A standard kitchen garbage can volume is typically between 13 and 20 gallons. This range covers most needs for an average household, but you can find options that range from a small kitchen trash can volume of about 8 gallons up to a large kitchen trash can size exceeding 30 gallons.
Deciphering the Gallon Measurement in Kitchen Bins
When shopping for a new trash can, the capacity is often listed in gallons. This measurement tells you exactly how much waste the container can hold before needing to be emptied. Knowing the right kitchen trash can size is key to keeping your kitchen clean and reducing the frequency of trips to the curb.
Why Gallons Are the Standard for Trash Can Capacity
Why do we use gallons? The United States primarily uses the US customary system, which measures liquid volume in gallons, quarts, and pints. Since trash bags are also sized based on these gallon measurements, it makes sense to size the cans to match the bags perfectly. This ensures a good fit and prevents messy overhangs.
- Gallons offer a clear, easy-to-visualize unit.
- Most trash bags sold in stores list their capacity in gallons.
- It simplifies the process of matching bags to cans.
Converting Kitchen Bin Size in Liters
While gallons are standard here, other parts of the world use the metric system, measured in liters. If you see a kitchen bin size in liters, a simple conversion can help you compare it to US models.
The key conversion factor is:
1 US Gallon is equal to approximately 3.785 Liters.
This conversion helps when buying specialty bins or comparing online listings from international sellers.
Table 1: Common Gallon Sizes and Their Liter Equivalents
| Gallon Size (Approx.) | Liter Equivalent (Approx.) | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Gallons | 30 Liters | Small apartment or office kitchenette |
| 13 Gallons | 49 Liters | Small family kitchen |
| 16 Gallons | 60 Liters | Average family kitchen |
| 20 Gallons | 76 Liters | Larger family or high-waste household |
| 30 Gallons | 114 Liters | Very large family or heavy use area |
Finding Your Typical Kitchen Waste Bin Size
The “perfect” typical kitchen waste bin size depends entirely on how much waste your household produces daily. A single person living alone will need much less space than a family of five.
Factors That Influence Your Household Waste
Before picking a size, think about what you throw away. More food scraps or packaging mean you need a larger can.
Household Size
- 1-2 People: A smaller can, perhaps 10 to 13 gallons, works well. You won’t have waste sitting too long.
- 3-4 People: This is where the 13 to 18-gallon range becomes ideal. This size handles daily food prep and packaging easily.
- 5+ People: Consider a large kitchen trash can size, 20 gallons or more, to avoid frequent bag changes.
Recycling Habits
Do you separate recycling? If you have a separate bin for plastics, glass, and paper, your main kitchen trash can might be smaller because recyclables are removed from the general waste stream.
Cooking Frequency
Families who cook elaborate meals every night generate more organic waste (vegetable peels, meat scraps) than those who eat out often. Heavy cooks need bigger bins.
Comparing Kitchen Trash Can Sizes for Daily Use
It’s helpful to picture what these capacities look like in real life. Manufacturers design these sizes around standard bag dimensions.
- Small Kitchen Trash Can Volume (8-10 Gallons): These are often used under sinks or in small apartment setups. They fill up fast, sometimes daily, for small households.
- Medium/Standard (13-18 Gallons): This is the sweet spot for most suburban homes. It matches the standard kitchen trash bag size you buy at the supermarket.
- Large Kitchen Trash Can Size (20+ Gallons): These are for big families or people who do a lot of large-scale food prep, like canning or baking in bulk.
How to Measure Trash Can Capacity Accurately
If you have an old can and aren’t sure of its volume, or if you buy a can without clear markings, you need to know how to measure trash can capacity. While an exact measurement requires calculus, you can get a very close estimate using simple math and tools.
Method 1: Using Water Volume (For Round Cans)
This method is best for cylindrical (round) cans. You will need a measuring cup that holds exactly one gallon (or a container marked clearly in quarts/liters).
- Find the Volume of the Base: Measure the diameter (width) of the can.
- Measure the Height: Measure the inside height of the can where the trash goes.
- Use the Cylinder Formula (Advanced): The volume of a cylinder is $\pi \times r^2 \times h$ (pi times the radius squared times the height). This is hard to work with when you need gallons.
The Simpler Way: Filling It Up
- Use a Calibrated Container: Take a 1-gallon (or 4-quart) container.
- Fill Slowly: Fill the trash can with water using the marked container.
- Count: Count exactly how many containers of water it takes to fill the can to the top rim (or the fill line).
- Calculate: If it takes 16 fills of a 1-gallon container, your can is 16 gallons.
Note: Be careful when doing this indoors! If you must use water, do it outside over pavement.
Method 2: Estimating Rectangular Cans
Rectangular or square cans are easier to estimate if you use measurements in inches.
- Measure Dimensions: Measure the Inside Length (L), Inside Width (W), and Inside Height (H) in inches.
- Calculate Cubic Inches: Volume (in cubic inches) = L × W × H.
- Convert to Gallons: There are 231 cubic inches in 1 US liquid gallon.
Gallons = (L × W × H) / 231
This calculation provides a very precise way of determining trash can volume.
The Practical Side of Sizing: Matching Cans to Bags
The most common source of frustration with new trash cans is buying the wrong size bags. Bags are designed to fit specific can volumes.
Standard Kitchen Trash Bag Sizing
Most trash bags are manufactured to fit cans in a specific range.
| Bag Size (Gallons) | Typical Can Fit | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Gallon | Small/Mid-size kitchen cans | Most common size; standard kitchen trash bag |
| 20 Gallon | Medium to large household cans | Good for busy kitchens; often thicker |
| 30 Gallon | Extra-large bins or outdoor cans | Used for seasonal cleanup or very large families |
If your can is 15 gallons, you should generally use 16-gallon bags. It’s always better to buy bags slightly larger than your can capacity than smaller. Bags that are too small rip easily when you try to stretch them over the rim.
Dealing with Step Cans and Swing Tops
If you have a decorative can with a step pedal or a swing-top lid, the actual usable capacity might be slightly less than the advertised volume.
- Swing-Tops: The swinging mechanism takes up a small amount of vertical space inside the can.
- Step Cans: The pedal mechanism usually doesn’t affect the inside volume much, but the lid shape might restrict what you can put in the top few inches.
When dealing with these decorative styles, it’s wise to choose a bag size that accommodates that small loss of space.
Variations in Kitchen Trash Can Size
Not all kitchens are the same. Modern design trends and living situations have created a need for diverse kitchen trash can size options beyond the basic 13-gallon model.
Small Kitchen Trash Can Volume Options
For specific scenarios, a small kitchen trash can volume is necessary:
- Under-Sink Storage: Cabinets designed for trash often fit containers between 5 and 10 gallons. These are great for separating compostable materials or keeping minor waste out of sight.
- RV or Tiny Homes: Space is precious. In these settings, cans rarely exceed 8 gallons.
- Office Kitchenettes: If the main office cleaning crew handles the bulk waste, a smaller can suffices for snacks and coffee pods.
Large Kitchen Trash Can Size Options
What if you grill frequently, compost heavily, or entertain large groups? You might need to size up.
- 25 to 35 Gallons: These bins are often rectangular or square to fit neatly against a wall or pantry area. They reduce the number of times you have to take the trash out each week.
- Dual Compartment Cans: Many large cans today are designed to hold two separate liners—one for trash and one for recycling. Although the total footprint is large (often 18 inches wide), the trash can capacity gallons for the waste side might only be 10 gallons, with the recycling side holding the rest.
Fathoming Volume Through Comparison and Placement
To really grasp what a 13-gallon vs. a 20-gallon can means, visualize placement.
How a 13-Gallon Can Sits
A typical 13-gallon trash can is usually tall and somewhat narrow.
- Dimensions (Approximate): 24 inches tall by 12-14 inches wide.
- Usage: It usually holds one full day’s worth of waste for a family of three, depending on recycling habits.
How a 20-Gallon Can Sits
A 20-gallon can provides significant extra space and might be slightly wider or taller.
- Dimensions (Approximate): 28 inches tall by 15-17 inches wide.
- Usage: This size often lets a family go 1.5 to 2 days between changes, reducing immediate smell concerns and bag-changing labor.
When you are comparing kitchen trash can sizes, always check the width and depth, not just the volume. A squat, wide 20-gallon can might fit better in your space than a very tall, narrow 20-gallon can.
Advanced Considerations for Trash Can Selection
Selecting the right kitchen trash can size involves more than just volume matching. Features, material, and lid type all play a role in how efficiently that volume is used.
Step Lids vs. Motion Sensor Lids
The lid mechanism affects ease of use, but sometimes it affects capacity indirectly.
- Step Cans: These are popular because they are hands-free. The mechanism housing for the foot pedal might slightly reduce the usable space at the very bottom rear of the can, but this is usually negligible.
- Motion Sensor Cans: These often have batteries or electronics housed in the lid structure, which might make the overall unit slightly taller than a non-electronic model of the same volume.
Material Impact on Perceived Size
The material of the can affects its durability and weight, but not its volume. However, thin plastic cans might feel flimsy when packed near their maximum trash can capacity gallons, making you hesitate to fill them completely. Stainless steel cans feel sturdy, even when full.
Thinking About Recycling Integration
Modern kitchens often integrate recycling. If you opt for a dual-compartment system, you must divide the total kitchen bin size in liters or gallons between the two sections.
For example, a 30-gallon unit might split into 15 gallons for trash and 15 gallons for recycling. This means your actual trash capacity is only 15 gallons, even though the whole unit is large. Always check the label for the individual compartment capacities.
Tips for Optimizing Your Trash Can Volume
Once you’ve chosen your size, a few tricks can help you maximize its effectiveness and keep it clean.
Compacting Waste
For items like cardboard boxes or plastic bottles, always flatten them before placing them in the can. This significantly reduces the volume they take up, allowing you to fit more “real” trash before reaching the limit of your standard kitchen garbage can volume.
Composting Reduces Overall Volume
If food scraps make up a large portion of your daily waste, starting a small indoor compost system is a game-changer. By diverting peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells, you can often reduce the required kitchen trash can size by 25% or more.
Choosing the Right Liner Thickness
Thicker trash bags (higher mil count) allow you to fill the can closer to its brim without fear of tearing. Thin bags often require you to stop filling when the bag is only 75% full to prevent blowouts when you lift it. Using a high-quality 13-gallon bag in a 13-gallon can allows you to use the full capacity safely.
FAQ: Common Questions About Kitchen Trash Can Sizes
What is the most common kitchen trash can size in gallons?
The most common kitchen trash can size sold today is between 13 and 16 gallons. This size aligns perfectly with the standard kitchen trash bags found in nearly all grocery stores and matches the needs of an average household.
Can I use a small kitchen trash can volume if I have a large family?
You can, but you likely will not be happy with the results. A small kitchen trash can volume (like 8 or 10 gallons) will require emptying multiple times a day for a large family, leading to odors and overflowing bins. It is better to invest in a 20-gallon can or use a separate receptacle for heavy recycling/compost.
How do I stop my trash can from smelling bad, regardless of size?
Smell is related to what you throw away, not just the trash can capacity gallons. Always seal smelly items (like meat scraps or diapers) in a small plastic bag before placing them in the main can. Adding baking soda to the bottom of the can, beneath the liner, can also absorb odors.
Is there a rule for determining trash can volume based on kitchen size?
There is no strict rule, but generally, small galley kitchens or efficiency apartments suit 10-13 gallon cans. Medium to large open-concept kitchens can easily accommodate 16-20 gallons without looking too bulky. Always check the footprint dimensions when determining trash can volume for a small space.
What is a good kitchen bin size in liters for an international move?
If you are moving to a country that uses the metric system, aim for a can around 50 to 75 liters. This range is roughly equivalent to the standard 13 to 20-gallon cans, making it easy to find locally available bags.
How often should I empty a 13-gallon can?
For a typical family of three producing average waste, a 13-gallon can should be emptied about once every 24 to 36 hours, especially if it holds food waste. If you notice odors or the bag is difficult to close, it is time to empty it, regardless of volume.