How to Fix a Binding Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals work by shredding kitchen scraps into pieces small enough to be washed down the drain. The electric motor turns the impeller, a circular flywheel attached to freely rotating flyweights, in the grind chamber. Centrifugal force pushes the food into a stationary shredder ring with sharp-edged slots which nibble away at the scraps until they're small enough to pass through the spaces in between. Overloading the disposal or putting fibrous waste into it can jam the mechanism by binding the impeller against the shredder ring. Follow this guideline to fix a jammed garbage disposal.

Hex key wrench
Broom handle or dowel

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the power off and then back on if the disposal is humming and not grinding as usual. The sudden impetus may be strong enough to break the jam.
- 2
  Reverse the direction that the impeller rotates if the unit has a blade direction switch. The switch would be located on the side or bottom of the garbage disposal.
- 3
  Turn the power off and wait a few moments to allow the motor to cool if the disposal has stopped completely. Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit and turn the water and the power on.
- 4
  Switch the disposal off and reach into the grind chamber with a pair of tongs. Remove the obstruction, usually between one or more of the flyweights and the shredder ring.
- 5
  
  Use an Allen wrench (hex key wrench) to manually rotate the motor with the power off. Most disposals have an Allen fitting at the base of the motor shaft, located on the bottom of the unit. Turn it in either direction, at least one full rotation.
- 6
  Turn the power off and put a broom handle or wood dowel into the grind chamber if the motor still will not turn. Use the broom handle as a lever to free the jammed hammers.

How to Replace a Badger 5 Garbage Disposal

What Can Go Down a Garbage Disposal?

Garbage Disposal