How To Get Rocks or gravels Out Of Garbage Disposal
So, your garbage disposal is making a horrible grinding noise, and you’re pretty sure something like gravel or a tiny rock fell in. Don’t panic — this happens more often than you’d think, and you can fix it without calling a plumber. This guide will walk you through the safest, easiest steps to get those stubborn rocks out without wrecking your disposal (or your nerves).
5 Simple Steps to Remove Rocks or Gravel from Your Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal suddenly starts making loud, unpleasant noises, there’s a good chance a rock or small piece of gravel has found its way in. Don’t worry — you’re not alone. It’s a pretty common issue, and the good news is that you can usually take care of it yourself with a little patience. Just follow these five simple steps to safely get the rock out and get your disposal working like normal again. And hey, if these steps don’t solve the problem, don’t stress — you can always reach out to a plumber who’ll have it sorted in no time.
1. Cut off power
The first and most important step before touching anything is turning off the power. Never, ever try to fix or reach into a garbage disposal when it’s still connected to electricity. It might seem like overkill, but it’s for your safety — not just to avoid shocks, but also to keep the motor from accidentally switching on while your hands are near the blades. Start by flipping the switch that controls the disposal. If you can’t find a visible switch, head to your circuit breaker and flip off the corresponding fuse for your kitchen or disposal unit. Once you’ve done that, test it by trying to turn the disposal on. If nothing happens, you’re safe to proceed. To be extra cautious, press the reset button under the unit to ensure there’s no power lingering in the system before moving forward.
2. Gather your tools
Next, grab the few things you’ll need for the job. You don’t need anything fancy — just something long and sturdy like a broom handle or even an old mop handle to help loosen anything that’s jammed. You’ll also want a pair of kitchen tongs or tweezers to actually grab the rock once it’s dislodged. If you don’t have those, scissors or even sturdy kitchen shears can sometimes work in a pinch. It’s a good idea to wear gloves as well, especially if there’s any chance your hand might need to go near the drain opening. Having everything within arm’s reach before you start will make the whole process quicker and smoother.
3. Retrieve the rock
Now it’s time to take a look inside. Use a flashlight — or your phone’s flashlight — to shine into the disposal and see if you can locate the rock or gravel piece that’s causing trouble. It helps to have someone else hold the light while you focus on getting the rock out. If you can see the object clearly and it’s loose, carefully grab it with your tongs or tweezers and lift it out. If it looks like the rock is wedged in or stuck in the flywheel (that’s the spinning part inside), use the broom handle to gently turn the flywheel and dislodge the object. Once it’s loose, you can pull it out using your tools. But if you can’t see anything at all, or you’re sure something is in there but it’s lodged too deep, it’s best to stop and call a plumber. They’ll have specialized tools and experience to safely remove it without damaging your disposal.
4. Turn the power back on
After you’ve successfully removed the rock and made sure there’s nothing else inside, it’s time to restore the power. Return to your circuit breaker or switch and turn the power back on. Before you run the disposal, double-check that the area is clear and you haven’t left any tools or debris inside. Once everything looks good, you’re safe to give it a quick test run.
5. Press the reset button
When the disposal is powered up again, press the reset button underneath it.This little button is often red and can trip if the motor overheats or jams. Pressing it ensures the disposal resets itself after any power cut or blockage. When it’s on, listen closely for a few seconds. If the noise is gone and it runs smoothly, you’re all set! If it still sounds rough, double-check that nothing was missed — or consider getting professional help just to be safe.
Check out this video showing how to remove rocks or gravels from garbage disposal:
When retrieving rocks from disposals, what shouldn’t you do?
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to get something out of their garbage disposal is sticking their hand right inside without thinking it through. Even if you’ve turned off the power, it’s never a good idea to blindly dig around in there. The internal components can be sharp, and if you accidentally missed a live connection, it could turn into a dangerous situation fast. Rather, use tools to get as close as possible first.
Only consider reaching inside (with gloves) if the object is completely visible and the power has been fully shut off from the breaker. Also, make sure you have everything ready before you start — flashlight, tools, gloves — so you’re not scrambling around mid-process. Taking those few extra seconds to prep can make all the difference and save you from a much bigger headache.
Why It’s Dangerous to Run a Garbage Disposal with Rocks Inside
What Happens If You Ignore the Problem?
Running your garbage disposal with rocks or gravels inside is basically asking for trouble. Even something as small as an aquarium pebble can cause major damage if it gets caught in the wrong spot.
Here’s what might go wrong:
- Bent or broken blades: Rocks jam up the grinding components, causing them to warp or break.
- Burned-out motor: If the disposal struggles too hard against a lodged object, it can overheat and stop working altogether.
- Clogged pipes: Rocks can block the drainage flow, leading to back-ups and sink clogs.
- Leaks: Continuous grinding on hard objects can eventually crack the housing or seals.
Signs You May Have Rocks or gravels in the Disposal (Even If You Didn’t See It Happen)
Sometimes you don’t actually see the rock fall in — but your disposal tells you something’s off. Here’s what to look (or listen) for:
- Loud rattling or grinding noises: If it sounds like your disposal is chewing marbles, something solid is likely stuck.
- Vibrations or shaking: A jammed disposal may rumble or vibrate more than usual.
- Water draining slowly: Debris like gravel can partially block the drainage system.
- Burnt smell or smoke: If your unit is straining against something, it could overheat — and that’s a red flag.
- The red reset button popped out: That’s your disposal saying, “Help! I’m overwhelmed!”
How Rocks or Gravel End Up in Garbage Disposals
You’re probably thinking, “Wait… how did rocks get into my garbage disposal in the first place?” Totally fair question. The truth is, it happens more often than you’d expect — and usually without you even noticing. When you’re in a rush or doing some quick cleaning, it’s easy for tiny things to slip down the drain.
Here are the most common ways little rocks sneak in:
Aquarium Gravel & Garden Stones
If you’ve got a fish tank at home or you’ve just come back from a little gardening session, chances are you’ve rinsed something in the kitchen sink. That’s often how tiny bits of aquarium gravel or garden pebbles find their way into the drain. They’re small, round, and roll straight down before you even realize it.
Chips from Ceramic, Glass, or Bone
Ever accidentally crack a plate while rinsing dishes? Or maybe you were disposing of food scraps and didn’t notice a chicken bone slip through. These tiny ceramic, glass, or bone chips can break off and end up in the disposal unnoticed.
At first, they might seem harmless. But once the disposal starts spinning, those fragments can bounce around and jam the mechanism like a wrench in a machine.
Accidental Drops (Kids, Cleaning Mishaps)
Kids love to explore — and unfortunately, the sink sometimes becomes their treasure drop zone. Tiny toys, beads, rocks from outside — you name it, they’ll try it.
Or maybe you were scrubbing a dirty pan, and a small pebble hiding in the grime got rinsed down. It happens during fast-paced cleaning all the time. Before you know it, your disposal’s got a rocky surprise.
Conclusion
Dealing with a rock or gravel stuck in your garbage disposal can be annoying, but as you’ve seen, it’s usually nothing you can’t handle on your own. With just a few basic tools and a little bit of caution, you can get your disposal back to normal without calling in the pros. The key is to act quickly, stay safe by cutting the power, and take your time when retrieving the object. And remember — never use your hands blindly, no matter how tempting it might be.
If things still don’t feel right after following the steps, don’t hesitate to bring in a plumber. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to appliances like these.
Further Reading:
how To Fix a Vibrating or Shaking Garbage Disposal
How to Fix Loose Garbage Disposal Blades
How to Retrieve a Wedding Ring that Went Down the Drain
Garbage Disposal Humming? Simple Solutions Inside
