Garbage Disposal Blades Stuck [FIXED!!!]

[edro]

The motor spins fine, but these little pivoting blades are frozen stuck.
I think they are supposed to pivot and swing out and smash food against the outer ring.
Instead, food gets slung into the outer ring but doesn't get chopped very well.

This is an In-Sink-Erator Evolution ($200) high end model and is only 2 years old.

Is it common for these to freeze up like this?
I piled some Rust Out on them for a while which removed a lot of surface rust, but they are still frozen.
They appears to be stainless steel, so the rust color is likely from our well water.

Edit: Fixed with beef bone!

 

[nickbits]

Do they turn using the key on the bottom of the unit. I think it takes an Allen wrench.

 

[KB]

These things get stuck all the time. Under the disposal is a hole that fits an Allen wrench. Put the Allen wrench in the whole and manually spin it to get it unstuck.

 

[inachu]

I googled this a few y ears ago.
Either the motor is dead or other advice was to use the wooden end of a broom stick and try to move it around. If the tip of the wooden broom stick does not work then I suggest you buy a new one.

If you have time and money you can take it apart and investigate it yourself.
Perhaps you might find that it truly did rust up or find metal such as a torn up utensil or coin or ball bearing.

 

[MongGrel]

The Allen wrench, but I usually would try the broomstick method first myself.

 

[NutBucket]

Replace with Waste King. Problem solved.

 

[edro]

No, it's not the motor.
It spins freely and the disposal works fine, except for those 2 little swiveling weight/knife things.

The allen wrench just spins the whole motor, which is free and operational.

 

[BoomerD]

If it's only two years old, contact their customer service department. Odds are, it's still under warranty and they'll authorize replacement.

 

[MongGrel]

If it's only two years old, contact their customer service department. Odds are, it's still under warranty and they'll authorize replacement.

+1

 

[feralkid]

Do they turn using the key on the bottom of the unit. I think it takes an Allen wrench.

"The motor spins fine"

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Replace with Waste King. Problem solved.

This! We don't use ours much but waste king is priced right & made in America

 

[zinfamous]

If it's only two years old, contact their customer service department. Odds are, it's still under warranty and they'll authorize replacement.

this one

 

[OutHouse]

Replace with Waste King. Problem solved.

Yup I put one in last year and it's a beast. I do "will it grind" experiments.

 

[pcgeek11]

If it's only two years old, contact their customer service department. Odds are, it's still under warranty and they'll authorize replacement.

This ^^^^^^^^. You must not use it much. I have an InSinkErator and it will grind up anything. I've had it for years.

Contact them I'm confident they will honor the warranty.

To schedule a service call, dial 1-800-558-5700, press 2, and enter your five-digit zip code. We'll provide you with the name and phone number of the factory authorized service agent nearest you. It's that simple.

The Evolution Excel warranty is 7 years.
The Evolution Essential warranty is 6 years.
The Evolution Compact warranty is 4 years.

 

[edro]

This ^^^^^^^^. You must not use it much. I have an InSinkErator and it will grind up anything. I've had it for years.
Contact them I'm confident they will honor the warranty.
The Evolution Excel warranty is 7 years.
The Evolution Essential warranty is 6 years.
The Evolution Compact warranty is 4 years.

Nice! I figured it had a 1-2 year warranty.

Thanks!

 

[Mixolydian]

I can't believe people still use garbage disposals.

 

[WilliamM2]

They appears to be stainless steel, so the rust color is likely from our well water.

You have a well, does that also mean you are on a septic system? If so, you shouldn't use a disposal at all, unless you want to install a new drainfield.

Had to put a new one in my property this summer, not from disposal use, just that it was 45 years old. $8K for new drain feild removal/installation, $2K for tree removal so they could get to it, and $500 for the permit. Then there is the cost of replacing the front and back lawns...

 

[CPA]

You have a well, does that also mean you are on a septic system? If so, you shouldn't use a disposal at all, unless you want to install a new drainfield.

Had to put a new one in my property this summer, not from disposal use, just that it was 45 years old. $8K for new drain feild removal/installation, $2K for tree removal so they could get to it, and $500 for the permit. Then there is the cost of replacing the front and back lawns...

lol, what? I've had a system for 12 years with no problems. Yes, you shouldn't throw egg shells, lettuce and some other items in there, but the worst thing a disposal will do with the septic system is increase the rate in which you will have to pump it out.

To the OP, my guess is something small got caught under the blades and is holding them up. small shards of glass, sand, something small and hard.

 

[edro]

You have a well, does that also mean you are on a septic system? If so, you shouldn't use a disposal at all, unless you want to install a new drainfield.

Had to put a new one in my property this summer, not from disposal use, just that it was 45 years old. $8K for new drain feild removal/installation, $2K for tree removal so they could get to it, and $500 for the permit. Then there is the cost of replacing the front and back lawns...

We have an aeration system with a 3 compartment tank.
It is much better at handling solids.
Most of the solid get held up in the first compartment or second.
You just need to get it pumped every few years.

Also, we have 2 leach fields with a diverter valve. You need to alternate leach fields each year to keep everything kosher.

 

[WilliamM2]

lol, what? I've had a system for 12 years with no problems. Yes, you shouldn't throw egg shells, lettuce and some other items in there, but the worst thing a disposal will do with the septic system is increase the rate in which you will have to pump it out.

Yours has lasted 12 so far? Amazing, let's see if it lasts 45 like mine did. Do a little research.

http://www.wrenvironmental.com/residential/septic-dos-and-donts/

http://www.pumper.com/editorial/2008/07/its-not-a-garbage-disposal

 

[MrPickins]

I can't believe people still use garbage disposals.

Garbage disposals are awesome.

 

[NetWareHead]

All of my kitchen waste (eggshells, trimmings, moldy old food etc...) gets composted and turns into next years garden fertilizer. So they are useless for me.

I won't install one in my rental units (though I did consider it briefly) because it just gives most tenants the green light to shove things down there that don't belong. Then when it clogs/breaks , start the phone calls.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

We really only use our a handful of times per year. The main reason is occasionally the dishwasher "spits" into the drain and the disposal is needed to clear it.

 

[kevman]

just for your reference OP, I have had two Insinkerators ( low end models, nothing fancy) one for 8 years in my old house and my current for 2 years in my new house. I have never had those bladed get stuck. I would definitely consider calling them to see if you can get a replacement. I agree the allen wrench only turns the motor which is free in your case. It looks like the blade is hitting the bottom plate portion of the unit I wonder if that rivet/screw is somehow bent ?

 

[alkemyst]

I googled this a few y ears ago.
Either the motor is dead or other advice was to use the wooden end of a broom stick and try to move it around. If the tip of the wooden broom stick does not work then I suggest you buy a new one.

If you have time and money you can take it apart and investigate it yourself.
Perhaps you might find that it truly did rust up or find metal such as a torn up utensil or coin or ball bearing.

This is advice from those that don't realize there is a reason they put the allen wrench attachment at the bottom.