The Wastemaid Range Explained
Wastemaid isn’t a one-size-fits-all brand. The range runs from straightforward continuous feed units at the affordable end right through to Elite air switch and batch feed models, so there’s usually a specific unit suited to whichever kitchen it’s going into rather than a single generic disposer.
Continuous Feed: the 058 to 1680 range
The 058, 158, 258, 358, 458 and 1580 models, along with the 1680, are continuous feed units – switched on at the wall first, then fed waste steadily while running. These sit at the more affordable end of the range and are usually the models fitted as a straightforward replacement for an existing unit.
Elite Air Switch: the S-Series and 1780–2080
The Elite S-Series (S-599 up to S-1099AS) and the 1780, 1880, 1980 and 2080 AS models add an air switch: a button on the worktop rather than a wall switch, operated by a puff of air through a small hose instead of an electrical connection near the sink. It costs more than the standard range, but it’s the safer option where a switch has to sit close to water.
Elite Batch Feed: the 1785-BF and 1985-BF
The two Batch Feed Elite models work differently again. Waste goes in with the cover fitted, and the unit only runs once that cover is turned into place – there’s no way to run it with the drain open. That’s a genuine safety consideration if there are children in the house, and it’s why these sit at the top of the range price-wise.
Choosing the right one
Replacing an existing Wastemaid unit is usually as simple as matching the model number – splash guards, the sink connector and the cleaning brush are shared across most of the range and stocked separately. Buying for the first time, continuous feed will suit most kitchens, and it’s worth paying the extra for an air switch or batch feed model only if convenience or safety right at the sink genuinely matters to you.
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