Frigidaire Garbage Disposal Jammed [How To Fix]
This guide on Frigidaire Garbage Disposal Jammed will explain:
- What happens if the garbage disposal gets jammed?
- Reasons behind a jammed garbage disposal
- How to unjam a garbage disposal
- And more
In This Article:
- What Happens If My Frigidaire Garbage Disposal Gets Jammed?
- How To Fix A Jammed Frigidaire Garbage Disposal?
- What Causes A Jam In Your Frigidaire Garbage Disposal?
- How To Prevent Jam In A Garbage Disposal?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What Happens If My Frigidaire Garbage Disposal Gets Jammed?
A humming noise from the garbage disposal indicates a jam in the garbage disposal.
The impellers or the turntable will get restricted if you put unprohibited food items in the garbage disposal. Consequently, you will hear a rattling or humming noise from the disposal.
Read Further: What Not To Put In Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal makes a hum because the unit tries to rotate the impellers but fails due to the restriction.
After a certain period of turning on the unit, the unit will go to the shut-off mode automatically. It’s because of the jam that triggers the reset button to pop out.
Read Further: Frigidaire Garbage Disposal Reset Button
You can fix this issue and revive your Frigidaire Garbage Disposal by unjamming the disposal unit.
Below, I will describe how to unjam your Frigidaire Garbage Disposal.
How To Fix A Jammed Frigidaire Garbage Disposal?
To unjam your Frigidaire Garbage Disposal, follow these 7 steps:
- Unplug your Frigidaire Garbage Disposal or flip the circuit breaker to the Off position, depending on the wiring configuration of the disposal unit.
- Remove the splash guard from the top of the disposal unit.
- Use a flashlight to detect foreign objects lodged between the turntable and the grind ring.
- Insert a wooden broom handle inside the grinding chamber and rotate the turntable manually until the blockage breaks free.
- Remove the objects using long-handled pliers or tongs.
- Restore the power supply to the garbage disposal.
- Run cold water and flip the switch to On to test the operation.
What Causes A Jam In Your Frigidaire Garbage Disposal?
A jam in your Frigidaire Garbage Disposal can occur due to the following reasons:
- Running insufficient water: If you run insufficient water while operating the garbage disposal, the food particles can cause a buildup and create a jam.
- Disposing of fibrous food: Putting fibrous foods like corn husks, celery, and onion skins in the disposal can wrap around the impellers and cause a jam.
- Starchy Foods: Throwing starchy foods like pasta, rice, and potato peels can create a thick paste and restrict the pipes and drain lines. Besides, rice and pasta expand when met with water and clog the piping.
- Overloading: Remember, if you stuff too much food waste into the grinding chamber, you could end up overwhelming the disposal unit. Keep it balanced! Otherwise, the disposal unit can’t grind the food particles efficiently, leading to a clog.
- Foreign objects: The garbage disposal is designed to grind food waste only. If foreign objects like plastic, screws, or metals fall accidentally in the grinding chamber, the unit can’t grind those objects.
How To Prevent Jam In A Garbage Disposal?
To prevent jams in the garbage disposal, follow these garbage disposal maintenance tips:
- Use garbage disposal regularly: Operate your garbage disposal two to three times a week. Regular use of the disposal unit keeps the internal components like the impellers and turntable free of corrosion.
- Run plenty of water: Run a cold water supply before, during, and after using the disposal unit to flush the food particles smoothly. It will help prevent a jam or clog from building.
- Avoid certain foods: Don’t put fibrous, starchy, and FOG (fat, oil, and grease) items in the disposal to prevent clog or jam.
- Clean the disposal: Clean your garbage disposal every week to dislodge the food debris that can cause a clog. Use baking soda and vinegar to clean the disposal unit.
- Check for foreign objects: Before turning on your garbage disposal, check the inside of the grinding chamber to see if any foreign objects fall into the disposal accidentally.
FAQs
What should I do if my Frigidaire garbage disposal is jammed?
Turn off your garbage disposal first if your Frigidaire Garbage Disposal gets jammed. Then, unplug the disposal, remove the splash guard, and light a flashlight to look inside for any visible obstructions. Remove the object with long-handled pliers.
Why is my Frigidaire garbage disposal making a humming noise but not grinding?
The humming noise from the disposal unit indicates a jam. Due to the jam, the motor fails to rotate the blades. In this situation, turn off the unit and remove the objects.
Can I use a reset button to fix a jammed disposal?
No, you can use the reset button to fix a jammed garbage disposal. The reset button can only restore the power after an overload. To fix the jam issue, you must clear the obstructions.
How can I manually turn the blades to clear a jam?
Turn off the unit and remove the splash guard. Then, insert a wooden broom handle into the grinding chamber and use force to turn the blades to break free the restriction.
How often should I clean my garbage disposal to prevent jams?
Clean your garbage disposal once a week to prevent jams. Fill the sink halfway, pour baking soda & vinegar, and mix them. Remove the stopper and turn on your garbage disposal to clean the disposal unit.
Conclusion
A jammed Frigidaire Garbage Disposal is a consequence of disposing of unprohibited food waste in the grinding chamber.
For example, the disposal will get jammed if you put foreign objects in the grinding chamber.
To unjam your garbage disposal, turn the unit off. Then, remove the splash guard. Unlike InSinkErator, Frigidaire Garbage Disposal has no bottom hole to slide an Allen wrench. Because of this, insert a wooden broom handle from the top and turn the turntable to break the restriction.
Next, remove the obstructions using long-handled tongs.
After removing the restriction, press the reset button. Then, restore the power and turn on the unit to test the operation of your garbage disposal.
Avoid food items that cause jam from putting in the garbage disposal. Nonetheless, clean the garbage disposal every week to prevent future jams.
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Sohel Rana is the founder of FixTheDisposal.Com. He is a plumbing expert with 7+ years of hands-on repairing garbage disposals, water heaters, space heaters, and other appliances used in a home. Before the launch of Fix The Disposal, he wrote and provided advice on water heaters, sump pumps, and space heater repairing & troubleshooting tips for LilDutchUncle.Com.
