You’ve loaded the dishwasher and scrubbed the pots and pans. All that’s left to do is run the garbage disposal. Unbeknownst to you, a spoon snuck in. A horrible sound ensues, and you promptly shut the unit off. Now what? There’s nothing like the good old spoon jammed in garbage disposal debacle to bring your day to a grinding halt. Don’t panic.
Keep reading to learn what to do when a spoon jams your garbage disposal.
Remove Spoon From Garbage Disposal
First things first: do NOT stick your hand into a live garbage disposal, even if it’s switched off. Before you attempt anything, completely disconnect your garbage disposal unit. You can either unplug the unit below the sink or find the appropriate circuit breaker and shut it off.
Loose Spoon in Garbage Disposal
If you’re lucky, the spoon is loose inside of the unit. All you need to do is grab some pliers and fish it out. Once the disposal is clear of all obstruction, reconnect it and try running the unit with ample water.
If you get the spoon out and the garbage disposal won’t turn on, locate and press the reset button. This is typically a red button on the bottom of your unit beneath the sink.
In the event that the blades won’t spin, be sure to turn the unit off before manually turning them a full turn. To do so, you can use an Allen key (hex key) and locate the socket (a small hole) on the bottom of the disposal unit, turning it 360°. This may get the blades to engage again. Turn the unit back on and attempt to run it again.
If this doesn’t work, reach out to a plumbing professional.
Spoon Jammed in Garbage Disposal
If your errant spoon has wedged itself in the blades and caused a stubborn jam, turn off and disconnect the unit. Grab an Allen key and locate the socket on the bottom of your disposal (beneath the sink). Insert the Allen key and try manually turning the blades in both directions. You may need to go back and forth several times to dislodge the spoon.
You can also attempt to grab the spoon from above with a pair of long-nosed pliers and gently wiggle it back and forth to loosen it.
Don’t apply excessive force and do not attempt to run the disposal unit with a spoon trapped inside under any circumstances. If you’re unable to remove the spoon, contact a professional plumber.
SBPHA/C is Ready to Help
Solution Based Plumbing, Heating and A/C proudly serves Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester County. Call (215) 584-2098 or contact us online for all your plumbing, heating and air conditioning needs.