How To Free a Stuck Garbage Disposal.

By Chrisjob

Our garbage disposal jams at least three or four times a month...partially because my wife tries to overextend it, and partially because it sucks. So last time, I ask the maintance man to show me how to do fix it so they wouldn't have to come so often. He refused, citing some legal ramifications. So I told him no thanks, and that I'd just figure it out myself.

So, I did.

Materials:
    Kitchen Tongs
    Flashlight
    1/4” Allen wrench (hex key)

1. First, use the flashlight to peer inside the disposal, and see if there are any large objects that might be lodged.
2. If unsuccessful, turn off the power to your kitchen at the fuse box. Slide under the disposal, and locate the hole in the center of the underside of the disposal. Insert a 1/4” Allen wrench into the hole, and rotate it in both directions. It will become unstuck, and eventually, you’ll be able to turn it in both directions.

3. Now, use the flashlight and tongs to remove the dislodged yuckiness and dispose.
4. Turn the power back on, and press the reset button on the bottom of the disposal, if you have one.
5. Turn on the water to flush, and then run the disposal for 5-10 seconds.

** Remember, most anything that can be disposed can also be composted.

Now, do a round of this and rid yourself of the leftover scent.

[In-sink-Erator photo from TheRealNickJones.com]

Tagged:
garbage_disposal disposal sink drain kitchen fix how-to

Did you like this article?

July 26, 2007

3 comments | 2639 views |

Chrisjob's blog (736 posts)

Featured Writer
Subscribe to this blog
Member since: 01/22/07
About: Feel free to have a peek at my website: ChrisMGardner.com

More by Chrisjob

Comments

» All comments

stickmop

August 25, 2007

I compost everything and don't have this problem anymore, but if your disposal gets stuck, take a stick (like a broomstick) and cram it in the disposal (power off, please). Twist it around and often that will break free the strikers in the interior of the disposal where the food particles or bone has wedged them against the side of the unit. Much easier than crawling around under the sink trying to get the hex key in the little hole on the bottom of the unit and turning it.

Caya123

July 26, 2007

I never understand why they don't make garbage disposals that actually dispose of garbage. Why don't they just put a Blendtec under the sink, and route the resultant mush out? That's what I really want. I want to stuff chicken bones, and every single food-related item I can think of, down my disposal. I don't need this wimpy stuff. We don't have a disposal, and I wouldn't bother either. I'd just compost. (Although I don't bother with compost either, because I can't garden thanks to our 50-ft trees shading everything.)

tmgeorgo

July 26, 2007

I got tired of our disposal and took it out. I can honestly say that we don't miss it a single bit either. All of the vegetable peelings go into the compost bin and we have a lot more room under the sink to store things.