Instructions for a Badger Garbage Disposal

Safety

• Don't put your hands or fingers into a garbage disposal, and before you attempt to clear any obstructions or press the reset button, turn the power off. If you're trying to retrieve something from the drain, use a long-handled tool such as pliers or a pair of tongs. Use tools that aren't magnetic if your disposal is magnetically activated.

  If you're trying to loosen something that's jammed in the disposal, use a broom handle, wooden spoon handle or the wrenchette. Because the disposal can eject materials, don't try to dispose of things such as glass, china, oyster or clam shells, whole bones, metal of any kind or hot liquids. Don't use drain cleaner or other caustic products in the unit. Use the sink where the disposal is located only for washing dishes and preparing food; you'll risk injuries if you use it for purposes such as washing hair or bathing babies.

  Replace the splash guard when it's worn to reduce the risk of food or liquids being thrown out of the disposal, and supervise the use of the disposal when children are nearby.

Disposal Operation

• For a garbage disposal with a continuous feed, turn the cold water on and use a forceful stream. Turn the disposal switch on to start the unit, and slowly put food into the disposer. Partially cover the opening with the stopper to reduce the risk of food being thrown back out of the unit. When finished, turn the switch off and let the water run for 15 seconds.

  On a disposal with a batch feed, the on/off switch is in the disposal itself and is controlled by the stopper. Take the stopper out of the sink and place food in the disposer, but avoid packing it tightly. Replace the stopper and turn the cold water on, using a forceful stream. Lift up the stopper about a quarter inch and turn it to all the way to the left or right until the unit starts. When the grinding is finished, lift up the stopper to turn the disposal off and let the water run for 15 seconds.

Dos and Don'ts

• Always turn the cold water on before running the unit, and let it run for 15 seconds after grinding is finished to clear the line. Grind things such as small bones, ice and fruit pits, because they help to scour the inside of the grinding chamber, and citrus peels, because they remove odors. Also use a cleaner made for disposals to control odors.

  Never pour grease into the disposal; t will block the pipes. Don't use hot water during grinding, although you can allow hot water to drain through the unit when it's not being used. Feed vegetable peels in slowly rather than placing a large amount of peels in the disposal, and don't put corn husks, artichokes or other very fibrous vegetable wastes into the disposal, because they can cause a blockage.

Cleaning

• If there's an odor coming from your disposal, it's probably due to food buildup and the unit needs to be cleaned. Turn the disposal switch off and disconnect the power. Using a scouring pad, reach into the opening and clean the splash guard and the inside lip of the grinding chamber. Put the stopper in the opening and half-fill the sink with warm water. Pour a quarter cup of baking soda into the water and mix it in. Reconnect the power to the disposal. Turn the unit on and remove the stopper to let the water wash away the food you loosened during cleaning.

  Cleaners made expressly for disposals are sold at hardware stores and home centers.