The good news: most jams don’t require a technician. You just need to follow safety protocols carefully.
What Causes a Garburator Jammed Situation
Garburators jam when hard or fibrous materials wedge the grinding plate against the grinding ring. Common culprits include:
- Chicken bones, pork bones, or other meat bones
- Fruit pits (peach, cherry, avocado)
- Celery, carrots, and other fibrous vegetables
- Corn husks and artichoke leaves
- Silverware accidentally dropped into the sink
- Grease and starch buildup coating the grinding plate
- Potato peels (starch paste accumulates in the drain line)
Some jams happen suddenly when a fork falls into the unit. Others develop gradually as grease solidifies and traps small debris particles.
Safety First: Never Skip These Steps
Do not put your hand or fingers into the garburator—ever—even if the power is off. The grinding teeth are razor-sharp, and a sudden power surge or accidental switch activation can cause severe lacerations.
Before you inspect or touch any garburator jammed with debris:
- Turn off the wall switch next to the sink
- Unplug the unit from the electrical outlet under the sink
- Wait 30 seconds for the grinding plate to stop completely
This double disconnect—switch and plug—prevents the unit from starting unexpectedly while you work.
The Reset Button Method (Fixes Most Garburator Jammed Problems)
Many jams trip the motor’s thermal overload protection. A red reset button on the bottom of the unit pops out when this happens.
How to use the reset button:
- Locate the red button on the underside of the garburator (you may need a flashlight)
- If it’s protruding, the overload has tripped
- Wait 15 minutes—this allows the motor to cool down
- Press the red button firmly back in until it clicks
- Plug the unit back in and flip the switch to test
Run water and listen carefully. Normal grinding sounds mean the jam is cleared. If the button pops out again immediately or the unit still doesn’t run, you have a mechanical blockage.
Manual Unjam Using a Hex Key
When the reset button doesn’t solve the problem, the grinding plate is mechanically stuck. You can often free it with a hex key (Allen wrench).
What you need:
- A 1/4″ (6 mm) hex key or Allen wrench
- A flashlight
- Needle-nose pliers or tongs (for debris removal)
How to unjam the plate:
- Unplug the unit (confirm the power is completely off)
- Examine the bottom centre of the garburator—you’ll see a hex socket (small square hole)
- Insert the hex key and turn it back and forth, working the grinding plate gently
- Don’t force it—work slowly and alternate directions every few turns
- After 10–15 movements, the plate should rotate freely
InSinkErator brand garburators come with a dedicated “jam buster” wrench designed for this exact task. Use that wrench instead of a standard hex key if you have an InSinkErator model.
Removing the Obstruction Safely
Once the plate moves freely, something is still lodged inside the unit—and you must remove it completely.
Use tongs, needle-nose pliers, or a grabbing tool. Never use your fingers, even with the power disconnected. The grinding teeth are razor-sharp, and any slip can cause deep cuts requiring stitches.
Reach into the chamber from above (through the sink opening) and carefully extract the jam. Shine a flashlight into the chamber first to locate the debris. If you can’t reach it safely, call a technician with specialized extraction tools.
After removing the obstruction, plug the unit back in. Run cold water and test the garburator at low speed first, then gradually increase to normal operation.
Prevention: Stop Jams Before They Start
The easiest garburator jammed situation to fix is the one that never happens.
Run cold water while grinding. Cold water solidifies fats and oils before they coat the drain line and grinding plate. Hot water liquefies grease and allows it to accumulate downstream.
Avoid these materials completely:
- All bones (meat, poultry, fish)
- Fruit and vegetable pits
- Fibrous vegetables (celery, asparagus, corn husks)
- Artichoke leaves and corn cobs
- Potato peels (the starch clogs the drain)
- Cooking oils and grease poured directly into the drain
After grinding, always run cold water for 30 seconds. This flushes debris completely down the drain line and prevents buildup in the P-trap.
When the Motor Hums But the Plate Won’t Spin
A humming sound without grinding plate rotation means the motor is running but the plate is mechanically blocked.
This symptom indicates exactly what the hex key method solves. The motor receives power and attempts to run, but something inside—debris, a broken tooth, or a wedged object—prevents the grinding plate from rotating.
Use the unjam steps above systematically. If the plate still won’t spin after you’ve worked the hex key back and forth for a full minute, the grinding ring or plate assembly may be cracked and require replacement.
When to Call a Technician
Some problems exceed DIY repair capabilities. Contact SureFit Appliance Services if you encounter any of these:
- Motor won’t start even after reset. The motor may have failed internally.
- Water leaks from the unit body or mounting flange. Seals have failed, and the unit needs service or replacement.
- Grinding noise continues after you’ve removed the obstruction. The grinding plate or ring is damaged.
- The unit repeatedly trips your circuit breaker. An electrical fault requires professional diagnosis.
- You can’t locate or remove the jam yourself. A technician has specialized tools and visibility to extract debris safely.
SureFit serves the Lake Simcoe and York Region area, extending throughout the GTA, Simcoe County, Grey County, and Durham Region. Same-day appointments may be available. Emergency requests are reviewed before scheduling is confirmed. Our service call is $85 + HST per appliance—waived if you proceed with the repair—and we back every repair with a 90-day parts and labour warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my garburator just hum and not spin?
The motor is running, but something is blocking the plate mechanically. Use the hex key method to free the grinding assembly. If the plate still won’t turn after you’ve worked it back and forth systematically, the grinding ring may be cracked or damaged.
Can I put bones in the garburator?
No. All bones—chicken, pork, beef, fish—will jam the grinding plate. The unit isn’t designed to handle bone material. Always scrape bones into the trash before rinsing dishes.
How long do garburators last?
Most units last 8–15 years with proper care. Running cold water during grinding, avoiding starchy and fibrous materials, and flushing the drain line regularly extend the unit’s life significantly. Higher-quality models like InSinkErator Evolution series typically last longer.
My garburator smells terrible—how do I clean it?
Run cold water and grind ice cubes for 10 seconds to clear the grinding chamber. Then drop in a handful of baking soda, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then run cold water for 30 seconds. For persistent odours, contact a technician—the smell may signal a deeper drain line problem.
What brands does SureFit service?
We repair all major garburator brands, including InSinkErator, Waste King, GE, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Moen models. Same-day appointments may be available. SureFit confirms timing after reviewing your request.
Get Professional Help When You Need It
When your DIY unjam attempt doesn’t work or you’re not comfortable working around electrical appliances, we’re ready to help. SureFit repairs all major garburator brands with upfront pricing—no hidden fees. We provide a written quote before any work begins, so you know exactly what to expect.
Book an appointment onlineSame-day appointments may be available. Emergency requests are reviewed before scheduling is confirmed. Don’t let a garburator jammed with debris disrupt your kitchen routine any longer!
For more information about garbage disposal repair and maintenance, see our comprehensive garbage disposal repair guide.
