Maybe the switch went down the disposal...

December 19, 2010 9:38 AM

I just moved into a new apartment. There's a garbage disposal, but I can't find the switch anywhere. Any ideas?

I've looked on every surface in the kitchen, in all the kitchen cabinets (even hidden corners), flipped every switch on the wall, etc., to no avail.

The disposal is plugged in, and looks like it probably works like a charm.

Anyone ever experienced this? Is there a hidden place where the switch could be located? I need to dispose of my garbage!

posted by nosila to Home & Garden (27 answers total)

Is it possible that someone neglected to hook the disposal up to the proper switch when it was installed?
posted by pickypicky at 9:44 AM on December 19, 2010

In our kitchen, you open the little flap in front of the sink where you keep sponges (what is this called?!) and stick your hand sort of inside and behind the cabinet.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 9:45 AM on December 19, 2010

When you flipped every switch on the wall, did they all actually do something? If there's one that doesn't seem to be doing anything, that's probably the one you're looking for and perhaps the disposal isn't hooked up properly or working correctly. Also, make sure you've got the water running while you're flipping switches; my friend has a newer disposal that's configured in such a way that it won't turn on unless the water's running.
posted by amyms at 9:52 AM on December 19, 2010

It is in a little panel that flips open in front of the sink as shown here.
posted by jessamyn at 9:52 AM on December 19, 2010

mrs. mbd1mbd1's mom has a disposal with a magnetic spot in the drain stopper that must be aligned properly with the magnetic spot in the drain in order to activate the disposing.
posted by mbd1mbd1 at 9:54 AM on December 19, 2010

Ask your landlord?
posted by Gator at 9:56 AM on December 19, 2010 [1 favorite]

We housesat recently and the switch turned out to be a metal button that was on the edge of the sink near the faucet (where a spray hose usually sits).
posted by O9scar at 10:02 AM on December 19, 2010

Mine's actually in the cabinet under the sink, just inside the cabinet door. Took me a while to figure that out.
posted by padraigin at 10:05 AM on December 19, 2010

If there's a switch that seems like the right one, but it does nothing when you switch it on/off, then maybe it's the right switch but the disposal needs to be reset. Under the sink, on the disposal itself, there's a little red button (like in this drawing). Push it to reset.
posted by Houstonian at 10:05 AM on December 19, 2010

Also -- may not be a switch. Ours is a very small button.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 10:12 AM on December 19, 2010

It could also be a batch-feed disposal, although they're not very common anymore. With batch-feed systems, there's a special stopper that has to be placed in the drain and turned *just so* in order to activate the disposal.
posted by DrGail at 10:15 AM on December 19, 2010 [2 favorites]

When I volunteered to cook at the Ronald McDonald House, they had a super-safe disposal that only turned on if you close it with a plug (looks sort of like a regular sink plug) and push it down, assuring that no hands are in the way. No switches or buttons anywhere.
posted by halogen at 10:23 AM on December 19, 2010

My disposer is on a separate breaker. Perhaps the breaker for your disposer is off.
Or the disposer is shot. You need to check the electrical circuit. And maybe it is frozen up and you need to put the hex-wrench in the bottom and turn it a bit.
posted by JayRwv at 11:20 AM on December 19, 2010

It's also possible the the disposal plugs into an outlet below the sink, which is controlled by a wall switch. The disposal could be unplugged.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 11:37 AM on December 19, 2010

As DrGaril and halogen mention, batch feed disposals require the stopper to be inserted in order to function. I have one of these and it confuses every person the first time they try it. You have to insert the plug then lift the center handle and turn it clockwise. That I can see, there is no possible way to turn it on with your hand inside - I don't know why they aren't all like this because when I'm showing houses the first thing everyone does is accidentally turn on the garburator while flipping switches in the kitchen.
posted by jeffmik at 11:58 AM on December 19, 2010

A long shot because you probably would have noticed otherwise, but a tripped GFCI outlet can take out unexpected stuff. At a previous house, my garage door opener (plugged in inside the garage) would not work if the outdoor front patio outlet GFCI was tripped. Try pressing all the test/reset buttons on the outlets in the kitchen?
posted by ctmf at 12:02 PM on December 19, 2010

I hate to say this, but my best guess is that your landlord didn't want to deal with the disposal so they just unhooked it. I lived at a place where the disposal was acting funny so I inquired about it, and they just took the switch out.
posted by radioamy at 12:18 PM on December 19, 2010

A temporary apartment I lived in had a garbage disposal that was activated by putting in a stopper and turning it. I also spent some time looking for switches before I figured it out.
posted by pravit at 12:46 PM on December 19, 2010

mine is a button on the rim of the sink - where one might expect to see a spray hose connection.

I'd suggest resetting the switch on the bottom of the disposal & then trying your wall switches again (with water running).
posted by janell at 1:37 PM on December 19, 2010

I have never even seen a garbage disposal without a batch feed, which I did not know had a specific name. If you have a metal plug, just put it in and twist it a bit in either direction with the water running.
posted by jeather at 2:10 PM on December 19, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks for the help, everyone. So far, no luck.

Doesn't look like a breaker. There are no switches or buttons that seem like candidates, and none of the switches in the apartment operate it.

There isn't a metal stopper around (just a giant one-piece plastic one), so if it is a batch feed, we don't have the proper plug.

We'll ask the building super, of course...just thought it was worth a try here.
posted by nosila at 2:43 PM on December 19, 2010

Is there a switch under the sink - not in the little sponge compartment, but the main cabinet underneath?
posted by lakeroon at 4:19 PM on December 19, 2010

My disposal was deemed "non-working, no switch" by the home inspector when we bought the house. The switch is in the cabinet under the sink, but it's along the top of the cabinet, ie you have to reach your hand up around the lip of the cabinet and feel around. It's not visible unless you're actually on the floor, looking up into the cabinet.

Best of luck, garbage disposals are worth fighting for.
posted by little light-giver at 4:43 PM on December 19, 2010

Response by poster: little light-giver: Agreed.
posted by nosila at 4:59 PM on December 19, 2010

I've seen disposals that actually have to be plugged into a socket somewhere under the sink. Any chance yours is unplugged?

You really do need to get this fixed if it's a functionality issue. Food left inside a disposal will start to rot and stink up the place. Ask me how I know.
posted by wwartorff at 5:57 PM on December 19, 2010

Response by poster: Update: figured it out!

It is indeed a batch feed or what have you. After exhausting all other possibilities, I decided to give using the twist-and-push method another try, and it worked! There's a switch on the side of the giant, gaping drain that is not only a hook to keep the plastic stopper from falling in, but that actually turns on the disposal when you push it juuuuuust right.

So, future searchers, don't give up hope. You too may actually have a working garbage disposal.

Thanks, folks!
posted by nosila at 7:40 PM on December 19, 2010

Make a note, and tape it onto the disposal unit for the next resident.
posted by intermod at 10:42 PM on December 19, 2010 [2 favorites]