Garbage Disposal Issues

Does Not Grind

• Several reasons exist as to why a garbage disposal might not grind food. If you turn the disposal on and don't hear a humming noise, you have a problem with the power supply, which may be caused by a blown fuse or the disposal may not be plugged into the wall outlet. The appliance could also have a blown motor that needs to be replaced. If you turn on the disposal and hear a humming sound but it isn't grinding the food, you know that the power is connected. The blade may be jammed or clogged by foods that aren't supposed to be used in the disposal. The starch from potato skins can build up and stick around the blades, causing them to jam. Stringy foods, like banana peels and celery, can wrap around the blade and cause a jam. Avoid adding starchy foods, like pasta and potatoes, or any fibrous foods to the disposal.

Grinds Slowly

• Sometimes the garbage disposal may grind food slowly or struggle to grind the food, which may be because there isn't enough water flowing in the disposal. Always turn the water up high when running the disposal to see if that helps. The problem could also be the result of too much volume being added to the disposal at once. If you don't have a self-feeding garbage disposal, add food scraps to the disposal one handful at a time, and let the blades grind all of it before adding more. The disposal will have to work harder and may grind food slower if you add things that aren't supposed to go in the disposal. Adding starchy foods, fibrous foods or bones are sure to slow down the disposal, which could also be a sign of a defective motor.

Dull Blades

• If the blades of your garbage disposal aren't kept sharp, the appliance can't grind the food as small or will have to work harder to cut the food into smaller pieces. Blades normally will dull over time from grinding various foods. A glass of ice is all that's needed to sharpen the blades like new. Simply run cold water in the sink, and turn on the garbage disposal. Dump a glass of ice cubes down the disposal for the blades to grind. The blades are sharpened as they pulverize the ice. As an added bonus, the ice helps to clean the inside of the garbage disposal and free it from stuck-on debris.

Odor

• Garbage disposals become smelly over time because specks of food are left on the inside. To combat the odor, first grind ice or small bones in the garbage disposal to break food particles loose from the sides and from around the blades. Cut a lemon into quarters, and grind it in the disposal to clean the inside and leave it smelling lemon fresh. You can also deodorize it by sprinkling baking soda inside. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that will scrub the inside while also absorbing the odors. Vinegar is another natural choice that can be used to deodorize and disinfect the garbage disposal.

Leaks Water

• You have a few things to check if you notice a leak around your garbage disposal, which could be because the drain connection to the dishwasher has eroded and needs to be replaced. Seals around the disposal or the drain may be deteriorated, or one of the plumbing connections is loose. To troubleshoot water leakage, first tighten the clamps and bolts at the joints that connect the garbage disposal and the drainpipe or the hopper and the shredder housing. If tightening doesn't work, you can apply plumber's putty under the flange. Gaskets may need to be replaced at other joints.