Countertop Composter

A countertop composter is a devise or container for decomposing everyday kitchen and table scraps into nutrient rich compost. A countertop composter is designed for indoor use, specifically in the kitchen area. Owning a kitchen countertop composter is a great and convenient way of recycling organic waste, even for people who live in cities. Modern kitchen composters are generally uncomplicated, low-maintenance and tidy-looking compared the older or more commercial ones.

Compost provides valuable nutrients that can be used on your flower beds and the backyard vegetable patch. Organic items that are not ideal for composters include cheese, meet and dairy. They give off very unpleasant smells and are likely to attract bugs and vermin – not to mention your pet dog or cat!

Types of Countertop Composters

Countertop composters come in a wide variety of styles, designs and colors. They can be made from ceramics, bamboo, stainless steel and plastics. The creative designs give buyers a range of options from modern, trendy pieces to the charming, countryside crocks. They blend into well into the kitchen and often look like cookie jars as opposed to garbage collecting devices.
Some models come with BioBags for lining the compost crock. These bags make it easier to empty out the container and keeping in the odors.

The capacity of the composters varies from 1 to 2.5 gallons. Many models are also fitted in with a charcoal filter that absorbs the odors and replacement carbon filters are available for purchase. Composters can be used to recycle wastes such as fruit peels, vegetable scraps, egg shells, used tea bags, coffee grounds and even coffee filters made from biodegradable materials.

There are several manufacturers of indoor composters. Norpro offers a selection of composters in different styles and designs. Exaco Trading is another brand and they have one of the largest indoor composters at 2.4 gallons. Kitchen Craft, Uncommon Goods and Oggi also produced various models of composter crocks.

How to Choose Countertop Composters

Finding the perfect countertop composters isn’t difficult as long as you keep in mind what to look out for. Here are some factors you should consider when buying countertop composters.

• The odor-removing ability is quite important as you don’t want unpleasant odors wafting through your kitchen. In-built charcoal filters will control the odors.
• The lids should fit tightly over the pot so as not to release any smells.
• Replacement carbon filters are vital accessory and be sure you can get them easily.
• You’ll want to consider how easy it is to clean and does it get affected by water. Some manufacturers are now making dishwasher safe models.
• Take into consideration your countertop space when deciding how big or small your composter should be.
• Try the crock to see how comfortable it is to carry. A composter needs to be emptied and washed regularly – at least once a week – so you’ll be handling it frequently. Some composters have special grip handles for ease of carrying.

Some buyers have noted that the stainless steel versions sometimes develop rust around the edges. Also, not all of the crocks come with built in filters for managing the odors. But on the whole there’s much enthusiasm from keen recyclers about their ease of use and maintenance.

I recommend buying your countertop composters from Amazon.com because their prices are often cheaper than the usual retail store. They also offer free shipping as well, which is a fantastic and very convenient. If you’re looking to buy a countertop composter, you may want to check out my top recommended composters below.

Norpro 1 Gallon Stainless Steel Compost Keeper. This little gem sitting on my counter top allows me to do my part for the environment in style. Made of durable and sleek looking stainless steel, the Norpro 1 gallon effectively breaks down waste while keeping my kitchen looking and smelling good. It is my number one choice when it comes to odor control, design and capacity: 3 of the main key factors to consider when buying a countertop composter. Norpro’s charcoal filter works brilliantly to seal off odor. The classic design really goes with all types of kitchen layouts and never looks out of place. Its large storage capacity lets me compost more without having to dump the compost out in the yard everyday. Great looking and functional, the Norpro 1 gallon is my top pick for counter top composting. Highly recommended.

Amazon.com is offering a 41% discount right now for the Norpro 1 Gallon Stainless Steel Compost Keeper. This means you’ll save $28.71 off the retail price. You can click here to buy it now or you may want to read my review of the Norpro 1 Gallon Composter.

Norpro Grip EZ Stainless Steel Compost Keeper. It is no secret that Norpro makes really good compost containers. Like the Norpro 1 Gallon, this Norpro Grip EZ is made of polished stainless steel for a contemporary look. It also has a handy non-slip padded handle which provides a firm grip. The odor control for Norpro Grip EZ is as amazing as well and the charcoal filters really do work.  Its smaller than the Norpro 1 Gallon and takes up a little bit less space but it performs in the same way. This is my second pick because the Norpor 1 Gallon offers more composting storage but this durable, long-lasting and sleek compost keeper is excellent as well.

At the moment, the Norpro Grip EZ Stainless Steel Compost Keeper is selling at a 29% discount at Amazon, which means you will save $14.42. You can click here to buy it now or you may check out my full review of the Norpro Grip EZ Composter.