Symptoms
- New disposal jams within the first few uses
- Grinding sounds unusually harsh from the start
- Reset button trips quickly on a brand-new unit
- Problem started with the very first or second use
Likely causes
- CommonShipping debris or a small part left inside the chamberOccasionally a screw, protective piece, or packaging fragment ends up inside during manufacturing or unpacking.
- CommonFed hard or fibrous food too soon without breaking it in gentlyEven a healthy new disposal can jam on tough items like corn husks or large bones.
- PossibleImproper installation causing flywheel misalignmentAn unevenly mounted unit can bind slightly and jam more easily.
- Less commonManufacturing defectUncommon, but new appliances can occasionally have a defect covered by warranty.
What to do
- Turn off and unplug the new disposal before inspecting.
- Shine a flashlight into the chamber to check carefully for any shipping debris, screws, or packaging remnants.
- Remove anything found with tongs and turn the flywheel by hand with the hex wrench to confirm it now spins freely.
- Check that the unit is mounted evenly and fully locked into the mounting ring, not sitting at an angle.
- Restart with gentle use: soft food scraps and plenty of water for the first several uses.
- If jams continue with no debris found and even mounting confirmed, contact the manufacturer about a possible defect while the unit is still under warranty.
Tools and parts
- 1/4-inch hex wrench
- Flashlight
- Tongs
When to call a pro
If a brand-new disposal keeps jamming with nothing found inside and proper mounting confirmed, contact the retailer or manufacturer for a warranty exchange.
Safety
Use caution
Keep power off while checking inside a new unit for shipping debris, same as any other jam.