Insinkerator 444 jammed

[ctown]

I have an Insinkerator 444, and one of the "slingers" has a soda can tab jammed underneath it and scrapes against the inner wall of the disposer. I've been unsuccessful in my attempts to dislodge it with a screwdriver and pliers. Any other suggestions?

[KSever]

I've had to take the disposer out and remove the top casing on a few different ones to remove the really stuck items. Or sometimes you can get to it from the outgoing drain side after you take out the disposer from under the sink.
In the past with working maintenance in all different types of apartments I've come across items stuck in there I couldn't believe how they even got in there.

[ctown]

My plumbing/handyman skills are quite limited, so I was hoping it didn't come to that. Sounds like I'm going to have to call in a plumber.

[LazyPup]

It is not essential that the slingers must rotate for the disposal to operate, in fact most of them will get corroded and stuck in place as they age.

Use a screw drive to pry the exposed portion of the tab up, then use a pair of needle nose pliers to break the tab off so it won't rub. You can then use the disposal in the normal manner and the normal vibration should dislodge the remaining portion within a few days.

[X Y Scaling]

[?] Hey ctown,
Got a quick question for you. I just got the 444 and I wonder how long you have had yours? I just curious about the life expectancy of the unit. It's is less expensive, but it doesn't have some of the build quality of the more expensive units.
thanks, Tom

Vinyl and Laserdisc Fan

[Dan O.]

quote:Originally posted by ctown
Sounds like I'm going to have to call in a plumber.

If the unit needs service, you would likely be better off calling an appliance repair company rather than a plumber (see the following link), preferably an ISE factory service depot.

LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/service/...ces/Disposals/

JMO

Dan O.

https://www.Appliance411.com/?ref411=ISE_Disposer

The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

[ctown]

quote:Originally posted by X Y Scaling

[?] Hey ctown,
Got a quick question for you. I just got the 444 and I wonder how long you have had yours? I just curious about the life expectancy of the unit. It's is less expensive, but it doesn't have some of the build quality of the more expensive units.
thanks, Tom

Vinyl and Laserdisc Fan

I've had this one for about 1 year, which was a replacement for one that lasted for just over 4 years before it stopped working and was leaking from the bottom. Even though it was out of warranty, Insinkerator sent me a new one, though I had to pay to have it installed.

[ctown]

quote:Originally posted by LazyPup

It is not essential that the slingers must rotate for the disposal to operate, in fact most of them will get corroded and stuck in place as they age.

Use a screw drive to pry the exposed portion of the tab up, then use a pair of needle nose pliers to break the tab off so it won't rub. You can then use the disposal in the normal manner and the normal vibration should dislodge the remaining portion within a few days.

The problem is that a relatively small part of the tab is exposed, so I may not be able to bend it up. But I'll give it a try. Thanks for the advice!

[ctown]

Update -- I've been able to push the tab slightly so that it no longer rubs against the side when I run the disposer, at least not audibly. Of course, the tab is still jammed in there, as shown in this photo:

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=11/32018553799.jpg&s=x2

So do you recommend I still have an appliance repairman come out and remove the tab?

[Dan O.]

quote:Originally posted by ctown
So do you recommend I still have an appliance repairman come out and remove the tab?

If it isn't making noise it probably isn't doing any damage but if it is jamming movement of the 'hammer', it IS probably reducing effectiveness of the unit's grinding ability.

If the unit's still under warranty and you explain the situation to the service depot, they *may* be willing to correct it under warranty. (Usually a warranty only covers defects in the product).

Nice picture BTW.

JMO

Dan O.

https://www.Appliance411.com/?ref411=ISE_Disposal

The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

[X Y Scaling]

quote:I've had this one for about 1 year, which was a replacement for one that lasted for just over 4 years before it stopped working and was leaking from the bottom. Even though it was out of warranty, Insinkerator sent me a new one, though I had to pay to have it installed.

thanks ctown..... only 4 years??? Well, the 444, I think, only has stainless steel cutters but NOT a stainless steel cutting chamber. That may be the reason it leaked. Golly, only four years. I wonder if that is about normal for a non stainless grinding chamber. Makes me think I should take mine back while I'm still in the return time period.

Anyone else out there have any experience with food disposals with non staniless cutting chanbers??

I'm relpaceing a Sears Craftsman which lasted 18 years. It was made by in-sink-erator.
see ya, Tom

Vinyl and Laserdisc Fan