Dishwasher - Air Gap or Loop?

[fool4jesus]

We are putting in a new kitchen and one of my many jobs is the plumbing. I would like to avoid the air gap on top of the counter, and many people tell me that just putting a loop will be fine. It seems, well, not right somehow. Seems like there's a chance of siphoning back through the hose.

So I was wondering, oh noble appliantologists, whether anybody has had problems using the loop method instead of the air gap. I will rest much better hearing your comments (assuming they're good ).

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

There should be some type of air gap in the drain line. Air gaps take on many forms-- a loop in the drain hose isn't one of them, however; that's to prevent siphoning. The air gap is to prevent ca-ca from backing up into the dishwasher. Connecting your drain hose to the disposal, a common practice, is usually convenient and has the added benefit of incorporating an air gap-- the disposal innards form a nice big air gap. Here are pictures of other ideas:

[fool4jesus]

Interesting. I never thought of the garbage disposal as an air gap, although it is one unless it's all backed up. That's the situation I was concerned about. I was wanting to do figure 2, which I think is the most common today. Thanks for your input.