How to install and operate a sink chopper
If you are looking for a replacement bin in the kitchen, today our article will be devoted to this. It is time to start getting rid of the mandatory attribute and move on to more modern means that you can install yourself. Thanks to such a device, it is possible to crush food waste, which is necessarily accumulated during cooking, and to send it to the sewer system simultaneously with domestic sewage. Convenient - yes, practical - of course.
Product Overview
The electric sink waste chopper has enough power to instantly “recycle” the remnants of products that are no longer suitable for food.
It is not difficult for him to cope with:
- fruits;
- vegetables;
- small fish and chicken bones;
- watermelon peels;
- cereals;
- pasta and bread products.
A dispenser (chopper) in the kitchen will increase the hygiene of the room, saving it from unpleasant odors. At the same time, the waste, crushed to particles of 3 mm in size, will not be able to clog the sewer pipes.
Equipment
Before installing the equipment we recommend to prepare the necessary tools and materials.
Complete with a dispenser are usually attached:
- special key in the form of a hexagon;
- mounting flange for the outlet, which has one or two screws depending on the grinder model;
- threaded tapped outlet;
- rubber gaskets that must be installed under the outlet, as well as the outlet of the device;
- a pneumatic button with a pneumatic hose, when the design has an integrated pneumatic switch.
In addition, you will need to purchase additional materials to install drain pipes, a pneumatic button if there is no air switch, and a switch.
Tip: do not collect the device without reading the technical data sheet and instructions.
The equipment manufacturer also attaches to the documentation a list of its own representative offices and addresses of warranty workshops. Although, if you use the device as recommended, you may not need such information.
Recommendations of specialists
If you decide to install a chopper under the sink with your own hands, you should carefully read and use our advice.
So you can be ready in advance for any surprises.
- Install the dispenser under the sink and connect it to the sewer system.
- Connect the appliance to the mains 220 V, using a grounded outlet, which must also be protected from moisture. Its price is only slightly higher than normal.
- Use only smooth-wall pipes for connection to the drain, although their installation is more difficult.
Tip: do not use corrugated sewer pipes, as the remains of food waste may linger on their walls, due to which an unpleasant smell starts to appear in the room.
- The dispenser is best suited for sinks with a drain hole of O90 mm. These are norms of the European standard and all manufacturers adhere to them.
Tip: when the drain hole does not fit the size in a stainless steel sink, it must be increased with a special tool.
The operation of the shredder is absolutely safe, which is very important, agree. The device will automatically turn off when a cutlery, such as a fork, falls into its opening. Resumption of work will occur only after the foreign object is removed from the device; this operation is performed easily.
Installation steps
Do not forget that detailed instructions should always be included for each model. Be sure to follow the step-by-step recommendations provided by the manufacturer in this document. It would be better if you have any skills to work with plumbing and electrical appliances. Otherwise, do not rush, and check any stage several times, it will not be worse.
Below we consider the typical stages of work that correspond to the installation of almost every shredder:
- disconnect the sewer pipe from the sink, thoroughly clean all elements of the drainage system;
- install a rubber gasket under the flange of the sink;
- mount the grinder to the sink using the parts supplied by the manufacturer to the device;
- connect the dispenser to the mounting bracket;
- connect the drain pipe to the shredder, if necessary, use additional plastic adapters. They are usually always in the universal plumbing kit;
- connect the other end of the drain pipe to the sewer;
- Connect the device to electricity. If there is no air switch in the model, lay additional wiring for a separate switch.
Keep in mind that there are models of shredders where a separate switch is not provided. The design of such devices was designed for a portion of the option of loading food waste. The chopper for the kitchen in the sink begins to work after you turn the lid of his neck. It is installed in the drain hole of the sink and acts as a switch.
Device selection
There are several factors that affect the operation of the appliance, so consider how to choose a food waste chopper for the sink, taking them into account:
| Power | This parameter affects the chopper performance. Usually the engine is calculated on the power of 300-550 watts. The more powerful, the more expensive the device. |
| Dimensions | Dimensions of the dispenser also affect its selection. The larger the size of its body, the greater the amount of waste can be recycled over time. For example, the width of the grinder of food waste brand In Sink 55-2B - 173 mm, but the model Evolution 200 - already 234 mm. |
| Motor protection | The desired function that will automatically disable it in the event of a possible overload. The motor in this case will not fail, but only stop. For example, Ise has such a function. |
| Additional functions | In this case, the operation of the shredder becomes more comfortable. For example, the coating model Bone Crusher prevents the growth of microorganisms, preventing the appearance of unpleasant odors from the drain pipe. |
What should not be thrown into the device
When operating the device has its limitations associated with objects that can not be thrown into it. If you do not adhere to this, some may disable it. Here is the list:
| Packaging | Belong to this metallized and plastic bags, cloth and rubber products. The device is not able to grind them and they block the sewage drain. |
| Hair, thread and rope | The danger is that they can be wound on the motor shaft. As a result, the life of the seals is significantly reduced, and water enters the motor windings. |
| Plastic, glass, metal and ceramic products | The disperser cannot grind them in principle. |
Repair shredder
We will give you information that will be useful if you decide to carry out the repair of the food waste chopper for the sink.
- Electrical equipment. Most of the devices belong to the first class of electrical safety, in this case, the power wire has a terminal-lobe for grounding or three contacts in foreign versions. Therefore, when connecting, it is necessary to observe safety measures, in particular, to equip the house ground loop. It is necessary for the fact that although the body of the device and plastic, if a breakdown occurs, the user can get a shock through the water. This can happen when threads or wires accumulate inside the shredder, which will gradually destroy the sealing gland. Water will begin to seep inside and the engine will fail. Because of this, you can also get an electric shock.
- Removing the instrument is somewhat difficult, so start the repair with a thorough visual inspection.. In this case, it is necessary to disconnect it from the power supply, then shine a flashlight inside the working chamber, carefully bending off the rubber petals by hand. Did not receive results - take the hexagon that comes in the kit. Insert it into the hole under the bottom of the engine compartment and try to turn the shaft. It happens that it succeeds, and then it is heard that something with a crunch is crushed. Turn the shaft manually for some time, and then restart the device, it is possible that its performance will be restored.
- If a light hum was heard before the repair, then the current is flowing through the windings, but the engine cannot be moved..
- In the absence of sound - overload protection worked. Most likely, the fuse blown, which is mounted between the coils. You can check the integrity of the device with a tester.
Tip: usually there is no protection against mechanical overload. Therefore, when the disk is jammed, the device must be turned off as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the windings will fail and the device will break.
Conclusion
An interesting device that will allow to use the trash bin less and less. Remember, a grinder, like any equipment, needs proper care. You can install it yourself, complexity can only occur when fitting the sink drain. The video in this article will provide an opportunity to find additional information on the above topic.