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Air-switch the disposal!

| Posted in Construction Techniques on February 2, 2006 02:36am

We are about to have the plumbing and electrical subs wire and “pipe” the third kitchen we’ve done this way.  We are using a countertop-mounted air switch, placed right adjacent the sink, to switch the disposal on and off.

It is so much more convenient, and cleaner as well, to plunge the airswitch button to activate and deactivate the muncher, than leaning over to the wall to do so.

If you are into kitchen building, I recommend this to you.

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Replies

  1. User avater
    PeterJ | Feb 02, 2006 03:06am | #1

    Gotta pic or a link to the switch? Sounds like a interesting setup.

    PJ

    Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end. 

    1. sully13 | Feb 03, 2006 03:48am | #17

      PeterJ

      Both Insinkerator and Mountain Plumbing have the switches.  They're the only way we switch a GD these days.  Been using them for 7 years with no problems.

      sully

      1. IdahoDon | Feb 03, 2006 06:32am | #18

        I can't say I've ever seen an air switch, let alone had one installed.  Living under a rock apparently.

        We have added an electrical switch to a tilt out in the front of the sink and that works well, but the air switch sounds like the ticket.

        Cheers,

        Don 

        Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

  2. dustinf | Feb 02, 2006 03:09am | #2

    They are also a great solution if your granite fabricator drills 3 holes for a faucet that requires 1.  Add a soap dispenser, and an air switch.

    --------------------------

    It's only satisfying if you eat it.

  3. User avater
    JeffBuck | Feb 02, 2006 05:30am | #3

    I'd say about 75% of the kitchens I've installed over the last coupla years had air switches. I like'm.

    here's another maybe-tip ... run your dish washer thru the disposal. It helps clean the snot outta the disposal and helps keep the plumbing down stream flowing.

     

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

    1. User avater
      xxPaulCPxx | Feb 02, 2006 06:41am | #4

      I like my air switch too.  I used it because I had a very small space on the wall to place it - but I am very pleased with its performance.

      I would have to disagree on having the dishwasher drain into the garbage disposal though.  Often we dump things into the disposal without making sure it has cleared completely, things like coffee grounds for instance.  The sink may be clean and clear, but when the disposal runs it starts filling the sink with dirty water.  yummy.

      Right now I'm trying to figure out if there is an easy was to put the knockout BACK INTO the garbage disposal so I can plumb it differently.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

      Also a CRX fanatic!

      1. User avater
        JeffBuck | Feb 02, 2006 06:46am | #5

        then U can argue with my plumber.

         

        I'm thinking he may know a bit more about plumbing than U ...

        Jeff    Buck Construction

         Artistry In Carpentry

             Pittsburgh Pa

        1. User avater
          BillHartmann | Feb 02, 2006 06:58am | #6

          I asked this question a while back and most people agreed with my comments about running the DW through the GD.The DW soap is fairly strong and does not do the GD any good.If the "food" can get from the DW through the hose it does not need any more grinding in the GD.

        2. User avater
          xxPaulCPxx | Feb 02, 2006 10:25am | #9

          I'm not talking plumbing expertise - I'm talking purely end user experience.  If I don't run the disposal after I empty the coffee filter into the drain, or quick rinse a couple of dirty dishes, I can count on the drain backing up in the basin with the garbage disposal.

          It's one thing if it backs up while you are standing over it and running water - it's a whole 'nuther thing to walk by the kitchen and see the sink 1/2 filled with gunk and the only thing running is the dishwasher!  Yuck!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

          Also a CRX fanatic!

          1. User avater
            SamT | Feb 02, 2006 03:36pm | #12

            Paul,

            Oh, man, don't be putting your coffee grounds in the GD. It's really bad for sewer and septic systems. OTOH, they're really good for roses and other acid loving plants. Earthworms like them also.

            The best practice when utilising the GD is to have water flowing and the GD turned on before garbage goes in. Allowing garbage to sit in the GD for even a little while will make food particles stick in it and can cause unpleasant odor.

            SamT

          2. User avater
            JeffBuck | Feb 03, 2006 02:54am | #16

            "I'm not talking plumbing expertise"

             

            I know ...

            Jeff    Buck Construction

             Artistry In Carpentry

                 Pittsburgh Pa

      2. plumbbill | Feb 02, 2006 08:08am | #7

        What you described doesn't make sense to me.

        Dumping stuff in the gd & it coming up the other basin has nothing to do with the knock out connection for the dishwasher.

        1. User avater
          xxPaulCPxx | Feb 02, 2006 10:20am | #8

          It doesn't come up in the other basin, it comes up in the same basin that the disposal is in.  Water can't drain from a partly plugged (unspun) garbage disposal fast enough, so you wind up with sink full of soup.  The other basin is empty, because the water can't get down the disposals drain due to rinsed off dishes or a filters worth of coffee grounds.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

          Also a CRX fanatic!

      3. brownbagg | Feb 02, 2006 03:17pm | #11

        Right now I'm trying to figure out if there is an easy was to put the knockout BACK INTO the garbage disposal so I can plumb it differently.go to an auto part store, find a old local store, not name brand store. and get a rubber freeze plug with the bolt in the back thet swells when tighten. I know a freeze plug is big but they make these plugs all sizes.. 2+3=7

        1. User avater
          xxPaulCPxx | Feb 03, 2006 12:38am | #14

          I know exactly what you are talking about - thanks for that tip!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

          Also a CRX fanatic!

  4. scottthebuilder | Feb 02, 2006 03:09pm | #10

    We use them on islands and on other areas without a backsplash. I often mount them in the toe kick so you can turn it on with your foot. Works Great

  5. mikeys | Feb 02, 2006 05:10pm | #13

    I'm concerned about countertop mounted air switches. I can imagine someone trying to get a spoon that slipped into the gd rests his hand on the deck and accidently hits the switch.

    Something to think about.

     

    1. stinger | Feb 03, 2006 01:06am | #15

      It is a pretty deep plunge for the switch.  Not something you can do accidentally, IMHO.

      You've seen them on hot tubs and spas.

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