Kitchen Composters

Some kitchen models process compost; others just collect scraps

If regular outdoor composting isn't an option for you, and keeping worms in your kitchen (called vermicomposting) isn't appealing (we address this in our page on digesters), there are other alternatives to vermicomposting. Some indoor products, such as the Happy Farmer Kitchen Composter (*Est. $60), utilize a fermentation process to break down kitchen waste inside a plastic bucket. However, these types of products typically incite more complaints about unpleasant smells than other composters, including worm bins.

NatureMill has developed an indoor electric composter that does not use fermentation. There are two versions. The NatureMill Plus (*Est. $300) can handle up to 120 pounds of food waste per month and is available in black. The NatureMill Pro (*Est. $400) has all the features of the Plus model, but it's made with stainless steel components and foot pedal operation. It's available in nine designer colors including white, blue, stainless and a red version that is only available at Target. At up to $400 per unit, however, the NatureMill Pro is costly, and some sources find the idea of an electric composter a bit oxymoronic. One contributor to GreenGadgets.com was surprised to find the composter is made of a Styrofoam-like material. He had trouble with jams at first, but Naturemill replaced his unit and has sent replacement latch kits. Another user likes her composter and says that after she stopped putting paper in it, hers stopped jamming. Generally speaking, products such as the NatureMill Plus or the Happy Farmer Kitchen Composter are suitable primarily for those who have very limited space and no means of composting outdoors. For users who don't fall into this category, there are usually more practical options than an electric or fermentation composter.

Everyone who composts needs an easy, low-odor method to collect their food scraps before carrying them outside to their larger bin or compost pile. Although some composting experts simply use an airtight container stored under their sink to collect the scraps, several specialized compost pails are attractive enough to leave out on your countertop, or have some added convenience features.

Expert and non-expert reviewers alike consistently praise the Norpro Ceramic Compost Keeper (*Est. $25) for its attractive design and odor-controlling features. The Wall Street Journal calls it "cute." It receives above-average ratings from more than 55 reviewers at Amazon.com who say that it gives off zero odors and looks much better than keeping a bucket on the kitchen counter. However, we also noticed several user complaints at Amazon.com about the handle, which is not attached well to the compost pail, and the lack of a snug-fitting lid attracting fruit flies. A few owners also say that the knob on the top is fragile, and that the ceramic is hard to keep clean.

The Norpro Ceramic Compost Keeper pail holds up to a gallon of scraps and is available in red or white. As an alternative to the heaviness of ceramic, the one-gallon Norpro 94 Stainless Steel Compost Keeper (*Est. $50) receives well-above-average reviews from more than 80 reviewers at Amazon.com. However, the stainless-steel version costs more than the ceramic and most reviewers think the ceramic keeper looks more attractive on the kitchen counter. According to Amazon owners, the fruit fly problem is not entirely eliminated in the stainless-steel version, despite its snug-fitting lid. Also, some complain that the stainless-steel model split down the side after minimal or no use. Charcoal filters are used in both models for odor elimination. Replacement filters cost about $2 each and last about three months.

The 3.25-quart RSVP Pail-Boo (*Est. $40) is made from bamboo, and is another nice looking kitchen compost pail, but we didn't find many reviews for it (just a few owner reviews at Amazon.com). The charcoal filters come in packs of two (*est. $7) and are essential for eliminating odor. The RSVP Pail-Boo has a plastic insert that is dishwasher-safe. Norpro also makes a bamboo compost keeper (*est. $55), but it's more expensive.

The most affordable compost pail we found that is praised by reviewers is the KC-1000 Mini Kitchen Compost Carrier (*Est. $18), which is made from high-density polyethylene and includes a minimum of 35 percent recycled plastic. This compost carrier is made by Busch Systems in Canada, and is also sold by Gaiam as the Gaiam Kitchen Compost Bucket. It holds 5.5 quarts of food scraps. The optional carbon filter, which fits inside the lid and lasts about three months, helps tame the odor of food scraps and is sold in packs of six (*est. $11). Among the best features mentioned is the carrier's wide opening and the hinged lid that allows for one-handed operation. The Wall Street Journal says it does a good job at preventing odors, but that the latch on the lid makes it less convenient when using it during food preparation. This compost pail receives above-average ratings from a dozen owners at Amazon.com who say it works well at taming odors, although one owner does comment that it's "not pretty." The KC-2000 Kitchen Compost Carrier (*Est. $20) has all the same features as the KC-1000 but holds almost twice as much: up to 2.4 gallons of food scraps.