Change disposal switch?

6 years ago

Our new kitchen is about seven months old, and I am loving most everything about it. The one thing I am not happy about is the garbage disposal switch--I have to walk around the open dishwasher to reach the switch, and I inevitably flip the wrong switch of the two.

Is there anything we can do at this point? We have beautiful Cambria quartz counters. If we were to be able to add a countertop button at this point, would I contact the counter people? Electrian? Plumber?

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Comments (5)

Kristin S
6 years ago
Your fabricator can likely add an air button spot in the counter next to the sink, if you want. It will involve drilling a hole in the counter on site. A plumber can then switch the disposal to an air button.
Tootsie
6 years ago
When we bought our slightly used house a few years ago the inspection revealed that the garbage disposal was installed but NO switch was installed...crazy! The sink and DW is on an island to complicate things so we added a switch under the sink. I need to open the cabinet but it’s just a minor inconvenience.
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PRO
The Kitchen Place
6 years ago
You will need an outlet/electric run to your sink base cabinet for the Insinkerator Air Switch. Should be a fairly easy, inexpensive project. I don't think it's safe to have the switch so far away...dangerous even.....if you turn it on and somehow get your hand stuck in there.....shuddder!!!!! Probably unlikely....but better to be safe. I can see so many awful scenariors here....cat jumps up and rubs against the switch and turns it on while your picking something out of the disposer....and then you can't reach it to turn it off? Shudder....
Shannon_WI
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Or, change your disposal to a batch feed style disposal for which no switch is needed. The disposal is turned on by pushing in the cover, and turned off by pulling off the cover. I always have had batch feed disposals when my kids were young because I think they’re safer. Now they’re grown but I still have one (a Waste King) cause I like it. You’d have to make sure to get one at least 3/4 hp or 1 hp. No Badgers.

IMHO cheaper and easier than getting a fabricator to your house to drill a hole, and then a plumber to do the switch and the connection. Just another choice to consider.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years ago
If you have a switched disposal, no other electrical work is required. Drill a 1 3/8” hole, drop the switch through and tighten. Screw the switch box to the cabinet wall, plug the switch box into the switched duplex receptacle, plug the disposal into the switch box, cut the vacuum line to length and install it over the nipples on the switch and switch box. Leave the old disposal switch on “on” and you’re done.