Best method for storing compost scraps in small kitchen?

[FIRE Realtor]

Hi,
We are finally starting a compost system this year, got the bin for outside but unsure what would be the best receptacle to store scraps in our tiny kitchen before they go outside.  Would just any bucket with a lid work fine? 

[tmac]

I hate to admit it, but I actually purchased something for the purpose.

http://www.oxo.com/p-320-compost-bin.aspx

Here's my rationale. I'd been using just a bowl, but it was unpleasant without a lid. Then I used a seldom-used lidded pot, but when I'm elbow deep in food prep, having to have both hands free (one for the lid, one for the scraps) was annoying.

So. Lidded bucket. Works great. Looks nice on the counter. Hinged, so I can use just one hand. The only downside is that it can't be cleaned in the dishwasher. The lid warps.

I also have a gallon bag in the freezer for scraps that can be used in soup.

[wingarcher]

We use a stainless steel ice bucket.  It's about the same size as compost cans but has a sealing lid.  Did I mention it was stainless?  Easy to clean up, we never dishwasher it, just in the sink.

For meat scraps (that can get to STINKing) put them in a bread bag in the freezer.  When the bag gets full, it goes with the garbage, still frozen.  No stinky.

N

[MayDay]

I just use a bowl, small enough that we fill it up daily and take it outside, so it never gets stinky.

I have been keeping my eye out for an old canister or something at a thrift store, but no luck yet.

Someone in another thread said they used a five gallon bucket with a lid under their sink. They said it didn't smell as long as the lid was on. I may try that this winter.

[RyanAtTanagra]

A pack of larger gladware containers that we just keep in our fridge.  It lasts longer before needing emptied, and we wash them between uses so they don't get gross.  I'd avoid a larger bucket if you're lazy like me.  I let it go too long before emptying it since there's still room, then end up with fruit flies.

[daizy744]

I use this bucket http://sure-close.com/. Our city gave everyone a bucket when they started their household compost pick-up program a few years ago. They are a Canadian company, so not sure about international orders.
But it hooks up inside the cabinet so is tucked out of sight (good for small kitchen) and is hinged for ease one-hand operation!

[tmac]

My mother uses a garbage can that slides out on a track from under her sink. Handy, but it's too big and gets pretty gross before they empty it out. Like this, but with a spring-loaded, hinged lid.

http://www.cabinetparts.com/p/revashelf-kitchen-pullout-and-builtin-trash-cans-RV814PB?gclid=CI2fv57NiL4CFYqhOgod13wAVA

[starbuck]

Glass or stainless steel mixing bowl that sits on the counter, both materials rinse out really easily in the sink. When its full, I dump it into the compost bin. We have a rotating compost bin that's close to the back of the house, so it's easy to empty it regularly (every 4-5 days maybe?) Coffee grounds get dumped into a pretty handmade bowl that lives next to the coffee maker. No issues with smell with this setup. We don't typically compost cooked food since leftovers get used for lunch religiously.

Meat scraps get fed to the dog or cat, depending on what it is. I'll toss meat packaging in the freezer in the kitchen if the trash can is really empty. I don't want it sitting around in the garbage can for two weeks until the bag is full.

[ABC123]

We get ants quite easily in our house.  So I have a couple of 32 oz yogurt tubs that I keep in the freezer that the fruit and veggie scraps go in.  When they are full, then we take them out to the compost bin.

[greaper007]

I have a glass container that's about 1.5 gallons where the lid broke.   I just dump everything in there and take it out when it's full.   It lives on the counter, call it my rotating Jackson Pollack inspired artwork.   

That seems to be once or twice a day.    Since there's generally coffee grounds in there, there doesn't seem to be any smell.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Back when I composted, I had a spare canister, about the size that you would use for sugar. I lined it with a produce bag and kept it in the freezer.

[FIRE Realtor]

Thanks all!  Love the idea of keeping it in the freezer.  I will ask on my neighborhood buy/sell/trade board if anyone has a canister they want to get rid of - I don't think smells will be an issue if kept under the sink anymore than our regular garbage can.