An InSinkErator garbage disposal can handle a lot — but certain things will jam it, dull the impellers, or cause damage over time. Knowing what not to put down your disposal is as important as knowing how to use it. Here’s the complete guide to InSinkErator care, common repairs, and what to do when it jams or stops working.
Related Services: Garbage Disposal Repair in Vancouver
InSinkErator garbage disposal troubleshooting
Disposal won’t turn on — won’t start
If you flip the switch and nothing happens:
- Reset button: Look at the bottom of the disposal unit under the sink. There’s a small red or black reset button. Press it firmly until you feel it click. This resets the thermal overload protector, which trips when the disposal overheats or jams. This resolves the problem in a large percentage of “dead disposal” calls.
- Check the outlet: Some disposals plug into an outlet under the sink. Check that it’s plugged in and the outlet has power (test it with another appliance).
- Check the circuit breaker: If the reset button doesn’t help and the outlet is good, check the breaker panel.
- Wiring issue: If none of the above, the switch or wiring may have failed.
Disposal hums but won’t spin
A humming disposal that doesn’t move has a jam. The motor is running but the grinding plate is stuck.
- Turn off the switch immediately — running a jammed motor overheats it.
- Locate the hex key opening at the very bottom center of the disposal.
- Insert a ¼-inch (6mm) hex key / Allen wrench into the opening.
- Turn it back and forth to free the grinding plate. You’ll feel resistance and then release when the jam breaks free.
- Shine a flashlight into the disposal from the top and look for the foreign object — use tongs or pliers to remove it. Never put your hand in.
- Press the reset button, then test the disposal.
InSinkErator models come with a “SelfService Wrench” — a small red hex key stored under the sink that fits the bottom socket. If yours is missing, a standard ¼-inch hex key from any hardware store works.
Disposal leaking water
Identify where the leak is coming from before replacing anything:
- Leak from the top (at the sink flange): The mounting gasket between the disposal and the sink opening has failed, or the mounting bolts have loosened. Remount the disposal and replace the flange seal if the gasket is deteriorated.
- Leak from the side (at the dishwasher connection): The dishwasher drain hose connection on the side of the disposal. Tighten the clamp or replace the hose if it’s cracked.
- Leak from the drain outlet (bottom side connection): The drain connection going into the P-trap. Retighten or replace the drain gasket.
- Leak from the bottom of the disposal body: This means the internal seals have failed. At this point, replacement is typically more cost-effective than repair.
Disposal is slow or grinding is weak
Over time, the impellers inside the disposal wear down — they lose their edge and can’t grind food efficiently. Fibrous foods, starchy foods, and repeated jams accelerate wear. Once the grinding plate is worn, performance doesn’t recover through cleaning. This is typically an end-of-life issue for older disposals.
What not to put in an InSinkErator disposal
Avoid these items — they cause jams, damage, or buildup:
- Fibrous vegetables: Celery, artichokes, asparagus, and corn husks. The fibers wrap around the grinding plate and jam it.
- Grease and fats: These cool and solidify inside the drain line, eventually causing blockages. Pour fats into a container and discard in the trash.
- Starchy foods: Potato peels, pasta, and rice expand with water and create a paste that clogs the drain.
- Hard items: Bones, fruit pits, seafood shells. These damage the grinding plate.
- Coffee grounds: They accumulate in the drain trap and cause slow draining over time.
- Expandable foods: Pasta and rice expand even after grinding — they absorb water in the drain line.
- Onion skins: The thin papery layer slips past the grinder and can cause blockages.
What your InSinkErator handles well:
- Soft food scraps and vegetable cuttings (soft vegetables, not fibrous)
- Fruit scraps (avoid pits)
- Cooked meat and fish (small amounts)
- Ice cubes — useful for cleaning (they help clean the grinding plate and sharpen the impellers mildly)
- Citrus peels — good for odour control in small amounts
InSinkErator maintenance and cleaning
Monthly maintenance:
- Run cold water for 30 seconds before and 30 seconds after each use
- Grind a tray of ice cubes to clean the grinding plate
- Follow with half a cup of coarse salt to scrub the interior
- Drop in citrus peels and run to freshen the unit
For odours: Baking soda and vinegar down the disposal, followed by hot water, neutralizes odours. Avoid bleach — it can damage rubber seals over time.
InSinkErator models: which one do you need?
InSinkErator makes several tiers:
- Badger series (¹/₃ to ½ HP): Entry level, adequate for light use. Not recommended for large households with heavy disposal use.
- Badger 5 Plus / Badger 900: More common residential level, ½ to ¾ HP.
- Evolution series (¾ HP to 1 HP): Quieter, more powerful, better warranty. Recommended for most households and families.
When replacing a disposal, going up one size from the current unit is generally worthwhile for the quieter operation and reduced jam rate.
When to call a technician
Use the hex key to clear jams and the reset button for power issues — these are genuinely DIY fixes. Call for help if: there’s a persistent leak from the flange or drain, the disposal needs mounting or replacing, the wiring is damaged, or the disposal’s grinding performance has degraded to the point of replacement.
Vancouver Appliance Service installs and repairs InSinkErator garbage disposals across Metro Vancouver. We carry common InSinkErator models for direct replacement when needed.
