Buying a portable dishwasher faucet adapter was something I know you probably were not thinking about when you first bought your dishwasher. For anybody who is fortunate to own a portable countertop dishwasher, this is a common issue that you will face one day.
Typically it starts off as a small leak at the drain connection. After a while, the leak turns into water spraying from all directions at the adapter that came with your unit.
Simple enough, until you go to your local Home Depot and the attendant asks if you need a portable dishwasher faucet adapter or faucet aerator?
Oops!…. I bet you didn’t think this one through.
Faucet Adapter Faucet Aerator What's the Difference?
Watch the video below to learn a little more about the difference between a faucet adapter and a faucet aerator:
Owners of countertop dishwashers often ask us, “what’s the difference between a faucet adapter and a faucet aerator?”
In this article, we are going to clarify the principal difference between them. Additionally, you will learn the common types used today.
Portable Dishwasher Faucet Adapter
An adapter is different from an aerator in that it has a hollowed-out center. Depending on the thread style of your faucet head, the adapter will either be male/male, female/female, or male/female.
Once you know what type of setup you have you will need to install a washer inside the recessed groove to act as a seal when tightened onto the head of the faucet.
The end that extends from it is usually tapered to allow it to be quickly connected to a hose. Once you have everything properly connected, water can run unrestricted from the sink to the hose.
Faucet Aerator
A faucet aerator functions in the same manner as an adapter but it has a plastic or metal mesh screen that is fitted into the head or core of the body.
The purpose of the mesh is to allow air to be introduced to the water that flows from the head through the tiny holes.
So when you turn on your water you can air bubbles in the stream.
During the early ’90s, the federal government mandated the addition of the screen with the passing the Environmental Policy Act (EPAct).
The reason why EPact was passed was to reduce the gallons per minute from toilets, kitchen and bathroom faucets, and showerheads.
Bottom line
After reading the two short reasons you may be wondering exactly what does this all means? Well, this will depend on your dishwasher.
If you bought a home built after 1992, chances are that you may have a faucet adaptor having an aerator.
However many of today’s dishwashers are built to consume a minimal volume of water.
So you might have to get rid of the adapter and buy a new one with the one that is included with your unit.
If the wrong adapter is installed, it could damage your unit due to not receiving the required flow of water.
For example, the Frigidaire FFPD1821M 18 in. Portable Dishwasher needs a special adapter that holds water pressure between 20 – 120 psi.
However, the SPT Countertop Dishwasher SD-2201S uses a non-aerated faucet adapter; this means water flows unimpeded from the tap into the washer.
The unit regulates the water pressure and flows internally for the six different cycles, so installing an aerated adaptor is not necessary.
To sum it all up, read the manufacture’s instructions before installing.
The directions should tell you whether or not you will need a portable dishwasher adapter or aerator.
Also, check and see if you can download a copy of the parts manual. That should also tell what kind of adapter you need if you must replace it later.