How To Install A Garbage Disposal | InSinkErator Badger 5/500 Series 

Hi, Scott, thank you so very much for this video. Yesterday, I noticed water dripping from the disposal around the wires 😳. I ordered a new Badger 1/2 hp through Amazon which was delivered today. Although I have an appointment with a plumber in two days at a quote of $325 plus tax, I found your video this evening and thought, “of course I can do it!” Less than two hours later, viola, I have a brand new, quiet, dripless disposal in place on my 10-year old Badger 1/3 hp. Your directions were perfect! I had to spend quite a bit of extra time prying off old parts (flange so I could reuse the previous pipe). Again, thank you! From a 68 year old woman.

Don't forget to mention that if you attach the dishwasher attachment on the side, you have to punch out the closure in it.

Thank you for this video. I thought my garbage disposal was shot so I've been contacting plumbers to come swap it out for a new one. I had no idea there was a circuit breaker and bolt to manually crank the disposal on the bottom. Pushed that button, gave it a few cranks to free it up and it's working again!

Thank you so much. I'm an almost 70-year old female and did it by myself, following your instructions. Took me more than an hour because I used a car jack, as suggested elsewhere, to help me lift it so I could turn it on the ramps. (Also my connections differed than yours - had to figure it out.) The video was so helpful. To the person who forgot to remove the knockout plug for the dishwasher first, there are instructions online how to do this without removing the garbage disposal.

You are the BOMB!!! I'm a 66yr old female and replaced it myself watching your video! Thank you!!!!! 😁

Thank you! I was able to remove my old Badger disposal that didn’t work and replace it with a new one. Your video gave me the confidence to tackle plus, several items that I would never have thought of such as the needing to reuse the electric cord, ability to just put in new disposal and not having to replace the strainer. Love that you show the whole process!!

Thank you! My daughter stayed at my home while I was helping a family member for a year and when I came home the garbage disposal had stopped working. I didn't know there was a reset button on the bottom of the unit until watching your video and that was all that was wrong. I also watched your video on cleaning, which I will be following going forward. Thanks again, you saved me from doing an unnecessary repair!

You saved me. Almost bought a new one, but thanks to you it was jammed up and the Allen wrench unjamming was what worked. Was two minutes away from buying a replacement but thought I better you tube it first, Thank you.

You made this so easy for me. I watched your video twice and it took me under 30 minutes to do myself. I did buy a unit with the cord already attached so it made it much easier.

The red button I knew but the key to loose it in the bottom, saved me $130 in a new one. Thanks a lot!

Great video. Started watching in anticipation of having to swap out our old disposal because it stopped working. Got to your comment about the circuit breaker and checked ours and found that it had been tripped. Pushed it in and started working fine. Never knew that was there. Thank you! Saved me time and $$.

I just finished replacing our Badger 5 with a Badger 5. I grabbed a 1 gallon zip lock bag, opened it up, and slid it up around the P trap. I loosened the locking nuts and all the water went into the bag. No mess. Also, that hex key is what I use to loosen and tighten the locking ring. Best wishes, Kevin

Not a bad video. But a couple of important notes: 1) Unplugging the disposal is Step 1, not 2. You should unplug the disposal before undoing any plumbing; 2) he states that “if you hear humming” (and gives a clip of the humming noise), then the breaker on the unit is probably tripped. That isn’t correct. If the breaker has been tripped on the disposal, you’d not hear anything because there would not be electricity going to the disposal to create the humming noise. So if you turn on the disposal and don’t hear humming (or anything) then you need to check the breaker on the bottom. If you hear humming, then you probably have a blockage and need to use the Allen wrench to unblock it from the bottom as he demonstrated.

Fantastic - simpler than I thought. A plumber actually quoted me $700 to do this. With a straight face even. Thanks for saving me big time $$$

Awesome demonstration. I'm a new homeowner and your channel has been a staple to my DIY journey. You nail it in each video, framing your objectives clearly so that your audience can follow along. Much appreciated.

You're the only RU-vidr that I've seen make it a point to put the live wire on the right side of the plug. Others make it seem arbitrary but that is not the case. Thanks.

Just liked and subscribed. You saved me $125 for a new insinkerator. I wound it counterclockwise, manually with the allen wrench, reset the circuit breaker, removed the debris and - voila! - it's working perfectly again. Will be returning the unopened insinkerator I bought at Home Depot tomorrow. So many thanks to you!

The best garbage disposal replacement DIY video I've seen. I greatly appreciated all the details and useful little tips you provided as well as the time you took to make sure every detail is shown and discussed (including the things not to do - super useful). I'm ready to replace mine now (I contemplated to call a plumber, but then I saw your video after several other videos, and told myself I can totally do it - you saved me a lot of money). Thank you so much, Scott! You found yourself a new follower.

I figured I could replace the disposal by myself, but I did pick up a couple of good tips to make it easier. Excellent video, Thank you very much.

I'm glad you talked about how the disposal has the ability to manually turn the auger, mine wasn't spinning, and working the socket with my allen key, the disposal started to work again! Thanks for the video!

Thanks for this video it helped a lot. For me the space is very small due to pull-out dustbin, RO cylinders and water tank etc. So it was really difficult to align the new disposal in place. For anyone who face similar situation, you can use your car's jack to hoist the disposal while slowly aligning it. All you need to do it hold it still and move it until you get the perfect fit. Since the jack has a lot of power it can push the disposal easily until the rotation hinge aligns. Then you simply rotate it to the right to clamp. Works like a charm! You're welcome :)

Great video, and instructions so easy even I can follow them. I had no trouble replacing my ISE with a similar one (Badger 5). So far no leaks, which means I did something properly. I reused all the old parts other than the rubber seal, just like you suggested. Thanks for the tutorial.

You made the correct choice in having your camera stationary. This way all steps, are properly viewed. Kudos my friend

Thanks for the video. Reusing the old pipe worked a charm and saved me a trip to the hardware store!!!

Thanks so much for the tip about the humming and using the Allen wrench to manually turn it. This saved me a replacement today.

Thanks man, perfect timing. Doing the exact same swap tonight, with the exact disposals. I needed a refresher, and you uploaded the same job just 2 Mos before. Thanks for the little tips! You are my internet hero today😁🏆👍🏻

I was watching this video because I thought I needed to replace my old garbage disposal. Your quick tips about troubleshooting allowed me to get my old one running again. Thanks!

Excellent video on how to “swap out” your garbage disposal. Nice to hear a detailed description with many “tips” (especially the wiring info). Thank you

Excellent video, replaced mine tonight and this was perfect, especially the tip about he ribbed side on the wiring, I never noticed that!

I'm amazed how many people don't know about the circuit breaker. Part of the most basic operation

I followed your wiring instructions to the T and once installed the grinder was moving Counter Clock wise. I took it all apart double checked the electric even tested wires with a voltage tester. I finally called Badger tech support and they confirmed it does spin COUNTER CLOCKWISE. Would have been done an hour ago if you did not state it moves CLOCKWISE. You might want to edit your video. Mike

A lot of great information. Definitely a task I would now fell comfortable performing. Retaining the the old plug and how to figure the hot and neutral sides, I would never have known that. Not needing to remove the adapter plate to the sink and how to gently get the old disposal to spin off. A plumber would probably charge $150 or more to install it. Much appreciated.

heart felt thank you. I was timid at first with doing it myself but you expertly explained what i needed to do and just like that the new one is installed. Now on to the dishwasher that broke at the exact same time... ugh

My old Insinkerator Model 1-83 1/3 HP unit had a metal collar at the top of the unit that rotates freely. The collar on the new Badger 5XL-2 I bought only rotates a few degrees, UNTIL you mount the unit securely onto the flange. Then the unit will rotate freely to align with your plumbing. I spent a few minutes fiddling with it and wondering if I got a defective new unit before I tried installing it and realizing that once mounted, I could rotate the unit. Just posting in case this helps anyone else. Thank you Scott, this video was very helpful. I really need to buy some Wagos, the most difficult part of the install was transferring the old power cord to the new unit and getting the wire nuts securely fastened over the tinned aluminum leads on the new disposal unit and the stranded copper leads on the power cord.

Thanks for your very detail video that helped me changed my Insinkerator disposal successfully from a leaking one, when someone drop a small rock into it. However, there are TWO mistakes presented : 1) Drain Plug All new garbage disposal units have a plug for the dishwasher hose. Video shows reinserting dishwasher hose WITHOUT knocking out the plug first. If plug was in place, dishwasher will not drain out into garbage disposal and back flow into dishwasher, causing dishwasher to flood out. Fortunately, I discovered this problem from additional videos and was able to knockout the plug without uninstalling unit. Do not use a screwdriver/hammer recommended in videos because knocking on screwdriver deliver uncentralized force, actually tightening the plug. Use a round socket to provide the even force when hammering upon the plug. 2) Spin Direction & Wiring A/C motors, unlike DC motors, are NOT affected by black/white wires reversing because AC (alternating current) reverse polarity 60x/seconds, so there is no plus/minus polarity like DC. So the presented wiring instructions are wrong. Correct: black/white can be reverse without affecting spin direction, dispoals spin counterclockwise typically. what direction should garbage disposal spin when looking down into it ChatGPT When you look down into a typical garbage disposal unit, the internal grinder or impeller plate should rotate counterclockwise. Counterclockwise rotation is the standard direction for most garbage disposal models. This counterclockwise rotation is designed to facilitate the grinding and disposal of food waste by pushing it outward toward the disposal's shredding ring, where the waste is further broken down into smaller particles. This direction helps with the efficient disposal of food scraps. However, the rotation direction may vary slightly depending on the specific model and design of the garbage disposal. If you're unsure about the rotation direction of your particular unit, you can refer to the manufacturer's documentation or user manual for precise information.

Thanks so much for this video….that short cut of keeping the existing top part of the garbage disposal in place saved a huge amount of time and made this so much easier than changing the whole thing out. Excellent video!!!

Thank you for your video. I thought I have to replace my disposal but you mentioned to reset the breaker. I tried that and it worked. I'm so thrilled and saved few dollars.

PERFECT! Your instruction here worked absolutely perfectly. The only issue I had was I didn't own that wrench to do the final tighten into the flange. But I did have a screw clamp which did the job! And how you pointed out that both wires were black was something I worried about. Thanks for all the tips. Mine is installed and not leaking (yet).

Thanks for explaining the black ribbed wire and red button. I can now finish the installation. Thanks again! 😊Mike

Hi Scott thank you for the video. Your explanation was perfect and simple. I had to change my garbage disposal and didn't have money to pay a plumber. I followed your video step by step and it worked like a charm. Thank you again. Please keep posting different things.

Excellent video showing how easy it is to install a garbage disposal. Also many of the disposers include a power cable hardwired to them. The disposer I installed was a 3 bolt connection with a 1 1/4 HP motor and a hard wired power cord. Very quiet and very easy installation. Also you can buy wireless transmitters receivers for turning the disposers on and off.

Watched this today and successfully replaced ours today! Thank you so much!!!! (already knew about the knockout plug for diswasher)

Thank you! Your step-by-step was incredible. I bought the same exact model. Barely a 20-minute process.

Thank you so much for this video! Saved my parents some serious money as I able to replace the disposal myself by watching your tutorial. You're so awesome. Take care , and be well.

If I get the disposal with a cord, I won't have to worry about messing with the cord and with the cord they're a little bit cheaper.. This is my 3rd disposal replacing video your is the best!

Dang, how timely was this?!?!!!!! I’m a total DIY broad and me an the hub are gonna do this! Thank you!! I watch and learn something new from ALL your videos!!!

Thank you for pointing out the reset button in the begining. I thought I had to replace my 1.5 badger but resetting was all it needed. Your video to replace was detailed and very well done. I will replace mine myself when the time warrents because of your video. I am not a handy lady...

Thank you for the video. I am installing a InSinkErator Badger 5XP which is a 3/4 horsepower model.

My Badger disposals fail at about every10 years so I'm good at replacing them haha. Great video, thanks .

Just replaced mine based on Scott's video. Aligning the plumbing was challenging, but no leaks! Girls, if I can do it, you can do it too! Thanks again Scott!

GREAT tip regarding the wiring! How to tell the neutral and hot apart. That was helpful.

Thank you. I was having trouble turning the collar until you showed how to pry it apart. It was easy after that.

Thank you so much for this video. I followed it step by step to install my new Badger 5. The installation went exactly as you demonstrated. Thank you!

Really good video, I always appreciate your honest, straightforward approach to home repair. Thanks for reminding me that I need to pick-up some of those WAGO connectors for a project I'm working on! 👍👍👍

Thank you for this video😁. I replaced an old Insinkerator 444 with a Bagder 5xp in under an hour. Plus, the channel lock tip worked greatly.

Thanks to this video, I almost installed another a new garbage disposal until I found out my disposal has a circuit breaker, I reset it and it’s working again, thanks bud 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

Great vid...I think you are the only person I have seen in these replacement videos that offers a real aggravation saver tip that I wouldn't have thought about....you suggested a large flatbed screwdriver to get the old disposal loose from the bracket so as not to rotate or disturb the existing top half of the bracket...great idea and I am indeed planning or re-using my currently installed fitting and certainly don't' want to replace something that isn't broke or that I will break without your great advice...many of the other videos on here show people using brute force with various tools to do the initial crack loose and I think that just isn't the right approach, so thank your again.

Thank you for this video!! I thought our garbage disposal was busted and watched your DIY tips - I just needed to reset the breaker and use an allen wrench to “unstick” the disposal blades - like you show here, time stamp 7:26.

Wow, saved a bundle by just using an Allen wrench to loosen the jam and reset. Didn't know I was so handy. Thanks for the tips

I am so glad I saw your h9int to use channel-lock pliers at 8:45...I thought I had turned the lock ring enough but I went back with channel-lock pliers and turned it all the way to the detent "click'

Mine seemed like it was seized up, and was about to yank it all out when i got to your portion of the video of using an allen wrench to force turn the motor.. seems to dislodge whatever was mucking all up.. I most likely do need to replace it still,.. but this bought me a bit of time. Video is a year old but still helping people. Thanks!

Thanks so much for these videos. You helped me to diagnose the problem and I've got a new badger on the way. My 1/3 badger is too corroded, but now I know how to install and take care of the new one, so it should have a happy, garbage eating life.

saved me from replacing mine. didnt know there was a breaker on the bottom. it was tripped and did the allen wrench trick to break up what ever was stuck. works fine. saved me 200$!!!!

Thank you, I just purchased my badger 500. On my way to pick it up and installing it. Thanks for the tutorial

Just hooked mine up . Worked like a charm. My only suggestion to first time installers is to take a picture of the plug connections before you attach the plug to your new disposal. Just in case you forget.

Nice demo as its been yrs since I installed one. Being said just installed this Badger for my Niece. Will need to go back to pop out dishwasher hole. Wires on her cord were black&white so I think direction is ok. My concern is having it on the track. I liked your method of the pliers squeezing the tracks together. Mine seem to be there but locked in from the high side of track. Think that might have an issue later so will try your way again. Thanks for this video and found it very helpful than the few others I saw. Thanks!

After many decades, I’m on my 3rd Badger 500. Just like you showed, I pop out the old one, reuse the adapter plate, and pop in the new one.

This was a really well-done instructional video that proved incredibly helpful when we needed to replace a disposal. Thank you for doing this!

Well done video. Straight to the point and recommendations for parts was spot on - little WAGO connectors are great.

Perfect! Exactly what I needed, and no detail left uncovered. Appreciate it.

Hi Scott, Great video we followed all instructions. I did not see where you mention to remove the plastic plug that breaks the seal of the disposal allow dishwasher to drain. On the first wash, the water did not drain. Also I had to use the new top adaptor as the old one was made different. It still was a great video.

Many thanks for this clear and very well shot video. I had to replace a leaky unit and you have helped ease the process greatly!

Hi Scott, I just replaced mine following this video. It was very easy. Thanks

My badger started leaking today and, because of this video, I was able to disassemble and install my first garbage disposal. Hardest part for me was getting it on the rails due to how my sink is set up.

Thank you for the hint about the Allen wrench thing. I thought I needed to replace mine but I just needed to be cleared out with that!

Super helpful!!! I changed my 1st disposal correctly thanks to you.

Thank you! I actually hooked the + and - up backwards, but tested it both ways & they both went counter clockwise? The extra tips were very handy, so thanks for that too!!

Great video it show me step-by-step how to replace and install the badger garbage disposal. NOTE: my dishwasher drain is connected to my garbage disposal. Be sure to remove the seal on the garbage disposal for the dishwasher drain prior to install it You should see it in the instructions. Thank you.

Scott, this was an excellent walk through. the print was so dang small on the card and booklet, I decided to find a how too, I popped 3 watched yours first.. that was all i needed, spot on and thank you sir.

Thank you. This helped a ton. I replaced it with the 500 and worked!

looks like a great video as I am looking to do exactly the same swap out a 1/3 hp badger for a 1/2hp badger 5 only difference is i am looking to get the new one with having a cord already in place. Will update this if needed but your video is pretty through

Thanks so much. I have no DIY skills and had this done in 20 minutes.

This was extremely helpful for me. We are back up and running, thank you

Nice use of the screwdriver and wrench to open and close the GD. Tried using screwdriver in the prongs, but thought it was rusted on. Nice technique.

Thank you very much Scott!!! Just replaced mine with the help of your easy tutorial! You saved me huge $$$ 😁

Super helpful video, thank you! It adressed my exact situation, and made my job very easy.

Just changed mine at home thanks to your video.

Thank you! This was very informative. I'm going to replace mine today. I was a bit surprised by your comment about a disposal turning backwards though. That isn't DC current you're connecting it to so polarity shouldn't affect motor rotation. It should be an AC motor. Mixing neutral with hot is normally not a big issue but with appliances, it is. For some strange reason, I've seen neutral connected to ground in some appliances (maybe not garbage disposals). This would normally electrocute you if you touched the housing but it would blow the circuit breaker first.

Great tutorial! Also, I have never heard of the Wago connectors. I picked up a pack at Home Depot and they are a game changer!!!

Was able to change our disposal after watching this video! Thank you!

The channel lock hint for locking in the disposal was brilliant. Thank you for an excellent tutorial.

Thanks very much. Took me about 1/2 an hour. Super easy, with your guidance.

Just installed my new Badger...thank you!

Thanks for the video. Just replaced mine using your guidance! I'll send you flowers.

A word of caution to keep the old disposal upright and leaned slightly away from the drain as you take it outside. Otherwise nasty smelly drain water could grace your carpets.

Great instructions. Just what I needed. Went exactly as you explained.

Thank you for this video. Gave me enough confidence to do it myself and saved me time and money.

I cannot thank you enough for this video!!!! I was watching the whole video before going to buy a new one, and I got to the part about the circuit breaker. Sure enough, mine had tripped. Works again! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Thanks for the great video. I can’t wait to dive into it myself. Seems like Costco has the best prices on garbage disposals.

Great visualization and explanations! Don't forget to remove the knockout piece if connecting to you dishwasher line.