How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal

As you figure out how to fix a clogged garbage disposal, it might be helpful to know a little more about how it works. Installed underneath your sink, a garbage disposal takes in solid food waste. You might think that the disposal chops up the food, but that’s not the case.

Two impellers on a spinning ring throw food against a stationary grinding ring inside the disposal. The impellers are sometimes called blades, though they are not sharp. The grinding ring breaks the food into tiny pieces, making it nearly liquid.

Running water washes the ground food out of the disposal.
Only run cold water into your disposal. If there are fats and oils stuck in the garbage disposal, hot water can break them down and create clogs.

When you don’t use enough water while the disposal is running, the drainpipe can get backed up. Dropping something into your garbage disposal by accident can also clog it. Putting food into the disposal too quickly can block it, too.

When your disposal isn’t working correctly, you should try to fix it right away. If you run the motor without unclogging a garbage disposal, you can burn it out.

Tools:

• Hex Wrench (Allen Wrench)
• Adjustable Wrench
• Pliers (needle-nose and regular)
• Screwdrivers (flat-head and Phillips-head)
• Plumber's Putty
• Bucket
• Pipe Wrench
• Plumber's Tape (Teflon Tape)
• Safety Gloves and Goggles
• Flashlight
• Multimeter
• Replacement Parts

Materials:

• Baking Soda
• Vinegar

Knowing how to unclog a garbage disposal starts with these steps:

• Safety First: Turn off the garbage disposal and unplug it or switch off the circuit breaker to ensure it won't accidentally turn on while you're working.
• Identify the Issue: Try to determine what's causing the clog. Was it a specific food item, grease buildup, or something else?
• Use a Hex Wrench: Insert a hex wrench into the bottom center of the disposal and manually rotate the blades to help break up the clog.
• Check for Visible Obstructions: Look inside the disposal with a flashlight to see if you can spot any obvious objects or blockages. Use tongs or pliers to safely remove them.
• Pour Boiling Water: Carefully pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to help dissolve grease and flush out smaller food particles.
• Baking Soda and Vinegar: Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar and pour it down the drain. Let it sit for a few minutes to fizz and break down the clog.
• Use a Plunger: If the clog persists, use a sink plunger to create suction and attempt to dislodge the blockage. Make sure to cover the entire drain opening.
• Rotate the Blades Again: After attempting to clear the clog with these methods, use the hex wrench again to manually rotate the blades and check if the clog has been cleared.
• Reset the Disposal: If the disposal has a reset button, press it to reset the unit. Then, turn the power back on at the circuit breaker.
• Run Cold Water: With the disposal turned on, run cold water down the drain for a few minutes to help flush out any remaining debris and ensure everything is flowing smoothly.
• Test the Disposal: Finally, test the garbage disposal by running it with water to make sure it's working properly and the clog is completely cleared.

• Food Particles: Large food particles like celery, potato and banana peels and pasta, can get tangled in the blades.
• Grease and Oil: Pouring cooking grease or oil down the disposal can solidify and create blockages over time.
• Hard Objects: Avoid hard materials like chicken bones and fruit pits that can jam the disposal and damage the blades.
• Eggshells: This is a common way that garbage disposals get clogged due to the thin membrane inside eggshells that can wrap around the blades.
• Non-Food Items: Accidentally dropping items like bottle caps or small utensils can cause an obstruction.
• Lack of Water: Not using enough water when running the disposal can fail to flush out waste effectively.
• Old Disposal: The blades of the disposal can become dull or corroded over time, reducing their efficiency and leading to clogs.
• Improper Installation: If the garbage disposal was not installed correctly, it can lead to misalignment, leaks and clogs.
• Worn Out Components: Gaskets, seals, or other internal parts that are worn out or damaged can cause leaks and contribute to clogs.

• Turn off the power. Check the bottom of the garbage disposal unit. Find the reset button and press it, then turn on the power to test it.
• If the disposal is still stuck, turn the power back off. Insert a 1/4-inch Allen wrench into the hex socket on the bottom.
• The socket is connected to the impellers. Using the hex key, turn the impellers in both directions to free them up.
• Do not try to loosen any nuts or bolts inside the grinding chamber, as they hold the unit together.
• Turn the power back on and try again.

Tip: Some companies make oversize jam-busting Allen wrench tools specifically designed for garbage disposals.

As you learn how to unclog a garbage disposal, you’ll realize that it can’t handle all your food waste. Being careful about what you put into the disposal can help prevent clogs.

• Avoid putting corn cobs, artichokes, avocado pits, chicken bones and fish bones into your garbage disposal.
• Don’t grind up eggshells or coffee grounds. When these materials go through a garbage disposal, they are turned into tiny pieces of debris that can easily get caught on anything else in the pipe. As the particles of ground shells or coffee accumulate, they can cause a clog.
• Putting potato peels into your garbage disposal is like filling it with mashed potatoes. The starch in the ground-up skins cause a clog that can easily stop things up.
• Don’t slip any banana peels down your disposal. These starchy skins can cause the same issue that potato skins do.
• Never pour grease or liquid fat into your garbage disposal. As these fats solidify, they clump up and block the flow of food and water.
• Read the instruction manual that came with your garbage disposal to find a specific list of what you can and can’t put into it.