The Jenn-Air TC607X is our top recommendation because of its impressive power to compress trash and reduce waste. This panel-ready trash compactor is designed to be finished with a custom panel that matches your cabinetry and has concealed controls. But if affordability is your top priority, consider a manual trash compactor like the Household Essentials TK10 Trash Krusher. You supply the compaction force, but it requires no installation and can be used in any kitchen, garage, or RV. What to Look for in a Trash Compactor Type A large static compactor typically contains chambers that range from 1 to 4 cubic yards in capacity. Many people don’t like seeing garbage floating around or lots of bins. Waste piles can be a major eye-sore especially for restaurants that need to deal with food waste recycling. For instance, the Joseph Joseph 30030 trash compactor with a 90-litre capacity is narrower than the 50-litre Household Essentials TK10XL-1. With a height of 68 cm, the unit looks slim while providing more room for waste.

Even though the waste that is compacted may be heavy, it’s much easier to move because of the reasons mentioned above. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our engineers, scientists and product experts test hundreds of kitchen appliances every year, including top dishwashers, gas ranges and French door refrigerators, spending thousands of hours assessing performance, ease of use, quality and efficiency. Now, let’s move to the key features to consider when buying a trash compactor. First of all, you should look at whether the appliance is manual or automatic.Many waste compactors are easy to load as well as easy to use, and this ensures that businesses are able to take care of their waste with minimal effort. Some compactors will feature loading chutes and many units are constructed from high quality steel to ensure durability. Waste compactors are capable of compressing a large volume of waste materials into a relatively small space. Key features of the products include the structural stability of the machinery itself as well as high safety requirements and easy operation. The hands-free drawer operation is operated by a touch-toe pedal and an auto anti-jam feature that prevents your trash compactor from jamming when the door is open. This compactor has a clean, stylish finish - while it may not be premium-looking we think that the design matches its portable nature, as it will suit the majority of environments. While it can feel flimsy in some areas, it is still a reliable trash compactor from a reputable brand that performs well and offers unmatched value for money. In addition, you should know that certain substances may be harmful to your trash compactor. For instance, chemical liquids may wreak havoc on the stainless-steel finish and electrical components inside of the appliance. The liquids from compressed dirty diapers may leak into the trash compactor’s gears and become a breeding ground for bacteria. This disposal machine is designed to reduce the amount of floor space used up and is economical since there aren’t two separate machines. This results in more productivity.

Trash compactors are either freestanding or built-in. Freestanding models can be used in any space, but built-in models need to be installed underneath a cabinet and connected to your kitchen's electrical system. When it comes to installation requirements, Steven Ip, a cleaning professional and the owner of Cleanzen, points out that it’s primarily a question of ensuring that you choose the right size trash compactor to fit your space. Most built-in models are 15 inches wide and 34 to 35 inches tall and will require access to an electrical outlet to supply the motor with power. On the other hand, “free-standing trash compactors are more versatile than built-in ones,” according to Ip, because you don’t have the same installation requirements to be concerned with. Manual trash compactors don’t need access to an electrical outlet. They use weights and pressure to effectively squeeze (or compact) waste material together so that it takes up less physical space. This makes it easier to store and dispose of waste materials as less storage space is required and fewer collections are needed. It also reduces the space taken up in landfill.

The finer details

The KitchenAid KTTS505ESS trash compactor can hold up to 1.4 cubic feet of trash before it needs to be emptied. Even with compacted trash in the bin, odor reduction features like a fan and charcoal filter keep smells under control. In short, it minimizes the volume of your trash, along with the stench that may be associated with using a conventional trash can. You will, however, hear some operational noise from the fan, but that's a small price to pay for just a few seconds of noise. If you are looking for a trash compactor that you want to use right away and maybe build into a kitchen remodel at a later date, this Whirlpool offers a solution. It can be used freestanding right out of the box or installed more permanently into a cabinet. It may not be the most powerful compactor on the market, and it doesn't feature any extra power options so it may struggle with some tougher items, but it is still a reliable option.