Unclog garbage disposal...broccoli???

Question

I think I "disposed" of too much broccoli and now the disposal turns, but the water doesn't drain. Eventually the elbow blew up under the sink, my husband put it back and tomorrow he wants to "dissolve" the broccoli from the disposal and pipes. I read that it might harm it. What do we do?

Answer 1

just because it says it a disposal doesn't mean it will dispose of everything. throw the big stuff in the trash and whatever small scraps go down the drain use your disposal them as far as pouring some cleaner down your pipes, don't. clean it out manually and if its still clogged use baking soda and some vinegar. just pour a little arm-n-hammer down the drain them pour the vinegar on top. do that several times and it should go down. its alot easier to throw the stuff in the trash than cleaning the pipes now and then

Answer 2

Do like slug says and then run a lot of ice through it. It will help clean it.

Answer 3

best bet is to unplug the disposer, and reach your hand down there and get out as much as you can with your hands... There is a screen on the drain side of the disposer.  It will not let large pieces go down the drain.  After you have gotten all the big stuff out, plug it back in and activate it... if it still wont drain, use a plunger on it a couple times... this should free the last bits and it should go back to normal.

If the motor jams, use the allen key that came with it, insert it into the hole on the bottom of the unit, and spin it around until the motor will free up.

NEVER put fiberous things like celery or artichokes down a disposer... its a total nightmare