The best size kitchen trash can usually falls between 10 and 18 gallons, but the right kitchen trash can capacity depends on your household size, cooking habits, and how often you take out the trash. A small kitchen trash can size might be suitable for one or two people, while a large kitchen trash can volume is better for bigger families or those who cook often.
Deciphering the Right Kitchen Trash Can Capacity
Choosing the right size for your volume of kitchen garbage can is not just about fitting it in the space. It’s about making your daily life easier. Too small, and you are constantly changing the bag. Too large, and the bag sits half-empty, which can smell bad. This guide will help you match the gallons in a kitchen bin to your needs.
Factors Affecting Your Trash Volume Needs
Many things change how much trash you make. Think about these points when picking your standard kitchen trash can gallons.
Household Size
This is the biggest factor. More people mean more waste.
- Singles or Couples (1-2 People): You might be fine with a smaller can, maybe 8 to 12 gallons. If you compost a lot, you can go smaller.
- Small Families (3-4 People): The 13-gallon can is very common here. It holds a decent amount without being too big for the kitchen.
- Large Families (5+ People): You will need a large kitchen trash can volume, often 18 gallons or more. Some large families even use two cans.
Cooking and Eating Habits
Do you cook every night? Do you use pre-packaged foods?
- Heavy Cooking: If you cook from scratch a lot, you create more food scraps and packaging waste. You need a bigger kitchen waste bin capacity guide suggests sizing up.
- Takeout Focus: People who eat out often or use ready-made meals produce less bulky food waste. A smaller can might work well.
- Recycling Habits: If you have a separate, large bin for recycling, your main trash can will fill up slower.
Trash Removal Frequency
How often do you empty the trash?
- If you take the trash out daily, a smaller can is okay.
- If you wait until it’s overflowing (maybe every three to four days), you need a larger gallons in a kitchen bin.
Common Kitchen Trash Can Sizes Explained
Kitchen trash cans come in many sizes. Knowing the common sizes helps you compare. We will look at the kitchen trash can dimensions gallons generally come in.
Small Kitchen Trash Can Size Options
Small cans are great for tight spaces or low-waste homes.
| Size (Gallons) | Approximate Volume Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-8 Gallons | Small | Bathrooms, small offices, or RVs | Often used as a secondary can in the kitchen. |
| 10 Gallons | Small to Medium | Singles or couples with low waste | Fits well under small sinks. |
Small cans are practical if your kitchen is small or if you have a separate holding area for main trash.
Standard Kitchen Trash Can Gallons
This is the range most people look for when shopping.
- 13 Gallons: This is the most popular choice. It fits the standard small kitchen trash bags sold everywhere. It works well for the average family of four. It balances size and capacity nicely.
- 16 Gallons: A step up for families that need a bit more room between changes.
Large Kitchen Trash Can Volume Options
When 13 gallons isn’t enough, you move into the large range.
- 18 Gallons: A good fit for busy families or those who cook large meals. It handles holiday cooking well.
- 20+ Gallons: These are often large, step-style cans. They are best for very large households or kitchens where trash is taken out only every few days.
How to Choose Kitchen Trash Can Size: A Step-by-Step Approach
To find your best size kitchen trash can, follow these steps. This will help you match capacity to lifestyle.
Step 1: Measure Your Space
Before looking at kitchen trash can dimensions gallons, measure where it will sit.
- Measure the width, depth, and height of the space.
- Remember to leave room for the lid to open fully. Sensor lids need extra overhead clearance. If the can goes under a counter, check the height limit carefully. A can that is too tall will not fit.
Step 2: Estimate Your Daily Waste Production
Try this simple test for a week to gauge your needs.
- Use your current trash can as usual for seven days.
- At the end of the week, look at how many bags you used.
- Did the bag get full before you changed it? If so, you need a bigger kitchen trash can capacity.
- If you were throwing away half-full bags because they smelled, you need a smaller can or better habits (like more frequent emptying).
Step 3: Factor in Recycling and Composting
If you separate waste, your main trash bin size can be smaller.
- High Recycling: If paper, plastic, and glass take up half your waste, a 13-gallon can might last a full week for actual trash.
- Composting: Food scraps take up a lot of space and create odors quickly. If you compost, you remove the wet, smelly stuff, letting your trash bin hold dry waste longer. This means you can choose a slightly smaller volume of kitchen garbage can.
Step 4: Consider Can Style and Shape
The shape affects how much it holds, even if the listed gallons are the same.
- Round vs. Square: Square or rectangular cans often fit better against walls and use space more efficiently than round ones.
- Step-on vs. Sensor: Sensor cans sometimes have slightly less usable space inside compared to simple step-on models of the exact same standard kitchen trash can gallons rating.
Deep Dive into Kitchen Trash Can Dimensions Gallons
The listed gallon size refers to the volume of kitchen garbage can. However, the actual footprint (how wide or deep it is) matters for placement. A 13-gallon tall, skinny can takes up less floor space than a 13-gallon wide, short can.
Comparing Footprints
When shopping online, always check the physical measurements (inches or centimeters), not just the gallon size.
| Gallon Size | Typical Shape | Typical Width/Depth (Inches) | Notes on Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Gal | Round/Slim | 10″ – 12″ diameter | Good for small spaces beside cabinets. |
| 13 Gal | Rectangular/Oval | 12″ W x 14″ D | Standard fit for most under-sink spaces. |
| 18 Gal | Rectangular | 14″ W x 16″ D | Needs a dedicated spot; may not fit under standard counters. |
Always check the lid opening style. A swing-top lid needs less vertical space than a fully lifting lid.
Specialized Trash Solutions for the Kitchen
Sometimes the standard kitchen trash can gallons just won’t cut it. Modern kitchens offer specialized solutions.
Built-In Trash Systems
Many new kitchens feature slide-out cabinets for trash. These are designed to maximize space efficiency.
- They often use two bins: one for trash and one for recycling.
- Their total combined kitchen trash can capacity might equal 20 gallons, but it’s split into smaller, manageable units (e.g., two 10-gallon bins).
- Advantage: Hidden from view, which improves kitchen aesthetics.
Dual Compartment Cans
These are excellent for households serious about separating trash and recycling but prefer a single unit.
- A 16-gallon dual can might offer 8 gallons for trash and 8 gallons for recycling. This helps manage your kitchen waste bin capacity guide needs efficiently within one footprint.
- Advantage: Keeps recyclables contained but accessible right next to the main waste.
Small Kitchen Trash Can Size for Secondary Use
Even if you have a large main can, a smaller one is useful.
- Countertop Compost Pail: These are usually 1 to 2 gallons. They hold food scraps temporarily until you move them to a larger outdoor bin or dispose of them. This keeps your main bin cleaner.
- Under-Sink Bin: If your main can is too big to fit under the sink (where you often do quick rinsing/cleanup), a small 5-gallon bin is perfect for quick disposal during food prep.
Fathoming Bag Compatibility and Capacity
A major frustration is when the can size seems right, but the bags don’t fit well.
The 13-Gallon Standard
The 13-gallon size is popular because it matches the standard kitchen trash can gallons for draw-string bags sold in grocery stores. These bags have a wide flap that overlaps the rim of the can, keeping the bag secure.
Oversized Bags and Can Fit
If you buy a tall, slim 16-gallon can, you might need to buy “Tall Kitchen Bags.”
- If you use standard 13-gallon bags on a can slightly too large, the bag will sag deeply into the can. This reduces the actual usable volume and makes the bag hard to pull out without touching the garbage.
Trash Compacting Cans
Some high-tech cans use a foot pedal or electric mechanism to compact the trash.
- While these cans might be listed as 13 gallons, the compaction feature means they can hold the equivalent waste of an 18-gallon can before needing to be changed.
- Note: Compacting systems can be more expensive and require specific liners or stronger bags.
Making Smart Choices: A Guide to Kitchen Trash Can Capacity
To summarize how to choose kitchen trash can size, focus on matching the can to the activity, not just the room.
When to Opt for a Larger Kitchen Waste Bin Capacity Guide Suggests
- Frequent Entertaining: If you host parties or have large family gatherings, a bigger can handles the sudden surge of packaging and serving waste.
- Bulk Shopping: If you buy large quantities of items that come in bulky packaging (e.g., cases of soda, large boxes of cereal), you need a larger space for the non-recyclable cardboard/plastic.
- Infrequent Trash Removal: If your local pickup is only once a week and you generate average waste, aim for a can size that can comfortably hold 7 days’ worth of trash without smelling. For most, this means aiming for 15-18 gallons.
When to Stick to a Small Kitchen Trash Can Size
- Small Living Spaces: Studio apartments or tiny homes often lack the dedicated floor space for a large can.
- Heavy Composting/Recycling: If 75% or more of your waste goes into separate bins, the regular trash can will fill slowly.
- Frequent Daily Emptying: If you or someone in your household is diligent about taking out the trash every evening, a 10-12 gallon can is plenty.
Maintenance Tips Related to Gallon Size
The size you choose impacts how you maintain it.
- Smaller Cans (Under 12 Gal): These are lighter to carry to the curb, even when full. They are easier to clean, too. However, you change them often, meaning more time spent tying bags.
- Larger Cans (18+ Gal): These hold more, so you change them less often. But, they can get very heavy when full, posing a lifting risk. They also tend to take up more visual space in the kitchen.
Bag Liner Choices and Gallon Capacity
Always use bags rated for the can size or slightly larger.
- Under-sizing: Using a 10-gallon bag in a 13-gallon can often results in the bag ripping when pulled out or failing to cover the rim.
- Over-sizing: Using a 16-gallon bag in a 13-gallon can leaves a huge excess of plastic bunched at the top. This takes up precious internal space and looks messy.
Look for bags that specify “Kitchen” or “Tall Kitchen” bags, as these are designed with extra length for securing over the rim, regardless of the exact gallons in a kitchen bin rating.
FAQ Section
What is the standard kitchen trash can gallons size?
The standard kitchen trash can gallons size is typically 13 gallons. This size matches the standard bags found in most supermarkets and works well for the average household of three to four people.
How do I calculate the volume of kitchen garbage can space I need?
To calculate the needed volume of kitchen garbage can, observe how many bags your household fills in one week. If you fill two 13-gallon bags, you need at least a 26-gallon total capacity, which could mean one very large 20-gallon can plus a 6-gallon secondary can, or two separate 13-gallon cans.
Can I use a small kitchen trash can size if I recycle a lot?
Yes, if you recycle heavily, you can definitely opt for a small kitchen trash can size, often 8 to 10 gallons, for your residual waste. Just make sure your recycling container is large enough to handle the bulkier items.
What are the typical kitchen trash can dimensions gallons for a 13-gallon can?
A 13-gallon can often has kitchen trash can dimensions gallons that are roughly 12 to 15 inches wide or deep, and about 24 to 28 inches tall, depending on the shape (round vs. rectangular). Always check the specific product listing for exact measurements.
Is a 20-gallon can too large for a normal kitchen?
A 20-gallon can is considered a large kitchen trash can volume. It is usually too big for small kitchens or homes with fewer than five residents who don’t produce excessive waste. It is best suited for large families or those who prefer changing the trash less than twice a week.
What is the difference between kitchen trash can capacity and liner size?
Kitchen trash can capacity refers to the total volume the container holds (in gallons). The liner size is the bag itself, which must be slightly larger than the can capacity to allow it to overlap the rim and secure itself properly. For example, a 13-gallon can needs a liner rated for 13 gallons or more.