I get your point about needle-nose pliers, but honestly, even the disposal wrench isn't always foolproof. I've had tenants call me over because they tried the hex tool and ended up forcing it too hard, stripping the hex socket inside. Then you're really stuck—either replacing parts or swapping out the whole disposal. Personally, I prefer turning off power completely and using a flashlight to visually inspect first. Sometimes it's just a small piece of plastic or metal that got wedged in there. If you can safely remove it by hand (with gloves, obviously), you avoid putting unnecessary torque on the blades or motor shaft. The disposal wrench is handy, sure, but it's not always the safest first step. Better to diagnose visually before applying force—you'll save yourself some headaches down the line.
"Better to diagnose visually before applying force—you'll save yourself some headaches down the line."
Couldn't agree more. I've seen way too many disposals wrecked by folks going full Hulk-mode on that hex wrench. Usually, a quick visual check (power off, obviously!) can save you from turning a minor jam into a major repair. And if you're not comfortable reaching in there—even with gloves—try using a wooden spoon handle or something similar to gently dislodge the blockage first. Better safe than sorry...and cheaper too.
Good points here, but honestly, sometimes a visual check won't reveal everything. I've had a couple instances where small metal bits (like bottle caps or screws) got wedged under the blades and weren't obvious at first glance.
"try using a wooden spoon handle or something similar to gently dislodge the blockage first."
This definitely helps, but if you still hear weird noises after clearing visible debris, try shining a flashlight down there and rotating the blades manually (power off, of course). Usually you'll feel resistance if there's hidden junk stuck underneath. Saved me from replacing mine last year...
Haha, I call mine the "sink monster" too—glad I'm not alone.
"Usually you'll feel resistance if there's hidden junk stuck underneath."
Yep, flashlight trick saved me from a rogue beer cap once. Still no idea how it got there...
Haha, beer cap—that's a new one for me. Usually it's sneaky veggie scraps or random utensils here. Ever tried the ice cube trick to freshen up the blades? Seems weird, but it actually helps quiet mine down sometimes...
