Dumbwaiters in Boats

Dumbwaiters are devices that are used as a type of freight elevators. In residential settings a dumbwaiter is usually around 2’ by 2’, but in commercial settings they can be much larger. For many hundreds of years dumbwaiters have been found in castles, mansions, and business settings. In the past few years their popularity in homes has greatly increased and now many new homes include a dumbwaiter. There is one place you might not think about them being though and that is on boats.

Many cruise liners and large vessels utilize dumbwaiters to transport food and supplies between floors of the ship. They allow the goods to be transported much easier and in much quicker time. On the open seas it can be very difficult to walk down a ships hallways with a tray of food and often without dumbwaiters the crew would have to carry the trays over extended periods of time.

While most large cruise-ships and freighters use dumbwaiters many private yachts use them as well. One ship called the Secret, built in the Netherlands, makes extensive use of dumbwaiters. The secret is over 200 feet long and has 2 VIP suites and four cabins. This is in addition to the extremely large stateroom reserved for the owner. It features a very elegant lounge, a luxurious dining room, and a fully equipped gym. In addition a helicopter can be landed on the deck and it has many types of water toys, like jet skis and kayaks.

Dumbwaiters are used extensively on the Secret and allow them to reduce the crewmembers needed to run the ship. They are used to carry food and supplies to and from the cargo sections. They are connected to the dining room, lounge, and gym, which make it very easy to bring food and drinks to the passengers. In addition laundry and cleaning supplies are also transported in the bank of dumbwaiters. They connect the pantry, storage areas, and just about any area on the ship. Without dumbwaiters, this ship would need a much larger crew and it would be very difficult to load the ship with supplies.

Dumbwaiters are found in many situations and larger ships make extensive use of these devices.

Dumbwaiters: Manual or Electric ?

Dumbwaiters are devices that have been in use for hundreds of years. During the Victorian Era they were used to move people throughout castles and estates, much like modern elevators. They were also used during this time to carry food and supplies. Modern dumbwaiters are now used for freight and goods.

There are two basic types of dumbwaiters:

Manual Dumbwaiters: These dumbwaiters are similar in construct to those used during the Victorian Era. Usually some sort of rope and pulley system is used to lift and lower the dumbwaiter. It will move at whatever speed the rope is pulled. These types of dumbwaiters can be found to support different weight capacities. Due to the use of pulleys, they can be raised and lowered without too much effort. Modern manual dumbwaiters use track systems to ensure that the dumbwaiter does not hit against the wall.

Electric Dumbwaiters: These types of dumbwaiters have become incredibly popular over the last few years. They only require you to push a button to call or send the dumbwaiter between floors, so when you compare them to a manual dumbwaiter, they are much easier to use. They have special sensors that can detect objects in the track that might disrupt its path and most also have special locking doors, which will only open when the cart is present. This prevents falls and objects being dropped down the shaft.

Whether you decide on a manual or electric dumbwaiter, you will need a straight shaft between floors. You can usually save a little money with a manual dumbwaiter, but modern electric dumbwaiters are very easy to install and provide effortless service and many extra safety features. For instance the AmeriGlide Express Dumbwaiter comes pre-installed with the cable system on the track and is one of the easiest dumbwaiters to install in new and retrofit construction.

Describing Dumbwaiters

If you are someone who takes words literally, then it would be an easy assumption that owning and using a dumbwaiter was a dumb idea. This is of course not true and is probably a condition that commonly results in mistakes. A dumbwaiter is actually a very smart way to easily reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to do work in a home.

Dumbwaiters are mini-elevators that are designed to carry freight instead of people. They are used in many commercial settings and can make transferring goods between floors much quicker and less strenuous.

In residential settings dumbwaiters are frequently retro-fitted to homes, but more and more builders and contractors have been including them in new homes in order to increase value and pique interest in their homes.

In either case, a dumbwaiter requires a straight shaft between floors. The size will depend on the unit, but you will probably need a 2’ by 2’ shaft for most residential dumbwaiters. The dumbwaiters can be configured to open on any side of the shaft, and it can be different on each floor. The biggest constraint of course is that a dumbwaiter can only move vertically in a straight line and can not move horizontally side to side.

People find them to be very helpful and are used in many settings. They use them to move drinks and food between floors and on grocery day to bring the groceries to the kitchen. They are also used for bedding and laundry and are much better than a laundry shoot.

Builders and contractors have been a driving force in the popularity of dumbwaiters and now are commonly requested by people who are building new homes.