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
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.
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
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.
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.
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It's only satisfying if you eat it.
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
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!
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
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.
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!
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
"I'm not talking plumbing expertise"
I know ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
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.
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!
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
I know exactly what you are talking about - thanks for that tip!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
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
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.
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.