A portable dishwasher fits in a small space and washes the dishes efficiently. But what about draining the waste water?
Does a portable dishwasher need garbage disposal? Or can you operate your portable dishwasher without this appliance?
If so, then how? Read on to learn about all those queries and how to operate your portable dishwasher without any disturbance.
Does A Portable Dishwasher Need A Garbage Disposal?
You can install and run a portable dishwasher without garbage disposal. But you have to clean the food leftovers from the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. Otherwise, its drainage system can become blocked.
Dishwasher And Garbage Disposal Relationship
Understanding how the dishwasher and garbage disposal work will help you realize the necessity of garbage disposal and dishwasher.
A dishwasher is intended to clean dishes and drain of the food particles. It does cut the necessity of scrubbing dishes every night.
All you need to do is toss the plates and plots into the machine and push the button. A portable dishwasher drains the wastewater into the kitchen sink through the waste hose.
This unit also utilizes the same components as a typical dishwasher.
Its heating element heats the water to 185 degrees F, and the hot water flows through the faucet into the drainage hose.
But the fact is that a dishwasher can’t drain large food particles like a garbage disposal. It can handle any item, including marinara stains and leftover noodles.
A garbage disposal uses blades to break down food so that large items can pass through drainage pipes without clogging.
This appliance also holds a small amount of water to avoid spreading odors in the air.
Thus, many homeowners consider having garbage disposal with their dishwasher. It’s especially true for a large family.
Many people decide to avoid this appliance since it costs extra money and is optional.
If you are one of them, you may then wonder how to install a dishwasher without garbage disposal. The following part will help you learn the appropriate method.
How To Install A Dishwasher Without A Garbage Disposal?
If you are willing to run a dishwasher without garbage disposal, you must include an air gap in the dishwasher.
It will let you obey the local regulations. You should also pay attention to the water supply line, and electrical connections for a successful installation.
Remove All The Connection
Turn off the water supply system of the household at the main valve. You will find this valve outside in a secured area like a patio, basement, or garage.
Unplug the power cord of the dishwasher from a power outlet and verify that the power is off using a non-contact circuit tester.
Locate The Access Hole
Find out the wiring and piping access holes in the cabinetry. You should find a least one access hole between the kitchen sink main piping and the dishwasher area.
In most cases, this access hole is placed close to the rear of the dishwasher opening near the floor. But if you don’t find any, create one using a drill and hole saw.
Remove The Faceplate
Remove the faceplate at the bottom of the dishwasher using a screwdriver.
This will offer you access to the connection points. Considering the dishwasher model, you may need either a Philips or a flat head screwdriver.
Shift The Dishwasher
Place the unit close to its intended opening, but don’t push the dishwasher into the exact place.
Otherwise, you won’t get access to the connection point. Hold the dishwasher hose and extend it toward the back of the opening.
Drop An Air Gap
Dive an air gap into the hole residing at the sink’s top corner through the countertop. Tighten the air gap in place using a wrench and the supplied nut.
Considering the sink’s model, the air gap hole can be either on the right or left side of the sink.
You can notice this air gap from underneath the counter. Now add the top piece of the air gap, following your dishwasher’s user manual.
Connect The Hose To The Straight Piping
Twist the drain hose up from the dishwasher near the rear and top of the opening.
Connect the hose to the straight pipe of the air gap using a screwdriver and hose clamp.
Attach “Y” Fitting
Place the straight drainpipe on the bottom drain of the sink over the trap.
Take the drainpipe out of the trap using a wrench and insert a “Y” fitting between the trap and the sink’s drain. Then tighten the fitting using a wrench.
Attach another drain hose between the sloping pipes on the air gap to the open pipe end of the “Y” fitting over the kitchen sink pipe trap.
Tighten both ends of the drain hose with a screwdriver and hose clamps.
Remove The Hot Water Valve
Detach the hot water valve from the water supply line from the back wall of the cabinetry with a wrench.
Connect The Dishwasher To The Outlet And Sink Faucet
Turn the dual outlet shut-off valve on the hot water supply line by hand and secure it using a wrench.
Cover both male threads of the shut-off valve with plumber’s tape. Secure the waterline of the sink faucet to one outlet with a hand.
Then connect the other outlet to the dishwasher’s supply line and secure both connections using a wrench.
Cover the male thread inlet connection point of the dishwasher with a plumber’s tape.
Secure the other end of the hot water supply line to the male thread using a wrench.
Connect The Dishwasher To A Power Outlet
Find electrical wires extending from the opening and pull these toward the dishwasher.
But don’t overstretch them. Attach the dishwasher’s white wire to the white wire on the wall and repeat it with black wires.
Check The Dishwasher Connections
Now turn on the water supply at the main valve. Check all the water connections surrounding the water supply lines and dishwasher to make sure there are no leaks.
Power on the dishwasher and let it run a full cycle to check the functionality. Drive the unit into the opening, making sure that no hoses or wiring are pinched.
Make the dishwasher level using its adjustable feet, and pliers. Secure the dishwasher under the counter using a screwdriver and screws. Finally, replace the faceplate.
Final Words
A portable dishwasher doesn’t need garbage disposal to wash your dishes and drain the wastewater.
It’s an optional appliance that will let you dispose of large amounts and sizes of particles efficiently. It also reduces the maintenance effort of a portable dishwasher.
But if you don’t want to invest an extra penny still you get the know-how process of operating your portable dishwasher without garbage disposal.
