Under-Sink disposal unit jamming. A lot.

[mikebw]

For the last week or so the under sink disposal grinder thing in my kitchen has been jamming up. I have been able to clear it easily by manually turning it with an allen wrench from underneath, but then the next day it won't go again.

There doesn't appear to be anything stuck inside when I peer down with a flashlight. Not sure what else I can do to clear it out. It's probably 20+ years old now, is this how these things die? Time to replace?

[Racer X]

wild guess is that there may have been some moisture that has gotten into the motor area, and the corrosion has really cut down on the power output, and it now bogs down and jams under lighter loads.

With the cost of a new unit, and it being a swap instead of a new install from scratch, I'd be really tempted to just replace it.

[olnacl]

Mine acted similarly and it was internal corrosion. I replaced it in about an hour with the exact same model and haven't looked back.

[Bimwad]

I had the same situation with a similarly-aged disposal and concur with the others, it's time for a new unit.

There are only two major manufacturers of disposals, and one (Insinkerator) has an overwhelming share of the market, so there is a 3-in-4 chance that the new one will be a straight swap for the old one.

It's an easy job, just disconnect and dismount the old one, then mount and connect the new one. Don't need to mess with the flange.

[riley5108]

Try pushing the reset button located on the bottom. It's worth a try!

[mikebw]

[quote riley5108]Try pushing the reset button located on the bottom. It's worth a try!
I am not aware of any such button.

[Chupa Chupa]

20 years is a LONG time for a disposal. Usually they corrode from the inside out. It's time for a new one. If you are handy, they are fairly easy to replace yourself. I replace two (one in my home, another in my rental, and I never attempted any plumbing project before.

However, buy a good one, at least 3/4 HP, thought 1 is ideal. Also don't buy the least expensive 3/4 you can find. With disposals you truly get what you pay for. The cheap 3/4 one will grind fine, but it will sound like a chain saw in the middle of the night. The more expensive ones are insulated and very quiet. Expect to pay around $200 for a decent one. The one in my home is a Kitchenaid, which is like a wisper. I have to turn the water off to know its on. I've got an el-cheapo in the rental. It's like King Kong belching.

[mikebw]

I can't be sure if it was the original disposal, but the house was built in the 80s and it looks pretty old. Sure is loud too, probably anything I get now would be better.

I have been doing some research on a new one. Looks like some of the Sears Kenmore models get great reviews, as long as you get one with stainless steel grind elements, like this one- http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605...000P?vName=&cName=&sName=&mv=cmp
Only $129, seems like a good price for 3/4 hp and a 5-year warranty.

I'm sure I can handle installation. Probably will be more difficult to remove the old one.

[modelamac]

I agree with the others - get a new unit.

If you have a dishwasher that drains into it, don't forget to punch out the plug in that connector.

[mikebw]

Thanks. I read one reviewer who was mad because they thought the salesman lied to them about the dishwasher input. They didn't realize you had to punch out the plug, and had hooked up the dishwasher anyway, which led to quite a mess.