The right kitchen garbage can size is usually between 10 and 13 gallons for the average household, but this can change based on your family size and cooking habits. Choosing the correct trash can capacity kitchen needs is key to keeping smells down and trash day easy.
Why Getting the Right Kitchen Trash Can Size Matters
Picking the right size for your kitchen trash bin is more than just fitting it under the sink. It affects how often you take out the trash, how clean your kitchen looks, and even how much odor control you get. A can that is too small fills up fast, leading to messy overflows. A can that is too large takes up too much floor space, which is precious in any kitchen. Finding the balance is important for a smooth-running home.
Factors Influencing Your Kitchen Waste Volume
Several things decide what standard kitchen waste bin size works best for you. Think about your daily life and how much waste you make.
Household Size
More people mean more trash. A single person might manage with a smaller can, but a large family needs much more space.
- 1-2 People: Often do well with 6 to 10-gallon cans.
- 3-4 People: The 10 to 13-gallon range is usually perfect.
- 5+ People: Consider a large kitchen trash can volume, often 16 gallons or more.
Cooking and Eating Habits
Do you cook every meal at home? Do you often bake? Cooking creates more food scraps, like vegetable peels and packaging waste. If you eat out often, your trash volume will be lower. People who use composting might also need a smaller general trash can.
Use of Dishwashers and Recycling
If you rinse and load dishes immediately into a dishwasher, you will have fewer wet food scraps in your main trash bin. Also, if you have a robust separate recycling system, your non-recyclable trash volume will drop.
Deciphering Kitchen Trash Can Capacity Kitchen Terms
Trash can capacity is almost always listed in gallons. This measurement tells you the total volume the can can hold. Knowing how to convert this to liters or just knowing what volume fits your needs is vital.
| Household Size | Recommended Gallon Capacity Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Adult | 6 – 8 Gallons | Good for small spaces or low waste generation. |
| Couple | 8 – 11 Gallons | A common, versatile size for everyday use. |
| Small Family (3-4) | 11 – 13 Gallons | Standard size for most mid-sized homes. |
| Large Family (5+) | 14 – 18+ Gallons | Best for high-volume waste production. |
Exploring Standard Kitchen Waste Bin Size Options
Most kitchen trash cans fall into specific size categories. Knowing these terms helps when shopping for best kitchen trash can dimensions.
Small Kitchen Trash Can Size Options
A small kitchen trash can size is typically anything under 10 gallons. These are useful in specific situations rather than as a primary kitchen can.
Under-the-Sink Cans
These are often 2 to 5 gallons. They are designed to fit snugly inside a cabinet door. They are great for holding small amounts of waste, like coffee grounds or tea bags, keeping them out of sight.
Slim or Countertop Cans
These might hold 1 to 3 gallons. They sit on the counter and are perfect for immediate disposal of prep scraps while chopping vegetables. They help keep the main bin from smelling before you can take the scraps out.
Mid-Size and Standard Kitchen Trash Can Sizes
The majority of kitchens use a can in the 10 to 13-gallon range. This size balances the need to hold enough waste for a day or two without taking up excessive room.
The most common kitchen trash can gallon capacity is 13 gallons. This size perfectly matches the standard 13-gallon trash bags sold everywhere. This convenience factor alone makes 13 gallons a top choice for many shoppers.
Large Kitchen Trash Can Volume Solutions
When you generate a lot of waste—perhaps from entertaining often or having many people in the house—you need more space. A large kitchen trash can volume starts around 14 gallons and can go up to 20 gallons or more.
These larger bins are great for high-traffic areas. However, always measure your space before committing to a very large can. A 20-gallon can might look great, but if it blocks the doorway, it’s not practical.
Measuring Space: Finding the Best Kitchen Trash Can Dimensions
The physical fit of the can is just as important as its volume. You must measure the height, width, and depth of the area where the can will live.
Height Constraints
The height determines if the can fits under counters, shelves, or openings. Measure from the floor up to the bottom of the lowest obstruction.
- Step Cans: These usually need extra room above them because the lid lifts up or pivots open.
- Motion Sensor Cans: These also need overhead clearance for the sensor and the lid mechanism to open fully.
Width and Depth Considerations
These measurements dictate how much floor space the can uses. You need enough room to slide the can in and out for cleaning or liner changes. If you choose a step-on model, ensure the pedal has room to move without hitting a wall or appliance.
| Dimension | Typical Range for 13-Gallon Can | Important Check |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 24 to 28 inches | Clear space under counters/shelves. |
| Width | 12 to 16 inches | Ensure walkway remains open. |
| Depth | 14 to 18 inches | Check space between cabinets. |
Advanced Sizing: Comparing Kitchen Trash Can Sizes for Specific Needs
Not all kitchen trash is the same. Sometimes, you need a can for specialized waste.
Dual Compartment Cans
Many modern bins combine trash and recycling into one unit. The total kitchen garbage can size might still be 13 gallons, but it is split, perhaps 8 gallons for trash and 5 gallons for recycling.
When comparing kitchen trash can sizes for dual systems, look at the split ratio. If you recycle heavily, ensure the recycling side is larger than the trash side, or vice-versa.
Outdoor Kitchen Trash Can Size
An outdoor kitchen trash can size often needs to be larger due to different waste patterns (e.g., yard debris, frequent grilling). These cans are built tougher to handle weather. They usually start at 20 gallons and go much higher. Security against animals is also a key feature here, which can affect the overall smart kitchen trash can dimensions if it includes locking lids.
Smart Kitchen Trash Can Dimensions
Smart kitchen trash can dimensions are often dictated by their technology. Sensors, battery packs, and self-sealing mechanisms add bulk. A 13-gallon smart can might be slightly wider or deeper than a simple manual can of the same volume rating. Always check the exact outer measurements before buying a smart model.
Materials and Design Affecting Usable Capacity
The material of the can affects its weight and sometimes its actual usable volume, even if the listed gallon capacity is the same.
Plastic vs. Stainless Steel
- Plastic: Lighter and usually cheaper. Walls are thinner, meaning a 13-gallon plastic can often holds exactly 13 gallons easily.
- Stainless Steel: More durable and resistant to odors. The walls of steel cans can be slightly thicker, sometimes reducing the interior usable space by half a gallon compared to a plastic equivalent.
Shape Matters
Rectangular cans fit better against walls and cabinets, maximizing floor space efficiency. Round cans usually take up a square footprint but can offer slightly easier liner changing, as there are no sharp corners for the bag to catch on.
Making the Final Choice: Practical Sizing Tips
To ensure you select the perfect trash can capacity kitchen for your home, follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Measure Liner Usage
This is the most direct way to gauge your real need. For one week, track how many bags you fill and discard.
- If you fill one standard 13-gallon bag every 1.5 days, you need a capacity that handles that volume easily.
- If you are filling bags fully every day, you might need to move up to a larger capacity to avoid daily changes.
Step 2: Check Liner Availability and Cost
If you choose a very unusual size, like a 7-gallon can, you might struggle to find affordable, matching liners. Sticking to the 13-gallon standard often saves money and hassle in the long run. Always factor in the recurring cost of the bags when assessing the best kitchen trash can dimensions.
Step 3: Test the Footprint
Before buying online, look at the dimensions provided. Take a piece of cardboard or a box of that approximate size and place it where the new can will go. Open the lid mechanism (if applicable) to ensure it does not obstruct anything vital. This small test prevents large headaches later.
Grasping Specialized Kitchen Trash Needs
Sometimes the main kitchen can isn’t the only container you need to size correctly.
Composting Bins
If you compost food scraps, you need a separate, smaller container, often 1 to 2 gallons. These are usually designed to sit on the counter for easy access during food prep. They need to be easy to clean and often have carbon filters to manage odors in the short term.
Under-Counter Drawers
Some modern kitchens hide the trash bin inside a pull-out drawer system. The sizing here is very restrictive. You must buy a can made specifically for that drawer system, often resulting in a lower kitchen garbage can size, sometimes only 8 to 10 gallons, because the depth of the drawer unit limits the space.
Maintenance and Odor Control Related to Size
The size of your can directly impacts how well you can control smells.
If you use a large kitchen trash can volume but only produce a small amount of waste, that waste sits for a long time. Wet food waste sitting for three or four days in a large, half-empty can is a recipe for bad smells, especially in warm weather.
Conversely, using a can that is too small means you are constantly dealing with overflowing bags that are hard to tie shut, leading to leaks and odors outside the can.
For people sensitive to smells, sometimes it is better to use a smaller main bin (10 gallons) and take the trash out every night, rather than letting a large 18-gallon can sit half-full for a week.
FAQ About Kitchen Trash Can Sizing
What is the most popular kitchen trash can gallon capacity?
The most popular kitchen trash can gallon capacity is 13 gallons. This size matches the standard trash bags widely available in stores, making it very convenient for most families.
Can I use a tall, narrow trash can instead of a wide one?
Yes, you can. If space is limited in depth but you have height clearance, a tall, narrow can works well. Just ensure the opening at the top is wide enough for you to easily fit large items or oversized bags into the container without jamming. This is often a key point when looking at best kitchen trash can dimensions.
How do smart kitchen trash can dimensions differ from regular cans?
Smart kitchen trash can dimensions are often slightly larger in width or depth than non-smart cans of the same listed volume. This extra space accounts for the internal electronics, motion sensors, and battery compartments needed for automated functions like hands-free opening or self-sealing.
Should my kitchen trash can be bigger than my bathroom trash can?
Absolutely. The kitchen produces significantly more waste than bathrooms. A typical bathroom trash can ranges from 1 to 2 gallons, while the kitchen needs a large kitchen trash can volume (usually 10 to 18 gallons) to handle daily food preparation and packaging waste.
What is the smallest size trash can suitable for a small apartment kitchen?
For a very small apartment kitchen, a small kitchen trash can size of 8 gallons is usually the minimum practical size. Anything smaller than 8 gallons will likely require taking the trash out multiple times a day, which becomes inconvenient.