Residential Dumbwaiters

Dumbwaiters have roots that go as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Almost all European castles also made use of dumbwaiters and they were primarily used to ensure the food was delivered quickly while still hot

Most apartment buildings built in the early 1900’s also had dumbwaiters to make it easier for their tenants to transport their groceries. The dumbwaiter shaft ran from the basement to the roof and was manually operated using a pulley system. Theft was often a problem with these types of dumbwaiters though, so many buildings implemented locking doors to help combat this problem.

As their popularity in apartment buildings faded, they were still found in many larger homes and mansions. Today they are found in many commercial and residential settings. Manual dumbwaiters are still found in some homes and remain available for sale, but electric dumbwaiters are the most common type now.

While in the early 1900’s locks were used on dumbwaiters to prevent theft, they are put to different use now. To help improve safety most electric dumbwaiters will not allow the individual shaft doors to be opened unless the car is present at the floor. They work in a manner similar to conventional elevator, in that you must push a call button and wait for the dumbwaiter to reach your floor before opening the door.

Several dumbwaiter kits are available that come for the most part pre-installed. The car and drive system comes installed on a short piece of track, which can simply be secured in place at the top of the dumbwaiter shaft. This greatly reduces the time it takes to install the dumbwaiter and it also ensures that the drive system is correctly positioned above the car.

The installation process of a dumbwaiter is a fairly ambitious project to do on your own, but it can be done by a competent handyman. Most dealers can also provide professional installation. By choosing a dumbwaiter that comes with the pre-installed car system, you can reduce the installation time, which reduces the cost.

Dumbwaiters are a great way for individuals to transport goods around their home. They are found in many residential settings and help to add value and usability to your home.