Garbage disposal emits a persistent burning smell when running; may be accompanied by smoke or excessive heat from the housing.

Safety warning: Immediately turn off the disposal and switch off the breaker. Do not continue to operate a smoking or burning-smell unit.

• Step 1 – Allow cooling: Let the disposal cool for at least 20–30 minutes. Do not touch the housing if it is hot.
• Step 2 – Check for jams: With power off, inspect the grinding chamber for foreign objects and clear any obstructions using tongs and a hex wrench at the bottom shaft.
• Step 3 – Reset overload: Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit after it has cooled.
• Step 4 – Brief test: Restore power, run cold water, and briefly turn the unit on for 1–2 seconds. If the burning smell returns or the unit struggles, turn it off immediately.
• Step 5 – Replace if smell persists: A persistent burning odor indicates damaged motor windings or insulation. Replace the disposal; internal motor repair is not recommended.