| Author | Message | ||
     Maplemom Citizen Username: Maplemom Post Number: 181 Registered: 7-2001 |
We are having our kitchen remodeled, at the point where counters are about to go in and my contractor says I should have a push button disposal switch installed in the counter vs. the flip switch on the wall. This is a decision we have to make soon since it would have to be here on site for the granite templating. First off, I've never seen one. Second, a little concerned it will be an odd looking addition over the long haul. Anyone have this, seen it, like it, hate it? I've googled for photos but can't find any. My contractor says this is what people are doing now...? Thanks in advance, | ||
| doulamomma Citizen Username: Doulamomma Post Number: 1844 Registered: 3-2002 |
I have a batch feed disposal, which is controlled by the plunge/stopper thing (also how I would fill sink with water) so that a kid can't accidentally get hurt...no counter switch or button required (just a plug below the sink) I bought mine (an InSinkerator Pro Series) at a plumbing supply place as opposed to Home Depot) | ||
| Camnol Citizen Username: Camnol Post Number: 480 Registered: 3-2005 |
I agree with doulamomma. I always install batch-feed disposals. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 9455 Registered: 5-2001  |
That doesn't even sound as if it's to code in Maplewood. I think that the switch has to be somewhere that it can't accidentally be turned on or confused with something else. Ours is under the sink; we have to open the cabinet door to flip it on. Given the consequences of a disposal accident, I'll take the inconvenience. | ||
| phyllis Citizen Username: Phyllis Post Number: 594 Registered: 6-2001 |
We just had a batch feed installed last year. It's great. Absolutely no complaints and at least logically, it's so much safer. It's easy to turn on (for adults - I can't imagine a little kid figuring it out) and it keeps random stuff from falling down there in the first place. | ||
| Kibbegirl Citizen Username: Kibbegirl Post Number: 788 Registered: 5-2003 |
We're still having work on our kitchen and we've had two types..the batch feed and now the push button. I didn't mind the batch feed, but hubby hated it. He hated finding the thing, inserting it, etc. Now we have the push button, which is not yet inserted into the granite, and we like that one better. The electrician screwed up because we were supposed to have a switch for the disposal and since the granite was placed, now having a counter switch is kaput. When the push button is installed correctly, I'll follow up... | ||
| Josh Holtz Citizen Username: Jholtz Post Number: 598 Registered: 4-2004 |
Batch Feed - if the disposal ever breaks it will be extremely easy to replace. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 2201 Registered: 8-2002 |
Your GC is talking about an "air switch" -- the button on the counter is connected to a very thin tube which remotely turns on the disposal. These are the newer way to switch a disposal. The advantage is that there is no additional electric to run (from the disposal to a "regular" switch), since its controlled by air there is no chance for an electric short, etc,. and aesthetically -- one less switch on the wall in the backsplash (although as Greentree mentioned, a regular switch could be under the counter). To me the negative is that it requires another hole in the counter and is one more thing to clean around. From a safety standpoint, the batch feed is the more kid proof option, but if the sink is filled with water -- you have to reach through the grime to turn it on. I have a continuous feed disposal, have had for years. The switch is on the wall about 18" - 24" to the left of the sink. A child could not easily have a hand in the disposal in the sink and at the same time reach the switch. Of course, a mistake by an adult (maybe a visiting grandparent?) to turn the light on over the sink to enable play could be horrible. But if a child is playing in the sink -- isn't the stopper in so there is plenty of water for the boats to float or for suds? /p | ||
| fabulouswalls Citizen Username: Fabulouswalls Post Number: 281 Registered: 10-2005  |
See new thread entitled: "Children left in sinks" | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 9459 Registered: 5-2001 |
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| Camnol Citizen Username: Camnol Post Number: 482 Registered: 3-2005 |
LOL. Actually, it's MY hand I'm more worried about--especially when my inlaws come to visit.  | ||
| J L Bryant Citizen Username: Jeffbryant Post Number: 82 Registered: 6-2002 |
Continuous Feed models allow a stream of food to be fed into the disposer as it operates. The on/off control can be by a wall switch or a convenient switch attached to the work surface. The Batch Feed model has the same grinding process, the difference is in the on/off control. A special sink plug incorporating a micro-switch is inserted into the disposer after the waste has been fed in. Turning the plug starts and stops the disposer. It is therefore processed a batch at a time and is used like a small rubbish bin So, if you opt for continuous feed, w/ the usual maintained/momentary contact ('push-button') switch mounted on/below the counter, you could also use a version of the 'typical' toggle switch that is spring-loaded to "return-to-off" when one is not depressing it (see below), and it mounts in a conventional wall box...... like where the GFCI receptacle resides that's probably near your sink. Confer w/ your electrician; he'll know the diff. switch types. And he should know the code installation regs too.  |
