Garburators, waste disposal, etc...

[Taiphun]

Hi all,

I've got a In-Sink-Erator model 333 that seems to have quit working. It gives a buzzing sound when you turn it on (methinks the motor is shot) and then the surge protection button clicks out.

Anyone here recently shopped for one that can offer some hints or advice on what to look for?

This is for a townhome sink, 1 occupant (me), so I don't push that much junk down that thing.

Thanks!

[iso3200]

have you tried the reset button? worked for me before

http://www.insinkerator.com/pdfs/US_ICU1.pdf

[SleepyGSR]

Hi all,

I've got a In-Sink-Erator model 333 that seems to have quit working. It gives a buzzing sound when you turn it on (methinks the motor is shot) and then the surge protection button clicks out.

Anyone here recently shopped for one that can offer some hints or advice on what to look for?

This is for a townhome sink, 1 occupant (me), so I don't push that much junk down that thing.

Thanks!

Sounds like it's jammed. Have you used an allan key on the bottom to see if the garburator will turn?

[Taiphun]

Yep, thanks.. I've pushed in the reset button, but when I try to get it going it's giving me the humming sound again. Thanks for the PDF file.. I was looking around their site and couldn't find any documentation. Guess I wasn't looking in the right places!

Haven't tried the allen wrench thing.. thanks - I'll try that when I get home tonight. I can turn the blades and the thing inside manually (with the power off, of course), but I haven't tried the wrench thing.

[mart242]

Why even get one? Why not put the food and other crap in the trash can / compost bin instead?

[BobW]

Definitely sounds jammed more than anything. Try cleaning it out first. I installed an In-Sink-Erator 444 (aka the "Bone Crusher" as per their packaging). Never, ever, ever had any concerns about jamming. I do take the name seriously and keep my fingers well away from the entrance... no point in testing how well deserved the name is.

As for why to use a garburator. If you have a compost bin, I'd say use that. Lots of us don't have them tho and using these allows us to get rid of organic materials without stinking up the garbage. It's not like we feed every scrap of garbage thru them, just veg peelings and stuff like that. If you've ever lived in a hot climate where bugs are an issue, a garburator helps get rid of garbage that attracts bugs.

[Taiphun]

Thank you all.. saved me a few hundred bucks in getting a repairman in and all.

It was jammed.. I turned the bottom nut with an allen key back and forth a few times, then I ran it - flawlessly.

Just reeked pretty badly of stuff stuck in it for the past 2 weeks.. so I ran a sink full of water and bleach through it and it sounds good as new.

[mlc2000]

I've thought about getting one of these things and now that I'm expected to house yet another garbage container in my garage (green pail on wheels), it just seems like such a great way to get rid of that stuff.

What can u put in there?

[plymouthhater]

Check with your municipality before buying/installing a garburator. Some municipalities have by-laws prohibiting them. Wierd, considering in Florida some municipalities have by-laws making them mandatory.

I have had one for 16 yrs now. They are much cheaper in the USofA. I bought a Waste King for $28 at Home Depot in Florida and it's still going strong. It jammed once and I took it apart, turns out my kid tossed a penny into the sink and it jammed the garburator.

I never grind bones or chicken skin, the chicken skin is like elastic and doesn't seem to grind well. Either do banana peels.

On salad trimmings it works wonders.

Trick to keeping it fresh smelling - every once in a while - throw a few ice cubes in and grind 'em up.

[Gujustud]

Just came across this thread via google. My girlfriends condo has a Waste King Gourmet Model-111. It also has the same problem you mentioned (stopped working and just hums). However being the lowest version there is NO allen key area to work out the jam. I pulled the unit out, and took it apart, but I can't find a way to get to the motor still! Gonna take it to work and really rip it apart. For the price of a new one (seen at HD for $90-$110 for a similar model) I think I'll just get a new one. The brand HD carries is In Sink Erator, can anyone comment on these?

[CSK'sMom]

Check with your municipality before buying/installing a garburator. Some municipalities have by-laws prohibiting them. Wierd, considering in Florida some municipalities have by-laws making them mandatory.

The problem with them and why they are "outlawed" in many places is because they are the most eco-unfriendly thing one can use to get rid of compostables. The ground up waste is mixed with clean water and sent back to the sewage treatment plant. There is food matter is removed from the water and sent to landfill! It puts an undo burden on already overloaded sewage treatment plants. Do everyone a favor, including your own future generations, and use your green bin or compost the material yourself. If not please don't complain when your basement floods with raw sewage or your water rates and sewer rates in your municipality rise sky high...

[mirek]

The problem with them and why they are "outlawed" in many places is because they are the most eco-unfriendly thing one can use to get rid of compostables. The ground up waste is mixed with clean water and sent back to the sewage treatment plant. There is food matter is removed from the water and sent to landfill! It puts an undo burden on already overloaded sewage treatment plants. Do everyone a favor, including your own future generations, and use your green bin or compost the material yourself. If not please don't complain when your basement floods with raw sewage or your water rates and sewer rates in your municipality rise sky high...

Some people in Condo's don't have that luxury.

[CSK'sMom]

There are options for condo residents. If one is the slightest bit concerned about the environment and future generations it's not hard to find them by google'ing. A worm farm is perfect for condo residents, just one of many options..

[Taiphun]

Holy resurrecting old threads!

I'm in a condo, and they don't allow compost bins out back. It's either grind it up or throw it in the dumpster.

No recycling either.. you think a rich city in Oilberta can afford curb side recycling?

[hoob]

There are options for condo residents. If one is the slightest bit concerned about the environment and future generations it's not hard to find them by google'ing. A worm farm is perfect for condo residents, just one of many options..

Sorry, there aren't many options for many condo residents. Composting is not allowed in common areas (including exclusive use CA such as your balcony.) The "most eco-unfriendly" option... Sure, I bet it's better to truck it 350km to a landfill than it is to inject minced biodegradable material into a sewage and wastewater treatment network...