Compost Crocks - Compost Pails - Storing Scraps in a Kitchen Compost Crock

If you are serious about composting, you want a way to store kitchen scraps without the smell. Compost crocks or compost pails are an attractive way to store scraps out of sight, and out of mind since they can eliminate the smell you may get with scraps that are stored for a day or more.

Both a compost crock or a kitchen compost pail are a small (approximately 1 gallon) container that can sit on the kitchen counter or under the sink. Typically a compost crock is a ceramic container, while a pail is a metal container. For either one you want to get a container that has a tightly sealed top to help contain the odor and keep the pests like flies out. Many have a rubber or silicon like ring to form a tight seal.

Many of the better pails come with an activated charcoal filter which aids in keeping odors at bay, typically in the lid. These are usually replaceable, and often last 6 to 12 months. If you buy one of these, make sure the retailer carries replacements so that you aren’t out of luck in a year. Often you can wash the filters out to lengthen their time of service.

Green Stoneware Compost Crock $29.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Kitchen Compost Crock, Brilliant White $29.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Stainless Steel Compost Crock $44.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Stainless Compost Crock $49.95 Store: Plow & Hearth Brushed Stainless Steel Compost Pail $19.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Enameled Compost Pail, Buttermilk $14.99 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Copper Finish Compost Pail $34.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Heavy Duty Galvanized Compost Pail $69.95 Store: Yardiac.com 3 Pack Replacement Carbon Filters for Compost Carrier Bucket $6.72 Store: Arbico Organics Compost Carrier Bucket $24.16 Store: Arbico Organics Compost Pail 11" x 7" Stainless Steel: K $52.51 Store: Kalyx.com Kitchen Compost Crock, Cobalt Blue $29.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company

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The better compost pails are made of stainless steel, so the moist refuse doesn’t cause rusting. Most of the crocks and pails have handles to make it easy to carry them out to the composter area. Watch the reviews to see if the particular model you are buying has had problems with the handle attaching. On some models the handle is more decorative than functional, but if you plan to actually use the compost crock you’ll probably want it.

Many of the ceramic compost crocks are dishwasher safe, which makes the job of cleaning them up pretty easy to do. The crocks sold at Gardeners.com seem to be pretty good all around,

For an inexpensive pail, there are a few plastic model as well. Make sure that the plastic is thick enough to be rugged.