For nearly a decade, my kitchen was home to a battle-worn plastic trash can. It was an object of daily frustration—a monument to compromise. The lid, once a marvel of swivel technology, had long since surrendered, preferring to plunge dramatically into the bin with every use. The pedal mechanism gave up the ghost years ago, turning every disposal into a two-handed, lid-lifting affair. It was an eyesore, a source of scorn, and a constant reminder that some household items are worth investing in. This daily annoyance is a surprisingly common story. A cheap trash can seems like a sensible saving until its spring breaks, its lid cracks, or it simply becomes a permanent source of odor and inelegance in the heart of your home. The kitchen is more than a utility space; it’s a hub of activity, and a broken, unsightly waste bin detracts from the entire environment. That’s what sent us on a quest for a replacement—not just another temporary fix, but a true upgrade. We needed something durable, functional, and stylish enough to complement our kitchen, not detract from it. This search led us directly to the Garvee 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Soft Close Lid.
- [SLEEK AESTHETIC, COMPACT FOOTPRINT] – The Garvee 13 gal kitchen trash can features a slender silhouette at 16.73 in L × 14.65 in W...
- [MINIMAL FORM, EXQUISITE DETAIL] – The Garvee stainless steel kitchen trash can boasts a fingerprint-resistant finish that wipes...
What to Consider Before Investing in a Premium Kitchen Trash Can
A kitchen trash can is more than just an item to hold garbage; it’s a key solution for maintaining a clean, hygienic, and organized home. A high-quality can controls odors, offers hands-free convenience, and can even enhance your kitchen’s decor. The main benefits lie in durability and user experience. A well-built stainless steel model with a reliable pedal mechanism and a soft-close lid transforms a mundane chore into a seamless, quiet interaction. It prevents the jarring clang of a slamming lid, keeps pets and small children out, and contains unpleasant smells far more effectively than a basic open-top or flimsy plastic bin. This investment pays dividends in daily convenience and long-term satisfaction.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a homeowner, renter, or family who spends significant time in the kitchen and values both functionality and aesthetics. If you’re tired of replacing cheap plastic bins every year, frustrated with broken pedals, or simply want a waste solution that looks as good as your other appliances, a stainless steel step can is for you. It’s particularly suited for households with pets or toddlers, where a secure, lidded can is a necessity. On the other hand, this might not be the best fit for those in temporary living situations, a college dorm, or anyone on a very strict budget where a simple utility bin will suffice. For those who want their trash completely out of sight, a built-in, under-cabinet pull-out system might be a better alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Measure your intended space carefully. Note the can’s dimensions when closed (Length x Width x Height) but, crucially, check the total height with the lid fully open. The Garvee 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Soft Close Lid stands at 35.43 inches when open, designed to fit comfortably under standard 36-inch countertops without the lid hitting the overhang.
- Capacity/Performance: A 13-gallon (50-liter) capacity is the standard for most family kitchens, accommodating standard-sized trash bags without issue. Performance hinges on the mechanics. Look for high durability ratings, like the Garvee’s pedal, which is rated for over 150,000 steps, ensuring it won’t fail after a few months of heavy use. The soft-close mechanism is another key performance feature, providing a quiet, gentle closure every time.
- Materials & Durability: The material dictates both longevity and look. While plastic is cheaper, it’s prone to cracking and absorbing odors. Stainless steel, particularly 410-grade ferritic stainless steel like that used in the Garvee, offers superior rust, scratch, and corrosion resistance. Also, examine the inner components; a sturdy polypropylene inner bucket is far more durable and easier to clean than a flimsy alternative.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great trash can should be effortless. A responsive foot pedal enables hands-free operation, which is essential when your hands are full or messy. A removable inner bucket makes taking out the trash and cleaning spills a simple task. Finally, consider the exterior finish. A fingerprint-resistant coating, while not always perfect, significantly reduces smudges and makes wiping it down a much quicker chore.
While the Garvee 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Soft Close Lid is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- AUTOMATIC & HYGIENIC – The touchless sensor lid opens and closes automatically, keeping your hands clean and ensuring a noiseless,...
- CONVENIENT SIZE: 50 liter / 13.2 gallon trash can for home or office
- WASTE BIN WITH 20 GALLON CAPACITY – This 20 gallon trash can is perfect for any household and features a classic rectangular shape in...
Unboxing the Garvee: First Impressions and Core Features
Our experience with the Garvee 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Soft Close Lid began with the unboxing, and it was immediately clear that the company takes shipping seriously. The unit arrived in a reinforced, five-ply corrugated carton, nestled securely in custom foam inserts. This level of protection, often overlooked by other brands, ensures the can arrives pristine and dent-free, a concern many users share when ordering large steel items online. Pulling it from the box, the first thing we noticed was its substantial feel. At nearly 18 pounds, it has a reassuring heft that speaks to its quality, a sentiment echoed by users who described it as “very heavy duty” and “solid.” The 410-grade stainless steel has a clean, brushed finish that blended seamlessly with our other kitchen appliances. There was no assembly required; it was ready for use straight out of the box. The design is sleek and modern, a significant aesthetic leap from the plastic bins that dominate the lower end of the market. It looked, in a word, elegant—a term we, and several other reviewers, never thought we’d use to describe a garbage can.
What We Like
- Robust and durable stainless steel construction feels built to last.
- Whisper-quiet soft-close lid prevents slamming and adds a premium touch.
- Removable inner bucket fits standard 13-gallon bags perfectly and simplifies cleaning.
- Sleek, modern design elevates the look of the kitchen.
- Highly durable pedal and hinge mechanism rated for extensive use.
What We Didn’t Like
- The stainless steel finish can show fingerprints and smudges, requiring regular wiping for perfectionists.
- The lid’s slow closing speed may be too deliberate for those in a hurry.
A Deep Dive into the Garvee’s Form and Function
A trash can’s true worth is revealed over weeks of daily use—the hurried disposals during meal prep, the overstuffed bags after a party, and the constant traffic of a busy family. It’s in these moments that design flaws become glaring and quality features shine. After putting the Garvee 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Soft Close Lid through its paces, we focused our analysis on the three pillars of a great kitchen can: its physical design and material quality, the mechanics of its lid system, and its everyday practicality.
Design and Aesthetics: Elevating a Kitchen Staple
The Garvee trash can is, as one user aptly put it, “about as attractive as a trash can can be.” Its beauty lies in its simplicity and material quality. The body is crafted from 410-grade ferritic stainless steel, a material chosen for its resistance to rust, scratches, and corrosion. In our testing, it stood up well to the occasional bump from a vacuum cleaner or a stray kick, showing no signs of denting. The brushed silver finish gives it a sophisticated, modern look that integrates effortlessly into kitchens with other stainless steel appliances. We found its dimensions (16.73″ L x 14.65″ W x 25.98″ H) to be ideal; it has a substantial presence without being overly bulky, fitting neatly at the end of a counter or against a wall. The anti-slip rubber feet are a small but crucial detail, keeping the can firmly in place on our hardwood floors without any scratching, even when the pedal is pressed with force.
One of the most thoughtful design elements is the lid. It’s constructed from thick ABS with a stainless steel overlay, and features an extended overhang lip. This design is brilliant for one simple reason: it completely conceals the edge of the trash bag. This eliminates the unsightly plastic “skirt” that hangs over the edge of lesser cans, providing a clean, seamless profile. However, the “fingerprint-resistant” claim deserves a closer look. While it’s certainly better than raw, polished steel, we did find that smudges and water spots can appear, especially with wet hands. As one user noted, for a perfectionist, these smudges can be a minor annoyance. For us, a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth was all it took to restore its luster, but it’s not a completely maintenance-free surface. Despite this, the overall aesthetic is a massive upgrade, instantly making our kitchen feel more organized and put-together. You can explore its sleek design and full specifications here.
The Mechanics of Silence: Pedal, Hinge, and Soft-Close Lid in Action
The interactive elements of a trash can—the pedal and lid—are where quality is most apparent. This is where Garvee has clearly invested in durability. The industrial-steel foot pedal is wide, comfortable to use, and incredibly responsive. The brand rates it for over 150,000 steps, which translates to decades of normal household use. We felt this robustness every time we used it; there’s no flex or creaking, just a smooth, confident action. Several users transitioning from broken plastic cans specifically praised how “solid the pedals feel,” and we wholeheartedly agree. It’s even child-resistant to a degree; one reviewer noted their two-year-old couldn’t generate enough force to open the large can, a definite plus for parents.
The pedal activates an ABS hinge rated for over 300,000 open/close cycles, which smoothly lifts the lid. The real magic, however, happens when you release your foot. The soft-close mechanism takes over, guiding the lid down in a slow, silent, and controlled descent. The lack of a jarring “CLANG!” is a quality-of-life improvement you don’t realize you’re missing until you have it. It’s a feature universally loved by users, who call it “nice and subtle” and “a really nice touch.” For added convenience during longer tasks like peeling vegetables, a full press of the pedal opens the lid to 95 degrees, where it locks in a stay-open position. A gentle nudge is all it takes to disengage the lock and let the soft-close feature take over. We did, however, corroborate one user’s feedback that the lid sometimes stops just shy of closing completely, leaving a tiny centimeter gap. This was infrequent in our testing and seemed to resolve itself, but it’s something to be aware of. The closing speed is also deliberate—some may find it a bit slow if they’re in a rush, but we found it to be a calming, premium feature that defines the user experience.
Day-to-Day Practicality: The Inner Bucket and Maintenance
A beautiful, quiet trash can is useless if it’s a hassle to live with. Thankfully, the Garvee 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Soft Close Lid excels in everyday usability. The core of this is its removable inner bucket. Made from thick, black polypropylene, this liner feels tough and durable. It resists stains and, most importantly, doesn’t seem to absorb odors like some plastics can. A sturdy metal handle on the bucket makes lifting out a full, heavy bag of trash effortless and clean. There are no struggles, no tearing bags on sharp edges—just a simple lift and carry.
We were particularly impressed with how well it fits standard 13-gallon kitchen trash bags. The bucket’s dimensions are perfectly calibrated, allowing the bag to fit snugly around the rim without excessive stretching or sagging. A custom liner ring helps grip the bag securely, preventing the dreaded “bag slip” where the liner falls into the can. While one user wished for a hole in the side of the liner to tuck the bag into for a tighter fit (a feature some other brands offer), we found the current system more than adequate for keeping the bag in place. Cleaning is also a breeze. The inner bucket can be fully removed and washed out with soap and water, while the stainless steel exterior just needs a quick wipe-down. The integrated rear handle on the outer shell is another practical touch, making it easy to move the entire unit for sweeping or mopping underneath. These thoughtful, practical features are what make this can not just a stylish object, but a truly functional kitchen tool, and a feature that really sets it apart in a crowded market.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the sentiment from other users is overwhelmingly positive, often focusing on the dramatic upgrade from older, cheaper plastic models. One user captured this perfectly, saying, “Hello beautiful new garbage can, with your step-to-open pedal and your silent, slowly closing lid. This thing is a considerable upgrade, and I love everything about it.” Many, like us, were pleasantly surprised to find a garbage can they could describe as “beautiful” and “elegant.” The sturdiness of the build is a recurring theme, with comments like “very heavy duty commercial grade” and “walls of the can are constructed with thicker metal.” The quiet, smooth operation of the soft-close lid is perhaps the most frequently praised feature, seen as a luxury that quickly becomes a necessity.
However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which provides a balanced view. The most common complaint comes from a user who found the stainless steel surface to be a magnet for smudges, stating, “if you’re a perfectionist like me… this ain’t for you because the smudges will drive you crazy.” This contrasts with other users who felt it “doesn’t show smudges like I expected,” suggesting personal standards for cleanliness play a large role. The slow speed of the lid closure was also mentioned as a potential negative for some, along with the observation that the lid doesn’t always close completely. These minor issues, while valid, seem to be exceptions in a sea of praise for the can’s overall quality and value.
How Does the Garvee Compare to the Alternatives?
No product exists in a vacuum. While the Garvee 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Soft Close Lid excels as a classic, durable step can, different needs may call for different solutions. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.
1. funest Motion Sensor Bathroom Trash Can 3.5 Gallon
- NOTE:FUNEST N30 Trash Can is a USB rechargeable model,comes with 30 count trash bags.Input power supply: Type-c, 5.0V, 1A.Please charge...
- Automatic trash can - Our bathroom trash can with lid is equipped with a SOC sensitive sensor chip, which realizes 0.2 seconds quick...
The funest trash can represents a completely different approach to waste disposal, prioritizing technology and a smaller footprint. Its primary feature is its motion sensor, offering a completely touchless experience, and it’s rechargeable via USB. With a 3.5-gallon capacity, it’s not a direct competitor for a primary kitchen can but is an excellent high-tech alternative for a bathroom, office, or small space. Someone who loves smart-home gadgets and wants a touch-free solution for a smaller room would prefer the funest. In contrast, the Garvee is built for high-capacity, heavy-duty kitchen use with a focus on mechanical durability over electronic convenience.
2. simplehuman 45L Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can
- LINER POCKET - Keep liners where you need them. Dispense them one by one — no perforations or unraveling — from inside the can for...
- NEAT AND SECURE - Stainless steel liner rim flips up for a quick and easy liner change, then closes over the liner to hold it tightly...
simplehuman is a benchmark brand in the premium trash can market, and this 45-liter (12-gallon) model is a direct competitor. The key difference here is the material; this simplehuman model is made of durable grey plastic rather than stainless steel. While high-quality, the aesthetic is different and may not feel as premium as the Garvee’s steel construction. simplehuman is known for its engineering, including a patented lid-shox technology for a smooth close and a strong steel pedal. A buyer might choose the simplehuman for brand recognition, its specific design language, or a preference for high-end plastic over steel. The Garvee, however, offers a comparable level of mechanical durability and a more classic stainless steel look, often at a more competitive price point.
3. Rev-A-Shelf RV-18KD-18C S 35 Qt Pullout Trash Can
- Rev-A-Shelf Pullout Waste Container: Keep your kitchen waste and recycling container hidden but easily accessible with this double...
- Trash Can Specifications: Dimensions (W x D x H): 14.21"W x 22"D x 19.25"H; Designed for base cabinets with a cabinet opening width of...
The Rev-A-Shelf isn’t a freestanding can at all; it’s a pull-out system designed to be installed inside a kitchen cabinet. This is the ultimate solution for someone who wants their trash and recycling completely hidden from view, creating a seamless, minimalist kitchen aesthetic. It prioritizes kitchen integration over all else. The trade-off is the need for installation and the sacrifice of cabinet space. Someone undergoing a kitchen remodel or who simply cannot stand the sight of a trash can would opt for the Rev-A-Shelf. The Garvee, on the other hand, is the superior choice for those who want a high-quality, attractive, and portable freestanding can without the need for installation.
The Final Verdict: Is the Garvee Trash Can Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Garvee 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Soft Close Lid is an exceptional product that delivers remarkable value. It successfully bridges the gap between cheap, disposable plastic bins and ultra-premium brands, offering high-end features and robust durability at an accessible price. Its strengths are numerous: the construction is solid and confidence-inspiring, the soft-close mechanism is flawlessly silent, and the overall design is sleek enough to elevate any kitchen space. It masterfully handles the fundamentals, with an easy-to-clean inner bucket and a perfect fit for standard bags.
While minor quibbles like its susceptibility to fingerprints and the deliberate pace of its lid closure exist, they do little to detract from the overwhelmingly positive experience. This isn’t just a container for waste; it’s a well-engineered piece of kitchen equipment designed to make a daily chore simpler and more pleasant. We highly recommend it for any household looking to make a lasting, meaningful upgrade to their kitchen. If you’re ready to say goodbye to frustrating plastic bins and invest in a solution that combines style, silence, and strength, this is the can for you. You can check the latest price and secure yours today.
Last update on 2025-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API