Tip of the Day: How to fix a jammed garbage disposer

It sometimes makes more financial sense to repair an appliance rather than replace it. (Read our survey-based report on repairs and replacement.) If you've opted for a repair, wouldn't it be nice to save even more by not having to call in a pricey pro?

Courtesy of the folks at RepairClinic.com, here's how to fix a jammed garbage disposer with and without an access port on the bottom. IMPORTANT: Before you attempt any part of the repair below, turn off and unplug your disposer.

For a disposer with an access port
If coins, twist ties, shards of glass, or other foreign objects have gotten into your garbage disposer and jammed it, insert a 1/4-inch Allen wrench into the port on the bottom, center of the disposer under the sink (see illustration). Turning the wrench back and forth will wiggle the masher plate inside the disposer and might dislodge whatever has jammed the appliance.

After you've done that, remove the foreign object. Then check the reset button near the bottom of the disposer. If it has popped out a bit, press it back in.

If you can rotate the masher plate back and forth but don't find a foreign object and can't free up the jam, call in a pro to repair or replace the disposer. (Read our buyer's guide to garbage disposers.)

For a disposer without an access port
If your disposer lacks an access port on the bottom, insert the handle of a hammer or broom into the top opening of the disposer and try to gently pry the masher plate back and forth. Then check the red reset button near the bottom of the disposer. If it has popped out a bit, press it back in.

Visit RepairClinc.com for advice on repairs if your garbage disposer hums, leaks, turns on but doesn't do its job, or grinds or disposes poorly.

Illustration courtesy of RepairClinic.com