Disposal won't drain

[alwayslate8]

Hi there,
I have a master plumber 3000 disposal that runs and spins as normal but won't drain the contents of my sink. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated as it is beginning to smell!!

Thanks,
alwayslate8

[LazyPup]

In this case the problem is not in the disposal. The problem is a clog in the drain line.

Absolutely do not put any chemical drain cleaners in the sink. Chemical drain cleaners will adversely react with the pot metal housings of disposals, and in a worst case scenario they can actually chemically eat through the metal rendering the entire disposal useless.

If you have a double sink you might try plunging the opposite sink while the disposal is running. If that does not resolve the problem or if this disposal is mounted on a single sink you will need to check the traps, connections or the drain line under the sink.

The first step is to get a bucket and a small plastic container and dip as much of the standing water out of the sink as you can.

Next, Locate the P-trap under the sink. Place a bucket or other suitable container that will hold at least 2 gallons and place it under the P-trap. Now disconnect the P-trap and the standing water in the pipe should drain into the container.

Visually inspect the inside of the P-trap to insure their is no foreign object or debris clogged up in there.

If this is a double sink you will note a TEE connection where the pipes from either sink meet. Inside of that Tee there is a baffle and that is a common point of clogs. Remove the Tee and clean the inside, then reset the Tee.

If you found debris in either the TEE or the P-trap you may have found the problem. Reconnect the pipes and try running some water in the sink to see if the drain is clear. If not, you will need to once again dip the water out and put a container under the P-trap once again while you dis-assemble the P-trap. You will need to remove the tailpiece of the P-trap from the trap adapter on the drain pipe entering the wall, then snake the drain through the Trap adapter.

[alwayslate8]

Hi,
thanks,
I tried plunging it (it is a double sink) with no luck. I will try taking it apart asap. To make matters worse the standing water contains pieces from approx. 30 hot peppers my husband was chopping last night. Every time I run the disposal my eyes water and I cough like crazy. Lesson learned regarding putting that many peppers down the disposal........

[LazyPup]

If you have a wet/dry shop vac you might try using it to remove the water. That way you will not have to put your hands in the hot pepper water.

In my previous post I pointed out that you should not use chemical drain cleaners because they will react with the metal of the disposal, but another prime reason not to use chemical drain cleaners is the same as your peppers. If the chemical drain cleaners fail to open the drain, you are then left with a sink full of potentially dangerous water you would have to deal with before you could dissassemble the pipes. In the case of chemical drain cleaners you can not use a shop vac because the chemicals would damage the motor and impeller of a shop vac.