Waste King Overheating Motor / Electrical Overload

Garbage disposal emits a burning smell or smoke during operation.

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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

Prolonged running under heavy load, Jammed impeller causing stalled motor, Failing motor windings, Foreign object causing friction

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Immediately turn OFF the disposal and the circuit breaker. Do not continue to operate a smoking or burning unit.

  • Step 1 – Allow cooling: Let the unit cool completely for at least 30 minutes.
  • Step 2 – Clear jams: Use the jam-buster wrench to rotate the shaft and free any jams. Remove debris from the chamber with tongs.
  • Step 3 – Inspect for damage: If you see melted plastic, burn marks, or smell strong burnt insulation, the motor is likely damaged.
  • Step 4 – Do not reuse if damaged: A motor that has smoked or emitted a strong burning smell should be replaced for safety.
  • Step 5 – Install new unit: Replace the disposal with a new Waste King model and ensure proper usage to avoid overloading.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Garbage Disposal Unit
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