As part of its wide-ranging line of garbage disposals, Insinkerator positions the 1/2-horsepower Badger 5 as a basic household model that focuses on consistent performance and durability. However, no product is perfect and the Badger, like virtually any disposal, may need a little extra attention from time to time. While prevention serves as the most efficient form of troubleshooting, you can turn to a few manufacturer-recommended troubleshooting methods before calling in the professionals.
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An unclean garbage disposal full of debris or buildup can lead to everything from unsavory odors to sluggish performance. To give your Badger 5 a thorough cleaning, plug your sink, fill it about halfway with clean warm water and mix in ΒΌ cup of baking soda. Remove the sink stopper and switch the Badger on until the water drains to free loose particles from the disposal. For regular cleaning, always run a mixture of cold water and dish soap through the disposal after doing dishes. Carefully feed a lemon or orange into the Badger to combat foul odors and clean the machine with astringent oils.
If the Badger 5's motor stops during operation, you may have a jam on your hands. Switch off the disposal and cut off any running water. Insert the self-service wrenchette, included with the Badger 5, into the hole in the center of the disposal's bottom and work it back and forth until it turns one full revolution -- this manually cranks the disposal and frees debris. Remove any foreign objects from the disposal using a flashlight and tongs, automotive finger grippers or a bent coat hanger, then let the machine cool for about five minutes. Press the red reset button on the bottom of the Badger 5 before resuming use.
Often, a simple press of the reset button eases your disposer's issues. If your Badger 5 doesn't start at all, check your fuse box for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. To help prevent issues with your Badger 5 garbage disposal, avoid feeding the unit seafood shells, caustic drain cleaners, glass, plastic, large bones, metal or hot liquids, especially oils. Turn on cold water before running the Badger, feed waste into the unit slowly and flush the machine with cold water for a few seconds after grinding. Don't turn the device off until the grinding noise stops. On occasion, grind small, hard objects such as fruit pits and ice to create a scouring action in your disposal's grind chamber, helping it run more smoothly.
If simple troubleshooting measures don't solve your Badger 5's issues, contact the professionals at Insinkerator to avoid further damage to your disposal. As of 2014, you can schedule an in-home Insinkerator service by calling 1-800-558-5700. You can also turn to Insinkerator's official website to contact their customer service department via online form submission or find the nearest authorized service agency. When purchased new, the Badger 5 includes a limited warranty for in-home full service, which covers material- or workmanship-related defects for a two-year period.
Dan Ketchum has been a professional writer since 2003, with work appearing online and offline in Word Riot, Bazooka Magazine, Anemone Sidecar, Trails and more. Dan's diverse professional background spans from costume design and screenwriting to mixology, manual labor and video game industry publicity.
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