Moen garbage disposals can be stuck and stop working occasionally like any other garbage disposal. The steps to unjamming a moen garbage disposal differ from other brands because Moen disposals do not have a hex hole at the bottom.
Unjamming a stuck Moen garbage disposal requires turning off the power supply, identifying the source of the jam, and using tongs, pliers, or a wooden spoon to remove the jamming object and then manually turning the blades to ensure they rotate freely.
Given below are the detailed steps to unjam a stuck Moen garbage disposal;
Step 1: Safety First
Before attempting to unjam your Moen garbage disposal, it’s crucial to ensure your safety. Garbage disposals are powerful machines that can cause serious injury if mishandled. Follow these steps to protect yourself:
- Turn off the power to the Moen garbage disposal from the wall
- Never put your hands inside the garbage disposal.
Step 2: Locate the Jam
The first step in unjamming your Moen garbage disposal is to identify the location of the jam. Common causes of jams include foreign objects such as bones, utensils, and starchy food wastes.
Follow these steps to locate the jam:
- Look inside the disposal with a flashlight.
- Identify the object causing the jam.
Step 3: Clear the Jam
Once you’ve identified the cause of the jam, it’s time to clear it. Here are some methods you can try:
- Use tongs or pliers to remove the object.
- Use a wooden spoon to manually move the impellers and dislodge the object.
- Use a garbage disposal wrench to manually rotate the blades
In order to clear the jam in the Moen garbage disposal, you first need to remove whatever is causing the jam. Insert tongs or pliers through the top of the Moen garbage disposal and remove the obstruction.
Once the obstruction is removed, ensure the impellers are free to move. Unfortunately, Moen garbage disposals do not come with a hex hole at their bottom, so unjamming with a hex wrench is not possible. Therefore, you will need to insert a wooden spoon or a broom handle through the sink hole into the garbage disposal and rotate its blades free of the jam.
Alternatively, you can also buy a specially designed unjamming wrench to unjam the moen garbage disposal.
You can also read more about the steps for unjamming any garbage disposal here.
Step 4: Reset the Disposal
After clearing the jam, it’s time to reset the disposal. Follow these steps:
- Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit.
- Turn the power back on and test the disposal.
To reset the motor, locate the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal. Press the button firmly and hold it down for several seconds. Release the button and then turn the power back on to test the disposal.
Step 5: Prevent Future Jams
Preventing future jams is essential to keep your Moen garbage disposal functioning correctly. Here are some tips to help you prevent jams:
- Run cold water while using the disposal.
- Avoid putting large amounts of food waste down the disposal at once.
- Don’t put hard or fibrous foods such as bones, celery, or corn husks down the disposal.
- Clean the disposal regularly.
