Garbage disposal motor stops abruptly with a burning smell or visible smoke from under the sink.

Safety first: Immediately turn off the wall switch and shut off the breaker. Do not attempt to restart the unit. Ventilate the area.

• Allow cooling: Let the disposal cool completely before touching it. Do not press the reset until it has cooled.
• Inspect for visible damage: Look for melted plastic, burned wiring, or scorch marks around the motor housing and junction box.
• Check for leaks: Determine if water leaks contributed to the failure and correct any plumbing issues.
• Do not reuse: A disposal that has smoked or emitted a strong burning odor has likely suffered irreversible motor damage.

The safe and proper remedy for a burned-out Maxmatic motor is full replacement of the disposal unit and inspection of the electrical circuit.