A how–to on built–through–the–counter compost catchers.






When we built our house a dozen years ago, we were already inveterate composters. We had a big bin back in the woods and dutifully carried our food scraps, teabags, coffee grounds, weeds and leaves out there. We made soil and fed more than few bears.



As we looked at kitchen sinks for our new home, we saw one that had a built in composter – a slot between the two wells of the sink that you could drop your food scraps right into a removable container below. “Great, let’s order that one," I said. My wife agreed. A few weeks later I got a call from the plumber. “I just want to go over the price of that sink with you,” he said. How much?” I asked. “$1600 dollars,” was the reply. “Wow. That seems like a lot.” I was stunned. “How much is a standard white steel and porcelain sink”? “About 400 bucks” he said. That was a no brainer. “Ok,” I said. “Get us the standard sink! For 1200 bucks I’ll cut a hole in the countertop and put a bucket underneath it!”

Which is exactly what I did. For about $10 worth of stove pipe, some salvaged scrap wood, a cabinet knob, and a plastic 5 gallon pail, I built a through the counter compost catcher that we empty about once a week. It works great, and saved me $1200 bucks that was better invested in my sugar shack, sod roof sauna and other projects. Here’s how you can do it too, just in time to the warmer weather that’s perfect for composting.



First of all, make sure you’ve got a spot for a 3-5 gallon pail under your countertop. We had space between the sink and the dishwasher – and that’s where we clear plates and chop a lot of vegetables anyway.



Now, trace a 6.5” diameter circle (for an 8 inch pipe) in the countertop where you are going to put the hole to drop the compost down.



Drill a hole with a ½ drill bit through the countertop...



…and cut out the circle with a jig saw. If you don’t have a jig saw, this is the perfect excuse to go get one of these nifty tools. Tell your spouse it’s to help save the planet.



Now, with that cut out piece of countertop, trace another circle on a piece of scrap 1” lumber- oak is good as it’s strong and decay resistant. You could use pressure treated, or black locust if you can get some.



Mount this piece of lumber under the hole in the counter top.



Now take a length of black 8” stove pipe and screw it into the inside of the circle. Rusty and reused is fine. This is the tube that will guide your food waste into the bucket.



Before food goes down...



The end of the pipe should just clear the top of your bucket.



Now from another scrap of 1” lumber- Pine or oak or maple- whatever matches your kitchen, cut a circle slightly larger than the opening in the counter top. This is your cover. Cut a smaller piece of 12” plywood or similar to fit the hole and screw it to the bottom of the cover. This will hold it in place. You can also use your router, if you have one- to offset an edge all around your cover so that it fits inside and covers the hole. This is an excellent excuse tot get that router you’ve wanted. Remember it’s for the planet.



Add a knob to your lid and put it on top of the hole, put a nice finish on the cover, and you are ready to collect waste! I often chop veggies right next to the hole so I can just drop the scraps down it.



So there you have it – a hole in your countertop to toss in your food waste for composting. Who wants a garbage disposal?