Compost containers are made of stainless steel or other materials for storing food scrapes and other compostable wastes.These containers are naturally kept in the kitchen in an unobtrusive space until they fill up to be emptied in the backyard, or picked by the municipal waste collectors. These containers are known by different names such as compost crock, pail and keepers and are a great way of keeping odor at bay in your kitchen. You can empty out your compost trash everyday in the backyard if you are keeping a compost pile. It can easily be washed off with soap and water and is as good as new.
These compost containers can become your step towards creating a little compost pile in your backyard. The kitchen compost pile in the backyard is a sure way of helping you being eco friendly as 30% household wastes are degradable for compost. It saves you a lot on fertilizers since you can have your own organic material for your garden and plants. Make sure that you throw only bio degradable waste into the compost container. Throw in only waste materials like egg shells, fruits and vegetable peels, tea bags, seeds and coffee grounds as they compost better with less odor. With these containers around in the kitchen, you can be assured of odorless, clean and a beautiful kitchen day in and day out. They also greatly spice up your kitchen with their aesthetic designs.
Things to consider before buying:
1. Appearance and capacity
Choose something to match your kitchen decor if you want to keep it in full view. Appearance of the compost container is therefore important in the whole scheme of things. You will also have to gauge the amount of household waste generated by your family on a daily basis, so that you can buy one which will hold that capacity. The right size will help reduce several trips to the compost pile, so get one which will hold the requisite capacity on a daily basis.
2. Clean-ability and Weight
Buy a container which will be easy for you to clean out as it is bound to get dirty. Containers with smooth, rounded edges are the most convenient for you to clean inside out. There are some which can be washed in the dish washer and this is bound to save you extra hassle. Remember, that you will be throwing in a lot of waste and this will become heavy. So, choose a container which is lightweight and easy to carry.
3. Handle and lid
Get a container that has a securely reinforced handle so that it does not slip off while you are carrying it. A container with a handle is easier to carry than struggling with one that has no handle. The lid is another important aspect that you will have to consider. It should close well so that no odor emanates out, or fruit flies will be attracted around your container.
4. Filter and ventilation
Some containers come with filters attached to cut down the odor level. These are simple carbon charcoal filters that helps a lot in eliminating unwanted odor. Having said this, it is important to get a container with some form of ventilation for air circulation, although the filter does help out here. If the container is 100% sealed, then it will get a foul odor called anaerobic condition which will only create a problem in your compost pile.
5. Size of mouth opening and composition
The wider the opening of the container, the better for you to throw in waste from the plate without spilling over the sides. Consider the material of your compost container before buying it. They come in various materials like ceramic, bamboo, plastic, stainless steel and even recylced pail. Choose the one that you will be most comfortable using.
6. Instructions, Support and Price
If you are mail ordering and if damage occurs during the transportation, it will become another headache. Therefore, buy your container from a reputable source, so that you will have the additional benefit of calling and asking if something should go wrong. Most containers come with their instructions manual but you can always ask them if you have any doubts. Finally, consider the price you pay for the container and whether it will be worth it. Depending on how often you need to change the filters, or if the compost bags turn leaky after a few days, you need to consider all these for the price paid.
