Garbage Disposal not working

DEKE01 · #1 04/02/14, 12:21 PM

I don't know nuttin bout garbage disposals. This one runs, but isn't grinding anything, not even soft cooked vegetables. Is there any sort of easy fix?

KIT.S · #2 04/02/14, 12:24 PM

I don't know your specific problem, but ours would get stuck. I kept the correct size of allen wrench on top of the machine so that I could fit it into the hole in the center bottom and turn it backwards. That would release whatever was holding the blades, and it would go just fine after that.
If that doesn't work, call your son. That's what I do....
Kit

newfieannie · #3 04/02/14, 12:30 PM

same as Kit said. I had one in the condo and periodically stuff would get stuck. it was an easy fix. ~Georgia

Brighton · #4 04/02/14, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEKE01

I don't know nuttin bout garbage disposals. This one runs, but isn't grinding anything, not even soft cooked vegetables. Is there any sort of easy fix?

Stop using it and compost your plate scrapings!!

#5 04/02/14, 01:08 PM

If it's running & not grinding it's probably a problem with the blades down inside it . Either broken or possibly stuck , they're supposed to swivel .
Sometimes things get stuck inside & the motor will hum but not run . Is it actually running or is it humming ?

DEKE01 · #6 04/02/14, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brighton

Stop using it and compost your plate scrapings!!

A valid point...usually. I am an avid composter, you can see some of my huge farm piles in the extreme composting thread. But this house is going on the market in a couple of months so I quit composting in order to clean up the backyard. I'm on a tiny suburban lot, the HOA doesn't allow compost bins, so I trench composted. Now I've planted those trenches. I hate to leave that perfect soil behind.

So now you have to fix my disposal for me.

Brighton · #7 04/02/14, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEKE01

So now you have to fix my disposal for me.

I learned how to replace a sump pump via YouTube videos, you might start there, just a general search on "disposal stopped working", and see what you find.

simi-steading · #8 04/02/14, 01:43 PM

Buy a pig.. when it quits working you can eat it and get another..

DEKE01 · #9 04/03/14, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

Buy a pig.. when it quits working you can eat it and get another..

I'm in Fairfax, the chance of me legally having a pig is about the same as it is for you in Alexandria. And if the HOA won't allow compost bins, I don't think I need to ask about a mobile compost processing unit.

Glacialtill · #10 04/03/14, 07:50 AM

It's probably just jammed. Try the trick with the allen wrench. It's a standard size, some units come with the allen wrench. The slot is underneath the disposal. Just work it back and forth about a quarter turn. Run the water and hit the switch. This usually solves the problem. If it does, run some ice cubes through it to clean the grinders.

PrettyPaisley · #11 04/03/14, 08:28 AM

IDK. I grew up always having a disposal but when I met SO there wasn't one in the house. I insisted we put one in and we had nothing but trouble for several years. I finally gave up on trying to teach SO to use it so we had it taken out.

Years later and I can't imagine having one again. Of course I understand that it's not always an option to go without but man, I much prefer having a pig to a disposal!

buffalocreek · #12 04/03/14, 10:41 AM

A plumber friend of mine once said a garbage disposer was a plumber's best friend.

SteveD(TX) · #13 04/03/14, 10:48 AM

Most disposers are underpowered for the amount of use they get. I replaced mine with a heavy duty model and no more problems. If it stops running, some also have a reset button.

TripleD · #14 04/03/14, 10:51 AM

I put cabbage leaves in mine once. It blew cole slaw out in the cabinet. I took it out after that.

irondale · #15 04/03/14, 10:52 AM

You can also take off the disposal from underneath the sink to remove anything that is stuck. It is pretty simple and won't take long.

Oggie · #16 04/03/14, 10:58 AM

I think that DEKE01 said that the house is going on the market, soon, and that's why he needs to get the disposal fixed.

A broken disposal probably isn't going to help with a sale.

So, if it isn't just jammed, and that's pretty easy to determine by putting a hex wrench in the slot in the bottom of the motor housing and manually twisting the drive shaft back and forth, it would probably be easier to replace the unit with a fairly inexpensive one.

It could be a bit more difficult, plumbing wise, (although probably a little less expensive) to replace the disposal unit with a standard drain.

If a new disposal that uses the existing plumbing setup can be found, the plumbing part of the work is pretty straight-forward.

simi-steading · #17 04/03/14, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEKE01

I'm in Fairfax, the chance of me legally having a pig is about the same as it is for you in Alexandria. And if the HOA won't allow compost bins, I don't think I need to ask about a mobile compost processing unit.

Ah.. .I didn't know you were in Fairfax.. Howdy neighbor..

Yeah.. My HOA wouldn't be real happy with me if I had a pig either. They've not been so happy with me a couple times without even owning a pig... Did I ever mention I DESPISE HOA's? I didn't have much choice when we moved here.. most places were under HOA...

So I bought a farm, and even though I'm not living there at the monet.. I own a pig

Gonna eat him in a couple weeks..

manfred · #18 04/03/14, 01:21 PM

Please dont stick your hand in there!

CountryWannabe · #19 04/03/14, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

Buy a pig.. when it quits working you can eat it and get another..

LOL. We always called our disposal "The Electric Pig"

Mary

jen74145 · #20 04/03/14, 01:39 PM

Do you have a dishwasher?

If you do, the overflow valve sometimes gets filled with gunk when this happens with mine. Might want to take off the cover and check it out if you do.