Hey there! Dealing with a jammed garbage disposal is so frustrating. I know from experience how unpleasant it is to have a sink full of dirty water because the disposal has given up. The good news is that an Allen wrench can often quickly and easily get your disposal grinding again. This guide will walk you through how to safely use this simple tool to clear jams and get your unit functioning properly once more.
How Often Do Disposals Jam Anyway?
Believe it or not, garbage disposals jam a lot more often than you might think! According to a survey by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, over 75% of homeowners report needing to have their disposal repaired or cleared of obstructions at some point. That‘s nearly 3 out of 4 disposals experiencing jams!
The most common reasons disposals jam up include:
- Bones, fruit pits, bottle caps, silverware and other objects getting lodged in the grind components
- Fibrous foods like celery stalks getting wrapped around the shredder ring
- Large amounts of food waste accumulating in the chamber and drain line
When stuff gets stuck in the moving parts, it prevents the flywheel and impellers from spinning like they should. Identifying and removing the debris is the only way to get the disposal going again.
Why an Allen Wrench Works So Well
Allen wrenches are effective at fixing jammed disposals for a couple reasons:
1. They fit perfectly into the flywheel recess hole. Most disposals have a small hexagonal hole at the bottom center that allows access to the flywheel. An Allen wrench inserted into this space can manually spin the flywheel to dislodge jams.
2. Allen wrenches provide torque and leverage in a compact size. The short arm and L-shape give you much better leverage compared to using just your fingers or a screwdriver.
This makes an Allen wrench one of the best tools for freeing up a stuck disposal quickly, cheaply and easily.
Staying Safe is Crucial
I can‘t stress enough how important it is to make safety your top priority when fixing an appliance like a garbage disposal. Things can go wrong in a flash if you aren‘t extremely careful. Please keep these tips in mind:
- Disconnect all power first! Turn off the breaker and unplug the disposal. Serious injury can occur if it turns on unexpectedly.
- Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects. Also consider goggles in case anything flies out.
- Insert tools slowly and gently. You don‘t want to damage the flywheel or disposal more.
- Don‘t reach inside the disposal if you can avoid it. Wait until power is cut to clear any debris.
Trust me, taking a few extra seconds to work safely will save you from harm. It‘s just not worth the risk trying to rush!
What Size Allen Wrench Should You Use?
The most common size Allen wrench used for garbage disposals is 1⁄4 inch. However, depending on your particular model, the hole could be 5/16 inch, 3/8 inch or another size.
Here is a quick table showing some of the typical sizes:
| Allen Wrench Size | Fits These Disposal Models |
|---|---|
| 1⁄4 inch | InSinkErator, Waste King, GE, Frigidaire, Moen, Whirlpool, KitchenAid |
| 5/16 inch | Badger 5, WasteMaid |
| 3⁄8 inch | General Electric GFC320V, Insinkerator 777SS |
I‘d recommend having a set of metric Allen keys handy so you can find the one that fits properly into the flywheel recess before cranking on it. An improperly sized wrench can strip out the hole.
Accessing the Flywheel Hole
The first step is getting access to the flywheel recess where you‘ll insert the Allen wrench. Here‘s how to do it:
- Shut off power to disposal at breaker box, then unplug electrical cord
- Get a flashlight and lay on your back to look up at the bottom of the disposal (watch for sharp parts!)
- Peer around until you locate the small hole in the dead center of the bottom
- Carefully insert your Allen wrench into the hole – it should fit snugly when you‘ve found the flywheel recess
Once the wrench is fully inserted, you‘re ready to start turning it to clear the jam.
Turning the Flywheel to Dislodge Debris
Okay, with your Allen wrench seated properly into the flywheel hole, you‘re ready to start working it back and forth. Here are some tips:
- Try turning clockwise first to see if the jam releases
- If that doesn‘t work, switch to turning counterclockwise
- Apply moderate force, but don‘t overdo it – you don‘t want to damage the flywheel mechanism
- Twist back and forth several times if needed to work the stuck debris free
You‘ll know when the disposal is unjammed when the wrench turns freely without resistance. Listen for the flywheel start spinning smoothly again too.
Alternative Access Point to Try
If the Allen wrench isn‘t able to free up the flywheel, your disposal may have a secondary access on the motor shaft underneath. To utilize this:
- Disconnect electrical power! Safety first.
- Use a 1⁄4 inch hex wrench to remove the bottom plate. This exposes the motor.
- Insert your Allen wrench into the exposed spline nut on top of the motor shaft.
- Turn the wrench counterclockwise to manually spin the motor and blade assembly.
This method works well for obstructions stuck up near the top part of the unit. Just take care not to damage any motor components while inserting the wrench.
Prevent Future Problems with Proper Maintenance
The best way to avoid emergency garbage disposal repairs is prevention through good maintenance habits. Here are some tips:
- Avoid hard or fibrous foods – Things like bones, celery, onion skins, egg shells and coffee grounds are prone to jamming disposals. Compost or trash these items instead.
- Grind with plenty of cold water – Let water run before, during and after grinding to flush away particles. Avoid drain clogs.
- Cut large items into smaller pieces – Smaller pieces grind more easily. Quarter or halve things like orange slices before adding to disposal.
- Run disposal regularly – Grind up some ice cubes once a week or so to keep blades sharp and prevent buildup.
- Consider a dishwasher air gap – This prevents backflow of waste particles into the dishwasher from the disposal.
Hopefully this guide provides everything you need to know to get your garbage disposal humming again with an Allen wrench! Let me know if you run into any snags or have additional questions. Happy grinding!
