Insinkerator Designer Series 1100 Hot and Cold Water Dispenser

If you listen to InSinkErator you will end up purchasing a new unit if not under warranty. The unit is easily fixed see below my instructions. I did pass this on to thier Customer Service hopefully they will review it and publish the instructions for everyone. It takes no parts just minor disassembling and cleaning.

You can easily repair the faucet handle sticking problem from the top.
1.) turn off water - actually you could leave on
2.) using a 3/4 inch open end wrench to remove small retaining cap holding handles in faucet. If you look close you will notice flat sections on cap. Be carefull not to mar finish.
3.) Then pop off handle pivot cap with a small flat screwdriver exposing the stuck plunger. There is hex cap that hold plunger assembly in but you would need a very thin wall socket to remove entire plunger assembly.
4.) Clean as much green goo from plunger area with paper towels and a tooth-pic.
5.) Fill with WD40 cover...Read more

We have owned this product for just over three years and had been happy with the dispenser until recently. Repair parts are not available. Even something as simple as a leaky fitting means that you have to buy a whole new assembly.

We had such a leaky fitting and had to replace the entire tank assembly. Fortunately, this happened while still under warranty. More recently, the spacer under the cold water lever wore to the point that it would no longer stay in the detent. The spacer is not available, nor is the cold water cartridge. Our only option is to replace the entire faucet assembly at a cost of $285 (price quoted from the mfgr's parts dept.).

My recommendation is to look for a unit that has repair parts available, either from the manufacturer or aftermarket.

Great when it works, but expensive and difficult to repair. I bought the best tank and dispenser Insinkerator sold in mid 2005 for $571. Tank died just after the one-year warranty expired. Insinkerator discounted a new better stainless steel tank to me for $80 which frustrated the hell out of me. Then after 3 years the hot water dispenser (handle) would no longer turn off. Insinkerator customer support told me it is past the one-year warranty and not repairable (newer models have a 3 or 5 year warranty). They told me to spend $200-300 on a new facucet (dispenser). I've been unable to dismantle it and repair whatever springs or washers are broken. Read reviews for other 1100's and you'll see lots of dissatisfied people.