Locked solid garbage disposal

[gerti]

Yesterday I tried to use our garbage disposal (just a piece of asparagus) and all that happened was a hum and the lights dimmed a tad. Turned it of immediately, thinking something was jammed in there.

Today with good light I had a closer look: no visible obstructions. I used a stick trying to see if I can rotate it, but it is locked solid like a rock.

We use the disposal rarely, maybe a couple of times a month. It is probably 20 years old, if not older.

Is there something worth trying, or is it a lost case and I should just replace it?

Thanks

Gerd

[DaveStL]

We use the disposal rarely, maybe a couple of times a month. It is probably 20 years old, if not older.

Had this same thing happen 20+ years ago. Found out there's a place on the bottom of the disposal for an allen wrench-- you can probably turn it with that. Since then we make sure to run our disposal briefly every day.

Running hot water through it might help (like using a torch to free seized bolt).

[Tom Slick]

try the allen wrench in the bottom.
if that doesn't work, you'll be amazed at how much quieter the new disposals are.

[Popeye]

Mine has a hexhead bolt to secure the cutter. Access is straight down the drain hole. Takes a 6" extension and socket to get on it.
This has happened to mine a number of times also, no big deal. Either the allen or the socket ought to fix you up. Pat

[IBBugsy]

Good advice above. Soft foods can become wedged under the blades and jam them.

[mschrank]

Once you get it un-jammed, there might also be a reset button on the bottom you'll need to push to make it run again.

[gerti]

Thanks everybody. Allen wrench in the bottom broke it loose (maybe to literally, see below), found the reset button also. Hums different, I can see it try to move. An hour later I noticed everything under the sink was wet :-( The water is actually running through the housing, not just a little leak from breaking loose the plumbers putty.

Guess I'll be installing a new one tomorrow.

Thanks everybody for the tips!

[Tom Slick]

spend a little extra and get an insulated model. you can't hardly hear them running.

[Greg.B]

Spray some WD-40 down there..lol....

I always think when my wife pours oily stuff down there, it has to be good for the disposal.

[crokett]

If you have a dishwasher hookup for the new one, don't forget to take the plug out before you connect the dishwasher.

[gerti]

Thanks everybody. Got a new one today, some stainless Kenmore on sale at Sears. Took a bit of persuasion to get by the drainpipe due to slightly different dimensions, but went in fine. I did remember to knock out the plug for the dishwasher! Runs fine, no leaks so far.

Thanks again

Gerd

[parnelli]

Also- while it's not usually a big deal, anything fibrous like asparagus isn't supposed to be put down a garbage disposal b/c they have a tendency to clog them.

[Stytooner]

Asparagus, celery, shrimp hulls, boiled potato peels and juice from the Gulf of Mexico are all bad things for a disposal. I have seen them rust out in less than two years. You would think they would make them out of something a bit more durable, but then they wouldn't sell as many.