If you're interested in composting, but don't need a large outdoor composter or want to stop piling your inside bin full of smelly, rotten food, then you might be looking for the best kitchen composter. Not only is composting great for the environment, but it also helps your garden out too as your soil will improve with the added nutrients from kitchen scraps. We’ve put together a list of everything you need to know before you buy plus a great kitchen composter review to make sure you get the right tool for the job.
So whether you want to reduce food waste going in the bin and heading off to the landfill, or you’re an avid gardener hoping to turn your food into healthy soil, read on and choose the best bin for your kitchen.
Backyard Boss Top 5 Kitchen Composters for 2021
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Why You Can Trust Us
Anyone in love with nature and gardening can easily see both the financial and environmental value of composting. As people with a passion for gardening, we have a long history with it too, because we know that composting can turn your kitchen scraps into black gold that wonders for soil health. Composting can provide you with a free supply of nutrient-packed fertilizer while also lessening landfill food waste.
To create an accurate list of the best kitchen compost bins, not only we've relied on our hard-learned composting knowledge, but we’ve also listened to unbiased expert input and factored in the experiences of everyday composters who have firsthand experience with each product. We've also compiled a detailed list of the strengths and weaknesses of each item to help you make a fully informed decision on which composter will fit your needs best.
Best for Freezer
This compact bin can carry almost 2 gallons of compost and can be easily stored in the freezer for dry, odorless, and fuss-free composting.
- Dishwasher safe
- Removable lid & wide handle
- Optimized for plastic linings
- Odor and pest management design
- Needs plastic bags
- Absorbs bad odors when not refrigerated
- The lid needs additional weight
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Why We Like It: This simple compost bin, which comes in four colors, is designed for easy cleaning and storage. It has a sleek box shape and smooth interiors for an effortless wash experience between uses and has a removable soft-close lid for convenience. The lid design also manages odor and pest levels, which is important if you choose to keep it on the counter. Its cover also helps hold the plastic lining in place and has a convenient handle for fuss-free transport. This 1.75-gallon bin helps keep waste dry and is great for freezer and fridge storage, to eliminate any potential odors and keeping your freezer’s contents safe.
Who Should Buy It: This would be fantastic for anyone who loves the idea of composting, but wants to avoid any chance of foul odors.
Best With Charcoal or Carbon Filter
This kitchen composter has a great minimalist look that’s great for a functional and fashionable countertop piece, especially since it’s odorless!
- 2-bucket design
- Dishwasher-safe inner bucket
- Rust-resistant carbon steel shell
- 2 complimentary activated charcoal filters
- Flimsy bucket handle
- Loose filter clip
- Some units are difficult to close
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Why We Like It: Mix function and style with this odorless Nordic-style countertop compost bin! Made with a quality carbon steel shell and a removable inner compost bucket, it makes the compost experience easier by lessening the components that need washing. The inner bucket also lessens plastic usage, since it holds and transfers all the organic waste and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. To manage the odor, it comes with two activated charcoal filters that are clipped onto the ventilated lid, to help trap any stink inside. The bin design also helps regulate interior temperatures, can hold a gallon of scraps, and comes in two colors.
Who Should Buy It: Anyone with limited storage space and a stylish kitchen area would see the value in this nordic composter.
Best Stainless Steel
This sturdy kitchen composter is made of a specially molded stainless steel construction that won’t quickly develop rust from welding spots!
- 2 complimentary activated charcoal filters
- 304 Grade rust-resistant steel construction
- Ventilated doubly-ply filtration system
- Dishwasher safe
- Sharp steel edges
- Ventilation hole design flaws
- Difficult to replace charcoal filters
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Why We Like It: It’s unexpected, but this bin has been featured on Bon Appetit and Forbes— for good reason! This stainless steel compost bin is designed with an odor-controlling charcoal filter and is made as a seamless cylindrical construction using high-grade rust-resistant steel. This means it lacks any welded spots that are vulnerable to rusting. It can comfortably hold 1.3 gallons of compost and has a tight-fitting ventilated lid with a double-ply charcoal filtration design, helping trap unpleasant odors within. It’s also dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean between uses.
Who Should Buy It: This could be the one for people who needs a simple and sleek kitchen compost bin that won’t rust easily.
Best for Countertop
This bin works anywhere in the house, whether you need it hanging somewhere or hidden in your cupboard.
- Multiple installation options
- 2-way lid opening
- 18-month after-sales service
- Odorless lid design
- Lid is heavy
- Wall mounting pad has weak adhesive
- Needs plastic bags
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Why We Like It: This compost bin’s biggest strength is its installment versatility! It can be mounted to a wall, hung off a cupboard door, or even placed on a flat surface. Its lid opens two ways and has a scraper that makes it possible to slide all your waste into the bin without touching the waste. It can hold 2.4 gallons, is available in three colors, and comes with 20 trash bags and the necessary mounting accessories. Their after-sales service is fantastic too, lending you a hand up to 18 months after your purchase, with a 100% refund available if it doesn’t work out.
Who Should Buy It: This is great for those who move their compost bin often while they’re working in the kitchen.
Best for use With a Worm Bin
Unlike most worm houses, this occupies a small footprint and can be kept indoors and outdoors.
- High capacity with a small footprint
- Detailed manual and DVD instructions
- Easy 1-step assembly
- 4 stackable trays with worm ladders
- Legs have a 6-tray weight limit
- Trays have a specific stacking arrangement
- Components can't be replaced without prior notice
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Why We Like It: This compact worm factory can be used both indoors and outdoors. It minimizes odor and occupies a small footprint while still composting a high volume of waste. It comes with four stackable trays, a sturdy base with a spigot, bedding materials, mineral rock dust, detailed instruction manuals, a thermometer, a hand rake, a scraper, and worm ladders to help make the composting experience smoother for everyone involved. It’s also incredibly easy to assemble right out of the box and can be used all year round!
Who Should Buy It: People who live with limited outdoor space would meet all their composting needs with this.
How Does a Kitchen Composter Work?
Kitchen composters come in a range of sizes, designs, and colours. The basic premise of the composter is to allow the food to rot down to a point where it can be tipped onto your heap and then mixed in with the compost.
Around 30% of your kitchen waste can be diverted from landfills by using a kitchen composter.
Check out this list of things you can compost and things you shouldn't.
Tips for Choosing the Right Kitchen Composter
The first thing to think about is space. If you have lots of room, or perhaps a utility room of your kitchen that leads into the garden, you can afford to look at a larger compost bin. Bear in mind though that the larger the bin, the longer it will be left between emptying and this could mean it starts to smell.
However, if you know your household produces a large amount of food waste and kitchen scraps (eggshells, vegetable peelings, etc.) in any week, then you could comfortably go for the larger bins knowing it won’t take long to fill up. The size of your bin is measured in gallons and a six-gallon bin would be on the larger side for an average family kitchen that does indoor composting.
If you’re struggling for space, or if you live in a condo or apartment, then a smaller compost bin or caddy will work well. You should look at bins that fit under counters or hook on the inside of cupboard doors, so they don’t take up too much space. Obviously, these will need emptying more regularly, but if you're living alone or just cohabiting, you won’t be producing too much waste.
Different Types of Composters
There are several different materials and types of the composter and they all have their own pros and cons. One of the most popular materials for kitchen compost bins is stainless steel as it doesn’t absorb unpleasant smells and is very easy to keep clean. This metal can also be powder coated to give it a better look and feel as well as adding another layer of protection.
Another good bin material is ceramic. Again, it's durable and resists stains and odors like stainless steel. These types of bins often mimic the design and appearance of a traditional outdoor trash can and they come with holes in the lid sometimes which helps to keep the scraps aerated. Plastic bins are sometimes cheaper but they can stain and over time the plastic may break down to allow smells and food waste to leach into it. A top tip for using a plastic composter is to use a bin liner made from biodegradable material, such as corn, to line the bin first. Not only does this make it a lot easier to empty, it also helps to keep the inside of your composter clean.
Things to Look for and Special Features
Air Tight Lid
An air tight lid is a good option if you really want to contain smells. This is particularly helpful if you bin is going to be out on a counter or somewhere in the kitchen itself. Under counter bins can use a lid with holes or a less airtight seal as they will be contained within a cupboard.
Electronic Compost Bin
Some compost bins have a tap fitted to the bottom which allows you to take liquid from the compost bin, dilute it and then use it as a plant food. However, if you’re planning to take the whole bin outside and just dump it onto the compost heap then you may want to leave the liquid inside.
Pedal Operated Lid
A pedal operated lid is a great bonus as it means you can dump your unwanted fruit, veg and food waste into the bin itself without having to touch it. This makes it easy for when your hands are full of food waste but also stops the spread of germs around your kitchen.
Compost Keepers
You can even buy “compost keepers” which are round filters that slot into the lid of your compost bin and soak up and smells or moisture. This helps to keep the rotting food smelling a little better and prevents moisture from building up inside the bin itself.
Bokashi Bran
There are also specialty products like “Bokashi bran” which can be added to the compost bin and it is friendly bacteria that helps the compost break down quicker.
How We Picked
We chose these five items through personal experience, general knowledge, intense research, and authentic consumer accounts of the products. We checked out each product individually and examined its versatility, ease of use, and maintenance needs, with a preference for those that were easier to clean and use.
We then dug deep into the unbiased opinions of people who have tried out each product and listened closely to their experiences, also keeping in mind what experts had to say about each bin. This, combined with first-hand knowledge of each item, allowed us to filter it down to five of the best kitchen composters on the market. This method makes us confident that, if you’re looking for the best kitchen composter for your home, you’ll find it here.
Our Pick of the Best Kitchen Composter
So when you're looking for the best home composting system, there are several things to consider. While all five kitchen compost bins have their fair share of strengths and weaknesses, we’ve found a favorite in the OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin.
This bin can easily hold a week’s worth of kitchen scraps in the freezer, keeping the organic material cool, dry, and odor-free until you have to transfer it. It's available in two sizes and four color variants to match your function and design needs better, is simple to use, and insanely easy to clean!
While we believe this is great, we know not everyone will have the necessary freezer space for this. For a countertop-style or worm-appropriate bin, it’s still no problem! We don’t doubt that you’ll find what you need here.
And if you have any questions or concerns about choosing the right product for you, feel free to comment and share below!