Simpli-Magic Dual Compartment Trash Can Review: Sorting Without the Sprawl
The Simpli-Magic 79598A Dual Compartment Trash Can divides 60 liters into two removable 30-liter bins with independent pedals and soft-close lids. The split design keeps two waste streams in one body. That sounds like humble equipment because it is, and that is exactly the appeal. The can makes waste and recycling equally easy to reach without requiring two mismatched bins on the floor. Households that already separate materials but dislike the visual and physical sprawl should consider it, as long as the narrower openings and liner sizes suit what they throw away.
Pros
- Two 30-liter compartments keep recycling and household waste separated in one body.
- Independent foot pedals open only the side being used.
- Soft-close lids reduce slams and stress on the hinge mechanism.
- Removable inner bins simplify liner changes and cleanup after leaks.
Cons
- Each opening is narrower than the top of a single 60-liter can.
- The inner buckets reduce usable space compared with an unlined shell of the same exterior size.
- Two liner sizes and two fill rates can require a new emptying routine.
- Stainless steel still needs wiping, despite its cleaner visual treatment.
Two Bins Make the Right Choice the Easy Choice
Each side holds 30 liters, so trash and recycling receive equal space. That symmetry works well for homes with a balanced stream of packaging and ordinary waste. It is less ideal when one side fills twice as fast as the other, but the removable buckets allow each compartment to be emptied independently. No household committee meeting is required before taking out one full bag.
Separate pedals prevent the whole top from opening every time. A cook holding scraps can step on the waste side, while an empty container can go directly to recycling. Hands-free operation is more hygienic around raw food and sticky packaging, and it reduces fingerprints on the lid. The pedal also makes the correct side part of muscle memory.
The most important fit question is not total liters. It is whether the opening accepts the items a household discards. Large pizza boxes, broad takeout trays and bulky packaging may need to be flattened before they fit. People who routinely throw away oversized items may prefer one wide bin plus a separate recycling container.
Soft-Close Lids Keep the Kitchen Civilized
Dampers slow the lids on the way down, avoiding the sharp metal slam common to basic step cans. That is pleasant in an open room and gentler on the hinges over repeated use. Soft close does not mean silent operation, because pedals, bags and bottles can still make noise. It removes the most unnecessary bang from the process.
A lid also helps contain the ordinary sight and smell of waste. This model does not replace proper bag changes, cleaning or food-scrap management. Wet waste should not sit indefinitely because the top closes politely. For odor-sensitive households, smaller compartments can be an advantage because they encourage more frequent removal.
Pedal feel and hinge alignment deserve a quick inspection during the return period. Both lids should open fully, descend smoothly and close without rubbing the body. A can used dozens of times a day depends more on that basic mechanical rhythm than on any decorative promise attached to the finish.
Removable Buckets Handle the Mess Behind the Bag
The plastic inner bins lift out when a liner tears, leaks or clings to the sides. That is much easier than carrying the entire stainless body to a sink or attempting to clean a corner while crouched on the floor. Smooth buckets can be rinsed, dried completely and returned without exposing the pedal hardware to unnecessary water.
Liner fit deserves experimentation. A bag that is too small slides into the bucket, while one that is far too large bunches around the rim and interferes with the lid. Measure the bucket opening and depth, then choose a bag that folds securely over the edge without creating a thick wad under the closing mechanism. The right liner can make a decent trash can feel dramatically better.
Because there are two buckets, keep spare bags for both sides nearby and label recycling according to local rules if guests use the kitchen. The two compartments only improve sorting when people know what belongs in each one. A small removable label inside the lid can prevent the recycling side from becoming a hopeful collection of unrecyclable optimism.
Stainless Steel Looks Like Furniture, Until Tuesday
The stainless-steel body gives the can a cleaner, more permanent presence than exposed plastic bins. It works particularly well beside stainless appliances or a pantry wall where the trash system remains visible. The rectangular shape also sits more naturally against a flat cabinet run than a round can that creates wasted triangles around itself.
No stainless surface is exempt from drips, dust and fingerprints. A damp microfiber cloth followed by a dry wipe is usually enough for routine cleaning. Avoid harsh abrasives and keep water away from the pedal and hinge mechanism. The goal is a tidy kitchen tool, not a weekly polishing hobby with its own playlist.
The site’s cleaning-supplies archive offers related upkeep products, while the best kitchen appliances guide explains why this non-electric utility belongs beside cooking equipment. Cleanup is part of the kitchen workflow, and a sorting system used after every meal can deliver more daily value than a rarely touched specialty function.
Should You Buy the Simpli-Magic 79598A Dual Compartment Trash Can?
The 79598A is a strong choice for a household that wants trash and recycling together, prefers hands-free lids and has enough floor space for a full 60-liter cabinet. It looks orderly, encourages sorting and makes the inevitable liner leak easier to clean.
Avoid it when one waste stream greatly outweighs the other, oversized packaging is common or the kitchen needs a very shallow can. A single wide bin or unequal split may fit those routines better even if the exterior is less symmetrical.
For balanced sorting in a polished, practical enclosure, the Simpli-Magic 79598A Dual Compartment Trash Can turns an ordinary kitchen chore into a much cleaner system.
