<p>Have never used it. Is it useful? However, bought a house came with a broken one. I just cannot take it out and leave a hole under the counter. Replacing it seems expensive. Advice?</p>
<p>We have one at our lake house. I’ll be honest, we love it. I actually can’t believe it still works-I think it’s circa 1982.</p>
<p>Probably wouldn’t replace it if it broke, though.</p>
<p>Maybe you can somehow turn it into a recycle bin area?</p>
<p>I did think about it, however, I notice that the tile under the compactor was cut off to accommodate the bottom flange, it is about 1/2 inch, unless I can find the exact tile to replace those (2) that were cut off, it will look really ugly. In addition, the whole thing was installed on sub floor, no tiles under. The space is about 15 inch wide, yet to find some thing to stuff.</p>
<p>Trash compactors are fantastic for bottle and can recycling.</p>
<p>If you have one that isn’t working, it’s probably because one of the little safety switches is broken. There’s one on the front that has to be mashed closed by the front panel so you can’t run it with your hand in there. If that switch is broken, it won’t start. Pretty easy thing to replace.</p>
<p>I love the trash compactor. Our was broken for awhile, so I just stood on it and crushed it that way. Means we have to take the trash out way less. It’s okay as long as people don’t put food waste into it. Otherwise it smells. I would definitely replace it if it was broken. </p>
<p>But most houses in our sub have taken theirs out.</p>
<p>15" wine chiller. Fits perfectly in the spot left by old trash compactors.</p>
<p>But if you put that in, then you’ll be needing the trash compactor again. Just kidding. ;)</p>
<p>LOVE ours!! We have to pay for special trash bags in our town. They’re a couple of bucks a piece (the trash collectors won’t take any other bags). So we recycle and compost as much as we can, but we also need to minimize our trash volume. And the trash compactor is perfect for that. Even with a family of five, we usually need only one trash bag a week. We would be spending a lot more per week without the compactor.</p>
<p>I like colorado_mom’s idea of turning it into a recycling area…</p>
<p>Sounds like it might be a good spot to set the compost bucket we all have in this area.</p>
<p>I appreciated the compactor we had at a lake house where we had to haul out the trash. Otherwise I’d replace it with a wine cooler–
U-Line Origins 1115WC 24-bottle Undercounter Wine Cooler</p>
<p>Take it out and see what the opening looks like. You may or may not have matching flooring underneath it. </p>
<p>We don’t use ours except for party clean up, so it just sits empty. I have a couple of friends who use theirs as a place to hold the trash bag.</p>
<p>And don’t forget that wine coolers can be used for non wine beverages!</p>
<p>^^^ They can free up some space in the refrigerator if you need it.</p>
<p>Few answers in my situation:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The unit has cosmetic problems, in addition to inoperative. Other than some rust spots, there is a big hole in the bottom rubber shield, damaged by rodents. (we have since exterminated the rodent problem) :)</p></li>
<li><p>It was used as garbage dump, so it is rusty inside and smelly.</p></li>
<li><p>It sits on the sub floor, not tiled like everywhere else in the kitchen.</p></li>
<li><p>Wine cooler is as expensive as a new replacement Trash compacter but I think it is a more useful alternative.</p></li>
<li><p>Why I have to provide a wine cooler to a rental unit where I will never be able to enjoy it? ^^</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Artlovers, some other possibilities. Tile that area or otherwise cover it, and then put in shelves. Curtain for the front or install a cabinet door.</p>
<p>I missed that this a rental. I would just throw in some open shelving. If it is a short term rental fill the shelves with serving bowls or cookbooks bought used.</p>
<p>I love our compactor for the convenience of taking out the trash less often and dragging fewer cans to the curb, but if your unit is a rental then your own convenience isn’t really at stake. You could leave it as is (paint over the rust spots), to be used as a non-compacting, bulky trash receptacle, or as someone else suggested, make it into shelving or something easy like that.</p>