Garbage Disposal Air Switch - What You Need To Know

Garbage disposal air switch is a very simple device that you can use to turn on and off your kitchen disposer.

They are also very popular with household owners. This is so because the product is easy for you to install, use and maintain.

Furthermore, you don't have to worry about your chosen air activated switch. Most of them are compatible with all garbage disposals in the market.

In this article, we give you all the answers and details you need to know before getting one for your household.

See the table of content below on what we will be discussing here. Then clicks the link for the topics you would like to find out more. Or read through all to have a fuller picture and better understood of this product.


Table of Contents Click the LINK for the section you want to view.

1. What is Air Switch for Garbage Disposal

2. How Does The Air Switch Work

3. How to Install Air Switch for Waste Disposal Unit

4. Pros and Cons Of A Garbage Disposal Air Switch

5. Best Push Button Air Switch Kit

6. Garbage Disposal Push Button Problems and Repair

What is Air Switch for Garbage Disposal

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The switch is a convenient and alternative method to turn on your garbage disposal.

It uses air pressure instead of electricity to activate your unit.

So it reduces the potential of an electric shock when you've wet hands.

The air switch is a push button mounted on your countertop or kitchen sink.

Given this location, you can reach and access your switch at ease.

It's more convenient than those electrical switches mounted on the wall or cabinet.

How Does The Air Switch Work?

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Garbage Disposal Push Button Switch Wiring Diagram

When you press the push button initially, it triggers a pulse of air towards the power control unit. The air goes through tubing connected between the button and the control unit.

Once the control unit receives the "air signal", it turns on the power to your disposer. To turn off your garbage disposal, you need to press the button again.

How to Install Air Switch for Waste Disposal Unit

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Here is the step by step sequence for doing the installation (refer to above wiring diagram for reference):

1. Look for the best location and drill a hole where you're going to mount the push button. For mounting on sink, avoid placing it near or under your faucet handle. Or else your air button will get wet every time you flip the handle with your dripping wet hand. Ensure that you can reach that location with ease.


2. Attach one end of the air tubing to the bottom of the push button. Insert the push button through the mounting hole and tighten it with a plastic nut.


3. Connect the other end of the loose air tube to the power control unit. Cut the tubing to the require length if needed.


4. Plug in the power supply cable for the power control unit into the wall outlet. Then plugged in the garbage disposal power cord into the control unit. When doing this procedure, make sure it's safe and take all necessary precautions.


5. Inspect everything is in order before you turn on the main power supply. Test the air switch by pressing the push button once to run your garbage disposal. Then press it again to stop it.

NOTE:
1. For step 2 and 3, please ensures that the air tube connection to push button and power control unit is firmly secure. This is to prevent any water from entering the air tubing.

2. The above procedure is only a brief guideline for your reference. For actual details, please refer to the relevant product instruction manual.

Pros and Cons Of A Garbage Disposal Air Switch

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Are you struggling with switch options for your garbage disposal? Or you are thinking about electrical wall switch vs push button? And also do you need one or is it safe to be used in your kitchen? Go through this list before you make your final decision.

PROS

Easy to Mount - A quick and simple setup that you can even do it yourself without any installation cost. You don't have to deal with messy wiring or hard wiring a wall switch.

Easy to Use - It offers you a convenient and easy way to operate your garbage disposal.

Fewer Error - It has a unique outlook when compared to a standard wall switch. Hence, it reduces the chances of you or someone pressing the wrong switch. As an example, you might have turned on the garbage disposal unit instead of the lighting.

Safety - Air switches made use of air instead of electric current. So it reduces potential electrical shock or hazard in your home.

Easy Access - Since the button is mounted on the sink or countertop, you can activate the garbage disposal at ease. When compared to an electrical switch, you might need to stretch your hand to reach a wall switch. This is very helpful if you have windows above your sink area.

Stylish Outlook - You can select a variety of button finishes to match with your existing countertop or sink color.

CONS

Extra Cost - There is a bit more cost when you compared a wall switch with an air button switch. But with all the pros listed above, it's still worthwhile to get one installed under your kitchen sink.

Best Push Button Air Switch Kit

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The buttons are either sold separately or come as a part of the air switch kit. There are color options for you to choose to match your existing kitchen sink design. A few examples of the colors are chrome, nickel and white.

There are a few brands of garbage disposal air switches in the Amazon. Those brands include Insinkerator, Geyser, Cleesink, Northstar and Westbrass.

Take a look at the 4 models below. They are some of the popular air activated garbage disposal switch on Amazon.

Here is a summary of their features:

Northstar Decor AS010 Single Outlet Garbage Disposal Air Switch Kit

• Has a single outlet to connect your kitchen garbage disposal.


• There are over 20 finishes for you to choose 1 color button to match your kitchen decor.


• A length of 6 feet long air tube.


• You get a cordless and flat power module that plugged into your electrical outlet under the sink. With this design, you don't have to do any installation for the module. The cordless feature means that you've less power cables lying underneath your sink.


• The countertop hole required is 1-3/8 inches in diameter.


• There is a one (1) year manufacture replacement warranty for this product.

You can read our review here => Northstar Decor AS010


Cleesink Sink Top Air Switch Kit

• Has a single outlet to plug your garbage disposal.


• You can choose 1 button cover from 10 finishes.


• You have 2 options for the air button switch length. Select the short or long version to fit your needs.


• The air tubing is 5 feet long.


• The power cable is 3 feet long.


• The mounting hole required for counter top is 1-1/4” in diameter.


• For this product, there is a one (1) year replacement warranty.

You can read our review here => Cleesink air switch kit


Essential Values Dual Outlet Sink Top/Counter Top Waste Disposal On/Off Switch

• Has a dual outlet to connect two appliances instead of one. You can connect your household waste disposal and a hot water dispenser (if you want). The power switches between the 2 outlets. When you press the switch to run the garbage disposal, the water dispenser will be turned off. Once you press again to power off the disposer, the water dispenser will be turned on. Only one outlet is active at all times.


• You can choose 1 switch cover color from 3 choices. The finishes are Satin/Brushed Nickel, Chrome or Red Oil Bronze.


• You get a 6 feet black vinyl tubing.


• It comes with a 3 feet power cord.


• A mounting hole of 1-3/8" in diameter is needed for countertop installation.

You can read our review here => Essential Values Air Switch


InSinkErator STS-00 Dual Outlet SinkTop Switch

• This unit comes with two power outlets that lets you connect 2 devices. For example, you can plug your kitchen sink disposer and an instant water heater/a hot water dispenser. When you press the button, it toggles between the 2 outlets. Only 1 outlet is always live. It works in the same manner as the Essential Values air switch mentioned above.


• The package includes a chrome and white finish buttons. Additional colors are also available separately if you prefer other finishes.


• You get a 6 feet air line (tubing).


• You get a 33 inch power cord.


• The drilling hole required for the countertop is 1-1/4" in diameter.


• This product includes one (1) year over the counter replacement warranty.

You can read our review here => Insinkerator STS-00

Note: All air switches mentioned here will work with all brand/model of garbage disposals.

Click here to see all of them on Amazon.

Garbage Disposal Push Button Problems and Repair

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The push button is an important switch for you to turn on and off your kitchen garbage disposal.

During usage, you may encounter some problems such as it got stuck, jammed or even stopped working. Hence, you will be thinking of getting a replacement.

Before you decide to buy a new one, you can try to fix it with some simple repair works.

Here is some troubleshooting tips for you to solve your issues:

Problem 1:

You need to press the air switch button several times to power on and off your garbage disposal. This mean that the air signal is not properly send to the power control unit to activate your garbage disposal.

Solution 1:

a. You can try again by not pressing it too hard or too light.

b. Inspect your air tube for any leaking:

• Check that your air tube is secure at both connection ends.
• Check for any cuts along your tubing. If needed, replace it with a new tube.

c. Ensure that your air tube is not kinked. If needed, relocate the tubing.

Problem 2:

Upon pressing your pressure switch, the kitchen food disposal did not run. Like Problem 1, there may not be enough air flow or none.

Solution 2:

Refer to Solution 1b and 1c.

Problem 3:

Your air button stuck halfway down or cannot pop back to the top.

Solution 3:

There may be droplets of water or food waste trapped inside your air button. If so, clear them out and test the pneumatic air switch again.

Note: As you tend to use wet hand to press the button, it's a good habit to wipe it clean and dry after that. This is to prevent any water or debris falling into the push button, air tube or control unit.

If you found out that your air switch is faulty and would like to get a replacement, see our recommendation here.

It's also a good time to get a new one when your air switch is old and wears out or you are doing a kitchen remodel/upgrade.

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