Insinkerator garbage disposers
20 reports to CPSC, the latest made Dec 24, 2025. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 20reports to CPSC
- Dec 24, 2025the latest report was made
- Jun 7, 2011the earliest
- 7with the company’s comments
- Brand
- Insinkerator
- Makers
- InSinkErator and WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Garbage disposersCPSC’s product type: Garbage Disposers (code 237), in Kitchen: Appliances
Other ways the reports write the brand (1)
“INSINKERATOR DIV.”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | 2 |
| February 2024 | 1 |
| March 2021 | 1 |
| September 2020 | 1 |
| July 2020 | 1 |
| April 2020 | 1 |
| April 2019 | 1 |
| November 2018 | 1 |
| September 2018 | 2 |
| May 2018 | 1 |
| March 2018 | 3 |
| September 2017 | 1 |
| September 2016 | 1 |
| June 2012 | 1 |
| October 2011 | 1 |
| June 2011 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- First aid 1 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
- Hurt, no treatment 1 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
- No one hurt 18 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
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No one hurt Made Dec 24, 2025, sent to the company Jan 9, 2026, published by CPSC Jan 28, 2026
The product, in the report: InSinkErator brand kitchen sink garbage disposer Model Badger 500-4 Serial No. 24041378777
Insinkerator kitchen disposer motor is locking up on its own but the built in circuit breaker that is supposed to trip in this case is not tripping and motor continues to try to run until the power switch is turned off. This has happened occasionally for a couple months, but now is happening almost daily.
- Model
- Badger 500-4
- Serial number
- 24041378777
- Bought from
- The Home Depot
- Bought
- May 20, 2024
- Where
- Benton, Arkansas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand InSinkErator, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Dec 18, 2025, sent to the company Dec 22, 2025, published by CPSC Jan 9, 2026
The product, in the report: This is an insinkerator cover control S/N 06071509482 (since discontinued). It is magnetically operated by a switch around the mount that is triggered by magnets within the stopper.
I have an Insinkerator Garbage Disposal, S/N 06071509482. It is magnetically operated by the stopper. Now it does not turn off when the magnetic stopper is removed. I believe this is because the steel sink flange has been magnetized by the stopper over the years. (Simple tests show it attracts a compass). Now the residual field is strong enough to keep the switch activated. (Though fortunately not strong enough to turn it on spontaneously.)
This is a continuing problem that is getting worse. The cats were curious about the noise and fished the stopper out, but the disposal kept running. Fortunately, we were present.
We tried to mitigate the problem by putting it on a “power strip” within the cabinet. However, that results in it’s own unsafe electrical condition and we don’t always remember to turn it off.
- Model
- Cover Control
- Serial number
- 06071509482
- Where
- Bellevue, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 58, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Feb 19, 2024, sent to the company Feb 22, 2024, published by CPSC Mar 7, 2024
The product, in the report: InSinkErator Single Outlet SinkTop Switch
Insink erator electric fire started likely from water getting in. We were home when daughter heard it start on own and smoke at electric outlet it was plugged into.
- Model
- 76703
- Where
- Solon, Ohio: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Mar 19, 2021, sent to the company Mar 30, 2021, published by CPSC Apr 13, 2021
The product, in the report: Insinkerator sink top switch
•Electrical fire made me want to report this happening •The product being used was an Insinkerator 76703 sink top switch •My wife was using the product •The product was being used normally to control the garbage disposal •No injuries happened, but a fire was stopped by unplugging the sink top switch. Serious injury may have happened while using the product • The electrical outlet under the sink started to spark and caused electrical fire damage that was quickly put out
- Model
- 76703
- Where
- Lake Forest, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 40, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Spouse
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Sep 25, 2020, sent to the company Oct 22, 2020, published by CPSC Nov 10, 2020
The product, in the report: Switch for garbage disposal. Insinkerator air actuated switch that is embedded next to sink. Model 78251
Insinkerator air actuated on/off switch model number 78251 failed. I heard the garbage disposal start itself while I was upstairs and I tried but couldn’t switch it off. Switch not responsive at all. On looking under the sink I saw and then smelled the smoke coming from the socket and plug where the control switch was plugged in. I removed the electrical plug leading from the wall socket. Both the socket and the plug showed electrical fire damage. On inspection it seems that water entered the air line via the on/off switch button. Stupid. If I had not been at home this could have been disastrous.
- Model
- 78251
- Bought from
- Plumber installed
- Bought
- Jan 17, 2020, about then
- Where
- San Diego, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jul 15, 2020, sent to the company Jul 29, 2020, published by CPSC Aug 12, 2020
The product, in the report: push button disposal switch for countertop
Smelled burning plastic smell, thought it was the dishwasher as plastic sometimes falls to bottom of dishwasher. Checked and found nothing. A few minutes later the disposal turned on by itself. I turned it off and scratched my head a bit wondering how it turned on by itself. Then it did it again a few minutes later. I opened the cabinet door and saw smoke. I immediately unplugged the disposal to shut it off. I noticed burn marks on the disposal plug, but none on the incinerator plug into the wall outlet.
- Model
- STS-SO, model 76703. 1611
- Serial number
- SAFPAC5027-500
- Bought from
- Amazon
- Bought
- Dec 18, 2016
- Where
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Apr 28, 2020, sent to the company May 5, 2020, published by CPSC May 19, 2020
The product, in the report: In sink disposal switch plug started to smoke and char the outlet faceplate. Switch by Insinkerator Model 76073.
Disposal countertop switch plug started to smoke and shared the outlet faceplate. The switch is an insickerator model 76073. Smoke and acrid fumes were coming out from the under sink cabinet. the plug was removed from the wall outlet. Charring was evident on the plug faceplate.
- Model
- 76073
- Bought from
- Contractor
- Bought
- Jun 15, 2017, about then
- Where
- Sacramento, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Apr 8, 2019, sent to the company Apr 18, 2019, published by CPSC May 2, 2019
The product, in the report: Air switch for garbage disposal
Insinkerator air switch malfunction turned on garbage disposal for at least 5-10 minutes with no water flowing. This lead to burning electrical smell. Resulting in burning out the motor of the garbage disposal. Air switch was beginning to smoke visibly. Another 10 minutes and it would have started a fire.
- Model
- 76703
- Bought from
- Home depot
- Bought
- Jul 12, 2016
- Where
- Newberg, Oregon: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 35, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Nov 6, 2018, sent to the company Nov 16, 2018, published by CPSC Dec 3, 2018
The product, in the report: InSinkErator
We have an InSinkErator that was installed in 2014 to turn on the garbage disposal for our island sink. Last night, on its own (we were no where near it - it just turned on out of the middle of nowhere), the garbage disposal turned itself on and would not turn off until we got to the breaker and manually shut if off. There was a burning smell coming from the sink. We left it off and called a plumber. Today, we learned that the erator had become complete eroded, in addition to the socket the erator was plugged into. The plumber said water has been leaking into the erator and that caused the malfunction and corrosion of the plug and socket and the subsequent burning. When he tested it then removed the plug, it was literally smoking. He said we were lucky to have been home when it happened so we could turn it off. Otherwise, it could have started a fire, caused an incredible amount of damage, if not having burned our entire home, and the unit below us to the ground. The plumber is replacing the erator and the socket - at a cost of $600!!! - however, I am concerned that the entire design is unsafe. The erator button is prone to water leaking in given its proximity to the sink and general water that accumulates in the area.
- Model
- 76703
- UPC
- UNKNOWN
- Serial number
- SAFPAC5027-500
- Bought from
- UNKNOWN
- Where
- Washington, District of Columbia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 40, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand INSINKERATOR DIV., made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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First aid Made Sep 7, 2018, sent to the company Sep 14, 2018, published by CPSC Sep 28, 2018
The product, in the report: InSinkErator single-outlet SinkTop switch, model # 74300.
Upon attempting to extinguish a lit wooden skewer (-my only source of fire having been my gas stove which I used to light an evening dinner candle) and running the sink water to do so, as I placed the skewer under the water, a backlash of flames engulfed me and my pet bird whom I was holding. As the bird flew off to safety afar and my hand and arm were burned, I shuddered at what had just happened as I stood in my kitchen alone at night! I then medicated my burns with hydrocortisone, combed my slightly singed hair, attended to the bird, and retired for the night. Prior to sleep, I then searched the internet and found that InSinkErator and the US CPSC had announced a recall of single-outlet SinkTop switches manufactured by Mentor, Ohio-based Teemark and distributed by InSinkErator. These garbage disposal switches were recalled due to a fire hazard in March 2018 though “no injuries had been reported.” Verifying that my model was one recalled (i.e. 74300), I somehow slept into the next day and shopped then to purchase two fire extinguishers -in cans- to replace my old expired extinguisher. The next day, September 6th, I went to our local Fire Department to explore their perspective on the situation and my experience. They had not heard of the problem but considered it of considerable concern and worth investigating. My concern is for basic safety and hazard remediation. This event could have been my demise and that of my pets and home. No-one would have know the cause. I am not abdicating until this product is on your highest priority recall list-and perhaps not even then! Please alert the public to the apparent dangers and then, to the availability of safe replacement modules. Perhaps this should be elevated to a class-action issue but this is your determination.
- Model
- #74300
- Bought from
- R & K Plumbing
- Bought
- May 9, 2011
- Where
- Lakewood, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 75, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand InSinkErator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
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No one hurt Made Sep 2, 2018, sent to the company Sep 10, 2018, published by CPSC Sep 24, 2018
The product, in the report: Insinkerator model 76703 air switch for control of garbage disposal.
My garbage disposal turned itself on with no action from me. It ran for a few minutes while I tried to turn off the power to it. I tried pushing the button on the Insinkerator model 76703 air switch with no effect. Finally I disconnected the Insinerator switch from the outlet. It had overheated and partially melted the switch and the outlet.
- Model
- 76703
- UPC
- N/
A - Serial number
- SAFPAC5027-500
- Bought from
- N/
A (installed by remodeling contractor) - Bought
- Nov 11, 2013, about then
- Where
- Vancouver, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made May 15, 2018, sent to the company Aug 7, 2018, published by CPSC Aug 21, 2018
The product, in the report: Insinkerator garbage disposal switch
My spouse and I live in a new residence built 18 months ago, in December, 2016. About 8-9 weeks ago, we began having problems with the garbage disposal switch in our kitchen. One evening, we were watching TV and suddenly, the disposer started working spontaneously; namely, without the start switch being depressed. We immediately turned it off (using the switch). Subsequent to that mishap, the switch would sometimes work normally, but sometimes we could not turn the disposer off, despite our depressing the switch numerous times. We called an electrician, who attempted to fix the switch, but it was not replaced. The “fix” lasted only 2-3 days. We have resorted to pulling the plug from the bottom of the disposer control box when the switch does not operate properly, until our electrician returns. This morning, he called to inform us about the recall, which prompted this filing. We have unplugged the unit until this can be resolved.
- Model
- 1-87A
- UPC
- I don’t know
- Serial number
- 16051230
- Bought from
- R&R Plumbing Co., Inc.
- Bought
- Nov 1, 2016, about then
- Where
- Greenfield, Indiana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Mar 23, 2018, sent to the company Jun 29, 2018, published by CPSC Jul 16, 2018
The product, in the report: InSinkErator STS-SO Single Outlet Sink Top Switch Model 76703 Date Code 1206
InSinkErator STS-SO Single Outlet Sink Top Switch Model 76703 Date Code 1206 Numerous incidents
Over the last several years, when engaging this switch to activate my under-sink garbage disposal unit, the switch unit activates the corresponding GFCI outlet that the switch is plugged into, hence disconnecting power to the disposal unit. This has occurred at least 100 times, causing me to have to manually reset the GFCI outlet each time, in order to eventually use the disposal unit. I did not know why this was happening repeatedly.
Over the years this repeated activation of the GFCI outlet has caused me to have to replace the GFCI outlet several times, at a cost of $15 for each replacement GFCI outlet. I could not figure out why this was happening.
Fortunately no further damage occurred (apparently because of my use of the GFCI). But this has caused an annoying burden and cost to me. It would have been nice to know about this earlier, saving me $45 in GFCI replacement costs.
I can supply photographs upon request.
- Model
- 76703
- Bought from
- Amazon.com
- Where
- Cincinnati, Ohio: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand InSinkErator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Mar 22, 2018, sent to the company Jun 29, 2018, published by CPSC Jul 16, 2018
The product, in the report: Single outlet sink top switch that controls garbage disposal
In October, 2018, the Insinkerator Single Outlet Sinktop Switch, Model 76703, purchased in 2014, was plugged into an electrical outlet box below the sink, which outlet box caught on fire. The fire department was called to make sure the fire was out. The next day our electrician replaced the electrical outlet box, although he did not see anything particularly wrong with the box. Now, we know, due to the recall notice received today, the the fire was cause by the Insinkerator switch overheating. The installation of the new outlet cost $115.
- Model
- 76703
- Bought from
- Amazon
- Bought
- Jun 25, 2014
- Where
- Eagle, United States: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Mar 12, 2018, sent to the company Jun 15, 2018, published by CPSC Jul 6, 2018
The product, in the report: Brushed nickel insinkerator button
I own one of the insinkerator button products in the recall. [REDACTED]. About three months ago I was sitting in my family room and the insinkerator randomly started running. I went over to try to turn the button off and it wouldn’t stop running, so I plugged the device. It smelled like it was burning. There was no injury but I don’t know what would’ve happened if I was not home. I keep a towel over it to prevent water from entering the device.
- Model
- [REDACTED]
- Bought from
- Home Depot, California
- Bought
- Nov 16, 2016, about then
- Where
- Yorba Linda, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Sep 17, 2017, sent to the company Sep 26, 2017, published by CPSC Oct 11, 2017
The product, in the report: Insinkerator Air Activated On/Off Switch, made by Emerson Electric Co., Model 76703
The Insinkerator air activated sink top switch caught fire during normal use with Insinkerator disposal unit. No injuries, but could have caused a house fire
- Model
- 76703
- Bought from
- Contractor Installed
- Bought
- Sep 12, 2013, about then
- Where
- Norfolk, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Sep 21, 2016, sent to the company Oct 28, 2016, published by CPSC Nov 14, 2016
The product, in the report: Garbage disposal
Caller is reporting that the garbage disposal started to smoke and emit flames, after power it off the flames dissipated. The unit was in use for about 10-15 seconds when the incident occurred. The unit was uninstalled and stored.
The manufacturer was contacted through email.
Caller feels this product is a fire hazard and should be reported
- Model
- compact P-1
- Serial number
- 1011832898
- Bought from
- home Depot, North Carolina
- Bought
- Dec 1, 2012, about then
- Where
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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Hurt, no treatment Made Jun 20, 2012, sent to the company Jun 28, 2012, published by CPSC Jul 13, 2012
The product, in the report: Insinkerator model Pro 17, garbage disposal Note: I know the unit was manufactured in September 2003, but I just filled in a day date below so the form would function.
The Insinkerator model Pro 17 garbage disposal will not turn off. I contacted the company and it is past the 7 year warranty since it was installed in 2004. We have had issues turning it off for several months but always managed to get it to stop prior to last week.
My plumber has informed me that he installed many of this model when they were new and has subsequently replaced as many as 2-3/month over the past several years. This model is distinctive because it turns on/off via the top piece that closes the unit instead at a wall switch.
The manufacturer said the model was discontinued but would not say there were problems with the design.
This seems like a huge safety issue and I’m wondering why there was never a recall.
- Model
- Pro 17
- Serial number
- XM83997224
- Bought from
- plumber
- Bought
- Jun 15, 2004, about then
- Where
- Millburn, New Jersey: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 61, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Spouse
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
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No one hurt Made Oct 24, 2011, sent to the company Nov 1, 2011, published by CPSC Nov 16, 2011
The product, in the report: Insinkerator Garbage Disposal Air Switch
Insinkerator Disposal Air Switch / Model Number 71456 / 120 Volt / 12 Amp - Air actuator switch to turn garbage disposal on and off
My garbage disposal turned itself on I smelled burning wires. I unplugged the Air Switch (Air Switch plugged into outlet and disposal plugged into Air Switch). Air switch smelled like burning wires and I unscrewed the four screws that hold on the faceplate - upon inspection I saw burnt wires and smoke pattern on inside.
I called Insinkerator to discuss what happened and what I saw and explained that I was glad I was home when it happened as my fear was that it could have caught fire. The customer service person at Insinkerator told me it was a known issue they had documentation on and that I could buy a new unit. I was a bit surprised and when I reiterated that I’m glad I was home when it happened and concerned that this was a known issue - the support person then repeated that it was a known issue and that I could buy a new one.
My fear is that if this happened to my Air Switch, there could be one out there where this may happen to someone else that isn’t home they might not be so lucky.
- Model
- Air Actuated On Off Switch /
Model Number 71456 - Bought from
- Home Depot, Massachusetts
- Bought
- Oct 1, 2009
- Where
- Plymouth, Massachusetts: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Insinkerator, made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jun 7, 2011, published by CPSC Jul 14, 2011
The product, in the report: garbage disposal
The water leaks through the top of the garbage disposal and goes all the way down the motor department. The unit was orginally installed about 4 years and the failure has been occuring for a few months.
They attempted to press the reset button on the bottom of the garbage disposal and it worked for a short period of time (amount of time unknown). While opening the bottom cabinet door they noticed that the unit had began leaking water through the motor again.
The firm was contacted on 6/3/2011 and a report with the representative (name unknown) and was advised that the unit was no longer covered under a warranty and there wasnt anything that they would be willing to do. The garbage disposal was removed and placed in the garage. It has not been replaced with a replacement unit.
- Model
- 1-83
- Serial number
- 05061926148
- Bought from
- Lowes, Florida
- Bought
- May 15, 2006, about then
- Where
- Gainsville, Florida: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- made or sold by InSinkErator
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
-
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.