Garbage Disposal Jammed? How to Easily Unstick Your Kitchen Appliance

Is your garbage disposal humming but not actually grinding up food waste? Do you hear buzzing or rattling noises coming from under the sink? If your disposal seems jammed and isn't functioning properly, you've likely got some built up food debris stuck in there. But don't worry - with a few simple DIY methods, you can often unclog a jammed garbage disposal quickly and easily without calling a plumber.

We'll also cover when you may need to call in a professional plumber to deal with a persistently clogged disposal.

Why Your Garbage Disposal Gets Jammed

Garbage disposals are convenient appliances that shred up and wash away small bits of food waste so it doesn't clog up your drains. But over time, small pieces of food and even hard objects like fruit pits or silverware can get lodged in the grinding blades or chamber of the disposal.

This debris eventually builds up and prevents the blades from spinning properly, resulting in the motor revving but no actual grinding taking place. Some common causes of garbage disposal jams include:

• Large amounts of food waste or scraps put into the disposal at one time
• Hard materials like bones, corn cobs, silverware accidentally dropped down drain
• Grease or fat poured down the drain that coats the internal mechanism
• Fibrous foods like celery getting tangled in the blades

Over time, a persistent clog can lead to the disposal overheating, foul odors, or even water backing up from the clogged drain. Catching and unclogging a jam quickly can prevent further issues.

Signs of a Jammed Garbage Disposal

Here are some of the most common signs that your garbage disposal is jammed and needs to be unclogged:

• The disposal hums when turned on but the blades don't spin
• Water starts backing up in the sink when using the disposal
• You smell a burning odor coming from the unit
• The disposal makes loud buzzing, grinding or rattling noises

If you notice any of these symptoms, try the DIY unclogging methods below before calling a plumber.

Unjamming a Garbage Disposal - DIY Methods

In many cases, you can unclog a jammed garbage disposal yourself without the need for disassembly or calling in professional help. Here are several effective DIY methods you can try to clear debris and get your disposal grinding properly again:

Use a Sink Plunger

Plunging the drain like you would for a clogged sink or toilet can help dislodge some types of jams. To try this method:

1. Place a sink plunger firmly over the drain opening inside the sink
2. Plunge vigorously several times - the suction can help loosen debris stuck in disposal
3. Repeat several times using force to clear the clog

The vigorous suction of a plunger is often enough to pop loose stuck food waste or other debris.

Insert an Allen Wrench

Using an Allen wrench to manually rotate the grinding blades is another time-tested way to unclog a persistently jammed disposal. To do this:

1. Unplug the power cord to the garbage disposal first
2. Insert an Allen wrench of the right size into the hole on the bottom of the disposal unit
3. Turn back and forth to manually rotate the blades and force debris through

Give the wrench several turns in each direction to clear out anything stuck around the blades. This mimics the grinding action to dislodge stuck food waste.

Use a Wooden Spoon Handle

If you don't have an Allen wrench, a wooden spoon handle can work too. Just insert the wooden handle in the same way you would the wrench and turn back and forth to manually spin the blades.

Make sure to unplug the disposal first and never insert your fingers inside, as the blades are sharp.

Remove and Clean Blades

For stubborn jams around the blades, removing and cleaning the blades themselves may be needed. To do this:

1. Unplug the disposal and locate the bottom cover plate
2. Remove the plate to access the grinding blades
3. Carefully remove blades and clean off any debris
4. Replace blades and reattach bottom plate

Wear thick gloves when handling the sharp blades. Scrub off any residue stuck to the blades before replacing them.

Unclogging a Persistent Clog

If basic manual methods don't clear out a jam, a chemical approach may help break down a persistent clog:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

The combination of baking soda and vinegar causes a fizzing chemical reaction that can help dissolve gunk. To use it:

1. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain first
2. Follow with 1/2 cup vinegar - let the foaming reaction work 5-10 minutes
3. Run hot water to help flush the drain

The reaction breaks down debris, helping dislodge the clog when you flush with hot water.

Dish Soap and Hot Water

Dish soap helps dissolve and break up grease clogs. Try this:

1. Run very hot water and squirt a liberal amount of dish soap down the drain
2. Let sit for 15 minutes, then run more hot water

The soap will soften up grease and food buildup so it can wash down the drain.

Salt and Baking Soda

For a stronger chemical cleaning, mix up an abrasive paste:

1. Mix 1/2 cup salt with 1/4 cup baking soda in a bowl
2. Pour mixture down drain and let sit for 20 minutes
3. Pour 6 cups hot water down drain to help flush away gunk

The gritty salt and baking soda scrub the inside of the drain as the water flushes.

When to Call a Plumber

While many jams can be cleared with simple home methods, there are times when calling in a professional plumber is the best option:

Signs You Need a Plumber

• Bad smells persist even after attempts to unclog
• Leaks coming from around the unit
• Loud buzzing, grinding noise won't stop
• Tried the methods above with no results

• Motor is badly jammed and needs disassembling to clear clog
• Faulty wiring needs diagnosis and repair
• Blades are damaged and need replacing
• Entire garbage disposal needs replacing

Plumbers have specialized tools and expertise to fully diagnose issues and repair or replace parts in garbage disposals. They can disassemble jams, replace damaged components, and install new disposals as needed.

A persistently jammed or broken garbage disposal doesn't have to mean buying a whole new appliance. In many cases, a clogged unit just needs a good manual cleaning. Try these DIY unclogging methods first before calling in a pro. With some perseverance, you can often fix a jammed disposal yourself and save the hassle and expense of replacement.