How to Remove Clogs From a Garbage Disposal

Turn the garbage disposal switch off. Also turn the power to the garbage disposal off at the breaker box. Only turn the electricity back on when you know your hands are safely away from the disposal blades.

Shine the flashlight into the disposal unit to see if you can identify what the clog is. If you see what the problem is, reach into the garbage disposal with the tongs and remove the object. If that doesn't solve the problem, move on to the next step.

Try to turn the blades of the garbage disposal manually to loosen the clog. Most garbage disposals come with a special tool to use to free up the disposal. If not an allen wrench should work. Place the tool in the opening in the bottom of the disposal and turn the blades until they are free.

Reset an overheated garbage disposal. Give the unit a few minutes to cool down. Push the red reset button on the disposal. Turn the electricity back on and see if this fixes the problem.

Clean the garbage disposal and prevent clogs. Periodically run ice cubes through the disposal to keep everything clean. If you run grease down the disposal drain, run some hot water through the drain to melt the grease and to move it on out of the disposal.