choice 1.25 HP Garbage Disposal is a very powerful, but yet quiet disposal. It is a corded model with a standard 3-bolt mount. Smart Choice (part of the Frigidaire / Electrolux company) stands by its quality offering a 10-year Product Warranty with a Corrosion Lifetime Warranty. Installation I replaced my ½ HP builder-grade disposal with this much better model. The existing disposal had the cheap threaded plastic mount which I had to hacksaw off between the sink and the threads. The Smart Choice model utilizes a standard 3-bolt mount and a much sturdier metal construction. Going from the ½ HP model to the 1 ¼ HP disposal was noticeably different in size. You’ll need standard plumbers putty (not included) to mount the sink flange inside the sink. Install the mount assembly from under the sink and attach the disposal to the locking mounting assembly. I had to make some adjustments in the PVC pipe connecting to the back of the unit since I went from the smallest size disposal to the largest. Once in place, the Magnetic Silver Guard collar simply wrapped around the flange under the support ring and snapped close. I plugged the grounded cord in, and was able to use the disposal. The instructions that came with the unit were pretty good. It even had directions for hard wiring the disposal in if you need to do so. Use and Impressions Here’s what stood out to me: •

The Smart Choice Food Waste Disposer is a very nice looking and powerful garbage disposal. The unit I installed was the 1.25 HP version. I did notice the chamber that crushes the food is all stainless steel. It had an accessory that is a sort of bracelet of magnets that you fit near the top of the disposal unit under the sink – this will catch silverware that may slip in before the silverware hits the grinding chamber. Very nice idea. It easily handled small chicken bones, coffee grounds, zucchini pieces, apple cores and all the soft food stuffs like cheese and baked beans etc. I was impressed by how quiet it is. I have never heard a unit that was wasn’t real noisy and even a banging sound sometimes; but this beauty is low decibel. It does have what the manufacturer said is a sound insulated shell and they are right it does its job. I did the install myself which was easy enough. I have done some plumbing but never installed a dishwasher before. If it helps I’ll mention a few tips. I used the optional connection for the dishwasher since this drain will deliver the stuff drained from the dishwasher into the unit ahead of the crushing mechanism. Don’t forget to remove a small plug from the garbage disposal so that the dishwasher drain connection is not blocked (unless you don’t use the dishwasher, then leave the plug in place. You will have to remove the old sink strainer, here’s a nice video for doing that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQaDgfc-MYI&t=159s You will need plumber’s putty and then follow the steps of this video I found, to install the garbage disposal or just read the nice install manual that came with it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u9ulIo5Xfc This unit already has the electrical plug and cable installed. There is a diagram in the directions that came with this unit that shows the order of the various rubber cushions, retention ring and how other parts stack up on page 4. It took me 90 minutes going slowly but if you are experienced it will be less than 30 minutes to easily install this unit. If you have a dishwasher you can use that electrical outlet under your sink to power the disposal but you will need to install a separate electrical box with a switch to turn the unit off and on (always run water while you run the motor). Quick tip, every so often put a quartered lemon into the disposal to freshen it up. I highly recommend this unit for ease of install and of course for the high quality and power of the unit.

I replaced a 1/2Hp disposal using the same 3 bolt mounting ring. I could have kept the old mounting but the rubber was getting discolored. I wanted to try the new mount that includes a removable rubber ring for easier cleaning. It added another 15-20 minutes to my time to remove the old ring, clean the sink flange and install the new mounting ring. Plumbers putty was needed but luckily I had some. I have always thought garbage disposal manufactures should include a small amount of plumbers putty in the package as most people don’t have that on hand. Holding the larger heavier disposal with one hand while trying to connect and twist the ring for mounting was the hardest part, but I got it on the second try. Not that bad. For me the existing tailpiece to the drain could be reused and reconnected to the black output pipe of the new disposal. I did not have to purchase anything. I did have to change the angle off the J Trap to accommodate the wider disposal, but I had plenty of room and it all worked out great. Total time for me to install was right at an hour and I took my time. Having the power cord already attached saved me time too. I appreciated that. I tested for leaks and tried it out. No leaks and it was QUIET! I ran batches of vegetables and lettuce which were no challenge for the 1.25HP. After dinner I dropped a couple of chicken leg bones in the disposal. Makes a little more noise, takes a little longer to chew them up, but handled those with ease. I periodically run chicken bones down my disposals. I’ve been told the bone fragments can help scourer the inside of your drain pipes. I’ve never had an issue. Just make sure you always run plenty of water even after the grinding is finished. I like the removable rubber flapper in the mounting flange. It is so much easier to remove and see into the disposal and then to clean. The Silver magnet is a nice feature, but not sure my silverware is attracted to the magnet that well. It may work, but can’t really tell. Conclusion: Great disposal. It is actually the most powerful disposal I have ever owned/installed out of the 5-6 units I have installed. It’s also the largest, but that is due to the sound insulation around the grinding chamber. It does work because the unit is quieter than the other units I have installed. Installation of this unit was straightforward and relatively easy. The instructions were adequate and covered optional installation situations. Including a small amount of Plumbers putty might allow more people to change the mounting ring. In closing, I would recommend this unit for those that want a premium powerful disposal for a great price. Coupled with an extensive 10 year warranty at this price point justifies this unit.

TLDR: (that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read) Not a ton to write about a garbage disposer. Installation is fairly normalized, so it basically comes down to noise level, power and warranty. This disposer by Smart Choice is significantly quieter than my prior “quiet” model, had no problems chewing up anything I thew its way, and has a 10 year warranty. Win, win, win! Pros: * Quiet (for a disposer). * Powerful motor chews through just about anything. * Great warranty. * No more difficult to install than any other disposer. * Serial and model, and toll-free phone number on a sticker near the end of the power cord as well as under the unit. Cons: * None. Setup and Use: Due to its powerful motor and sound insulation, it’s a larger model, so plan for it taking up some space under your sink. Installation is standard fare for a garbage disposer with no surprises. Uninstallation of the prior and installation of this new one took less than a hour including cleanup. Unlike competing bigger-name models, there is no branding on the sink rim or the stopper, but it is made by Electrolux so it’s backed by a big name, at least. I did a semi-scientific comparison of my prior model (a “good” one by a big brand name) and this new one. When water was running and the disposer was empty, this Smart Choice model was 10db quieter, and when chewing through some tough stuff, it was about 7db quieter. I’d call that significant enough to call it a quieter model yet it still has enough power to not shy away from tough stuff. The installation/usage manual is nothing terribly fancy but it gets the points across. There is a toll-free phone number in the manual in case you need help (during the business day) but I couldn’t find any way to register it online. The manual does state that the 10-year warranty just needs the serial number, which is conveniently printed on the a water-proof sticker near the end of the power cord along with the unit’s model number and the toll-free support phone number - nice! Conclusion: Strong, quiet and a great warranty. What more do you need in a garbage disposer that you’ll hear but never see?

Review of Smart Choice 1.25HP Corded Disposer - White Installed the disposer by calling a technician and it replace the existing one that has 1 HP. The installation process seems quite simple following the steps included in the manual, but after watching the technician working I think DIY work if if one is keen to it and have all the tools, and how easy it is will depend on how much of space you have under the sink. The look and feel of it after installation is clean look like there is more space due to its color at least for the fit. One little detail to share after the installation, while testing notice it was leaking from the bottom. The technician had to spend some time figuring out what was, until saw a screw underneath was loosen, But earlier to it the technician was concluding the disposer might be defected. Regarding the noise, if it is used while running water only, it is quite noisy or same as one was replaced. But upon using it with leftover food, it change to almost opposite sound, a smoother and much more reduced sound. And for being 1.25HP can notice its power as work faster. A subject that I usually don’t include but for Smart Choice 1.25 HP Disposer want remark its warranty, most noticeable I extract here: Length of Warranty: 10 years, Defective Disposer replaced with no charge, and Corrosion Warranty is covered if it fails to operate due to corrosion. For all of cases mentioned and included in the full list require its. Original Sales Receipt. I don’t think everyone would keep the receipt but good to know and attempt to have the receipt well kept. The only aspect I wish it were better, it is smaller or compact and shorter. But aside of that, and based on usage of two days, can’t find any negative as per se.

The Smart Choice 1.25 HP garbage disposal is one of the largest motor sizes I’ve seen for a disposer. Installation of the disposer was really easy - enough so that anyone comfortable doing simple home/plumbing repairs should be able to tackle it in about an hour or so. Everything needed for the install other than plumbers putty is in the box. The hardest part was getting the old sink flange with years of buildup out. One item of note - the instructions say to not overtighten the three flange screws on the new flange and I can attest that if you do, it will pop the C-like ring that holds the assembly together. Not a problem, just a scare when it pops. I also like that this disposer is powered with a three-prong plug rather than hard wired. I also like that this model includes the magnetic bracelet that magnetizes the flange to help catch stray metals that might fall into the sink. Using the disposal is straight forward, dump your waste, turn on the cold water and turn the disposer on. For its size, the disposal is quiet and ground through everything I dumped in it. It says it's powerful enough to grind up small bones. I generally try to avoid dumping bones but it's nice to know it can handle them. The disposal comes with an easily removable splash guard so if something like a ring falls in it, you can just pull the splash guard out to make it easier to reach in and grab it. With the 10 year warranty and lifetime corrosion warranty, I highly recommend the Smart Choice disposal.

Who wouldn’t want, that is, NEED a top notch garbage disposal? Really, if given the choice, who would say, “NO”? Some consumers have been groomed and misinformed on the subject, leading them to believe that garbage disposals are to be used sparingly, and that most food scraps and waste is never to be put in there. Well, friends, that is simply not correct. A powerful garbage disposal with the best technology is a godsend. Having studied the garbage disposal market and technology for at least 15 years and with a wealth of experience, I can say first hand that THE answer is out there! The best known brand does not have the best products, in my opinion and in my experience. What I learned was during a compelling demonstration. There are two competing motor technologies. One camp provides a motor that does not deliver instant, full-torque power as soon as the switch is turned on. The other one does! THIS motor is what is known as “permanent magnet” technology. Jamming a wooden broom handle into the blades will not prevent it from starting up. In the other example, that broom handle will easily prevent the motor from starting up. Can you guess which motor technology is featured in this Smart Choice 1.25HP garbage disposal? Ding ding! You are correct! Consumers will notice that the better known brands with the lesser technology cost more and are still prone to jamming for no other reason than inferior motor technology. They typically run at about 1800RPM or less. This one, the better one with better motor technology, spins at a nearly unstoppable 2800RPM. Of course, any garbage disposal is the sum of its parts, and the motor is but one factor, though, in my view, if all other parts and pieces are top tier, the garbage disposal will have the best chance to do what it is supposed to do without stoppage due to jamming. What are the other important parts in a high quality disposal? Balanced, vibration reducing, stainless steel grinding components, sound dampening insulation, three-bolt mounting that is a simple, often DIY installation. Even on models with less than 1-1/4HP, the motor still spins at an amazing 2800 RPM, but why not get the best and move on with your life? This super strong motor powers through everything from coffee grounds, egg shells, non-fibrous produce, small bones and other food waste. Look online for what so-called experts say should NOT go into a garbage disposal. This is where those incorrect answers will be found. The truth is that there are certain foods that are not garbage disposal appropriate. These include large pits, such as avocado pits and fibrous produce such as the “choke” from an artichoke. In addition, it is important to run the kitchen sink water at full volume BEFORE introducing the food waste, and then introduce the scraps little by little. When the waste has disappeared, run the water for another 30 seconds to help the ground up waste on its way to the sewer or septic system. And that’s it. THIS power house is also built with a removable splash guard so it is easy to see inside to the chamber, easy to remove items and easy to clean the bottom of the splash guard to prevent odors. There is also a Who would NOT want all of this? Home owners would want this, to be sure. Renters might not want to make this investment, though it comes with a 12-year product warranty and a LIFETIME corrosion warranty. Renters or property owners may decide on a less powerful Smart Choice model that costs less. HOWEVER, the lesser models run the risk of less robust performance. I get it. It’s not a simple decision for certain usage models. For home owners who will live where it is used, this is what I use and what I recommend. It’s a beast in the very best sense. **WHAT’S IN THE BOX** • Smart Choice 1.25HP Corded Garbage Disposal • Documentation **THE SETUP** As always, READ the documentation. Then either DIY it or have it installed by someone who knows what to do, perhaps a professional. However, in my experience, this is not a tough job for the handy home owner. If this is a NEW installation there are other necessities. There must be a GFI outlet under the sink, for one. There is a side drain for connection to a dishwasher. If this is for new construction, consult the crew! Note that this disposal is equipped with a typical power cord designed to be plugged into a switched outlet under the sink. A Silver Guard® to catch and help prevent silverware that is attracted to magnetism from falling into the mechanism is also included. Once installed and plugged in, it’s time to . . . **PUT IT TO THE TEST** It’s awkward to suggest that you save food waste to test this garbage disposal, so I will leave you with this. I LOVE this product! Not only does it perform as well as or better than ANY others of which I am aware, it is more powerful that others of which I am aware. That extra 1/4HP over those with 1HP may or may not make a difference, but considering that there are basic units that are just 1/4HP, this is at the head of the class. Compare prices and warranties to the others brands. You’ve seen that this Smart Choice 1.25HP garbage disposal costs less than the big brand with which you may be familiar. And that is why THIS product handily passes my “value equation” test. More for YOUR money. That was easy. Treated well, with the respect it is due and it should be around and working well beyond its generous warranty period. **CONCLUSION** The conclusion is simple. This quiet and powerful Smart Choice 1.25HP garbage disposal is highly recommended without reservations. **WARRANTY** 12-year parts and labor product warranty from the manufacturer, plus a lifetime corrosion warranty.

So far so good. This thing is powerful at 1 1/4 hp and whisper quiet. I did research for three weeks on new disposals after my old badger of 10 years needed replacing. I was willing to pay up to $500 for top of the line but I found it for less than $200. Installation is standard. Don't overt tighten the drain when installing. This is a large unit than other models so it does take up some room under the cabinet. This unit is corded, I did not take it apart to see if you can wire directly. It's built pretty solid.

Great product. Very easy to use. Works as described.