Turn off the power before you touch anything

The first and most important step is to cut power to the disposal. Do not reach into the chamber while the unit is plugged in or switched on. Even if the motor is not running, the blades can spin unexpectedly if someone flips the switch while your hand is inside.

If your disposal is hardwired (connected directly to the electrical circuit rather than plugged into an outlet), go to your home's breaker panel and switch off the breaker labeled for the kitchen or garbage disposal. If it is plugged in under the sink, unplug it from the outlet. Leave the power off until you have finished clearing the jam and tested the disposal.

Key Takeaways

  • Always turn off power at the breaker or unplug the disposal before putting your hand near the blades.
  • Use a flashlight to see what is stuck, and remove it with tongs or pliers rather than your fingers.
  • If the jam is deep in the chamber, use the hex wrench that came with your disposal to manually turn the motor shaft and dislodge the blockage.
  • Run cold water and test the disposal on low speed before assuming the jam is cleared.
  • If the motor hums but the blades do not turn, or if you cannot reach the jam, call a plumber rather than force the motor.

Look inside with a flashlight and remove what you can see

Once power is off, shine a flashlight down into the disposal chamber. You are looking for food scraps, bones, fruit pits, fibrous material like celery or corn husks, or non-food items like utensils or glass that may have fallen in. Many jams are caused by a single piece of food wedged between the blades or against the chamber wall.

If you can see the object, use needle-nose pliers or kitchen tongs to grab and pull it out. Do not reach in with your bare hand. Work slowly and do not force anything—if the object is truly stuck, you may need to use the manual method described in the next section rather than risk breaking the pliers or pushing the object deeper.

Use the hex wrench to manually turn the motor shaft

Most garbage disposals come with a hex wrench (also called an Allen wrench or hex key) that fits into a socket at the bottom of the disposal motor. This wrench lets you turn the motor shaft by hand, which can dislodge a jam without using electrical power. If you still have the wrench, locate it now. If you have lost it, a standard hex wrench from a hardware store will usually fit—common sizes are 1/4 inch or 5/16 inch.

Reach under the sink and insert the hex wrench into the socket at the bottom center of the disposal motor. Turn it back and forth—do not force it in one direction. You should feel resistance as the blades move. Turn gently for 30 seconds to a minute, working the jam loose. You may hear or feel the blockage shift. Stop and check inside with the flashlight to see if the object has moved or if you can now remove it with pliers.

If the wrench will not turn at all, or if you feel strong resistance that does not ease, stop. Forcing the motor shaft can damage the motor or break the wrench. This is a sign to call a plumber.

Flush the chamber and test on low speed

Once you believe the jam is cleared, turn the power back on. Do not run the disposal yet. Instead, turn on cold water at a steady flow and let it run into the sink for 10 to 15 seconds. This rinses loose debris out of the chamber.

Then switch the disposal to the lowest speed setting (if yours has variable speeds) and run it for just 3 to 5 seconds while water is still flowing. Listen for grinding or unusual noises. If it sounds normal and water drains freely, the jam is cleared. If you hear grinding, rattling, or if water backs up, turn it off when ready and repeat the hex wrench method or call a plumber.

When to stop and call a professional

Do not attempt to force a jam if any of the following is true: the hex wrench will not turn the motor shaft; the motor hums when you switch it on but the blades do not spin; you cannot see the jam and cannot reach it with pliers; or the disposal has been jammed for more than a few hours and you are not sure what is stuck.

A plumber has the right tools to safely disassemble the disposal chamber and remove stubborn blockages without damaging the motor. Trying to force a stuck motor or pushing an object deeper into the pipes can result in a repair bill much larger than a service call would have cost. If you are uncertain, call.

How to prevent future jams

The most common cause of jams is putting foods into the disposal that should go in the trash. Avoid putting bones, fruit pits, shells, fibrous vegetables (celery, corn husks, onion skins), grease, starchy foods like pasta or rice, and non-food items down the drain. Run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal, and let it run for a few seconds after you turn off the motor to flush remaining debris.

If you have a septic system rather than a municipal sewer, use the disposal sparingly or not at all—disposals can overload a septic tank and cause backups. Check your septic system documentation or ask your septic service provider whether a disposal is safe for your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a plunger on a jammed garbage disposal?

A plunger can sometimes help if the jam is in the drain pipe below the disposal rather than in the disposal chamber itself. Fill the sink with a few inches of water, place the plunger over the drain, and plunge firmly several times. If the water drains and the disposal runs normally afterward, the blockage was in the pipe. If nothing changes, the jam is in the disposal itself and you need the hex wrench or a plumber.

What if something metal like a spoon fell into the disposal?

Turn off power when ready and do not run the disposal. Metal objects can damage the blades or motor. Use a flashlight to locate the object, then remove it with pliers or tongs. Once it is out, inspect the blades for dents or damage by turning the hex wrench slowly. If the blades feel rough or uneven, the motor may be damaged and you should call a plumber before running the disposal again.

Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaner in a garbage disposal?

No. Chemical drain cleaners can damage the rubber seals and gaskets inside the disposal, and they are not effective on food jams anyway. Stick to the manual methods described here. If those do not work, call a plumber rather than pour chemicals down the drain.

How long should I run the disposal after clearing a jam?

Run it for only 3 to 5 seconds at a time while cold water is flowing. Longer runs do not help and waste water. If the disposal is working normally, a short burst is enough to confirm it. If you hear grinding or feel resistance, stop and investigate rather than run it longer.