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Waste King L-8000 vs GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

Waste King L-8000 1 HP

$97.75 from Amazon

GE GFC525N 1/2-HP

$99.99 from Amazon
Waste King L-8000 vs GE GFC525N 1/2-HP

Overall Verdict

For a 1/2 HP disposal half the size of the Waste King L-800, the GE GFC525N shows some true colors. The GE is an excellent small-sized disposal able to handle most types of scraps relatively well. The Waste King can easily power through mixed scraps, but its downfall is its inability to deal adequately well with chicken bones and raw cartilage. 

A key consideration for its size is that GE cannot handle large or lengthy pieces of scraps. Its grind chamber also uses a lower quality galvanized steel compared to the more durable stainless steel of the Waste King. However, the price difference between the two tends not to be that much, so if size is not the issue, the Waste King is the better choice.

Ranking by
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Pros & Cons

  • Noise reduction
  • High torque 
  • High speed 
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • Affordable
  • High-speed motor
  • Affordable 
  • Easy installation
  • Heavy build
  • Takes up a lot of space 
  • Can be loud
  • Small capacity
  • No noise/vibration insulation
  • Faulty details

Key Specs

Type of feed
Continuous
Continuous
Horsepower
1
1/2
Motor type
Permanent magnet
Permanent magnet
Averaged RPM
4149
4317
Family size
3-4 people
1-2 people
Dimensions
L5.5 x W8.4 x H16.2 inches
L5.4 x W5.8 x H12.7 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$111.07
$103.13
$97.75 at Amazon
$99.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.9
6.0

Scrap Mix

8.1
5.8
8.11 ounces of visible fish pin bones in mess of ground assorted scraps, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
Layer 1
8.11 ounces of visible fish pin bones in mess of ground assorted scraps, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
12.56 ounces of ground assorted scraps, including dietary fibers, bones, etc., on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
0.15 ounces of shredded pieces of fish backbone and celery stalk, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Scrap Mix Test
11.67 ounces of fish pin bones in mess of assorted scraps from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking top.
14.19 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of assorted scraps, including fibers, bones, etc.
0.12 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Shredded pieces of dietary fiber.
Input Load
90.0 oz (2551 g)
90.0 oz (2551 g)
Time
2 min
2 min 53 sec
Layer 1
8.1 oz (230 g)
11.7 oz (331 g)
Layer 2
12.6 oz (356 g)
14.2 oz (402 g)
Leftovers
0.1 oz (4 g)
0.1 oz (3 g)

Raw Fish Scraps

6.7
5.6
5.71 ounces of visible pin bones among mess of raw fibrous tissue from fish scraps, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
Layer 1
5.71 ounces of visible pin bones among mess of raw fibrous tissue from fish scraps, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
2.47 ounces of shredded bones and fibrous tissue from fish scraps, on digital scale, placed on granite-looking top.
2.8 ounces of fish vertebrae among mess of shredded fish skin, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Raw Fish Scraps Test
6.01 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Pin bones among a mess of raw fibrous tissue.
1.89 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of assorted shredded bones and raw fibrous tissue.
3.79 ounces of ground fish scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded fish backbone and skin.
Input Load
49.4 oz (1400 g)
49.4 oz (1400 g)
Time
3 min
3 min
Layer 1
5.7 oz (162 g)
6.0 oz (170 g)
Layer 2
2.5 oz (70 g)
1.9 oz (54 g)
Leftovers
2.8 oz (79 g)
3.8 oz (107 g)

Raw Chicken Scraps

4.6
6.8
1.44 ounces of fibrous soft tissue and few pieces of shredded chicken bones, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
Layer 1
1.44 ounces of fibrous soft tissue and few pieces of shredded chicken bones, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
1.79 ounces of shredded soft tissue and pieces of shredded chicken bones, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
0.91 ounces of shredded soft stringy tissue and cartilage from chicken scraps, on digital scale, on granite-looking top.
GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Raw Chicken Scraps Test
0.8 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded soft tissues and shredded bones.
2.25 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded tendons and shredded bones.
0.29 ounces of ground chicken scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of soft tissue and pieces of shredded cartilage.
Input Load
7.4 oz (210 g)
7.4 oz (210 g)
Time
3 min
3 min
Layer 1
1.4 oz (41 g)
0.8 oz (23 g)
Layer 2
1.8 oz (51 g)
2.3 oz (64 g)
Leftovers
0.9 oz (26 g)
0.3 oz (8 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.2
7.9

In the Box

L-8000, EZ Mount on top, its box, user manual, stopper, adapter kit, elbow tube, rubber gasket, flange, bolts, wire nuts.
GE Disposall GFC525N 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal with EZ Mount assembly on top, next to its box, user manual, registration slip, sink stopper, elbow tube, and two sets of flanges and bolts.

Dimensions

Waste King 1 HP with mount assembly, elbow tube. Showing 8.4-inch width, 14.6-inch height, 4.3-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 7.4-inch depth to outlet, 5.4-inch distance to elbow tube.
GE GFC525N 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal with mount assembly and elbow tube. Dimensions show 5.8-inch width, 12.7-inch height, 4.1-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 6.1-inch depth to outlet, 5.4-inch distance to elbow tube.
Length
5.5" (14.0 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Width
8.4" (21.3 cm)
5.8" (14.7 cm)
Height
16.2" (41.1 cm)
12.7" (32.3 cm)
Weight
12.7 lbs (5.8 kg)
7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)

Mount Assembly

EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform with stopper in position.
EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform with stopper in position.
Support ring, mounting ring, cushion mount, fiber gasket, rubber gasket, sink flange, stopper, removable sink splash guard.
EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. “Disposall” engraving on rim of sink flange. Sink stopper in position.
EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. “Disposall” engraving on rim of sink flange. Sink stopper in position.
Support ring, mounting ring, cushion mount, fiber gasket, rubber gasket, sink flange, stopper, removable sink splash guard.

Grind Chamber

8.5
6.5
Top view into chamber of Waste King L-8000 garbage disposal after testing, looking at layout of grinding components.
Top view into chamber of Waste King L-8000 garbage disposal after testing, looking at layout of grinding components.
Inside view of Waste King L-8000 garbage disposal, showing design of two-level grater/grinder ring and details on flywheel.
Inside view of Waste King L-8000 food disposer, showing design of impellers and details of flywheel and grater/grinder ring.
Top view of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal after testing, looking at layout of grinding components.
Top view of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal after testing, looking at layout of grinding components.
Grind chamber of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal, showing grater/grinder ring and details on flywheel.
Grind chamber of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal, showing impellers and details of flywheel and grinder ring.
Capacity
30.0 fl oz (887.2 ml)
23 fl.oz.
Verticality
6.8" (17.3 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Flywheel
4.4" (11.1 cm)
4.4" (11.2 cm)
Assembly Material
Intermediate
Basic
Layout
Stainless steel
Galvanized Steel

Motor

10
8.5
A digital tachometer is measuring the speed of the motor/flywheel of the GE GFC525N 1/2-HP garbage disposal in our speed test. A smartphone is running the timer app.
Horsepower
1
1/2
Speed
2800 RPM
2300 RPM
Real Speed
4149 RPM
4363 RPM
Voltage
115 V (60 Hz)
120 V (60 Hz)
Current
7 A
4.5 A
Wattage
805 W
540 W
Heat
n/a
n/a
Reverse
No
No

Power Cord

Bottom view of Waste King L-8000 1 HP corded garbage disposal with type-B power cord.
Bottom view of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal corded garbage disposal with type-B power cord.
Length
2.8 ft (0.9 m)
34.5" (87.6 cm)
Type
3-prong (Type B)
3-prong (B)

Accessories

Standard outlet/discharge set for garbage disposals on granite-looking top, showing elbow pipe, rubber gasket, flange, bolts
Standard outlet/discharge set for garbage disposals on granite-looking top, showing elbow pipe, rubber gasket, flange, bolts.
Width
3.3" (8.3 cm)
3.3" (8.3 cm)
Length
5.3" (13.3 cm)
5.3" (13.3 cm)
Material
PVC
PVC

Build Quality

9.0
8.5
Waste King Legend Series L-8000 1 HP Garbage Disposal, with EZ Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal with EZ Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
Noise Reduction
Yes
No
Vibration Reduction
No
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.3
7.4

Ease of Use

8.0
6.0

Installation

7.0
10

Smooth Operation

8.0
8.0

Unjam Mechanics

0.0
0.0
Inside view of permanent-magnet garbage disposal showing manual unjam mechanics with wooden stick in flywheel’s opening/gap.
Inside view of permanent-magnet garbage disposal showing manual unjam mechanics with wooden stick in flywheel’s opening/gap.
External
No
No
Auto Unjam
No
No