KitchenAid Partial Obstruction in Grind Chamber or Discharge

Garbage disposal runs but water slowly drains from the sink even when disposal is off; standing water persists.

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Possible Causes

Packed fibrous material around shredder ring, Grease buildup at discharge outlet, Foreign object partially blocking outlet

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety First: Turn OFF power before reaching into the sink opening.

Step-by-step:

  • 1. Clear chamber: With power OFF, use tongs to remove any fibrous material (celery, corn husks) wrapped around the impellers.
  • 2. Flush with water: Run hot water for several minutes to soften grease.
  • 3. Clean discharge elbow: Remove the discharge elbow from the KitchenAid disposal and clear any buildup or obstructions.
  • 4. Use a plunger: With the disposal off and covered by the splash guard, use a sink plunger on the disposal side to help clear minor clogs.
  • 5. Avoid future fibrous loads: Do not put stringy vegetables or large amounts of peelings into the disposal.

When to call a technician: If slow drainage persists after cleaning, the downstream drain line may need professional clearing.

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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Discharge Elbow
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