Not everyone is aware of a dishwasher air gap is, or why it is even needed in the first place. If you are one of these people, then this article is for you.
Plumbers will almost always tell you that you need to have an air gap installed with your dishwasher. This is because the air gap helps to prevent contamination in the dishwasher. Often, you face clogged sinks and drains, and this can lead the dirty water to backtrack into the dishwasher and flood it, and this can be a nightmare to clean up. An air gap prevents that from happening!
This is why it is mandatory to have the airgap installed in a lot of states, but even if it is not mandatory where you are residing, you should still look into its benefits and get it installed.
To know more about the best dishwasher air gap, and how you can pick one out, check out the full detailed article below.
List Of Top Dishwasher Air Gap
- Kingston Brass K811SB Trimscape Air Gap
- Westbrass Air Gap Kit with Skirted Brass Cap D200-1-20
- Kraus KAG-1BG Dishwasher Air Gap
- Design House 522953 Dish Washer Air Gap with Cover
- Moen 105895BL Air Gap
- Moen 105895BG
- Air Gap International Dishwasher Air Gap with Skirted Cap
- Air Gap International Dual Air Gap
- KOHLER K-9110-VS Air Gap
- KOHLER K-9110-BN Air Gap Body
Comparison Chart For Top 10 Dishwasher Air Gaps
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Cap Color | Dimension | SPECIAL FEATURE | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
Kingston Brass K811SB Trimscape Air Gap | Brushed Brass | 8.81 x 1.88 x 1.88 inches | Corrosion resistant | |
  |
Westbrass Air Gap Kit with Skirted Brass Cap D200-1-20 | Stainless Steel | 10 x 3 x 3 inches | Cap covers entire air gap body | |
  |
Kraus KAG-1BG Dishwasher Air Gap | Brushed Gold | 1.88 x 1.88 x 2.5 inches | Body is made from durable ABS plastic | |
  |
Design House 522953 Dish Washer Air Gap with Cover | Satin Nickel | 2.7 x 1.8 x 9 inches | Includes a brass cap | |
  |
Moen 105895BL Air Gap | Matte Black | 9.88 x 5.63 x 3.5 inches | Highly durable | |
  |
Moen 105895BG | Brushed Gold | 9.6 x 5.6 x 3.5 inches | Easy to install | |
  |
Air Gap International Dishwasher Air Gap with Skirted Cap | Polished Chrome | 8.74 x 5.2 x 2.09 inches | Compatible with various countertops | |
  |
Air Gap International Dual Air Gap | Chrome | 9.92 x 5.67 x 2.8 inches | Skirted Cap | |
  |
KOHLER K-9110-VS Air Gap | Vibrant Stainless | 9.75 x 4.75 x 4.25 inches | Highly durable | |
  |
KOHLER K-9110-BN Air Gap Body | Vibrant Brushed Nickel | 9.75 x 4.75 x 4.25 inches | Air gap covers clamping collar |
Best Dishwasher Air Gap Reviews
1. Kingston Brass K811SB Trimscape Air Gap
This is the Kingston Brass K811SB Trimscape Air Gap in the shade of Brushed brass, which is a beautiful antique-looking brass share with a natural metallic finish. However, it does come in various other shades as well, and all of them are true to their names.
Matching colors is one of the things you don’t have to worry about with this air gap, and that is all thanks to Kingston’s brilliant eye for detail. Whichever color you try to match with the kitchen faucet or other fixtures, you will surely find the perfect match.
The body of the air gap is made from polyethylene, while the cap is made from brass. Moreover, the air gap comes assembled, which makes this very simple and easy to install.
What’s also great about this air gap is that it is corrosion-resistant, which is one of the first things to look for in these fixtures. So there is no need to worry about rust or cleaning rust, giving you an easy-to-use and functional air gap for your kitchen.
The cap diameter on this is 1-7/8-inch, and the cap height is 2-1/2-inch.
What Makes The Product Special
This air gap comes fully assembled, which means if you are on the lookout for an air gap that you don’t have to put together, then do check this out.
Pros
- Comes in various colors for easier matching
Cons
- Does not include matte finishes, only satin
2. Westbrass Air Gap Kit with Skirted Brass Cap D200-1-20
Westbrass makes excellent plumbing specialty products and ensures that their products are made from the highest quality materials. This little background on the brand assures us that we are about to see a good air gap kit!
This Westbrass air gap kit comes with everything you will need to install the air gap, from the plastic body to the flange to the cap, you won’t have to buy anything separately.
The cap on this has been made from cast brass, which makes it highly durable and long-lasting. Moreover, the cap also comes in various colors and shades, so you can find the right match for your kitchen.
The cap diameter for this air gap is 1-3/4-inches, the cap height is 2-3/4-inches, and the total height of the air gaps plastic body is 9-1/8 inches.
What Makes The Product Special
This is a good pick for all users who want an easy-to-install air gap. The Westbrass Air Gap Kit is very simple to install where you have all the parts you need. So all you need to do is follow the instructions and set it up!
Pros
- Installation is simple and easy
Cons
- The plastic body has low strength on threads
3. Kraus KAG-1BG Dishwasher Air Gap
Here we have the Kraus Dishwasher Air Gap, which comes in a variety of colors to match your kitchen’s exterior needs. But, at the same time, it delivers quite well functionality-wise as well!
The entire body of the air gap is made from ABS plastic, and it comes with a solid brass cover that helps to create a beautiful finish on top. This brass cover is super durable, and ensures reliability for a lifetime!
The air gap is also both rust and corrosion resistant, which are both very important properties for air gaps. And thanks to its universal design, compatibility is a given, no matter what design the rest of your materials are.
This air gaps cap height is 2-1/2-inches, the cap diameter is 1-7/8-inches, and the height of the plastic body is 9-inches.
What Makes The Product Special
This is a good fit if you already have other installations from Kraus, in which case it will make it easier for you to find similar designs so that your kitchen can have that cohesive look.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of colors
Cons
- Colors are not an exact match with other Kraus products with the same color name
4. Design House 522953 Dish Washer Air Gap with Cover
The Design House dishwasher air gap is a splendid choice of an air gap for it has really won the hearts of customers! It comes with a plastic valve body with a brass cover.
The brass cover has a satin nickel finish, but you can switch to a different finish if that is what the rest of your kitchen requires. It is also rust-resistant and corrosion-resistant, which ensures that it will be durable and long-lasting.
If you have other fixtures from Design Home, then most certainly you will find a design that is highly compatible. And even if you don’t, all the finishes are universally compatible, and will definitely fit in regardless of your kitchen’s style.
The inlets included are 5/8- and 7/8-inches.
What Makes The Product Special
This is a really good, and good-looking air gap for something that is not too expensive, and that is why it is a common pick for users who have expensive kitchen fixtures. Installing this will complement the rest of the higher-end fixtures, while this won’t be too expensive itself.
Pros
- Very sturdy and durable
Cons
- Not very easy to clean
5. Moen 105895BL Air Gap
This is the Moen air gap that has been built for longevity and a mess-free kitchen!
This one right here is a matte black finish, which would complement multiple interiors. But if it doesn’t match yours, don’t fret, it has other shades which you can check out too. If you have Moen fittings in your kitchen, then you are more likely to find a perfect match!
One of the finest things about this air gap is that the cap is made from genuine stainless steel, instead of simply having the stainless-steel finish. This makes it all the more durable and reliable.
The installation process is also very easy and simple, so anyone can do it.
What Makes The Product Special
If you want an air gap that comes with a genuine stainless-steel cap, instead of a stainless steel finish, then this is the one to go for.
Pros
- The lower ring covers the plastic base
Cons
- The metal cap is very slightly thin-walled
Dishwasher Air Gap Buying Guide
Finish
You want an air gap that will come with a rust-resistant finish. As a fitting that is to be used around water, the cap of the air gap should be made from rust and corrosion-resistant materials, such as brass or stainless steel. This ensures that the air gap will be durable and won’t need frequent changes.
Compatibility
Look out for air gaps that come with universal designs so that it is compatible with your kitchen and all its other fittings.
Color
The color of the air gap depends on your personal preference and what matches with the faucet. In most cases, people try to match the cover of the air gap with the faucet so that it looks tied together, and that is something you can check out.
Installation
If you are going to install it yourself, it is good to check out air gap kits that include all the parts that you need. This is easier on you, and the whole process becomes easier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do All Dishwashers Need An Air Gap?
If you are residing in the state of Minnesota, California, Hawaii, or any of the other states that have made it mandatory to have an air gap installed, then you know that this really is an integral part of the setup.
The dishwasher air gap is a preventive measure that saves you a ton of trouble along the way, which is why all dishwashers should have it installed, even if you don’t reside in one of the states that have made it mandatory. This is why all dishwashers do need an air gap, regardless of whether it is mandatory or not.
2. How Do I Stop My Dishwasher Air Gap From Overflowing?
One of the reasons why your air gap is overflowing is because it might have gotten clogged. The way to fix it is to get it unclogged, for which you will need a vacuum. You have to unscrew the air gaps cover and check the inside of the cap to see if there is any debris or particles that are caught inside it. If so, you will need to clean it out.
If there is too much debris for you to clean out with a paper towel, then get a vacuum and insert the hose into the air gap so that it can pull out all the remaining debris if there are any.
Then turn the hot water faucet on and allow the warm water to run. While this happens, keep the vacuum running, so it can pull in the hot water through the air gap cap. If this runs smoothly and the water does pass through the air gap cap, then your problem is solved!
3. How Do I Install A Dishwasher Air Gap?
Installing a dishwasher air gap is pretty simple, and something you can do at home. You need to locate the hole dedicated to the air gap on the counter. If you don’t have it, you will have to drill one. You may drill it yourself if you are trained, and if not, you should call in a professional to do it instead.
Now you have to install the air gap through this hole, and then connect the air gap to the drain hose of the dishwasher.
The air gap will have two legs, and the drain hose will connect to the smaller end. You may also choose to connect the air gap to the garbage disposal. Once connected you can place the air gap through the counter hole, tighten and secure it to the counter and put its vanity cover on.
Now that the job’s done you should run a fill cycle on the dishwasher to ensure that every step has been done correctly, and to check that there are no leaks.
4. What Is The Purpose Of An Air Gap For A Dishwasher?
The purpose of an air gap for a dishwasher is to prevent water from re-entering the dishwasher. The air gap ensures that in the case of a drain clog, the dirty water does not go back into the dishwasher, as that can cause a disastrous scenario, especially if you have clean plates there. With the air gap, you can be sure that this will not happen.
5. Do You Need A High Loop If You Have An Air Gap?
High loops are simply a way to prevent water from re-entering the dishwasher or backflowing. And that is what an air gap does too, but the air gap provides higher assurance that there will be no backflow.
This means, if you have an air gap installed, then you don’t need a high loop. High loops are used as alternates for people who don’t have or cannot get an air gap installed, as they have the same function.
Conclusion
Since a lot of people are still unaware of how an air gap works, this is something you should look into in detail if you want to use your dishwasher without any hassle. The air gap works as a preventive measure for you where you stay assured that your dishwasher won’t get flooded even with a clogged drain.
But with hundreds of models out there, confusions do arise, and that is when you need to do a tad bit of reading to really understand what you are buying. So we hope you will take a moment to read through to be able to find the best dishwasher air gap.
Leave a Reply