Garbage disposal jammed by fibrous food

Symptoms

• Disposal bogs down while grinding stringy food
• Motor hums then stops
• Water drains slowly during use
• Smells like rotting vegetables afterward

Likely causes

• CommonFibrous strands wrapped around the shaftCelery, asparagus, and corn husks are common culprits.
• CommonOverloading the disposal in one batchFeeding too much fibrous waste at once overwhelms the motor.
• PossibleRunning the disposal without enough waterLow water flow lets fibers wrap instead of washing through.

What to do

1. Turn off and unplug the disposal or cut power at the breaker.
2. Use a flashlight to check for visible strands wrapped around the flywheel.
3. Insert the hex wrench in the bottom hole and turn it firmly in both directions to shred and free the fibers.
4. Pull out loose fiber clumps with tongs.
5. Restore power, press the reset button, then run the disposal with a strong stream of cold water.
6. Going forward, cut fibrous scraps into small pieces and feed them in slowly with water running.

Tools and parts

• 1/4-inch hex wrench
• Tongs
• Flashlight

When to call a pro

If jams from fibrous food keep happening, a plumber can check whether the disposal is undersized for your household.

Safety