Garbage disposal runs but does not grind food effectively; food remains in chamber
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.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Disconnect power before inspecting the grinding components.
- Visual inspection: Shine a light into the Project Source disposal. Check if the impeller lugs and shredder ring teeth appear smooth or heavily worn.
- Clean buildup: Use ice cubes and a small amount of rock salt with cold water to help knock off minor scale and buildup (run the disposal with ice and water for 20–30 seconds).
- Avoid hard items: Do not grind bones, fruit pits, or non-food items, as they accelerate wear.
If grinding performance remains poor and the teeth are visibly worn, the grinding components are not serviceable separately on most Project Source models. Replace the entire disposal unit for restored performance.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
We may earn a commission from links on this page.