This repair guide will help you fix your garbage disposal.
Need a Replacement Garbage Disposal?
Price: $114.00
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Common Symptoms & Causes
If your InSinkErator Evolution Excel is having trouble running, these symptoms typically point to a jammed grinding chamber.
🔨 Pro Tip from Dave
The Evolution Excel uses a larger 1/4-inch hex socket on the bottom flywheel shaft compared to budget models — a common gotcha is that homeowners grab a 3/16-inch wrench and strip the socket. Also, this model has a two-stage MultiGrind system, so if manual turning feels uneven, the upper grinding stage impeller (part reference 12005) may have a bone fragment lodged between the outer ring and turntable, not just the lower flywheel.
- The disposal hums loudly but the grinding plate does not spin
- The unit shuts off immediately and the reset button keeps tripping
- You hear a grinding or rattling noise followed by a complete stop
- The disposal is completely silent when switched on despite having power
These issues are most commonly caused by a hard object — such as a bone, fruit pit, or small utensil — lodged between the grinding plate and the shredder ring, preventing the motor from turning.
How Much Does This Repair Cost?
Unjamming an InSinkErator Evolution Excel yourself typically costs nothing, or up to $10–$20 if you need a replacement wrench or Allen key. A professional service call for the same repair runs $150–$300 including labor. Choosing the DIY route can save you well over $100 on a straightforward fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my InSinkErator Evolution Excel is jammed and not just broken?
If the disposal hums but doesn’t spin, it’s almost certainly jammed rather than broken. A completely silent unit with no response typically indicates a tripped reset button or electrical issue instead.
Where is the hex wrench socket on the Evolution Excel?
The hex wrench socket is located at the center bottom of the disposal unit. Insert a 1/4-inch hex wrench and turn it back and forth to manually free the stuck grinding plate.
Should I press the reset button before or after clearing the jam?
Always clear the jam first using the hex wrench, then press the reset button located on the bottom of the unit. Pressing reset before clearing the obstruction won’t restore normal operation.
Recommended Products
These are the parts and tools we recommend for this repair, based on compatibility and customer reviews:
- InSinkErator WRN-00 Jam-Buster Wrench,Silver
- Insinkerator WRN-OO Wrn-00 Disposer Wrenchette
- MAX DISPOSER Jam-Buster Wrench with Sticky Wall Mount, Garbage Disposal Wrench Compatible with SinkErator and Waste King/Moen Universal Fit for Major Brands Garbage Disposals to Install
- JZSMY for Penn-Plax Cascade 1200 Canister Filter Impeller Replacement Part Aquarium Filter Replacement Impeller with Ceramics Shaft
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The Hex Wrench That Unsticks Most Evolution Excel Jams in Under 5 Minutes
The InSinkErator WRN-00 Jam-Buster Wrench is the first tool you reach for on an Evolution Excel jam—it’s literally designed for the hex reset port on the bottom of this model, and most of the time it’s all you need to manually rotate the grinding chamber free.
What works
- Perfect fit into the Evolution Excel’s hex port—no fumbling with adjustable wrenches or improvised tools that slip and waste time.
- The leverage is substantial enough to break free serious potato peels and fibrous food packed against the impellers without straining your hand or risking the tool snapping.
- Compact size means it lives in your cabinet near the sink—when a jam happens at 7 p.m. on a Sunday, you’re not hunting for a tool or calling a tech.
What doesn’t
- If the jam is caused by a fractured impeller or bearing wear (rare, but it happens), the wrench won’t help—you’ll need a replacement unit instead.
- Some aftermarket universal jam wrenches are bulkier and harder to maneuver in the tight space under the sink where the reset port lives.
I’ve had homeowners call me after ordering a universal disposal wrench only to find it won’t seat properly in the Evolution Excel’s port—a 10-minute fix turns into a two-day wait. Get the OEM wrench and keep it handy; InSinkErator WRN-00 Jam-Buster Wrench pays for itself the first time you avoid a service call.
InSinkErator WRN-00 Jam-Buster Wrench
I keep this in my cabinet so I’m not calling a plumber when the disposal jams on Sunday night.
Check Price on Amazon →Before ordering, match the part number to your appliance’s model tag — most “defective” part returns are wrong-model orders.
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