Uber practical question: How to restart a garbage disposer?

MTHall720

MTHall720

Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
2,957
Never thought I would ask something like this here, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to get ideas. First time this has happened. Garbage disposer locked up. Can't find anything jamming it. Did all the usual including pressing the reset button, check for jams (don't see anything). Flipped the switch, reset breaker. Now, just in case there is a clog I can't see don't know if it would be a good idea or a bad idea to try putting some liquid plumber or Drano in the sink, followed later by some boiling water.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks everyone.
 
Can you spin the grinder head with a wooden spoon or something when the switch is off? It should free wheel if everything is ok.--KV
 
Allen wrench in the bottom and give it a good spin. Then reset everything. If there is not a spot for the allen use a broom stick and spin the blades. Might be a piece of glass or steel shot in there. Still nothing? Smack it like a first date. Still nothing? get a new one.
 
I will try with a broom handle when I get home. Thanks for the advice. When I tried flipping the switch after pressing the reset button it made a sound but nothing happened.
 
Thanks very much. Just came home for lunch and tried the broom handle to turn the blades. Now it is working, but sounds like there is something metallic in there but I swear I cant see anything stuck. Sounds like silverware but not sure. Did pull out some bad looking stuff though.
 
MTHall720 said:
Thanks very much. Just came home for lunch and tried the broom handle to turn the blades. Now it is working, but sounds like there is something metallic in there but I swear I cant see anything stuck. Sounds like silverware but not sure. Did pull out some bad looking stuff though.
Click to expand...

could be something small under the blades or the blades could be lose.

I had the troublew with mine making a whirring noise but the blades not starting up until I would spin it with an allen wrench at the bottom. I ended up having to replace it.
 
Unplug the unit, use the broom handle if it will rotate the disposer backwards otherwise try the allen wrench, turn it back ward just a little, look for what is stopping it
wiggle it back and forth until all foreign material is removed, then plug it back in and with your face well out of the way, or wearing a face shield turn it on, Rinse repeat if it does not work the first time. Get every thing out that you can, leave it in the back position and give it a whirl.

Good Luck, please be careful,
 
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