How to troubleshoot a garbage disposal that keeps overheating

Ever notice your garbage disposal shutting off or feeling hotter than usual? If you’re scratching your head over why this keeps happening, you’re not the only one. Let’s dig into what’s going on and how you can fix it.

Heads up: The info here might not exactly match your specific garbage disposal model. We do our best to dish out helpful tips for all sorts of DIY repairs, but different models and setups can mean variations in troubleshooting steps, error codes, parts, and so on. For the most accurate guidance, it’s a good idea to check your appliance’s manual or reach out to us if you’ve got questions.

Causes of garbage disposal overheating

Using the garbage disposal constantly

Running the garbage disposal for long stretches can make it overheat. If you don’t let it catch a break between uses, the motor ends up working too hard, causing heat to build up.

Clogging the disposal

When food scraps or odd objects clog up the disposal, the motor has to work overtime. This extra strain can make your disposal overheat. Keeping it clean and watching what you toss in can help prevent these jams.

Not using enough water

Not using enough water when running your disposal makes food bits stick to the blades. This increases the friction, which heats up the motor. Make sure you’ve got a good flow of cold water going when you use the disposal; it’ll help things run smoothly.

Overloading the disposal

Throwing a big pile of food scraps or tough stuff into the disposal all at once puts a lot of stress on the motor. Overloading it like this can make it overheat in no time. Better to feed waste little by little and skip the hard or stringy stuff that’s tough to grind.

Read more: How To Quickly And Easily Unclog Your Kitchen Double Sink With A Garbage Disposal

Solutions for overheating garbage disposal

Resetting your garbage disposal

Most disposals have a reset button underneath. If the disposal overheats and shuts down, the reset button trips to protect it.

• Switch off the disposal and let it cool down for a few minutes.
• Look under the sink and find the red or black reset button on the bottom of the unit.
• Give the reset button a firm push, you might hear a click.
• Turn on the cold water in the sink.
• Flip the disposal back on and see if it’s working.

Cooling down the disposal

If you’ve been using it a lot, let it cool off for about 15 minutes before trying again. This simple step can stop more overheating and avoid possible damage.

Read more: How to fix a burning smell in your garbage disposal

Preventive measures to avoid overheating

Regular maintenance

Taking care of your garbage disposal keeps it running longer and helps avoid problems like overheating.

• Run it regularly: Even if there’s no food to grind up, run the disposal with cold water to keep things moving and prevent rust.
• Clean the disposal: A mix of vinegar and baking soda works great to clean the blades and get rid of buildup.
• Skip harsh chemicals: Chemical drain cleaners can affect the disposal’s parts.

Proper usage tips

The way you use your garbage disposal really affects how well it works.

• Use cold water: Always run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal. Cold water helps solidify any grease or oil so they can be chopped up before they clog your pipes.
• Feed waste gradually: Don’t overload it. Put small amounts of food waste into the disposal instead of dumping a big pile.
• Avoid certain foods: Stringy stuff like celery, artichokes, and corn husks can wrap around the blades. Hard things like bones and fruit pits are too tough, just toss them in the trash.
• Know your model: Different disposals can handle different amounts. Check your appliance’s manual or look up the model number to see what it can handle. Not sure how to find the model number? Here’s a handy guide on how to find your appliance’s model number.

Read more: How to prep your garbage disposal for Thanksgiving and other holiday events

Additional tips and resources

Thanks for stopping by! If you need replacement parts, head over to AppliancePartsPros.com with your model number. We carry over two million parts, and most arrive within two business days. If you have questions or need help, call us at 1 (877) 477-7278.

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