But despite being of quality standard, a Barracuda garbage disposal can also have its fair share of challenges and problems that may prevent it from doing its job properly. Before you consider service or a replacement for a problem you might have at your disposal, it helps to perform some troubleshooting to see if you can resolve the issue without paying a technician. The following is a simple how-to and troubleshooting guide for some common Barracuda garbage disposal problems.
How to Operate a Barracuda Garbage Disposal
As the unit’s swivel impellers initially swing into place, they make a clicking sound. This indicates normal operation. Check this too: How to Turn On a Garbage Disposal Without a Switch
How to Troubleshoot a Barracuda Garbage Disposal That Won’t Start
If your Barracuda garbage disposal does not start follow the troubleshooting instructions below to try fix the problem:
Why is My Barracuda Garbage Disposal Leaking?
If your garbage disposal is leaking at the top, it may be due to the following reasons: If your unit leaks at the waste elbow, the leak may be due to improper tightening of elbow flange screws.
Barracuda Garbage Disposal Mounting: Assembly Installation
Before proceeding to install mounting assembly, pay close attention to the order of the mount assembly parts, as they have been correctly assembled by the factory. Follow these instructions to install mounting assembly for Speed Master Mount Systems:
Why Is My Barracuda Garbage Disposal Just Humming and Not Working?
If your garbage disposal makes a humming sound but doesn’t work, this may indicate that the motor is clogged or jammed. Usually, this causes the disposer’s reset button to pop or the circuit breaker to trip. To fix this problem:
How Do You Reset a Barracuda Garbage Disposal?
The unit has a red reset button located on the front of the disposer. If the reset button is tripped, the disposer will not start until the button is reset. To reset a Barracuda garbage disposal, push the red reset button in until it clicks and remains depressed.
Why Did My Barracuda Garbage Disposal Suddenly Stop Working?
If the garbage disposal is not running at all, it could be a power problem. Check the power to the circuit that feeds the garbage disposal. If the breaker is OK, then check the power at the switch. If you have power coming to, but not leaving the switch, then the switch is bad. Turn the circuit off and replace the switch. The problem may be caused by a foreign object which lodges between the turntables and grind ring. First make sure you turn off the switch to the garbage disposal. Then check for foreign objects and dislodge the object by rotating the turntable with a long screwdriver or broom handle and remove the object. A tripped reset button could also be the culprit. The reset button may trip if the unit jams or experiences another problem. If the button is tripped, the garbage disposal will not work until it is reset. To reset, you need to push in the red reset button at the front of the garbage disposal until it clicks and remains depressed.
How to Unclog a Barracuda Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal gets clogged, it may drain very slowly or may not drain at all. This causes water to back up when running the garbage disposal. You will need to remove the clog to have the garbage disposal working and draining properly. To unclog the garbage disposal, you may need the following tools:
BucketScrub brush or wireChannel-type pliers25-foot drum auger or drain snake
Then follow these instructions to unclog the garbage disposal; Check this too: Kitchenaid Garbage Disposal How-to & Troubleshooting Guide
Why Won’t My Barracuda Garbage Disposal Turn Off?
If your garbage disposal won’t turn off, first determine if it a hard wired or connected to an outlet. Then follow the directions below to troubleshoot. If the garbage disposal is plugged into a standard wall outlet; If your garbage disposal is hardwired;
How to Fix a Loud/Noisy Barracuda Garbage Disposal
You may hear loud noises from your garbage disposal during grinding of small bones and fruit pits. Other than those, if the unit is really noisy, it is as a result of an accidental entry of a bottle cap, spoon or other foreign objects. To fix a noisy Barracuda garbage disposal, follow these instructions:
Why is My Barracuda Garbage Disposal Backing Up?
If water backs up when running your garbage disposal, it is likely because you have a clog in the drain lines. Disposals also can back up over time because the waste line or trap gets coated and eventually obstructed with food waste. A garbage disposal backing up often indicates a problem in the drain trap (U-shaped plumbing fitting) that is located downstream of the disposal discharge pipe.
How Often Should You Clean a Garbage Disposal?
Garbage disposal is that one appliance in your home that comes with loads of benefits from saving time used to handle food remains to conserve our environment. It is, however, so easy to forget that the garbage disposal still exists in your kitchen since it is perfectly concealed and hidden away under your sink. Your garbage disposal just like any other appliance needs proper cleaning regularly. This miracle appliance’s work is to grind up food remnants and peelings then flush them out. During the process, small pieces may be stuck in the grinding chamber and the splash guard, eventually decaying. This creates a good breeding environment for mold and harmful bacteria in addition to foul odors around your kitchen. Your garbage disposal will need some proper cleaning every fortnight to keep it odorless and free from harmful microorganisms using cleaning procedures that will not take much of your time. You can use various inexpensive household supplies like vinegar, baking soda, lemon peels, ice cubes, or rock salt to clean the garbage disposal.
How to Clean a Garbage Disposal: Step By Step Guide
The good news is that cleaning your garbage disposal is a simple task that will not consume much of your time. It is advisable to use natural cleaning agents to help maintain the metal parts of your appliance in perfect condition as most chemical cleaners tend to be corrosive.
Step 1: Disconnect the power to the unit
Switch off the garbage and unplug from the socket to ensure your safety while cleaning the appliance. Disconnect the power by either pulling out the plug connected to an outlet located under the sink or turning off power from the breaker box. To be sure that you disconnected the right circuit by trying to turn on the garbage disposal before starting to clean it.
Step 2: Cleaning the splash guard( also known as a baffle or gasket)
This is a rubber component with many grooves and crevices, which in turn collect and trap lots of small food particles and grease. Carefully pull out the splash guard from the drain and place it in the kitchen tub for a thorough cleaning. Use a scrubbing brush or an old toothbrush and dishwashing detergent to scrub all the grooves to remove any slimy grime and debris. Rinse off with clean water and set it aside.
Step 3: Inspect the grinder
Removing the splash guard in the above procedure will give you access to the grinder. Use a flashlight to check for any particles escaping the grinder and use a pair of pliers or tongs to pick out the pieces of food. Be careful not to pick the pieces using your fingers as the blades are very sharp even when not in motion.
Step 4: Replace the splash guard and Pour in baking soda and vinegar
Measure and pour half a cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal and let it sit for half an hour. Baking soda is used to deodorize the disposal. After 30 minutes add a cup of vinegar to the disposal. This will cause a chemical reaction with a foamy liquid bubbling up into your sink. Allow the reaction to zap away the grime in your disposal for three to five minutes, and then flush with hot running water from the faucet or boil some water in a pot.
Step 5: Clean and sharpen the grinder blades
Reconnect the power of the garbage disposal to effectively perform the rest of the procedures. Pour two cups of ice and a cup of salt into the disposal run the cold-water faucet then switch on the appliance. Let it run and grind all the ice and salt. These two used together are an effective way of scrubbing and sharpening the grinder blades of the garbage disposal unit.
Step 6: Freshen your garbage disposal up by grinding lemon peels
This should be the last step and the popular lemon peels will help you leave your disposal and kitchen sink smelling fresh with some pleasant citrus scent. Stuff the peels from one sizeable lemon into the disposal then run cold water from the faucet and turn on the appliance.
How Do You Keep a Garbage Disposal Clean?
To prevent your garbage disposal from running into occasional breakdowns that nobody wants to go through, it is best to practice safe routines that keep the disposal working smoothly for longer. Below are some basic garbage disposal dos and don’ts that will help you maintain your favorite kitchen appliance in good condition and avoid costly replacements or repairs while extending its lifespan. Dos: Don’ts: Do not run fibrous waste grease, fat, and pasta through the garbage disposal as they are most likely to leave you with a clogged drain. Tough plant fibers like potato skins and celery should be disposed of as solid waste. Pasta is notably notorious for clogging drains so you should keep it away from your garbage disposal.
Is it OK to Pour Boiling Water Down a Garbage Disposal?
It is okay to use boiling water while cleaning your garbage disposal where you mix white vinegar and baking soda in equal parts then flush it using boiling water. On the other hand, never use hot water when grinding food waste as the hot water liquefy grease and oil and facilitate it to stick and clog on hidden parts and crevices when the temperature is lowered.
Is it OK to Put Ice Cubes in a Garbage Disposal?
You should schedule to grind up ice cubes in your garbage disposal as an effective routine to keep the appliance in good condition. This can be done once a month by stuffing a handful of ice cubes into the disposal then running it as usual. The ice sharpens the grinder blades without causing harm to other components and the tiny chips from the ground-up ice act as a powerful scrub to clean hard-to-reach parts inside the disposal. Using frozen vinegar in place of ice is a great hack in eliminating bad odor, grime, and bacteria from the disposal while sharpening the blades at the same time.
Why Should I Use Cold Water With My Garbage Disposal?
Most plumbers recommend using cold water when running garbage disposal, not hot water, to prevent clogs. The best protection against clogs is to avoid putting grease, fats, and oils down the drain in the first place, but cold water can help too. When grease or oil cools, it solidifies using cold water, your garbage disposal can chop up bits of grease before they reach the trap. Hot water, in contrast, will allow liquid oils to flow down the drain and into your pipes, where they will naturally cool down, solidify, and accumulate to form clogs. Always remember to keep the faucet running before, during, and after using the garbage disposal to prevent the grinder from seizing and to flush away food particles. Check this too: How to Turn On a Garbage Disposal Without a Switch
