A silent garburator can be surprisingly frustrating, especially when you’re mid-meal cleanup and it suddenly stops spinning. Whether it’s jammed, overheated, or just plain stubborn, you don’t have to panic. Sometimes, a fix is just a button press or an Allen wrench turn away.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. This guide breaks down the most common reasons your unit might be frozen in place and how to handle them safely. At Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter in Victoria, BC, we help homeowners get their garburators back in working order with repairs, replacements, and honest advice when it’s time for something new.
Check for Power First
If your garburator isn’t spinning, don’t jump straight to tearing it apart. Start by making sure it has power. You’d be surprised how many problems start from a loose plug or a tripped breaker. Look under your sink to check that it’s plugged in tightly. Then find your home’s electrical panel and check the breaker that controls the kitchen.
If the breaker is flipped off, turn it back on and test the garburator again. Still nothing? Try pressing the small reset button on the bottom of the unit. This button is usually red and may require a firm push. When that button clicks, it means the unit had a safety shutdown and might work again after resetting. If it hums but still doesn’t spin, you may be dealing with a jam and not a power issue.
Use an Allen Key to Break a Jam
When your unit hums but doesn’t move, something inside is likely stuck. A small piece of bone, a fruit pit, or even a spoon can jam the blades. Underneath the unit, there’s a small hole in the centre made for an Allen key. You can get one at most hardware stores if you don’t already have one. Stick the key in and twist it back and forth.
You might need a bit of strength at first, especially if something’s wedged. This motion can help shake things loose from inside the chamber. It won’t fix electrical problems, but it’s one of the easiest ways to free a jam without taking the whole thing apart. Once it starts spinning freely again, try turning the unit back on with cold water running to flush out any stuck debris.
Never Stick Your Hand Inside
It doesn’t matter if the unit is unplugged or you’re sure the power is off. Keep your hands out of the garburator. The blades inside may not look sharp like knives, but they’re powerful and can cause serious injury. If you drop something like a fork or ring down the drain, use long tongs or pliers to get it out.
Flash a light down the hole to help you see what’s stuck. If you really can’t reach it safely, don’t force it. It’s not worth hurting yourself. Sometimes the best option is to remove the unit from under the sink and shake out whatever’s trapped inside. That can be messy and more advanced, but it’s still safer than sticking your fingers inside where you can’t see.
Rinse With Ice and Salt to Loosen Gunk
If the blades are sticky or sluggish but still move, they might be coated in grease or old food bits. A simple cleaning method is to drop in some ice cubes along with a spoonful of coarse salt and run the unit for a few seconds. Then run cold water and flip the switch.
The grinding ice knocks grime off the blades while the salt scrubs the walls. This can be noisy, but it works well for cleaning the unit and restoring motion. This trick can also freshen up the smell. Just be sure not to use hot water, which can melt grease and make the blades stick harder. Cold water helps the fat stay solid so the ice can chip it away.
Know When It’s Time for a Replacement
Even with regular care, no garburator lasts forever. If yours is over 10 years old and keeps clogging, making odd noises, or struggling to spin, it may be wearing out. Motor problems, cracked internal parts, or rusty blades can all affect performance. A new unit will not only work better but will also be quieter and more energy-efficient.
Some newer models even come with safety sensors or better grinding power, which is great for bigger households. If you’ve tried all the fixes and it still doesn’t work or if the jam comes back repeatedly, investing in a new one is likely your best option. Think of it like a kitchen upgrade, not just a repair.
Save Your Garburator and Get It Spinning Again
Garburators are tough little machines, but they still need the occasional checkup, especially when they stop working. Knowing how to handle a jam or when to leave it to the pros can save you time, money, and headaches.
We also offer hot water tank installation, drain cleaning, and in-floor heating services. If the steps we shared here didn’t get yours spinning again, it might be time to bring in the pros at Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter to take a closer look and get things moving. Call us today to schedule your next plumbing appointment.
