It turns out that air gaps are required by code in a few states, like mine - CA. Regardless of whether they are required by code, they are not required by function. Their function is to keep the dirty water from backing up into the dishwasher - to keep all the used water headed down the drain. It turns out that you can accomplish the same thing by installing your hose with a "high loop." It's incredibly simple and any plumber knows how to do it.

If you live in a state that requires one, you can have one installed for inspection, then remove it and put a soap dispenser in that hole. Generally I'm not big on flouting codes, but in this case I have no problem at all. In addition to not being necessary functionally, air gaps are also unsightly and collect crud where it meets the counter. Yuk. So glad to have gotten rid of ours.

I will link a thread about air gaps. They are required by Code in only a handful of states; according to the thread, California, Texas, Washington, Nevada and maybe a couple others.

The air gap is to prevent dirty water from your dishwasher from flowing back into the dishwasher to re-dirty the dishes. It's considered obsolete, and has been replaced by the "high loop hose" installation on the dishwasher. High loop is more effective than the air gap, which is why most states don't require the air gap any longer. New dishwashers today come with the high loop hose already installed. But, it sounds like you are keeping your existing Kenmore DW. If your DW does not now have the high loop, you can make the high loop in about 5 minutes, so you won't need the ugly air gap on top of your new granite. See the thread linked below which also has a good video link to show you how.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread about Air Gaps vs. High Loop Installation

Thank you very much, suzannesl. I am living in CA. I don't think any city person would come and inspect my kitchen after the countertop and sink get replaced.

The granite store recommended a handyman to do the plumbing connection and cooktop electric connection. I don't know if the handyman would know how to install the hose with a high loop. The air gap does look ugly.

You would need to look up "high loop" to check the details, but essentially it's just what it says. The water hose from the dishwasher is connected in such a way that a section of it sits higher than where it exits the DW. Think of the shape of an inchworm with its back up.

One of the few things we hired out was connecting up the new sink and reconnecting the DW. For this we called a local plumbing shop and they sent a guy out. It's not necessary to buy the sink and stuff from them to arrange for a person to come out. Over the last 37 years we've needed a plumber every now and then and the local shop has always sent us an excellent person. I don't think the plumbers have been any more expensive than a handyman and they just have more expertise. Something to think about. Does the cook top hook-up require something more exciting that just plugging it in? I've never had a cooktop or an electric stove. Electrical changes were the other thing we hired out, it's just not something that you want to make a little oopsie mistake and burn your house down.

Jane--did you pull a permit for the kitchen work? If so, an inspector will check your finished plumbing when the work is completed. Unless he's blind or negligent, the air gap will be checked. If you don't have a permit, you do not need to worry about an inspection with air gap requirement.

I'm in an "air gap required" state. I put an air gap on the counter, and as soon as I pass inspection it will be replaced by a soap dispenser. I don't regularly go around breaking codes, but the air gap is outdated.

Janesylvia - please look at the link I provided above. Anyone who is connecting your DW or sink should know how to install the high loop hose, it is sooo basic. And, please see the video I linked in my post. The video is a minute long, and making the high loop won't take much longer.

I am in an "air gap " state too. The guy that came for the final inspection didn't even know what an air switch was! He tested one outlet and told me how great the kitchen looked. I don't think he would have even noticed if my air gap was not on the counter. The plumber did come back a few days later and installed the air gap inside the sink cabinet and put the soap dispenser in.

I know that some people hate them, but you are required by law in CA to have one.

Unless you have some pressing reason why you can't have one, you should have it installed. When it comes time to sell your home, you don't want stuff like this coming up in an inspection. It is a small item, but when people see obvious code violations, they tend to start taking a closer look at everything.

Thank you very much for all the responses above.

Suzannesl, thank you very much for your helpful information.
Akchicago, Thank you very much for your video link, which is very helpful. According to the link, I think I even can do it. I just checked and was surprised to find that my current air gap is hanging there empty without connecting to the dishwasher pipe. My Kenmore Elite was purchased 4 years ago (installed by Sears) and I used it almost daily. This reassured me that I would not need an air gap. To be safe, I would make the dishwasher pipe high looped.

Breezygirl, Thank you very much for your information. I did not apply for a permit. Yes, so I should not worry about the inspection with air gap requirement.

Badgeralgal, thank you very much for sharing your experience.

Davidrol, thank you very much for your information and your link. Yes, it's always best to be cautious and prevent risks. I just noticed my current air gap has been hanging there empty without connecting to the dishwasher since Sears people installed the Kenmore Elite dishwasher 4 years ago. For safety concern, I will go ahead and make the hose high looped.

Bill, thank you very much. For future inspection, if air gap is an issue, I would have the soap dispenser replaced with an air gap.

I'm in Calif. and had an air gap on my old sink and never knew what the thing was for. I bought one for my new sink/counter and am actually going to have it installed PLUS the high loop. If I decide to go with the risk, I'll swap it out for a soap dispenser, which I wouldn't have otherwise opted to install. Yep, you think an air gap is unsightly? No worse than the soap dispensers (2) that will also be sitting there.

I am also in Ca. and the building inspector said that if the dw installation instruction allow for the high loop and no air gap, he will pass it. I think it might actually vary city by city. Plus we've had a bit of an upheaval in our town building department, so maybe the inspector wants to keep the residents happy.
I'm drilling a hole for an air gap anyway and just use it for a sprayer.