The Whirlaway 291 ½ Horsepower Garbage Disposer is not the most powerful garbage disposal unit on the market, but then it is not intended to be. This small capacity food waste disposer is designed for homeowners who need light duty disposal powers. What it does have to offer is a compact, space saving design and an affordable price tag. It's capable motor boasts ½ HP, so it will be powerful enough to meet the needs of a single person, a couple, or even a family of three.
Durability and longevity are two characteristics that every homeowner desires in their kitchen appliances; however, when you’re dealing with lesser known brands, you must be prepared for the fact that their models will not offer all the same features that are standard in their more popular counterparts. For example, the Whirlaway 291 (see today's price) has what is referred to as an “over the counter” warranty.
On the off chance that something should go wrong with the unit, the buyer will be responsible for removing the garbage disposer and taking it to a repair center to be examined. (By comparison, some brands, like InSinkErator and Waste King, offer in home repair services.) This should not detract homeowners from considering all that this model has to offer, but it is something that should be taken into account before buying it.
If you are looking for a food waste disposer that will get the job done each time you flip the on switch, and don’t have a significant amount of waste, the Whirlaway 291 ½ Horsepower Garbage Disposer has an excellent reputation. Read on to find out more about what it has to offer!
Best Features
- Lightweight, Compact Design – The Whirlaway 291 weighs a mere 8 pounds. In terms of dimensions, it measures 13.7 x 6.1 x 5.9 inches.
- Powerful Motor – Coupled with its ½ HP, this permanent magnet, high speed motor produces more power per pound.
- Corrosion Resistant – Each of the components of the 291 are treated with anti-corrosion ingredients to improve longevity and durability.
- Easy Installation – The patented PLUMB E-Z Mount System makes the installation process quick and simple.
- Warranty – The Whirlaway 291 is backed by a 2 year, over the counter warranty from the manufacturer.
- Item Weight: 8.7 lb
- Country of Origin: China
- Color: Blue
Benefits and Drawbacks of The Whirlaway 291
Pros of a WHIRLAWAY 291 Disposal
Cons of a WHIRLAWAY 291 Disposal
What We Thought Of The Whirlaway 291
I’ll be honest: I chose the Whirlaway 291 ½ Horsepower Garbage Disposer because of its price. At the time of writing this review, it was priced for only $73.68. At first, I was a little leery of purchasing a brand I was unfamiliar with, but I figured that, if it tanked, I could replace it with a better model down the road when money wasn’t quite as tight.
It turns out that the joke is on me. You might not be familiar with the Whirlaway brand, but you’ve more than likely heard of the Anaheim Manufacturing Company (AMC) – the famous label behind the highly regarded Waste King garbage disposal line. It turns out that AMC is also the manufacturer who produces the Whirlaway line. With that knowledge, you can rest assured that you are going to be getting your money’s worth out of the 291.
Right off the bat, I was impressed with the Whirlaway 291. Out of the box, it comes with corrosion resistant grinding components, a removable splash guard, and a simple and quick mounting system for easy installation. It’s been a struggle to find a model that I could squeeze into the tight space underneath my sink, but the 291 has a streamlined, compact design that works beautifully.
By myself, it took about an hour and a half to install the disposer. This was my maiden voyage into the world of plumbing, so if you’re like me, I’d recommend spending a good amount of time reading the installation manual. I also found some helpful videos on YouTube. Just like the name indicates, the E-Z Mounting System does make the job…well, easy.
The permanent magnet, high speed motor does produce more power per pound, and while the ½ HP motor is more than capable of grinding soft food wastes, you shouldn’t expect to be using it to grind corn on the cob or chicken bones. (Although I have found that it is strong enough to handle cantaloupe rinds!) Despite its limited capacity, I like it much better than the old model I had in my kitchen. One thing I thought was unique about it was that the blades inside of the grinding chamber do not spin. Instead, they slide. This is beneficial in that eliminates the need to have swivel propellers and prevents jamming.
My one complaint is the over the counter warranty. Should something go wrong, I don’t relish the thought of having to uninstall the disposer and take it to a repair shop. I can understand why this would put off a lot of buyers, but with AMC behind the design and production of the unit, coupled with its positive reviews, I’m fairly confident that I won’t have to have it repaired.
How To Install The Whirlaway 291 Garbage Disposal
Are you ready to install your new Whirlaway 291 Garbage Disposal? Don't worry, with a little bit of know-how, it's a simple task you can tackle on your own. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
What you'll need:
- Whirlaway 291 Garbage Disposal
- Plumber's putty
- Electrical cord
- Screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Drain pipes and fittings
Step 1: Prepare your sink and turn off the power
Start by cleaning your sink thoroughly and turning off the power to the disposer. You can unplug it or turn off the circuit breaker.
Step 2: Remove the old disposer (if applicable)
If you're replacing an old disposer, remove it by following the Whirlaway's instructions. Make sure to disconnect the mounting assembly and drain pipes as well.
Step 3: Install the mounting assembly
Place the mounting gasket and mounting ring onto the sink flange, and secure it with mounting screws. Then, apply a thin layer of plumber's putty to the underside of the flange and place it into the sink hole.
Step 4: Install the disposer
Attach the disposer to the mounting assembly by aligning the mounting tabs and turning it clockwise until it locks into place. Secure the mounting assembly with screws, if necessary.
Step 5: Connect the drain pipes
Connect the drain pipes and fittings to the disposer, using plumber's tape to ensure a tight seal. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten the fittings, but be careful not to overtighten.
Step 6: Attach the electrical cord
If your disposer doesn't come with an electrical cord, you'll need to attach one. Follow the instructions for wiring and attaching the cord.
Step 7: Test the disposer
Turn the power back on and test the disposer by running water and turning it on. Make sure it's working properly before proceeding.
Parting Thoughts
So far, the Whirlaway 291 ½ Horsepower Garbage Disposer has worked well for me, and it is something I use on a daily basis. If you’re looking for a straightforward, no frills model that will get the job done, then this is a model worth considering. Out of 200 customer reviews on Amazon, 90% of reviewers have given this model four stars or higher, and I’m confident I’ll soon be adding my own positive review.
In summary, the Whirlaway 291 Garbage Disposer is a great option for those on a tight budget or with limited space. Its compact size and powerful motor make it a reliable choice for basic food waste disposal. However, if you're looking for advanced features or a quieter operation, you may need to invest in a higher-end disposer.
Whirlaway 291 Garbage Disposer
Last update on 2024-03-28 at 00:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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