Garbage Disposal issue?

Question

I was cleaning out my fish tank in the sink and I accidentally dropped a few pieces of aquarium gravel down the garbage disposal. When I was dopne cleaning the tank I reached into the disposal and tried to pull out any rocks I could, and when I thought it was empty of rocks I turned on the sink and tried to turn on the disposal. All it did was make a humming sound. I tried to reset it, and that didn't do anything. Also, the blades spin freely when I try to push them when I reach into the sink. I read somewhere something about an allen wrench in the bottom of the disposal, but I don't think I have one of those... Does anyone know why it is doing this?!?

Answer 1

the gravel has wedged it self into the small spaces between the side of the unit and the grinding disc most of the disposals today have an allen key receiver on the bottom in the very center you insert the correct size allen wrench and turn the shaft back and forth till it spins freely (i'm not sure of the size but if you go to the hardware store you can get a multi fold-out allen key set that will include the one you need be sure to tell the clerk what you are looking for they may even know what size is right ) when the wheel shaft turn on the disposal with out water many times the small pebbles will fly up out of the neck if they do not you'll need a pair of long needle nose pliers and a flashlight and a lot of patiancetake out all the pieces you can find then start the disposal again without water if you hear noise there is more to be removed so go back in with the pliers and light when the unit runs quietly it's cleaned out turn on the water to give it a good flushing out and you back in business

Answer 2

The gravel has jammed the interior spinning base that the blades are attached to.

If you can get the base to rotate, it will come on and try again.

The easiest way is to use an allen wrench-like tool that comes with it.  There is a hole in the center, on the bottom, where you insert it to turn and loosen things up.

In "the old days" you would put a broom handle into the sink opening and force the blades to turn the base.  This can still be done, with no tool.

Finally, reset the button on the bottom and flip the switch.  You'll be grinding away in no time!