How to Fix a Food Disposal

Food, or garbage, disposals, which are installed underneath kitchen sinks, chop up foodstuffs prior to running them down the drain. Additionally, the dishwasher may drain into the disposal. Inside the disposal, an impeller moves the food toward shredders along the side. The shredders chop the food into small enough particles so as not to harm the drainage and plumbing systems. But fibrous and large food items may clog and jam the disposal. In this case, you must clear the jam to get it working again. Also, a burnt fuse or circuit breaker may cause the unit to stop working.

Tongs
Fuse
Allen wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the unit.
- 2
  Feel for the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and depress it.
- 3
  Plug it back in and turn it on.
- 4
  Listen to the sound produced. If the disposal makes a humming sound, turn it off. It may be jammed.
- 5
  Remove the obstruction with tongs. Then, turn the knob on the bottom of the disposal to force the jam clear. The knob may require a special tool that came with the disposal or an Allen wrench.
- 6
  Unplug it and check the fuse and circuit breaker if the disposal makes no sound at all. Reset the breaker if it's tripped or replace the fuse if it's damaged, and test the disposal again. If the electricity is reaching the outlet and the disposal emits no sound, the motor has blown and the entire unit must be replaced.

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