Absolutely. I’m Surprised it isn’t already rusted out well before now.

I'm betting the plumber will discover that the seals are shot and the parts no longer available. This is what happened to us when we redid out kitchen. So, I now have a new disposal!

I re-used a 5 yr old disposal (and 8 yr old range & 5 yr old dishwasher) with no problem in my remodel this year. But any appliance that is old enough to vote deserves a retirement, IMO.

Yes, I'd replace it. We had a 10 year old insinkerator which was still going strong but chose to retire it as well. Even lightly used, things just get too old to rely on. 5 years old and I'd keep it, but I think yours needs to retire : )

Why send a perfectly good piece of machinery to the landfill and replace it with a modern piece of junk?

Save the money and replace it later if you ever you need to, disposals are straight forward to change out.

https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/how-to-replace-a-garbage-disposal/

yes, at 19 years old it's reasonable to replace it.
Usually by that age the grinding ring is so dull that they don't work effectively.
Also, I usually see corrosion on the body of a ISE unit that old.

Insinkerators don't have blades.

http://blog.insinkerator.com/garbage-disposal-works/

Edited to say grinding ring. I know how an Insinkerator works, I've replaced hundreds of them - but I didn't expect to get called out on the terminology.

The point is that they get dull and don't grind very well.

Called a big plumbing supply and was set to order a new one. The replacement model for mine is a little under $500. Talked to the salesperson and interestingly enough he said if it's not broken why replace it? So I'm still conflicted.

How--exactly--is this a Design Dilemma?

Shop around. A 3/4 HP InSinkerator is $229 at Lowe's.

You didn't say what model you are looking at for the replacement (as an aside, it should be a 3/4 hp or 1 hp model, not lower), but as Sushipup just suggested, most people buy the Insinkerators at HD or Lowes, or online on Amazon, Build dot com, or one of the other Authorized Insinkerator retailers. Otherwise, be careful if the price is too low, those might be seconds.

Edited to add: I just looked up the Insinkerator Pro 77 that you have. It is no longer made, but it looks like it was a 1 hp model. Those were built to last, much moreso than the lower-level models of Insinkerator. If you decide you want to replace, the current 1 hp model is linked below. I think the biggest difference you will see is that the new disposal is quieter.

Insinkerator Website Where to Buy

Insinkerator Excel 1 hp disposal

Look at the Pros and Cons for replacing.

Cons:
Cost
Waste of resources
Addition to landfill
May not last as long as an older model that was built to last
You can always replace it later if it does stop working

Pros:
Positive feedback from random people in an online forum
Economic profit for the manufacturer, salesperson, plumber
May last longer than an older model
eta: May be quieter
Labor may be less expensive as part of the project

Your choice.

It's an ISE garbage disposal! It's $200 at big box for a decent one. It's about 40 minutes to replace. This just isn't that deep. You are replacing the sink - so even the labor isn't an issue - it's 6 of one half a dozen of the other.

I can't imagine anyone needing a 1 HP residential garbage disposal.

Every time I've gotten into a "re-use the garbage disposal" - usually when replacing a dishwasher - it's turned into replacing the garbage disposal. Every time.

Again, the grinding ring becomes dull, and / or the case corrodes - particularly where the dishwasher connects. Both of those things are age - rather than usage -- issues.

IMO garbage disposals should be out lawed recycling in all its form should be the norm for everyone we have enough garbage going into our water systems without sending totally compostable items down the drain. So no I would not replace it. If you live in an apartment you might not have a choice but in a home you certainly do and your plants will love you for it.

Some new garbage disposals are shallow enough that you can't miss teaspoons down them any more. If that's been a problem for you, you'll know what your damaged teaspoons cost to replace.

Actually garbage disposal are super simple to replace.

Cost variances are usually:
* how quiet is it
* can you put an entire chicken (with bones) through it? But don't do this. If you nned more infor on prices, you should visit this website