How to use a garbage disposal Allen wrench

After knowing the right Allen wrench size for garbage disposal, the next step is to use it on your unit. Surprisingly, many people don’t know how to use these versatile tools or even when to use them! If you’re one of those people, today is a lucky day! In this article, I’ll show you how to use an Allen key on a garbage disposal step-by-step! 

First, let’s look at when you might need to use an Allen wrench on your garbage disposal! 

When do you need to use a garbage disposal Allen Wrench? 

In general, you will need a garbage disposal Allen key when you want to do some kind of internal repair on your disposal unit. Specifically, there are 2 main reasons why people use an Allen wrench on their garbage disposals; 

• Leaking garbage disposal

Sometimes, your garbage disposal may run into problems and start to leak. To determine where the leak is, dry off your garbage disposal unit and run the kitchen sink. Next, feel around the top of your garbage disposal where it is connected to the kitchen sink, and see if the area is leaking. Also, you will want to feel around the connections running out of the disposal unit into the water run-off connector and from the dishwasher. If you still can’t see the leak, feel around the bottom of the garbage disposal. 

Leakage on the underside of the garbage disposal shows that one filter inside the unit has a problem. Therefore, you have to take the unit apart, replace the filter and fix the leak. To accomplish all this, you’ll need to remove the garbage disposal from the mount on the sink’s underside using a socket wrench or Phillips screwdriver. In addition, you’ll need to use an Allen key to loosen up the Allen screw on the underside of your garbage disposal. 

After removing the underside of the garbage disposal, continue taking the unit apart until you see a series of filters. Unfortunately, determining which filter has a problem can be a challenging task. For that reason, the best and easiest option is to replace all the old filters at once. Next, close the garbage disposal with an Allen key and mount it back to the underside of the kitchen sink. 

• Jammed/ Clogged garbage disposal 

When your disposal units become clogged, there is nothing you can do from the top of the unit to fix the problem. Instead, you have to open up the garbage disposal and look at the issue from a different perspective. 

For instance, you can disconnect the garbage disposal from the under-sink mount with a socket wrench or Phillips screwdriver. Nonetheless, you’ll still need a garbage disposal Allen Wrench to open up the underside of the unit. 

After disconnecting the garbage disposal from the mount under the kitchen sink, flip it over and look for the connection where you can insert your Allen wrench. Insert the wrench in this connection, loosen the screws, and take off the underside of your garbage disposal. This will allow you to pull out the blades and make it easy to remove any type of debris that has accumulated around your garbage disposal. 

Once you’ve cleaned off the blade, put the garbage disposal back together, tighten the screws with an Allen key and mount it back to the underside of the kitchen sink. 

How to use an Allen wrench on a garbage disposal 

Also known as a Hex Key, an Allen wrench is mainly used to drive bolts and screws with a hexagonal head. As you would expect, using an Allen wrench is a relatively easy task. You only need to locate the screw or bolt that you need to tighten or loosen, insert the wrench into the head of the screw or bolt, and turn it in the desired direction until the bolt is tightened or loosened. 

With that in mind, how do you use an Allen wrench on a garbage disposal? 

As mentioned above, you’ll need an Hex wrench when unclogging a jammed garbage disposal. Here are the steps you need to follow when using an Allen wrench to unclog a garbage disposal; 

• Unplug your garbage disposal unit from the electrical outlet 
• Insert the right-sizeAfter knowing the right Allen wrench size for garbage disposal, the next step is to use it on your unit. Surprisingly, many people don’t know how to use these versatile tools or even when to use them! If you’re one of those people, today is a lucky day! In this article, I’ll show you how to use an Allen wrench on a garbage disposal step-by-step!

  First, let’s look at when you might need to use an Allen wrench on your garbage disposal!

  When do you need to use a garbage disposal Allen Wrench? 

  In general, you will need a garbage disposal Allen wrench when you want to do some kind of internal repair on your disposal unit. Specifically, there are 2 main reasons why people use an Allen wrench on their garbage disposals;

  • Leaking garbage disposal

  Sometimes, your garbage disposal may run into problems and start to leak. To determine where the leak is, dry off your garbage disposal unit and run the kitchen sink. Next, feel around the top of your garbage disposal where it is connected to the kitchen sink, and see if the area is leaking. Also, you will want to feel around the connections running out of the disposal unit into the water run-off connector and from the dishwasher. If you still can’t see the leak, feel around the bottom of the garbage disposal.

  Leakage on the underside of the garbage disposal shows that one filter inside the unit has a problem. Therefore, you have to take the unit apart, replace the filter and fix the leak. To accomplish all this, you’ll need to remove the garbage disposal from the mount on the sink’s underside using a socket wrench or Phillips screwdriver. In addition, you’ll need to use an Allen wrench to loosen up the Allen screw on the underside of your garbage disposal.

  After removing the underside of the garbage disposal, continue taking the unit apart until you see a series of filters. Unfortunately, determining which filter has a problem can be a challenging task. For that reason, the best and easiest option is to replace all the old filters at once. Next, close the garbage disposal with an Hex wrench and mount it back to the underside of the kitchen sink.

  • Jammed/ Clogged garbage disposal 

  When your disposal units become clogged, there is nothing you can do from the top of the unit to fix the problem. Instead, you have to open up the garbage disposal and look at the issue from a different perspective.

  For instance, you can disconnect the garbage disposal from the under-sink mount with a socket wrench or Phillips screwdriver. Nonetheless, you’ll still need a garbage disposal Allen Wrench to open up the underside of the unit.

  After disconnecting the garbage disposal from the mount under the kitchen sink, flip it over and look for the connection where you can insert your Allen key. Insert the wrench in this connection, loosen the screws, and take off the underside of your garbage disposal. This will allow you to pull out the blades and make it easy to remove any type of debris that has accumulated around your garbage disposal.

  Once you’ve cleaned off the blade, put the garbage disposal back together, tighten the screws with an Allen wrench and mount it back to the underside of the kitchen sink.

  How to use an Allen wrench on a garbage disposal 

  Also known as a Hex Key, an Allen wrench is mainly used to drive bolts and screws with a hexagonal head. As you would expect, using an Allen wrench is a relatively easy task. You only need to locate the screw or bolt that you need to tighten or loosen, insert the wrench into the head of the screw or bolt, and turn it in the desired direction until the bolt is tightened or loosened.

  With that in mind, how do you use an Allen wrench on a garbage disposal?

  As mentioned above, you’ll need an Allen wrench when unclogging a jammed garbage disposal. Here are the steps you need to follow when using an Allen wrench to unclog a garbage disposal;

  • Unplug your garbage disposal unit from the electrical outlet
  • Insert the right-size Allen wrench into the hole at the bottom of the garbage disposal
  • Turn the Allen wrench counter-clockwise to loosen the flywheel.
  • Use the pliers to pull out the jammed particles inside the garbage disposal unit and remove the garbage disposal Allen wrench from the hole.
  • Restore the power to the garbage disposal by turning on the circuit breaker or plugging it into the outlet
  • Run cold water down the unit and turn it on to wash away any debris left in the garbage disposal.

  What can you use instead of a garbage disposal Allen Wrench? 

  As the name suggests, a garbage disposal Allen wrench is specifically designed to unclog and fix various types of garbage disposals. More notably, these wrenches are different from regular and product-specific wrenches in terms of structure and method of use. In general, product-specific wrenches are manufactured differently for specific garbage disposal models and brands.

  However, if you do not have a garbage disposal Hex wrench, there are a few tools you can use instead. For instance, you can use a regular Allen wrench, even though it is not the ideal tool. Alternatively, you can use an adjustable wrench or a pair of pliers. Also, you can use a screwdriver and hammer, but you need to be careful to avoid damaging the garbage disposal unit.

  Conclusion 

  A garbage disposal is a great addition to any kitchen. However, like any other appliance, it will not last forever. For that reason, it’s important to know how to correct problems when they arise and take care of your unit. Luckily, seeing that you now know how to use an Allen wrench on a garbage disposal, you’re heading in the right direction.

   wrench into the hole at the bottom of the garbage disposal
• Turn the Allen wrench counter-clockwise to loosen the flywheel.
• Use the pliers to pull out the jammed particles inside the garbage disposal unit and remove the garbage disposal Allen wrench from the hole.
• Restore the power to the garbage disposal by turning on the circuit breaker or plugging it into the outlet
• Run cold water down the unit and turn it on to wash away any debris left in the garbage disposal. 

What can you use instead of a garbage disposal Allen Wrench? 

As the name suggests, a garbage disposal Allen wrench is specifically designed to unclog and fix various types of garbage disposals. More notably, these wrenches are different from regular and product-specific wrenches in terms of structure and method of use. In general, product-specific wrenches are manufactured differently for specific garbage disposal models and brands. 

However, if you do not have a garbage disposal Hex wrench, there are a few tools you can use instead. For instance, you can use a regular Allen wrench, even though it is not the ideal tool. Alternatively, you can use an adjustable wrench or a pair of pliers. Also, you can use a screwdriver and hammer, but you need to be careful to avoid damaging the garbage disposal unit. 

Conclusion 

A garbage disposal is a great addition to any kitchen. However, like any other appliance, it will not last forever. For that reason, it’s important to know how to correct problems when they arise and take care of your unit. Luckily, seeing that you now know how to use an Allen wrench on a garbage disposal, you’re heading in the right direction.