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Portable sinks are an excellent way to prioritize hand hygiene, health, and safety without the hassle of a messy and expensive renovation. But you’re probably wondering, if the sink doesn’t have plumbing, how does it work?
In some respects, a portable sink operates the same way as a traditional sink. Someone turns on the faucet, water comes out, they wash their hands, and the dirty water goes down the drain. Of course, there’s a little more to it than that, and this guide explains it all.
A portable sink is exactly what it sounds like: a sink that goes anywhere you need it. While there are different kinds of portable sinks, the biggest thing they have in common is that they are self-contained, meaning they don’t need traditional plumbing to work. As a self-contained unit, a portable sink makes it easy to wash your hands in hot and cold water in places you otherwise can’t, like a food truck festival, carnival, or marathon.
Not all portable sinks are created equal, though. The right portable sink for you depends on what you’re using it for.
Portable camping sinks are collapsable, making them easy to pack with your gear, set up, and break down. Some models are just a catch basin, while others may have a tank for a small water supply and a pump to pull the clean water into a faucet. A few camping sinks are battery-powered, giving you some heated, pressurized water.
Portable cold water sinks are a step up from camping sinks. They’re often pump-activated but have their own water supply so users can wash their hands under running water. While these sinks are durable and used in industrial settings, many of these models don’t provide hot or heated water, which some users may not appreciate, especially in a hand washing station.
Many portable sinks have pressurized hot and cold running water, thanks to the power source and inlet pump. These portable sinks are often just as rugged and durable as portable cold water sinks, making them the ideal solution for installing a sink with no plumbing required.
Though the specifics of each portable sink model vary, nearly all portable sinks have a:
Beyond the basics, many portable sinks also have:
Depending on where you want to use the portable sink, you can get a model with an integrated ABS countertop and sink basin or one with an NSF-certified stainless steel sink. Some models even come with a stainless steel countertop or cabinet, and a few are child-height.
So, how do portable sinks work? While it varies by model, most operate the same way — like a regular sink. The exception is certain cold-water-only models, which are foot-pump operated. Here’s how most portable sinks work.
Start by taking your portable sink out of the box. All of Ozark River Manufacturing’s portable sinks arrive fully assembled, except for attaching the gooseneck portion of the faucet and the top of the soap dispenser, both of which are done by hand with no tools required. Place the portable sink where you want, then fill the fresh water tank with clean water. Connect the Quick Connect to the fresh water tank and put the drain tube into the waste water tank. Plug your portable sink into a standard electrical outlet (110V) and turn it on with the inside power switch. The pump will turn on briefly, letting you know it’s ready to be quickly primed, allowing any trapped air to escape the system. Next, turn on the hot and cold water taps following the included instructions. After a few seconds, the tankless water heater will start heating the water, and you’re ready to go.
When someone opens the tap, the pump springs to action, pumping fresh, clean hot and cold running water for hand washing. Dirty water goes down the drain into the waste water tank and is safely stored until you empty it. And that’s it. That’s how a portable sink works.
Self-contained sinks that don’t require conventional plumbing are useful in almost every industry. Employees, customers, and visitors will appreciate easy and immediate access to a hand washing station with hot and cold running water and soap to ensure they have healthy hand hygiene. You can use a portable sink in:
Ozark River Manufacturing’s portable sinks give you an unmatched level of convenience. Our self-contained portable sinks include:
No matter where you’re putting your portable sink or why you need one, Ozark River Manufacturing’s portable sinks are your no-plumbing solutions. All of our sinks arrive completely assembled. Just take it out of the box, plug it in, and you’ve got access to safe, clean, running water in a snap. Contact us today and learn what our portable sinks can do for you.
Ozark River Manufacturing designs and delivers top-quality, NSF-certified portable sinks. Since 2006, our inventive and bold team has ensured health compliance with quick-connect tanks and instant hot water. With over 55 models, we provide solutions for every need, backed by exceptional customer support and timely delivery. Healthy people matter, and we make a positive impact every day.
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