Garbage Disposal Jammed? How to Fix It Safely

You flip the garbage disposal switch and hear a low hum—but nothing grinds. Or worse, complete silence. A jammed garbage disposal is one of the most common kitchen plumbing problems, but it's usually fixable without a service call.

Here's how to safely unjam your disposal and prevent future problems.

Safety First

Garbage disposals contain sharp impellers and powerful motors. Before attempting any fix:

1. Never put your hand inside a running disposal — This seems obvious, but people do it
2. Always turn off the disposal — Both at the switch and at the circuit breaker
3. Use a flashlight — See what you're doing before reaching in
4. Use tools, not fingers — Even with power off, blades are sharp

Understanding How Disposals Work

Garbage disposals don't have "blades" like a blender. Instead:

• Impellers (metal lugs on a spinning plate) push food against a grind ring
• The grind ring shreds food into particles small enough to wash away
• Water flushes particles through your plumbing

Jams occur when something gets wedged between the impellers and the grind ring, preventing rotation.

Common Causes of Jams

Fibrous Foods

Stringy materials wrap around impellers:

• Celery stalks
• Corn husks
• Artichoke leaves
• Banana peels
• Onion skins
• Asparagus

Hard Objects

Items that shouldn't go in:

• Fruit pits (peach, avocado)
• Bones (chicken, fish)
• Silverware (the classic jam cause)
• Broken glass
• Bottle caps
• Twist ties

Grease and Starch Buildup

Over time, grease and starch create a gummy coating that slows and eventually stops rotation:

• Cooking oils and fats
• Pasta and rice residue
• Potato peels (starchy and slimy)

Non-Food Items

Things that accidentally fall in:

• Sponges
• Jar lids
• Small utensils
• Twist ties
• Rubber bands

Step-by-Step: Unjamming Your Disposal

Method 1: The Allen Wrench Reset

Most disposals have a hex socket at the bottom for manual rotation:

1. Turn off the disposal at the switch and circuit breaker
2. Locate the hex socket at the bottom center of the unit (under the sink)
3. Insert a 1/4" Allen wrench (many disposals include one; check the cabinet)
4. Rotate back and forth until the motor moves freely
5. Remove any dislodged debris from inside (with power still off)
6. Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit
7. Restore power and test

If you don't have an Allen wrench: A disposal wrench or a wooden broom handle inserted from above can rotate the impellers, but the Allen wrench method is safer and more effective.

Method 2: The Broomstick Method

If you can't access the bottom or don't have an Allen wrench:

1. Turn off the disposal at the switch and breaker
2. Use a flashlight to look inside and locate the jam
3. Insert a wooden broom handle into the disposal
4. Push against the impellers to rotate them (never use anything metal that could break)
5. Work back and forth until movement frees
6. Remove visible debris with tongs or pliers (never fingers)
7. Press the reset button
8. Test operation

Method 3: Removing Visible Obstructions

Sometimes you can see what's causing the jam:

1. Turn off power completely (switch and breaker)
2. Use a flashlight to identify the obstruction
3. Use needle-nose pliers or tongs to extract the object
4. Never use your fingers — impeller edges are sharp
5. Remove all visible debris
6. Press reset and test

What If It Still Won't Work?

Check the Reset Button

Jams cause the motor to overheat and trip the thermal overload. The red reset button on the bottom pops out when this happens.

• Wait 5 minutes for the motor to cool
• Press the reset button firmly until it clicks and stays in
• Try operating the disposal

Check the Circuit Breaker

If pressing reset doesn't work:

• Check your electrical panel
• Look for a tripped breaker labeled "disposal" or "kitchen"
• Reset if tripped

Listen for Clues

When you flip the switch:

• Humming but not spinning: Motor works, but something is jammed
• Complete silence: Electrical issue (breaker, switch, reset) or motor failure
• Grinding then stopping: Partial jam or weak motor
• Normal sound but nothing happens: Impellers broken or flywheel damaged

When to Call a Professional

Contact an appliance repair technician if:

1. The motor hums but won't turn even after using the Allen wrench method
2. The reset button keeps popping (motor overheating repeatedly)
3. You smell burning from the unit
4. Water leaks from the unit (seals may be damaged)
5. The disposal is very old (internal components wear out)
6. You're not comfortable with electrical troubleshooting

Preventing Future Jams

The Right Way to Use a Disposal

Do:

• Run cold water before, during, and after grinding
• Feed waste gradually (not all at once)
• Let the disposal run until grinding stops
• Continue water flow for 15 seconds after grinding stops
• Clean periodically with ice cubes and citrus peels

Don't:

• Stuff large quantities at once
• Grind fibrous foods (compost them instead)
• Pour grease down the disposal
• Grind expandable foods (rice, pasta) in quantity
• Run without water
• Put non-food items in

What Should Never Go In

Keep these out completely:

• Glass, metal, or plastic
• Bones (small fish bones occasionally are okay)
• Fruit pits
• Coffee grounds (in quantity)
• Eggshells (despite the myth, they don't sharpen blades)
• Grease, oils, and fats
• Potato peels in quantity
• Pasta and rice in quantity

Monthly Maintenance

Keep your disposal fresh and functional:

1. Ice cube cleaning: Grind a tray of ice cubes monthly to clear debris
2. Citrus freshening: Grind lemon or orange peels for odor control
3. Flush with water: Periodically run water for several minutes with disposal off to clear the drain line
4. Avoid chemical cleaners: They can damage seals and components

Disposal Lifespan and Replacement

Garbage disposals typically last 8-15 years depending on:

• Brand quality (InSinkErator and Waste King are industry leaders)
• Usage frequency
• What you put in them
• Water quality

Signs it's time to replace:

• Persistent jams despite proper use
• Constant resetting needed
• Leaks from the unit body
• Grinding efficiency has decreased significantly
• Unit is 10+ years old with issues

Garbage Disposal Service in Metro Atlanta

If your garbage disposal is jammed and the DIY methods haven't worked—or if you'd rather have a professional handle it—Appliance Dean provides prompt disposal repair throughout Metro Atlanta.

We can also recommend and install replacement units when repair isn't cost-effective.

Call (404) 671-9117 or schedule service online to get your kitchen sink working again.