You will need:
Turn the wrench back and forth in a clockwise and counterclockwise motion.
If you’ve tried the steps above and your InSinkErator still won’t work—or if you notice visible smoke, a burning electrical smell, or a persistent leak—it’s time to call a professional plumber. Ignoring a burning motor can lead to electrical hazards or complete motor failure.
Modern InSinkErators have a built-in safety feature that cuts power to the motor if it gets too hot. This prevents the motor from burning out or starting a fire. Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing a Hot InSinkErator
Once the unit is cool, you need to manually reset the overload protector. Garbage Disposal Not Working? | Roto-Rooter Blog how to fix a insinkerator garbage disposal hot
To stop this from happening again, avoid these common mistakes:
Before you touch anything:
Cold water solidifies fats and greases so the grinders can chop them up. Hot water melts grease, causing it to coat the mechanism and stress the motor.
If nothing happens, the thermal switch may be damaged, or the motor is completely dead. Alternative Causes of Overheating You will need: Turn the wrench back and
If your InSinkErator continues to run hot frequently, review these common operational mistakes:
: If the disposal overheated, the button will be protruding about a quarter-inch. Push it in until you hear or feel a click . 3. Check for Jams (If it Hums but Won't Spin) Home Resetting a Garbage Disposal
An InSinkErator model rarely overheats without an underlying mechanical strain. Use these diagnostics to fix the underlying problem: 1. Clear Mechanical Jams (Humming Sound)
With power off, turn hex wrench – if grinding noise is uneven or very stiff, internal damage likely. Modern InSinkErators have a built-in safety feature that
Feeding too much food waste or fibrous materials (like celery or potato peels) into the disposal at once can bog down the motor.
: Turn on the kitchen faucet and let cold water run down the drain. Cold water helps absorb residual heat from the metal grinding components and solidifies any trapped fats or oils so they can be flushed later.
Put a fan on the disposal if you want to speed up the process. The unit should feel warm, not burning hot, before you proceed.
Do not put expandables (rice, pasta), fibrous items (celery, corn husks, onion skins), hard objects (bones, seafood shells), or non-food items down the disposal. These items heavily tax the motor and cause immediate overheating. To help me tailor any further advice, could you tell me: What model of InSinkErator do you have?