How to Convert a Portable Dishwasher to Built-In
A portable dishwasher can save you a lot of money. However, it can become a hassle to attach and detach the water line and drain line every time you want to do a load of dishes. Fortunately, with a few simple modifications to your dishwasher and plumbing, you can convert your portable dishwasher into a built-in dishwasher. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Find a permanent power source for your portable dishwasher. You really have two options: You can use an existing outlet that is positioned above your counter, or you can install an outlet below your counter. The first option is the easiest for people with little or no electrical expertise. Since you will be keeping your portable dishwasher under your counter, you will need to drill a hole in the counter that is big enough to thread your dishwasher’s power cord through. The second option is to install a new power outlet under the counter. Have an electrician do this for you if you don’t have electrical experience. Otherwise, you will need to run an independent power line from your breaker box to the new outlet location, secure an outlet box to a stud, thread your power line into the box and connect it to an outlet face.
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Connect the water line to a permanent water source. To do this, you will need to use a flexible water line, contact cement and a water line adapter to connect your dishwasher’s water line to a permanent hot-water source. You have two options for a hot-water source: Your first is to run an independent hot-water line from your hot-water heater, and your second is to tap into your kitchen sink’s hot-water line.
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Make a permanent drainage system. To do this, you will need to tap into the drain pipe for your kitchen sink. You will need to cut the PVC drain pipe, use a coupler and pipe adapter and contact cement to connect the dishwasher’s drain line to the PVC drain pipe, then reconnect all the pieces to create a closed drain system. Allow the contact cement to dry before testing for leaks.
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Trim out your portable dishwasher to make it look like a built-in. You can use premanufactured trimmer pieces, which can be found at home-improvement centers in the cabinet department, or you can cut your own using plywood. Stain the trim or paint it to match the finish on your kitchen cabinets.
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Comments
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do you remove the metal housing around the dishwasher before installing?
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scarmas1
Nov 23, 2009
I already have an exsisting water pipe in the floor for my water supply and a drainage pipe as well but, I do not know how or what to do with the fixture or adapter on the end of the washer hose, so I can hook up hoses that I need for this to work as a under the counter dishwasher. It has 2 hoses that go into this one adapter on the end for the faucet. I'm not sure how to put a new water line on here or how to put a drainage line on. Any ideas? Thanks -
sandytheman
Nov 18, 2009
Contact cement?? Obviously, this person has very little plumbing experience. If using PVC pipe, you should use PVC primer and solvent. If using CPVC, use the appropriate primer and solvent for that material. And the plug should be cut off the power cord and the cord hard-wired into a new electrical box under the counter for a professional-quality installation. Otherwise, it will cost you extra to have the next dishwasher installed by a pro, or devalue your house a little when you try to sell it. Nobody wants to buy a house with jerry-rigged installations--in fact, it might trigger a more intense home inspection of other systems.
