Turn off power to the garbage disposal at the breaker
Unplug the disposal if it has a plug
Place a bucket under the sink
Disconnect the dishwasher drain hose if attached
Disconnect the drain pipe from the disposal
Loosen the mounting ring or mounting bolts
Support the disposal with one hand
Twist the disposal counterclockwise to release it from the sink flange
Lower the disposal carefully
Remove the sink flange if needed
Clean off old plumber’s putty or sealant
Cap or cover any open drain lines if the disposal is not being replaced immediately