E18
McAlpine Worn Grinding Components

Disposal runs but food is not being ground finely; large chunks remain and pass into the trap; LED flashes once-long, eight-short.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Worn McAlpine grinding ring teeth, Rounded impeller lugs, Loose impeller arms, Excessive corrosion in grinding chamber

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off power and never place your hand inside the chamber.

  • Inspect grinding ring: Shine a torch into the chamber. The grinding ring should have sharp, defined teeth. If they appear smooth or heavily corroded, grinding efficiency will be poor.
  • Check impeller arms: Use a tool to move the impeller arms. They should pivot freely and have defined lugs.
  • Run with ice (temporary improvement): Grinding a small quantity of ice cubes can sometimes knock off minor buildup, but will not fix worn parts.

Significantly worn grinding components require replacement of the grinding plate and ring or the entire McAlpine disposal.

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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Grinding Ring and Impeller Plate
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