Garbage disposal issues...help

[Mercy]

I have a measuring shot glass I use when cooking. While cleaning up Steve accidentally knocked into the disposal. It chewed it up but then the disposal stopped working. I reached in and got out most of the big pieces of glass, but it still won't work.

Is it toast?? Can it be fixed?

[Luv2Dance]

Originally Posted by Mercy

I have a measuring shot glass I use when cooking. While cleaning up Steve accidentally knocked into the disposal. It chewed it up but then the disposal stopped working. I reached in and got out most of the big pieces of glass, but it still won't work.

Is it toast?? Can it be fixed?

shiver

[roni]

There is often a reset button on the unit under the sink

We do not have one, and probably never will again

[Mercy]

Originally Posted by Luv2Dance

shiver

Yeah, I know... I cut myself too But Steve's hand was too big, so I had to do it.

[Mercy]

Originally Posted by roni

There is often a reset button on the unit under the sink

We do not have one, and probably never will again

Yeah, that's what we thought... we checked but didn't see one

[Luv2Dance]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Yeah, I know... I cut myself too But Steve's hand was too big, so I had to do it.

Sorry. I did the same thing with my dishwasher after a glass broke.

I found this online.

How do I get glass out of the garbage disposal? - Yahoo! Answers

Mentions using a wet/dry vac to vacuum it out and then try the reset button.

I'd unplug the thing first though!

[Mercy]

Originally Posted by Luv2Dance

Sorry. I did the same thing with my dishwasher after a glass broke.

I found this online.

How do I get glass out of the garbage disposal? - Yahoo! Answers

Mentions using a wet/dry vac to vacuum it out and then try the reset button.

I'd unplug the thing first though!

Thanks Erica! I'll show this to Steve.

[BonnyW]

You can also put something hard down inside there and try to crush it. Some disposers recommend putting broken glass into the disposer to sharpen the blades.

If you have a hex on the bottom of your disposer, using a hex wrench, you can untighten it (go the opposite direction that the disposer spins) and sometimes that can unjam it. Make sure the apparatus is off before you do this.

[James A.]

Mercy, it very likely is jammed by a piece of glass stuck between the rotor and the housing. I put tons of crapola in my disposal, so this happens to me a couple of time a year.

Basically, you need to force the rotor to turn to dislodge the jam. There are tools called "disposal wrenches", but I've had a hard time replacing my last one. Here's what I do now. I take a length of 1x1 (or piece of brom handle or sturdy dowel), insert it into the opening and wedge it against one of the teeth at the steepest angle the opening will allow. I then tap firmly with a mallet. Works every time for me.

Don't forget Bonny's excellent warning...make sure it is off.

[Rissask]

off topic, but are 'Badgers' good disposals? I hope so, that is what they ordered me.

[Uno]

Originally Posted by Mercy

I have a measuring shot glass I use when cooking. While cleaning up Steve accidentally knocked into the disposal. It chewed it up but then the disposal stopped working. I reached in and got out most of the big pieces of glass, but it still won't work.

Is it toast?? Can it be fixed?

They will jam and blow a fuse if locked up. Stick a wooden handle in it (handle on the toilet plunger, or something) and rotate the blade backward (counter clockwise)a bit. Try it. Next reach around on the bottom/sides of the unit under the sink and locate the reset switch (little button you depress.) When looking for the button, be careful of the wires in case they are exposed. ZAP!

I have jammed mine up many times. A bottle cap or wash rag usually.

[Uno]

Hey I just got that! It was a "measuring" shot glass. I use those to measure tequila.

[Mercy]

Originally Posted by Uno

They will jam and blow a fuse if locked up. Stick a wooden handle in it (handle on the toilet plunger, or something) and rotate the blade backward (counter clockwise)a bit. Try it. Next reach around on the bottom/sides of the unit under the sink and locate the reset switch (little button you depress.) When looking for the button, be careful of the wires in case they are exposed. ZAP!

I have jammed mine up many times. A bottle cap or wash rag usually.

Thanks Uno... is this basically the same thing James said?? Same technique?

Originally Posted by Uno

Hey I just got that! It was a "measuring" shot glass. I use those to measure tequila.

Yes a "measuring" shot glass I use when cooking...... with tequila. No I really do use it for measuring liquids when cooking. I have other shot glasses for the hard stuff

[Luv2Dance]

Originally Posted by Rissask

off topic, but are 'Badgers' good disposals? I hope so, that is what they ordered me.

With a name like that it just has to be.

[Mercy]

Well, I read Steve your instructions and he brought up the necessary tools. However, I have a box here with all our manuals from when we remodeled the kitchen 7 years ago (not sure why I didn't think to look for this first). Found the manual for the disposal which had instructions to remove a jam and the location of the reset button. The instructions mentioned the little wrench you talked about James (which came with it) and how to use it.... WELL, MIRACLE OF MIRACLES... the little wrench was still under the sink.... followed the instructions and WA-LAH!!! Fixed disposal!!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and help!

Now I need a new "cooking" shot glass.....


Riss... mine is a Sears Kenmore... don't know about Badgers.