What is the purpose of an air gap for dishwashers?
The purpose of the air gap is too prevent back-flow and siphoning, and newer dishwashers (past 20 + years) have back flow preventers built in and looping the drain hose (not a circle, but an upside down u to the top of the cabinet or behind/side of dishwasher) prevents siphoning. Aside form being ugly space wasters the cheap air gaps have a tendency to spit and cough water out.
