Does anyone remember what a 'dumbwaiter' was. Are they still in use anywhere in homes (apt. bldgs)?

Answer 1

The Dumb Waiter originated back in the days when wealthy families often had very large houses with three, four, or even more storeys. How to get the food from the kitchen say, on the ground floor, to the family dining room on the first, or second floor. These elegant homes were designed to include a shaft, up and down which a servant would winch by hand, the cubicle just large enough to contain the contents that had to be conveyed from one floor to another. Hot food, or even on other occasions, the laundry, or new purchases intended for one of the rooms on a particular floor
Interesting thought. I had imagined the Dumb Waiter to be a thing of the past, because these days, anybody wealthy enough to have a multi-floored mansion would surely be able to afford to have a full scale, regular elevator to transport all the stuff, along with those in charge of it. Perhaps they are still made, and installed in the homes of the moderately wealthy, who could afford a small electrically operated cubicle. but perhaps not want to go to the considerable expense of installing a conventional, state of the art, elevator. I am sure the cost would be significantly different between the two options.

Answer 2

I have seen a number of dumbwaiters. All but 1 or 2 in commercial properties and almost all of those involved a kitchen. Cafeteria, restaurant and cafes. Most are smaller operations where the customers were serviced on one level and the food was prepared on a different level. All the units I have see are electrically operated.

In some older homes there are the remains of a dumbwaiter. Normally a sealed opening close to a kitchen or dining room. At some point the unit broke, a room was remodeled or some other change of use.

Was there some point to the questions? I ask as I or others might be able to be more specific in our answers.

Answer 3

Here're are few websites that sell dumbwaiters:

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Silver Cross Dumbwaiter Guide
www.silvercross-elevators.com - Compare dumbwaiter models. Find recycled and new dumbwaiters through an international network of installers.
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Ameriglide Dumbwaiters - Free Shipping
www.ameriglide.com - Ameriglide Express dumbwaiter elevators - fast and easy installation simplified wiriing - custom sizes available - capacity of 100lb, with 150lb available-call now to speak with a specialist
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Affordable Dumbwaiters
www.summitdumbwaiters.com - Low cost. Residential and commercial dumbwaiters. Made in USA.
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Dumbwaiters - Starting at $3,500
www.buyastairlift.com - Nationwide shipping. Ideal for homes and restaurants.

Answer 4

I know what a dumbwaiter is...

I know that restaurants still use them to transport food from a basement kitchen to a main level dining room. This is typical for city restaurants who need to conserve space.

I'm sure you could have a dumbwaiter put in a home if you wanted, but I don't know how much use you would get out of it.

Answer 5

The answer to what it is has been answered multiple times before me so I'll spare ya. There is a dumbwaiter in the main house at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC which you can see if you go there. There are dumbwaiters still in use in several restaurants I have been in.

Answer 6

I know what a dumbwaiter is. And I worked a restaurant/hotel in Pennsylvania where there is still one in working order and is regularly used to send food from the restaurant upstairs to the second floor in the bar of the hotel.

Answer 7

A dumbwaiter is a small elevator like thing in your house, but it is moved with pulleys. They are becoming popular again in some new buildings

Answer 8

It was a small lift in a wall that opened up on each floor of a house so you could get stuff up and down without using steps- like a mini-elevator.

Answer 9

Yes, in fact I know a guy that just ahd one installed. Funny, but I only remember them being used on the Three Stooges movies.

Answer 10

It's a small elevator between floors...used in large estates to transport food floor to floor