When things seem awry, experts suggest garbage disposal in the USA. A clogged garbage disposal can be due to myriad reasons. Let us give you some good news. While you wait for a plumber, you can fix it yourself.
The garbage disposal not turning on means it is probably jammed. It can also overheat. With the intention of resetting garbage disposal, you may damage it. However, it is vital to consider a few things we will reveal.

Remember, you should never reach your garbage disposal with your hands. So, let us delve into how to unclog a stalled garbage disposal. Before that, let us understand what an overloaded protector is.

So, let us dive in! Read this post until the end to eliminate a stalled garbage disposal issue.

We’re here to help. Read this post till the end, and you won’t complain about the stalled garbage disposal anymore.

Let us get started now!

Typical Issues Related to Stalled Garbage Disposal

Is your garbage disposal motor clogged? Or is the Garbage disposal (GD) not turning on when it should? Whatever the reason, we recommend you check the manual to avoid trouble.

Moreover, you can hear hearing sounds when it’s turned on. So, this may be due to a faulty motor. In truth, you can repair the motor. However, replacing the appliance can cost a lot, especially when it’s not under a warranty.

Further, the device can receive power even if it hums. In truth, it may not be operating correctly. Therefore, a stalled motor is causing such symptoms. After, you can free the flywheel and alleviate the problem. Further, you can unplug the unit and turn off its power. Instead, it would be best to be careful when dealing with jammed GD.

When Do You Need to Reset Your Garbage Disposal?

There are plenty of reasons why you should reset the garbage disposal.

In fact, sometimes the disposal does not visibly seem clogged. Instead, it looks calm and clear. So you won’t know if anything is stuck in it. This is a dangerous situation. Also, many disposals come with an Allen wrench. Given that, they contain a fitting below to accept it.

Now, the role of fitting is crucial. It allows you to spin it backward. After, it helps to free anything stuck in there. Therefore, in order to remove the obstruction, you need to reset the garbage disposal. Or you won’t be able to remove the obstructive material. Bang!

Wondering where you can find the garbage disposal reset button? It’s coming next!. However, the good news is that many garbage disposals have a reset. So, if it is filled overly, something can remain stuck. Hence, before you sustain damage, you need to find the reset button. Fast!!

Later, if it works properly, you may slowly put the garbage back in. Nevertheless, you must remain careful. Do not remove anything rock-solid that refuses to pass.

How to Reset Your Garbage Disposal?

Follow these steps to ensure a quicker garbage disposal:

Locate the Overload Protector: When you move on, locate the overload protector. See if it sticks out even if it’s half of an inch. Provided that, it’s time to reset it.

Step 1: Turn off the power to the garbage disposal

First, you should flip the switch off so that you can unplug the unit.

Step 2: Check for any visible blockages or jams

Further, you must check whether your eye can spot any blockages. With that said, any materials jammed inside may be visible. Lucky you! If you see them, you can take a wrench.

Step 3: Use a Hex Key or Allen Wrench to Rotate the Disposal blades Manually

In view of all this, get an Allen wrench or a hex key. So, if you have an Allen wrench, here’s what you will do.

At this time, go ahead and insert the wrench into the hole. You will find this hole with a hexagonal shape. Also, do not forget to look under the disposal unit. You may find it under it easily. So, usually, it is often found in the center. Simply insert it inside.

Step 4: Reset the circuit breaker or replace a blown fuse, if necessary

You heard it right. The words are self-explanatory. With the intention of unclogging, you must reset the circuit breaker. Alternatively, you can also replace a blown fuse inside. So, all these steps are necessary.

Step 5: Test the garbage disposal by turning on the power and running water through it

Surprisingly, the work is not over yet. There is something more to it all. Now, you can restore the power. It is the right time to turn the garbage disposal back. Turn it on. Plug it in. Given that, it may be working correctly.

Troubleshooting tips if the reset doesn’t work

You have tried to push the overloaded protector. But no need to frustrate yourself. If you have moved the protection twice, it may still slip out. So, it would be best if you kept it in. And make sure that it stays in. Otherwise, it won’t work.

Moreover, the garbage disposal could overheat. If you are sure this is the reason, well done. Surprisingly, you may not know something. There is a circuit that protects the unit. So, it may power itself off to prevent damage. Therefore, your best bet is to reset the course.

In order to reset the circuit, what can you do? Simple! Just locate the electrical panel inside the house. Also, it is usually gray. At this time, you may not want to think about anything else. Just locate the gray color panel. It is in the form of a metal box. And it can have a latched door.

After, find it and locate a switch responsible for powering the GD on. You may need to put it back to its original setting. It’s time to check the protector now. There is a chance the protector won’t reset.

In that case, you can repeat step five. It still may not go back in, which could be another issue. But that is the case of a plumber. Get a professional in that case to solve the problem. However, it is vital to get plumbing estimating services. That will ensure the costs of the plumbing project.

When to call a professional for help with your garbage disposal?

Living in the United States with a clogged garbage disposal can be overwhelming. Garbage disposal is a must-have commodity. You must prevent clogging. Also, if you maintain the garbage disposal, it will work for years.

Granted that your GD will work for years. However, it is crucial to know when you should get professional help. Sooner you get it, the better it is!

So, when this system breaks down, you need quick DIY repair. That is necessary to get things done. Now, see the following reasons for getting help with garbage disposal.

• The drain is gushing out. Watery!
• You don’t have a clue about do-it-yourself
• You ended up dropping something in it
• You only apply standard cleaning practices. So, they won’t work that well
• At this time, you cannot troubleshoot it yourself

Proper Maintenance Tips to Prevent Future Stalling Issues with Your Garbage Disposal

Pay Attention to Size and Quantity of Waste

Clearly, your garbage disposal is not like a miniature black hole. With that said, it can accept anything. Did you put anything into it? You’ll regret it.

You need to pay attention to what food you put in. Moreover, the quantity of food waste also counts. Hence, large items also need to be avoided. Even so, don’t try to shorten the larger pieces. Instead, make sure that your small pieces are slowly fed. So, ensure that you can avoid jamming it with food items. Hence, drain clogging is a direct result of your pouring food.

Use Plenty of Cold Water

When you are using the garbage disposal, run the cold water to help carry the food waste down into the blades and through the drain pipes. Do not use hot water, as the heat can melt fat and make it stick to the blades of the disposal. Continue to run cold water down the drain for about 10 to 20 seconds after you have fed food waste to the disposal. The continued flow of cold water is effective at forcing any remaining food particles down into the drain and flushing the pipes.

Clean the Garbage Disposal Every Two Weeks

Provided that, keeping the GD working correctly is in your hands. How? Firstly, you must avoid clogs. It involves regular cleaning. And it isn’t that tedious. Moreover, clean it every two weeks. Also, it depends on its usage frequency.

At this time, your priority is to remove debris. So, if you find stuck food items, here’s a trick. Do this!

With that said, you remove debris first. So, take a few ice cubes and rock salt. Also, you must run the disposal for about one minute. Hence, this will make debris fade away.

Besides, drain-dwelling bacteria are also an enemy. You must use vinegar and baking soda to get rid of it. Therefore, cleaning the interior with these things will remove debris. Furthermore, it will reduce the bad odor coming out of it.

Common misconceptions about garbage disposals and how to properly use them

But here are a few common misconceptions to avoid:

You can Sharpen the Blades of Garbage Disposal

A myth or what? If you think garbage disposals have blades you can sharpen, you must rethink. Instead, there is a system in removals that helps to spin the impeller. So, it spins quickly and grinds the waste in it.

In fact, such tools cannot sharpen. Instead, you rely on speed. Yes, speed helps to force the waste materials and food items through it. With that said, you should throw ice cubes into it. It can help to sharpen the blades.

Additionally, you should put the shells down at your disposal. In truth, it can further damage it. In fact, membranes in eggshells entangle badly. So, the impellers can sustain damage as particles make clogs. As a result, pipes block significantly.

Run Some Hot Water While Using Your Garbage Disposal

At this time, running hot water in garbage disposal is vital. So, we suggest doing it. Moreover, you should not insert any oils. Greasy things can remain in the drain. So, these things become solid over time. Hence, they can further lead to pipe blockages. So, they won’t do much damage in liquid form.

With that goal in mind, you should avoid more clogging. Instead, do not let them flow into the system. Secondly, a lot of food waste can make things worse.

Use Lemons as Garbage Disposal Cleaners Carefully

On the other hand, so you know something interesting. Let us reveal it to you. You can run limes through the GD system along with lemons.

While you run limes and lemons, your sink will improve. So, its working will enhance with lemons. Additionally, they will smell better. However, you cannot depend on them ultimately. If you want them to be clearer, forget them.

Even worse, you need to be careful. Hence, the citrus scent can be dangerous. With that said, it can mask the foul odors. So, when this happens, these odors can cause serious issues. Hence, your sink gives you a warning. Therefore, citric acid in fruits can also damage it.

If you Put Food Materials Through it, it is Fine

This is another myth. A misconception you cannot afford. Don’t believe it. If you can put food items through the GD, think twice.

Even so, GDs can accommodate a significant waste. However, you cannot take the liberty of believing it. So, they do have limitations. Hence, solid waste is hard, and it can damage it significantly. For instance, it includes eggshells and chicken or fish bones.

You cannot put any stringy objects into it. It’s a total myth, a lie. With that said, you cannot put corn husks into it. Moreover, it isn’t nice to put any banana peels. Since these things entangle in the impeller, they block ém. So, you’re the master of your drain. More items include potato peels. Owing to this, you must not clog it.

Given that, our super tip is as follows. Instead, you must smash the food waste into the trash can. So, don’t put it down the drain. Because of your care, small things you avoid can make a difference. Hence, it is in your hands to prevent undesirable damage.

The Final Word

An overloaded protector can be a pain point. That’s why it’s necessary to reset it and find a button. Usually, locating a red button would help if you had no hassle. However, if it is sticking out, the issue can be the jammed disposal. There is good news. You can unclog an overheated protector. Take safety measures, and don’t be afraid. You can follow our tips successfully to reset the projector. If it doesn’t work, you can fix it quickly with our easy-to-follow tips.