Trash cans are among the items we use most often in our kitchens, so they must be strong, durable, easy to use and occupy a minimum amount of space.
Trash bots in the kitchen can be divided into two basic types…
- single garbage cans.
- mounted garbage cans (or pull-out waste containers).
Freestanding kitchen garbage cans
It is best to place this type of trash can in open places in the kitchen to reach them easily. If you don’t have enough space, there are trash cans whose design allows you to attach them to the wall, thus saving space.
Some garbage can lids open inward, which is good if you want to put your garbage can in a covered place, like under the sink, where it is not feasible to put a garbage can with lid that opens up.
Other upright trash cans have a foot pedal for quick and easy hands-free opening.
The third type of free-standing trash can even has an integrated sensor chip, through which the lid opens automatically when your arm approaches and closes when you take your arm away.
Some garbage cans do not have a lid. With these, it is easy to deposit the garbage, but you have a big risk of attracting unwanted insects. However, if you often put your rubbish outside without letting it sit for a long time and don’t worry that it will be visible, a rubbish bin without a lid is not a problem.
The independent garbage cans are available in various colors, shapes and finishes, and you can use the availability of different styles to add value to the kitchen decoration. For example, a shiny stainless steel trash can is very convenient if you have furnished your kitchen in a contemporary style. For the casual look, there are other trash can styles, including bags made from woven straw.
Factors to consider when choosing freestanding kitchen garbage cans
1. A good trash can opens wide at the top, so you can throw a large amount of trash, like a full dustpan, at one time. This is not a feature of trash cans whose lids open inward.
2. If the lid is an integral part of the trash can, you want to be able to leave it open until you decide to close it, so that you can use it over a period of time without having to keep opening the lid. The lid should move smoothly, open and close quietly, and close tightly to prevent odors. The latter refers to all garbage cans with lids.
3. If the trash can has a pedal to open the lid, it must have a rough surface to prevent it from slipping when you step on it and it must be quite wide so that it can be easily accessed from different angles.
4. It is a good idea that the trash can has a handle, so that you can move it easily. The inner lining (if available), should also have a kind of handle so that you can take it out and empty it easily.
5. It is a good idea for the trash can to have a rubber bottom or something similar, both for stability and to avoid damaging the floor.
6. If you have pets in the house, it is a good idea to look for a litter box with a lockable lid to prevent spillage in case the pets knock it over.
Assembled kitchen garbage cans
These garbage cans are often containers, mounted either in the cabinet under the sink, or in other cabinets in the kitchen. When you open the door of the corresponding cabinet, the container slides out on guides and some containers have a lid that opens automatically.
With this type of trash cans you will save space and due to the fact that they remain out of sight, you do not need to bother about how they look.
You can have a container with several compartments in which you can put different types of garbage. For example, you can put the main garbage in one compartment, the paper in the second and the plastic in the third.
Another type of assembled kitchen trash consists only of a wire frame with a lid, which can be used with grocery bags or continuous roll. This variant is simple, economical and practical.
Another helpful hint
1. The trash can you choose depends mostly on the space available in the kitchen and the amount of trash you have. However, for, say, a family of four, an 11-gallon (50 l) garbage can would be more convenient than a 7-gallon (32 l) garbage can, which would be good for a family of two.
2. It doesn’t matter if the trash can has an inner lining or not, it’s a great idea to use the trash can with trash (or grocery) bags, because it’s practical and you’ll need to clean it less often. For this purpose…
- the garbage can should be tapered, with its upper part being wider, to prevent a vacuum from forming when a full garbage bag comes out. Some kitchen garbage cans have holes in their inner lining to prevent such a vacuum.
- the garbage can must have a smooth inner surface, so that there are no edges or mechanical parts to prevent the garbage bag from catching and tearing when it is removed.
- the bottom of the trash can must be tightly sealed to prevent dirt from spilling out of the trash can, in case the trash bag spills.
- the garbage bag should be firmly attached to the top of the trash can to prevent it from slipping and scattering the litter when it is full.
3. Kitchen garbage cans can be…
- plastic.
- stainless or enameled steel.
- aluminum…
Metal garbage cans are strong, durable, stable and will not retain odors, as can happen with a plastic garbage can. In addition, they are very easy to clean, especially if they are made of stainless steel.
4. If you want to put the trash can under the sink, make sure that the place is normally dry because if it is wet, there will be a mess if the trash is spilled from the trash can.
5. The trash can must be fire resistant.
6. The inner lining (if available) should be treated with an antibacterial substance. Click here for the best deals on kitchen trash cans.
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