Norpro 1 Gallon Ceramic Compost Keeper, White
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List Price: Our Price: $17.19 You Save: $10.80 (39%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Norpro 1 Gallon Ceramic Compost Keeper, White
Customer Review: Great idea, but some problems
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm lucky enough to have curbside compost pickup on a weekly basis, and was just not sure how to store my scraps all week. I became aware of countertop compost keepers when I saw a bamboo one at a natural pharmacy. I love bamboo, but wasn't keen on paying $45 on something that was going to get filthy, so I started looking for a cheaper alternative. I was excited to find this one for $25.
Unfortunately, I'm finding the item to be a bit fragile (ceramic, I know, but still...). I managed to crack the top nicely by accidentally (and lightly) tapping it against our porcelain sink while hosing it off. I also think that the pot should be about 25% bigger--we only have 2 people living here and we usually manage to fill it up in 4 or 5 days--a family of four would probably have to dump it out every other day, which is just what you don't want to be doing if you bought the thing.
The filter element in the top seems to do its job--no noticeable smells throughout the week, but that may just be because we don't tempt fate with meat scraps, etc. Even if you don't fill it up on a weekly basis, I strongly recommend emptying it and hosing it out weekly (just common sense--I've seen my neighbor's biweekly mold ball, and it ain't pretty).
The handle seems mostly for show; it doesn't rotate well enough to function as a vertical handle. Also, being white, every stray coffee ground and smeary fingerprint shows up--I'm cleaning it constantly. Not really its fault, but there it is. Long story short, I'm still pining for the bamboo one, maybe for $30-35?
UPDATE: I finally broke down and began buying compostable bags to line the crock with, as there are 2 interior lips in there that make cleaning overly difficult. Then I was forced to wrap 3 thick rubber bands around the lip of the lid to try to make a better seal, because the fruit flies had figured it out. That worked pretty well, but should you really have to improve on the product on your own? I'm downgrading to 2 stars from 3.
We eventually got a plastic composter of a larger size with a locking lid, and put it under the sink instead of on the counter. We still use the liners with it, but it holds more, doesn't crack and has a respectable lid seal. Amazon sells it, too--it's the Gaiam.
Customer Review: Wonderful and helpful kitchen product.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an attractive, small compost container for the kitchen counter. Styling goes excellent with our "rustic-modern" kitchen, has small foot-print. Holds kitchen compost for two-three person household for 1 to 2 weeks. If you have smaller children I would not recommend as it is ceramic and would break if knocked off counter.
To address a couple of complaints by other reviewers.
1) Bugs, Flies, Fruitflies -- Use the included charcoal filters in the lid and make sure you put them in correctly and you won't have any problem, some people just don't seem to think it seems. Yes, I live in Texas, and we have all sorts of flying vermin, also have cats and doors are frequently opened closed. Have used now for 3 months and my fruitfly problem has disappeared as compared to even gargage can.
2) Weak handle -- Mine has a VERY sturdy heavy metal handle, I would be hard pressed to pull it off or bend it and I have strong grip of 200 lb guy. Maybe they have redesigned this feature and I have the NEW model.
I do recommend you get the little disposable bags (they are very handy to carry out without taking the "bucket" and are biodegradable in my compost pile outside), also be smart and order an extra set of the carbon filter lid inserts to control smells, they last for about 6-8 wks each.
Customer Review: Easily broken
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought two of these composters - one for my household, and one for my parents. The lid on my parent's composter broke within two weeks. The lid on ours broke about two weeks after that. We glued it back together, and lived with it for a few more weeks until the glue finally stopped holding... at which point we glued it again. And it broke again. In another spot. The handle comes off every time I make a trip to the backyard composter. There is a lip at the very bottom that traps food and sludge. It doesn't clean up very well, and stains have to be scrubbed out. The charcoal filter did keep odor in very well, and the base has not broken yet. Overall, I have been very disappointed with this composter and would not purchase it again. My replacement composter will be stainless steel.
Update: On a friends suggestion, I wrote the company about the lid. I got a response within two days, and they are going to replace the lid, free of charge. I have already bought a new composter (stainless steel, $14.99 at Marshalls), but will continue to use this one as a back-up. I am impressed with their customer service, if not their product.
Customer Review: Way better than plastic bags.
Summary: 5 Stars
For years, I've been hauling dripping, icky plant matter to my compost bin using whatever was handy, mostly plastic bags or containers from vegetables. Aside from being messy, it went against any green impulses I have by using plastic that then had to be tossed, rather than recycled. This crock, while kind of big, allows me to hold vegetable cast-offs on the counter in an attractive container that keeps fruit flies at bay. It also lets me postpone the inevitable trip to the garden because it holds more than your average plastic bag. It's a one gallon container that is tall, rather than spread out. There's a charcoal filter in the lid to staunch the stench and, as mentioned above, deter any fruit flies that magically appear around peelings. If you're looking for a way to facilitate composting, this may help you. Now, if they'd only come up with something that would actually take it outside for me, that would be excellent. This particular crock does everything the more expensive crocks do. The filter is replaceable and can be purchased separately.Customer Review: Nice product but if I did it over again - Stainless
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this product after already owning the stainless version for a year. I gave the stainless to someone else because this white ceramic pedestal - looking object seemed to fit with my decor better. But what I've found is, (1) I am for the first time a bit nervous about breaking it or breaking glass tea pots when I shake the loose tea into this container, (2) it is certainly heavier than the stainless when lugging it (the weight is not a deal breaker), and (3) it does not seem to seal around the edge of the top anywhere as well as its stainless counterpart resulting in fruit flies getting attracted to it and actually inside on a regular basis - something that seemed to happen less with the stainless one. So carbon filter helps a lot but the leaky cover undermines the filter.
Still compared to not having either choice and seeing how nicely made this object is, it gets the benefit of just over half credit in my scoring.
I'd go back to stainless in a heartbeat when I feel the moment has come.