Can I connect the dishwasher drain line directly to the garbage disposal? Do I need an air gap?

Question

Can I connect the dishwasher drain line directly to the garbage disposal? Do I need an air gap?

Answer 1

most disposers have a connection for a dishwasher. it has a plug in it to be knocked out. there is an air gap between the DW and the drain: the interior of the disposer.

Answer 2

You need an air gap  

Answer 3

Yes you will have a short nipple on the side of your garbage disposal. You connect the dishwasher drain line to it but remember to remove the plug from the nipple first. You can connect without the gap but it works better with it and you do not get the gurgling noises.

Answer 4

You can connect directly. There is an inlet on the side of the disposal that you connect the hose from the dishwasher to. There is a plastic knockout inside the inlet  of the disposal that must be knocked out first. Use a long screwdriver and hit it with a hammer from the outside. It will pop off into the disposal. Reach in and take it out. Then put the hose on and use a clamp to make sure that it is securely attached. You do not need an air gap, but you do need to loop the hose up  high under the counter so that it touches the bottom of the counter. This is to prevent any water from the sink or disposal from backing up into the dishwasher. The dishwasher should have a back-flow preventer already installed so the upward loop is just a secondary precaution.