Before doing anything, turn OFF the disposal switch. Do not put your hand into the disposal chamber until you have verified the power is disconnected.

You have an intermittent jam. Something is tapping the impellers. Remove the disposal, open the grind chamber, or call a pro.

If your disposal feels hot to the touch or is humming but not spinning, the motor has likely overheated or the flywheel is jammed.

1. Safety First Turn off the power immediately. Unplug the unit from the wall outlet under the sink. If it is hardwired, turn off the breaker at your electrical panel.

2. Check for a Jam If the flywheel is stuck, the motor tries to spin, overheats, and shuts down.

3. Reset the Motor Once the jam is cleared, let the unit cool down for 5–10 minutes.

No. Only use cold water when running the disposal. Cold water solidifies any grease or oil so the blades can chop it into particles. Hot water melts grease, which then coats the blades and internal walls, leading to jams and overheating.

To keep your InSinkErator running smoothly (and prevent overheating), grind ice cubes occasionally to sharpen the blades and clean the chamber, and always run cold water (not hot) while grinding food. Cold water solidifies grease so it can be ground up, whereas hot water melts it and can cause clogs further down the pipe.

Disclaimer: Always disconnect power before attempting any repairs. If you are uncomfortable working with plumbing or electricity, please consult a licensed plumber.

Here’s a concise troubleshooting write‑up for “how to fix a hot InSinkErator garbage disposal” (the unit feels hot to the touch, or hot water/smells are coming from it).

You will need: