Disposers - Troubleshooting/FAQ

How do I clear a jam in my disposer?

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The unintended entry of foreign material can cause any disposer to jam. In the unlikely event the disposer becomes jammed, release it by following these steps:

• Turn the wall switch to the "off" position and turn off cold water.

• Insert an end of your jam breaker wrench (provided with your disposer) into the center hole of the bottom of the disposer.

• Work the wrench back and forth until it moves freely for at least one complete revolution. Remove wrench before restarting disposer.

• Remove the foreign object(s) with long-handled tongs.

• Allow the motor to cool 3 - 5 minutes then lightly push the red reset button.

IMPORTANT: Before pressing the reset button, make sure the wall switch is in the "off" position or, on batch feed models, remove the stopper from the "run" position.

• Restart the disposer by turning on the water and power.

• If the disposer remains inoperative, check the service panel for tripped breakers or fuses.

• Should you require local professional service, call our Service Department to schedule an appointment.

How do I clean and care for my disposer?

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IMPORTANT: Use only cold water when operating the disposer. Cold water hardens greasy substances, which makes it easy to grind them into tiny particles. Cold water also keeps grease from sticking to the drain lines. It is okay to drain Hot water into the disposer between grinding periods.

• After some use, food particles may accumulate in the grind chamber and baffle. An odor from the disposer is usually a sign of grease and food buildup, which is caused by insufficient water flow during and after disposer use.

• Do not "store" food waste in the grinding chamber between use to avoid odor, a clogged drain, or a jammed disposer.

To clean the disposer with a baking soda mix: 

• Turn off disposer and disconnect power supply.

• Place stopper in sink opening and fill sink halfway with warm water.

• Mix 1 cup (240 ml) baking soda with the warm water.

• Turn on disposer and remove stopper from the sink to wash away loose particles. This will flood the inside of the disposer to wash away particles loosened during this cleaning operation.

How do I operate my disposer?

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Continuous-feed operating instructions

• Remove cover from sink opening and turn on a good flow of Cold water. It is absolutely necessary that cold water flows into the disposer while it is in operation.

• Cold water hardens greasy substances, which makes it easy to grind them into tiny particles. Cold water also keeps grease from sticking to the drain lines. If you have a double sink, make sure the faucet is positioned to the side where the disposer is installed during disposer operation.

• Scrape food waste into the disposer opening. Mix soft and hard food waste items for most efficient grinding.

• Tilt cover and place it in the sink opening. This allows for maximum water flow to aid in grinding and minimizes ejection of materials during the grinding process.

• Turn wall switch to "on" position.

• Allow both the disposer and cold water to run after grinding is completed to help flush drain pipes. Ground waste and water flow at an approximate rate of 2 seconds/foot in a pitched horizontal drain pipe. The water flow time after grinding will depend on the quantity of ground food and the length of the horizontal drain pipe.

• Turn wall switch to the "off" position, and allow cold water to run for up to 15 seconds to flush the drain line.

What food can be put in a disposer?

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• Your product has been designed to dispose of normal household food waste. When grinding normal household food waste, be sure to run the disposer with a moderate-to-strong flow of cold water, and continue to run the cold water for 15 seconds after grinding is complete to flush the drain line.

• All models can handle everyday food scraps.

• Avoid grinding large amounts of vegetable peels (i.e. potato skins, melons and fruit rinds) at one time. Instead gradually feed vegetable peels in while running the water and the disposer.

• Avoid grinding large amounts of hard materials (i.e. small bones, fruit pits, egg and lobster shells, crab and shrimp shells) at one time. Instead gradually feed hard materials in while running the water and the disposer.

• Do not throw any fibrous materials (i.e. celery, corn husks, artichokes) into the disposer).

IMPORTANT: Do not put items like plastic, glass, china, metal, tin cans, bottle caps, large whole bones or oyster and clam shells, grease, or fat into the disposer. Place these items in the trash.

• Review the product use and care guide for specific food-grinding recommendations for your model.