A commercial garbage disposal is a heavy-duty machine that is designed to dispose of large amounts of garbage in commercial settings like restaurants and hospitals etc. These machines work around the clock and deal with all types of food items, which can sometimes give the machine a slightly tough time and it can break down. One of the common problems is the commercial garbage disposal not starting. Let’s discuss some potential reasons along with troubleshooting tips for you to consider. However, the best solution is to consult a commercial appliances repair expert for fixing the issue.
Causes Of A Commercial Garbage Disposal Not Turning On
Power Supply Issues
One of the major reasons your commercial garbage disposal won’t start is power supply issues. As mentioned earlier, commercial garbage disposals are heavy-duty. This means they require a stable electricity to run. This does not mean they are inefficient, but they need a separate connection to the main power source for stable power.
If the commercial garbage disposal fails to turn on, you will need to check its power supply for any cracks or damage. Then, check the circuit breaker and make sure it is in the ‘On’ position. If it is in the ‘Off’ position, you should turn it on. But if that does not work out or the commercial garbage disposal trips the circuit breaker, it means there is a problem somewhere.
Circuit breakers are a type of safety mechanism that shuts off the supply to the expensive equipment to protect it from damage. Electricity fluctuation in your area might also be causing the circuit breaker to trip. But if the circuit breaker itself is not turning on, you will need to check for a blown fuse or fuses.
Jammed Blades
Jammed blades are another common reason your commercial garbage disposal won’t turn on. Modern commercial garbage disposals come loaded with safety features that prevent the unit from turning on or running when there is something wrong.
It is normal for the blades to jam, but it should not happen too frequently. If it is, it means you need to be a bit careful about the leftovers that go inside the disposal. As a general rule of thumb, commercial garbage disposals should not have to deal with large bones, plastic items, and other leftovers that should be scraped off the plates before turning them in.
Although a commercial garbage disposal can deal with all types of food leftovers, that does not mean you can throw every item inside and act surprised if it jams. Go through the user manual and make sure the unit is dealt with properly.
Faulty Switch Or Wiring
A faulty switch or wiring could also be a reason behind the commercial garbage disposal not turning on. With time, it is not only the unit but also the switch and the wiring that bear the brunt. As a result, it is normal for the wires to become cracked or the switch to malfunction.
Fortunately, this is relatively easier to solve, as all you will need to do is perform a thorough inspection and check for damaged wiring. On the other hand, you should also check the faulty switch by using a multimeter. If the multimeter shows negative readings, it means the switch will need to be replaced.
Clogged Garbage Disposal
Commercial garbage disposals, in many cases, tend to be ignored and misused by the staff. When using a commercial garbage disposal, the leftovers should be placed inside in batches and not all at once. This could lead to blockages and the machine shutting down due to overheating.
This means the leftover items should be organized in batches and placed one after the other as the machine finishes disposing of each batch. On the other hand, it is important to regularly clean and maintain the disposal to avoid regular clogging.
It is important to turn on the hot water and let it run through the disposal before, during, and especially after discarding food waste. This will help clean the pipes effectively each time. Additionally, if the commercial garbage disposal fails to turn on due to a blockage somewhere, you should consult an expert.
Do not try to experiment with the machine yourself, as there is a serious risk of getting injured. The blades inside the disposal are extremely dangerous and could lead to permanent disabilities.
Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Turning
Sometimes, the commercial garbage disposal may make a humming sound, but it won’t grind. It could be a jammed impeller or inner flywheel. A jam usually occurs between the impeller and the shredder ring inside the disposal, which can burn out the disposal motor.
The problem in this case is that you won’t be able to access the flywheel unless you have the tool and knowledge about the location and working of the components. The most you can do is determine the location of the humming sound and try to find out the components that are jammed.
Then, turn off the machine and consult an expert. The expert will use an offset or hex wrench and insert it into the flywheel hole. Using the wrench, the expert will turn the flywheel clockwise and clear any obstructions.
The Unit Needs To Be Replaced
If nothing else works and the garbage disposal happens to be old, it could be that it simply needs replacement. Commercial garbage disposals, regardless of how well-maintained they are, will eventually need replacing as the components inside the machine turn weaker with time.
At this point, it will not be a wise decision to spend on expensive repairs and replacement. Instead, you should save the money and invest in a new unit.
Commercial Garbage Disposal Maintenance
Most of the commercial garbage disposal problems are fixable if you follow a maintenance schedule. If your garbage disposal breaks down in the middle of a busy day, you will find it difficult to dispose of the leftover food items. In addition to that, it will take time for the expert to show up, which is going to be frustrating.
Fortunately, you can prevent such situations from taking place by scheduling expert maintenance. At the end of each month or depending on the usage, you can contact a professional who not only cleans the machine inside out but also inspects for potential issues.
This allows them to fix the issues on the spot before they get worse. Professional maintenance is a sort of investment you make to keep your commercial garbage disposal running without any issues. It is worth spending the money before issues show up rather than spending a lot more when the machine breaks down.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned tips can help you get the garbage disposal back to running. If they don’t work, you should call in a commercial garbage disposal repair technician. To avoid future problems, simply invest in professional maintenance and consult the user manual for proper usage. Such minor factors can go a long way in keeping your machine running trouble-free.
