How to Fix a Rusted Garbage Disposal

January 25, 2018
How to Fix a Rusted Garbage Disposal
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Having a good garbage disposal can save time and effort when it comes to keeping a kitchen clean. In-sink disposals have become a common accessory in most modern homes, and likewise, have become highly relied upon tools. Just like any mechanical tool, keeping it in working order can require a bit of care and maintenance.

One of the most common issues that arises is rust forming on the blades inside the disposal. Most steel products rust over time, and depending on the type of steel used in making the blades, there is a difference in how soon they might rust. Rust stems from the oxidation of the iron in the steel when exposed to moisture, and one place that is almost always encountering moisture is your sink. There’s a quick and easy home remedy to clear the rust and have your disposal smelling better at the same time.

Related: How to Sharpen, Fix or Replace a Garbage Disposal

 

Get together the following items:

  • 1 Cup of Lemon Juice
  • 3 Tablespoons of Salt
  • 6 Ice Cubes

Once you have those items available follow these steps:

  1. Mix the Lemon Juice and Salt, stir well
  2. Pour the mixture into the disposal and leave for 12 to 24 hours without running the sink or disposal
  3.  After time has passed, run cool water down the drain for about a minute then put the ice cubes into the disposal
  4. Lastly, turn the disposal on, allowing it to run until the ice cubes have completely ground away

To keep the rust from returning there are several rust blocking products on the market, but before using anything be sure it is safe to use in your disposal. Drying the sink with a towel or running a dehumidifier in the kitchen can help keep excess moisture away from the disposal as well.

If the disposal still isn’t running as smoothly as it should be there may also be a small clog inside. An easy way to help remove any clogs from your garbage disposal is to put one cup of baking soda in the disposal and then pour in one cup of vinegar. The mixture will foam and break up the clog, then after a few minutes pour some boiling water down the drain and run the disposal to clear any debris. If you have tried to remove rust or unclog your garbage disposal but it is still not working properly, maybe it is time to replace with a new one. Learn more about the best garbage disposal and things to consider.

Having a disposal unit that has the blades made from stainless steel will slow down the rusting process and it lasts longer than standard steel, but eventually rust will show up on those blades too.

Stainless steel lasts longer than galvanized steel. However, a garbage disposal that uses stainless steel as internal grind materials is usually more expensive than that that uses galvanized steel. For your next garbage disposal, it depends on your preference whether you are willing to pay more for a stainless steel garbage disposal but get much longer warranty or want to pay less for a galvanized steel one.

Garbage Disposal with Galvanized Steel Material

 Waste King Legend 111Waste King Legend 1001Waste King Legend 9910Waste King Legend 9920InSinkErator Badger 1 Garbage DisposalInSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage DisposalInSinkErator Badger 5XP Garbage Disposal
Feed TypeContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuous
Horsepower1/31/21/31/21/31/23/4
Warranty2 Year2 Year2 Year2 Year1 Year2 Year3 Year
Mounting SystemEZ MountEZ Mount3-bolt3-boltQuick Lock Sink MountQuick Lock Sink MountQuick Lock Sink Mount
RPM (Speed)1900260019002600172517251725
MultiGrind Stages1 Stage1 Stage1 Stage
Sink Drain Flange MaterialStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless Steel
Internal Grind MaterialGalvanized SteelGalvanized SteelGalvanized SteelGalvanized SteelGalvanized SteelGalvanized SteelGalvanized Steel
Sound InsulationNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Power cord included✔✔✔✔
ReviewComing soonComing soonComing soonReviewReviewComing soon
Check PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck Price

 

Garbage Disposal with Stainless Steel Material

 Waste King Legend 2600Waste King Legend 3200Waste King Legend 3300Waste King Legend 9930Waste King Legend 9940InSinkErator Evolution CompactInSinkErator Evolution Septic AssistInSinkErator Evolution Essential XTRInSinkErator Evolution Cover Control PlusInSinkErator Evolution Excel
Feed TypeContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousBatchContinuous
Horsepower1/23/43/41/23/43/43/43/43/41.0
Warranty5 Year & LIFETIME Corrosion Warranty8 Year & LIFETIME Corrosion Warranty10 Year & LIFETIME Corrosion Warranty5 Year & LIFETIME Corrosion Warranty8 Year & LIFETIME Corrosion Warranty4 Year4 Year6 Year7 Year7 Year
Mounting SystemEZ MountEZ MountEZ Mount3-bolt3-boltQuick Lock Sink MountQuick Lock Sink MountQuick Lock Sink MountQuick Lock Sink MountQuick Lock Sink Mount
RPM (Speed)2600270028002600270017251725172517251725
MultiGrind Stages2 Stages2 Stages2 Stages2 Stages3 Stages
Sink Drain Flange MaterialStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless Steel
Internal Grind MaterialStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless Steel
Sound InsulationSound InsulationSound InsulationSound InsulationQuiet SoundSealQuieter SoundSealQuieter SoundSealUltra-Quiet SoundSealUltra-Quiet SoundSeal
Power cord included✔✔✔✔✔
ReviewReviewReviewComing SoonReviewReviewReviewReviewReview
Check PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck Price

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