trash compactor problems

17 years ago

Good morning, I hope someone can give me some advice. We just took delivery of a new Kitchen Aid compactor to replace the old Kitchen Aid compactor that was here when we bought the house. The new one won't fit into the cabinet all the way with the plug location. The plug outlet is on the inside top of the cabinet so that the plug hangs down. The original compactor JUST fit in with the plug in place. I think the back of the old compactor had an recessed area where the outlet was able to fit. This one will not fit with the plug plugged in. How much should I expect to pay to have the outlet moved? Would a dealer be able to tell me if the product had such a recessed area? I didn't even think of asking that when I was shopping. Thanks for any advice from anyone who might have dealt with this before.

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Comments (7)

frodo_2009
17 years ago
what you will have to do, is move the outlet location
i my self would move it over to the adjoining cabinet
so it can be pluged/unpluged with out pull ing the compactor
anita55
Original Author
17 years ago
thank you, i was thinking of having that done. Do you have any idea how much I should expect to pay an electrician to do this? We are not handy at all.
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faucetman886
17 years ago
Im trying to envision your problem. Is it that the way the new plug works it actually sticks out too far for the compactor to slide all the way in? If that is the case it may be easier to replace the actually outlet with a recessed outlet instead of having to move the whole box. These recessed outlets are made to accomodate something like am electric clock you want to hang flat on the wall and be able to plug it in. Its a simple thing to just remove the old plug assembly from the box and install the recessed outlet, 2 screws 3 wires. These recessed outlets should be available at any big box DIY store, hardware or electrical supply house.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to picture of outlet
anita55
Original Author
17 years ago
HI Faucetman, yes you have it exactly right. The compactor would slide past the box, which hangs down a bit, but not with the plug in. I will show this recessed box to my husband. Is doing this as easy as changing a thermostat? I know he can do that because he did that. Anything more complicated we will have to call someone. Thanks
anita55
Original Author
17 years ago
Should I have mentioned that this outlet is a silver box that hangs down? Is that something different?
faucetman886
17 years ago
Its easier than changing a thermostat and the box that the outlet is in should make no differnce. Just make sure he finds the circuit breaker that controls the outlet and keep it off while he does the change out. Old electricians trick...if you can't easily find the breaker just touch the black and white wire together momentarily and it will trip the breaker for you, then replace the outlet and reset the breaker.
User
17 years ago
Your compactor should have detailed installation specs where the box should be located. Mine had a very specific location so that the compactor could be plugged in.

Also, you can't run a wire through an adjacent cabinet to plug it inside. It is against code.

Good luck.