How to Unjam a Garbage Disposal: A Complete Guide
The key to unjamming a garbage disposal is to safely dislodge the obstruction using tools like tongs or an Allen wrench, after disconnecting the power supply to avoid injury. Prevention through proper usage is always best.
Introduction: The Unsung Hero of the Kitchen Sink
The garbage disposal, often overlooked, is a vital component of a modern kitchen. It efficiently grinds food waste, reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills and minimizing unpleasant odors. However, this convenient appliance isn’t invincible. Improper use can lead to jams, rendering it useless and potentially causing more significant plumbing problems. This comprehensive guide provides the knowledge and tools you need to safely and effectively unjam your garbage disposal, ensuring its longevity and your peace of mind.
Why Garbage Disposals Jam: Common Culprits
Garbage disposals are designed to handle soft food scraps, but certain items can easily cause them to seize up. Understanding these common culprits is the first step toward preventing future jams.
- Fibrous Foods: Celery stalks, corn husks, and asparagus can wrap around the impeller blades, causing a blockage.
- Starchy Foods: Pasta, rice, and potato peels expand when exposed to water, forming a sticky mass that can clog the drain and disposal.
- Grease and Oil: As grease cools, it solidifies and clings to the disposal’s walls and blades, trapping other debris.
- Hard Objects: Fruit pits, bones, eggshells (contrary to popular belief, they can sometimes cause problems), and silverware are common culprits for immediate jams.
- Non-Food Items: Paper towels, plastic, and other non-biodegradable materials should never be put in the disposal.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Unjamming Your Disposal
Here’s a detailed, safe approach to unjamming a garbage disposal:
- Safety First: Disconnect the Power. Turn off the disposal’s circuit breaker at the electrical panel. This crucial step prevents accidental activation while your hands are inside the disposal. Double-check that the power is off by flipping the disposal’s wall switch (if applicable).
- Inspect the Disposal Chamber. Use a flashlight to look inside the disposal chamber. Identify any visible obstructions, such as large bones or silverware.
- Remove Visible Obstructions. Using tongs or pliers (not your fingers!), carefully remove any visible obstructions. Avoid reaching deep into the disposal, even with the power off.
- The Allen Wrench Trick. Most disposals have a small hole on the bottom of the unit. Insert an Allen wrench (usually ¼ inch) into this hole. Rock the wrench back and forth to manually turn the motor shaft. This often dislodges whatever is jamming the blades.
- Flush with Cold Water. After manually turning the blades, run cold water into the disposal for a minute to flush out any loosened debris. Never use hot water at this stage, as it can solidify grease if that’s part of the problem.
- Reset the Overload Protector. Look for a small red reset button, typically located on the bottom of the disposal unit. Press this button to reset the motor’s overload protector.
- Test the Disposal. Turn the circuit breaker back on and run cold water. Turn on the disposal switch. If it still doesn’t work, repeat steps 4-7. If it continues to hum but doesn’t grind, it may need professional repair.
Preventing Future Jams: Best Practices
- Cut Food into Smaller Pieces: Smaller pieces are easier for the disposal to grind.
- Run Cold Water: Always run cold water while operating the disposal. The water helps to flush food particles down the drain and prevent clogs. Continue running the water for a few seconds after you turn the disposal off.
- Avoid Problematic Foods: As mentioned earlier, steer clear of fibrous foods, starchy foods, grease, and hard objects.
- Regular Cleaning: Clean the disposal regularly by grinding ice cubes with lemon or lime rinds. This helps to sharpen the blades and freshen the disposal.
- Proper Maintenance: Occasionally pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar into the disposal, followed by hot water, to clean the drainpipes and remove any lingering odors.
When to Call a Professional
While many jams can be resolved with the above steps, some situations require a professional plumber. Call a plumber if:
- The disposal continues to hum but doesn’t grind.
- The disposal is leaking.
- You suspect an electrical issue.
- You are uncomfortable working on the disposal yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Garbage Disposal Jams
Why is my garbage disposal humming but not grinding?
This usually indicates that something is jamming the impeller blades, preventing the motor from turning. This is a common symptom of a jam and usually requires manual intervention to dislodge the obstruction. Follow the steps outlined above to address this.
Can I use my fingers to remove the blockage?
Never use your fingers to remove obstructions from the disposal chamber. Even with the power off, there’s a risk of injury from sharp blades or accidentally activating the switch. Always use tongs or pliers.
What is that red reset button on the bottom of my disposal for?
The red reset button is a safety feature called the overload protector. It trips when the motor overheats due to a jam or excessive load, preventing damage to the motor. Pressing it resets the motor after the obstruction has been removed.
Will running hot water help clear a jam?
Hot water should generally be avoided when trying to clear a jam, as it can solidify grease and worsen the problem. Use cold water to flush out loosened debris.
Is it safe to put ice cubes in my garbage disposal?
Yes! Grinding ice cubes is a beneficial practice. The ice helps to sharpen the blades and dislodge built-up debris. Combine the ice with lemon or lime rinds for a refreshing scent.
What’s the best way to clean my garbage disposal?
A mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water, is an effective cleaning method. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for 30 minutes, then flush with hot water. This helps to dissolve grease and remove odors.
My garbage disposal smells bad. How can I get rid of the odor?
Besides the baking soda and vinegar method, citrus peels (lemon, lime, or orange) can freshen the disposal. Grind a few peels with cold water for a pleasant scent. Ensure all larger food particles are removed before doing this.
Can I put eggshells in my garbage disposal?
While there’s debate about this, eggshells can sometimes contribute to clogs. The membrane inside the shell can stick to the disposal’s walls and blades. It’s generally safer to compost them or dispose of them in the trash.
How often should I clean my garbage disposal?
Ideally, you should clean your garbage disposal at least once a month. More frequent cleaning may be necessary if you use it frequently or notice unpleasant odors.
The Allen wrench isn’t turning. What should I do?
If the Allen wrench isn’t turning, the obstruction may be tightly lodged. Apply gentle but firm pressure while rocking the wrench back and forth. You can also try adding a small amount of dish soap to help lubricate the blades. If it still won’t budge, consider calling a professional.
My disposal is making a loud grinding noise even when it’s empty. What could be the problem?
This could indicate worn-out or damaged blades. It’s important to investigate the cause of this noise, you can inspect the unit while it is turned off (and unplugged) for damage. Call a plumber or appliance repair technician to diagnose the issue and determine if the disposal needs to be repaired or replaced.
Will pouring drain cleaner down the disposal unclog it?
It’s generally not recommended to use chemical drain cleaners in a garbage disposal. The chemicals can damage the disposal’s components and may not effectively dissolve the blockage. Furthermore, drain cleaners can create dangerous fumes if they react with other substances in the drain. Stick to manual methods or call a plumber.