Garbage disposals help to protect your plumbing and make kitchen practices more efficient. Millions of homeowners have realized the benefits of garbage disposals, but it's important to get a high-quality unit that delivers everything it should.
Waste King is one of the best-known brands for garbage disposals, and the Waste King 3200 is fast becoming one of the most popular on the market. In this guide we'll give a full Waste King 3200 review so you can understand the pros and cons and whether this disposal is right for you.
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Waste King 3200 Pros & Cons
The Good
The Bad
Unique Features of The Waste King 3200
Waste King is one of the giants of the garbage disposal industry. They have over 50 years of experience creating disposals and specialize in manufacturing affordable and user-friendly disposals. The idea behind their brand is to take the functionality of commercial disposals and give you some of the benefits in your own home.
Waste King garbage disposals are the preferred option for many homeowners, and they have a few features that set them apart. The Waste King 3200 is no different, and here's a quick breakdown of the factors which we think set this disposal apart:
Superb Build Quality
Waste King disposals are built well and considered to be some of the most durable on the market.
This is partly because Waste King has opted to keep their manufacturing onshore in the US rather than outsourcing to Asia and partly because of the quality of the materials they use.
They are mid-range disposals, so they aren't the best out there, but they are well made and long-lasting, offering homeowners a lot of value.
High Speed Motors
The effectiveness of your disposal will be influenced by the power and speed of your motor. The faster your motor, the faster the grinding mechanism can operate, and the better it can pulverize food waste. The Waste King 3200 has a high speed 2700RPM motor. This is more than most similarly priced disposals and ensures the disposal will make short work of even tough food waste.
Stainless Steel Grinding Components
The grinding components within the Waste King 3200 are all made of stainless steel. This makes them effective against food waste but also more durable than some other models. Stainless steel is corrosion and damage-resistant, so the use of this metal helps to add to the longevity of the device.
Glass Filled Polyester Grinding Chamber
The better garbage disposals on the market use glass in their grinding chamber because it's durable and corrosion-resistant. The Waste King 3200 uses a glass-filled polyester grinding chamber to help crush food into tiny chunks and prevent any blockages in your drain.
EZ Mounting System
Garbage disposals are designed to be simple but effective, and you need an easy mounting system to install them quickly yourself. Most modern garbage disposals are easy to fit, but Waste King has started using an EZ mounting system, so you can literally click it in and start using it immediately. This means you won't need to wait or pay a professional to get your Waste King 3200 installed.
Removable Splash Guard
Your splash guard is attached to secure the garbage disposal to your sink. These are often the weakest part of the disposal and can become damaged after heavy use. Unlike other garbage disposals, the Waste King 3200 has a removable splash guard, so you can just replace that element whenever you need to. This will save you money and help protect your device in the long run.
Quiet & Durable
Garbage disposals work to grind up food, so, understandably, they can be loud. The Waste King 3200 has the Waste King unique insulation throughout the unit. As a result of this insulation, it's one of the quietest out there and suitable for use at unsociable hours if needed.
The quality of the build and the materials used make the Waste King 3200 very durable. Your average garbage disposal might last you 10 years, but the Waste King 3200 could last over 20 years if properly maintained. This is backed up with a Waste King warranty to protect your investment.
Compact & Lightweight
Garbage disposals come in all shapes and sizes. The Waste King 3200 is small and light, so it can be easily moved and installed and fits into a small space. This makes it an excellent option for those who have smaller kitchens and don't want to use up all the space under their sink.
Perfect For Small Families Or Couples
The Waste King 3200 isn’t the most powerful on the market, but it also doesn’t carry the same price tag as the big, powerful disposals. The 3200 gives you enough power for any small or medium household and won’t take up much space. This makes it much better suited for small families than other mid-range disposals.
Waste King 3200 Garbage Disposal Reviewed
- HIGH-SPEED MOTOR: The 3/4 HP, 2700 RPM (115...
- EASY INSTALLATION AND CLEANING: EZ Mount for...
- COMPACT SIZE: The low profile garbage...
- NO ELECTRICAL EXPERTISE NEEDED: The sink...
Waste King is a modern garbage disposal brand with an outstanding reputation. They are well known for their solid products, which have modern twists to make them better suited for 21st Century life. If you were choosing based on brand alone, then Waste King would definitely be one of the contenders.
The Waste King 3200 has plenty of power with its ¾ HP motor, but it’s definitely not designed for a large household. Instead, it's been created as the perfect garbage disposal for a small or medium-sized home, with a kitchen that sees a fair bit of use but isn't full of home chefs. It's an impressive disposal because it combines intelligent design, useful features, and long-lasting materials.
The Waste King 3200 has a 2700RPM motor which powers the stainless-steel grinding mechanism and makes short work of waste.
The magnetic motor and smooth operation helps prevent jams, meaning you'll need to restart the device less often. It's smaller and lighter than many other Waste King disposals, making it better suited for those with less space.
It also has impressive noise insulation built into the device. This really does work, so even if you have a small home or apartment, you can run the disposal without disturbing people.
Waste King understands that homeowners just want tools you can use quickly. The EZ mount installation is effortless, and you should be able to clip it underneath your sink without any specialist help. Your disposal should come with full instructions to follow, but you will need a screwdriver, adjustable pliers, plumbers putty, hammer, and dowel/punch.
This is a continuous running garbage disposal, meaning you can run waste through it while it's turned on. This is the preferred option for most people as you don't have to wait to get rid of food waste. The mechanism is effective and grinds food quickly, but because the disposal is smaller, the grinding chamber is also smaller, so you will need to consider how much food waste you pour down there in one go.
You will need to do some cleaning and maintenance as with any disposal, but this is a very low-effort appliance. We've not found any common issues with the Waste King 3200, but do keep an eye on the splash guard as some users have reported slow draining when using this disposal.
Cleaning your disposal is essential if you want to get the most from it. Every week you should run cold water through the device for 5-10 minutes to help get rid of any blockages. If you do notice any bad smells, you can run some citrus peel through the disposal, which will help clean the bacteria.
The Waste King 3200 comes with a reset button near the bottom of the disposal. If your device does become blocked, then the circuit will trip. All you'll need to do is remove the blockage and press the button, and it should work again. Waste King is pretty good at giving clear instructions, so use the manual if you aren't sure.
The Waste King 3200 is smaller than some other mid-range disposals, but that is a very deliberate choice. What we really like about this disposal is how they’ve managed to pack in a lot of features into a more compact unit, so you can get great functionality even if your kitchen is smaller. Plus, it has the good build quality we expect from Waste King. All, in all it’s a well-made disposal that's perfect for small or medium-sized families.
Specifications
Horsepower | 3/4HP |
Motor | 2700RPM |
Dimensions | 7.75 x 7.75 x 13.75 inches |
Grind Chamber Capacity | 22Oz |
Average Water Usage | 1-2 Gal Per Day |
Average Electrical Usage | 3-4 KW Per Year |
Drain Connection | 1.5 Inches |
Dishwasher Drain Connection | No |
Warranty | 8 years |
Comparing Different Waste King Garbage Disposal Models
Waste King makes a lot of popular garbage disposals, and it's not always clear what the differences are between them. The Waste King 3300 is from the same range as the 3200 and is remarkably similar. It has the same sized motor, exact stainless-steel mechanism, and same easy installation.
The 3300 is compact but is a bit bigger than the Waste King 3200. This means it might not fit as easily if you have a small kitchen or a tight space underneath your sink. We also found that the Waste King 3300 was a bit louder, but that is probably to be expected as the grinding chamber is larger. These two disposals are very similar, but the 3300 will be of more use to larger households.
The Waste King 8000 is one of the most popular disposals on the market at the moment. It has a very powerful 1HP motor and gives 2800RPM, so the steel grinding mechanism can even deal with small bones. The Waste King 8000 is very well made and comes with a lifetime warranty, so you know it means business.
The 3200 struggles to compete with the 8000, but it isn't really built for pure power. It's better for smaller households who don't need all the features, and it's much more affordable than the 8000. With garbage disposals, it's essential to get the right one for you, not just what looks best on the market. If you only have a small or medium-sized family, you should consider the 3200 because it probably does everything you need it to.
The other popular Waste King garbage disposal is the 9940. This is another continuous feed disposal with a 3/4 HP motor built-in. In terms of specifications, it's very similar to the Waste King 3200 in almost every way, but it's a few pounds heavier and a little bit bigger. It also has the option of a dishwasher fitting, so if you do have a dishwasher in your home, then this might be the better option. However, if you just want a reliable, compact garbage disposal, the Waste King 3200 is more affordable and may be the better choice.
Differences Between Waste King & Other Brands
It's always difficult to compare different garbage disposals from the same manufacturer as there will always be many similarities. Still, it's useful to understand how they compare with similarly priced disposals from other brands. We've given a quick comparison with two very popular models from well-known brands to help keep it all in perspective:
Waste King 3200 Vs InSinkErator Evolution Compact
- A MUST HAVE IN YOUR KITCHEN: This...
- LOW NOISE AND POWERFUL: This innovative food...
- SAVE TIME AND ECO-FRIENDLY: From meal prep to...
- NOTE: Item do not come with a power cord...
InSinkErator is pretty much the original garbage disposal manufacturer. They have over 75 years of experience creating garbage disposals and are responsible for many of the innovations in the garbage disposal world. It’s no surprise then that they create several of the most popular disposals on the market today.
The InSinkErator Evolution Compact is designed for smaller homes. Just like the Waste King 3200, it has small dimensions and a powerful ¾ HP motor which should deal with almost anything that's thrown at it. It uses a Dura-Drive induction motor and 2 staged multi-grind technologies to help pulverize food into very small chunks and limit the risk of any blocked drains. It also has additional features, like a leak guard liner, to help protect your home.
The InSinkErator Evolution Compact is a well-designed and well-built disposal. It's very similar to the Waste King and perhaps has some additional features which the 3200 doesn't have. However, one significant disadvantage is that it doesn't have any electrical connections included, so you may need to pay a professional to install it for you. This, combined with the higher unit price, makes it a more costly disposal and the Waste King 3200 probably offers slightly better value. Either disposal will be a great asset to a small or medium home, though.
Waste King 3200 Vs Moen Ex75c
- Part of The Host Series designed for those...
- FAST TRACK enhanced features for faster...
- Simple Snap tool quickly secures mounting...
- Easy open dishwasher inlet: no additional...
Moen is a brand that needs no introduction. They produce a wide variety of home products and have a good range of garbage disposals too. It’s lightweight and compact, like the Waste King 3200, with a strong 3/4HP motor. Moen opts for a combination of plastic and metal in their disposal, so their disposal is lighter but less durable than the Waste King 3200. The Moen Ex75C also comes with all electrical connections included so you can plug in and get going straight away. It even has a dishwasher connection, so you can connect it up if you want to.
The MoenEx75C is cheaper than the Waste King 3200 and comes ready to go. The downside is that the disposal is less durable and won't last as long. If you have a tight budget, then the Moen is probably tempting, but from our point of view, the Waste King 3200 delivers better long-term value.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
How long should the Waste King 3200 last?
The Waste King 3200 should last up to 10 years if it's properly maintained. Waste King offers a warranty to cover the device for up to 8 years.
Where is the reset button on a Waste King garbage disposal?
The red reset button is located near the base of the disposal. Always consult your user manual for instructions on how to reset the device.
Where can I buy Waste King 3200 replacement parts?
You can find some replacement parts on the Waste King website, or you can look on marketplaces like Amazon.
Does this garbage disposal ever go on sale?
Yes, you should find it on sale occasionally, especially when many places are doing appliance sales, such as Labor Day or Black Friday.
Conclusion
A good garbage disposal allows you to use your kitchen more effectively. There are a lot to choose from, but you should select one which is well suited to the size of your home and the use your kitchen sees. The Waste King 3200 won't be big enough to support a large household, but it's the perfect solution for a small or medium-sized home. It's small, powerful, and priced competitively, making it a good asset for your home. Hopefully this guide has helped you understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Waste King 3200 and whether it's the best choice for you.
Holly Curell is the editor extraordinaire for Plumbing Lab. Having grown up in Michigan, Holly has spent time living in New York, Virginia, & currently North Carolina, where she lives with her husband & family. Holly loves DIY & has years of experience with at-home plumbing problems that arise from having 3 kids & living in colder climates. When she’s not writing about her plumbing knowledge, Holly enjoys reading, hiking & relaxing with family.