I've never had a sink garbage disposal before, but I've really learned to love the one that I now have. Unfortunately, something hard fell down there and is scraping and rattling against the blades. My hands aren't small enough to reach in there, but my fingertips can feel a surface around the sides and it's gross. I keep thinking that if somebody with smaller hands reaches in there, the blades will somehow come on and that person will pull out a bloody stump. I want to know how to get that thing out of there. Thanks!
2007-09-05 14:16:07 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I always use my kitchen tongs. Or a plastic knife. That always works when I get chicken stuck on the blades.
2007-09-05 15:21:07 · answer #1 · answered by Sarah 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use that little wrench that came with the disposal for cleaning jams. Shut off the switch if that is what turns it on or unplug its cord if that goes into an outlet under the sink (and even shutoff its power at the fuse box if you are really worried). Poke the wrench in the bottom and turn the disposal with it to try to free up what is caught. If it can be turned then there is no jam at this instant and you can attempt to get the hard thing out of there. Someone with small hands can put on gloves and grab whatever is sticking out from in there. Or get a pair of pliers with a long set of handles. [I am guessing a piece of silverware is in there.]
If that doesn't do it most of those disposals only need a quarter turn to disengage them from the sink. Do that and turn it upside down and shake it or thump it to get it freed up.
2007-09-05 16:15:31 · answer #2 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first a garbage disposal is no more than an electric cheese grater it has no moving blades only impellers. while they would hurt if it were running they are not made to cut.
ok enough comfort !if it is emerson ISE or sears an allen wrench will fit in the bottom ; if not use a wooden broom handle from the top free the turntable then useing a flashlight long needlenose or kid with smaller hands (1:00 is enough)remove the object. if this fails call a plumber !
2007-09-05 15:38:07 · answer #3 · answered by tom k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could use tweezers or tongs or chopsticks as a "grabber".
A disposal is pretty much shaped like a cylinder with holes in the side walls and some cutting blades down in the bottom. Your object is probably in the bottom of the cylinder.
The disposal isn't going to come on unless someone hits the switch. If you're really nervous, you can tape over the switch while you're working on the disposal.
2007-09-05 14:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
lol as long as you don't flip the switch, there won't be a bloody stump. you might be right about a person with smaller hands though. i would grab a flashlight and see if you can tell what fell down there before you go rooting around. i have snagged things from a garbage disposal using a pair of scissors before so anything is possible. good luck =)
2007-09-05 14:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by Vbonics 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Get a friend with smaller hands who trusts you. Reach under the sink cabinet and UNPLUG the unit. Allow your small handed friend to reach in and pull out whatever fell in. Buy him/her dinner after they wash their hands.
2007-09-05 21:57:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I reach into mine all the time because my wife shoves stuff in there that shouldn't be.
You can unplug the thing - it's usually plugged in under the sink.
Yes, it's gross. But don't keep running it with something in there or you will be replacing it soon.
2007-09-05 16:45:59 · answer #7 · answered by Toolman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stick ur hand straight in it and pull it out.. oh and turn on the garbage disposel before u do that :D
2007-09-05 14:20:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋
you will need two tools, a pen and a checkbook. call a plumber
2007-09-05 14:24:25 · answer #9 · answered by qpistol 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋