| Relatively small and mostly out of sight the garbage | | | | in your disposer, run the water and turn your unit on. |
| disposal is more a convenience than a necessity | | | | This helps clean and maintain the edge on your |
| when compared to a washer, dryer or refrigerator, | | | | chopping blades by removing build up. Afterwards, |
| for residential use that is. Many people like this | | | | cut a lemon putting the slices and a little baking soda |
| convenience though. John W. Hammes invented the | | | | in the unit to aid in the cleaning and deodorizing |
| garbage disposer in 1927, nicknamed (The Electric Pig) | | | | process. |
| because he wanted to make clean up in the kitchen | | | | Should your unit become jammed check the |
| easier for his wife. After several years improvement | | | | underneath side for an opening designed for the |
| he opened a company named In-Sink-Erator in | | | | insertion of a small Allen wrench, usually ¼ inch |
| Racine, Wisconsin, now a division of Emerson Electric. | | | | in size. Insert the wrench and move it back and forth |
| That being said, let's talk about maintaining and | | | | to dislodge the jam. If a wrench fitting is not available |
| properly using this convenience innovation, but first, a | | | | try using a wooden handle pushing against the blades |
| word of caution. Do not stick your hands into unit | | | | in one direction then the other. Once the jam is freed |
| even when off. Units are replaceable, fingers are not. | | | | use long noised pliers to remove the object before |
| Keep in mind that the use of a disposer is not | | | | turning unit back on otherwise it may get jammed |
| recommended if you utilize septic tank systems as | | | | again. |
| they will shorten the time between required pump | | | | In many cases once a disposer jams it will trip a |
| outs and in some areas garbage disposals are not | | | | reset button (if provided). If the unit will not start |
| allowed on septic systems. | | | | and no humming is heard when power is applied, then |
| Disposers are virtually maintenance free when used | | | | look underneath for a red reset button. Press the |
| correctly. Avoid grease, bones, and grisly foods which | | | | button to reset. You should feel or hear a slight click |
| could clog or jam your unit. Periodically pour ice cubes | | | | when it resets. |