Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions on the beginnings of our pantry project. We had lots of ideas to consider, but first up was clearing everything out — even removing the door — so we could prime and paint the space.
After talking it over, we decided not to put the trash can back in the pantry. Instead, we installed it in the end cabinet of our peninsula, the one facing the prep area (not the eating area). Excuse the pantry cast-offs on the counter in the photo — we were in the middle of the project.
We didn’t have odor problems with the pantry trash after a month of use, but moving the trash out made sense for three reasons:
- The bottom of the pantry could be used far more efficiently if it wasn’t occupied by the trash can and its lid clearance.
- A kick-step trash can was less convenient when it required opening the pantry door and then maneuvering your foot inside. Either opening something with your hand or stepping on a can that’s out in the open is faster than doing both.
- The peninsula cabinet was barely being used — it held a few vases — so it felt like a missed opportunity to leave it that way.
Rather than just drop a bin into the cabinet, we chose a recommended solution: a Rev-A-Shelf pull-out container. There’s also a larger double-can version, but our cabinet wouldn’t fit it easily. We also liked that a smaller can would encourage more frequent emptying. We’ll figure out recyclables next.
The cabinet presented a small challenge: a shallow, built-in half-shelf that prevented the can from sitting all the way back. It wasn’t removable — nailed in on all sides — so I needed to modify the shelf slightly to fit the system.
I followed the included template, drilled pilot holes, and screwed the tracks into the cabinet floor. Installation of the main pieces snapped together quickly; without the half-shelf issue, the conversion would have taken under ten minutes. Because the track was installed, I could mark where to cut the shelf (you can see the green tape).
I only needed a 3″ deep by 8″ notch so the can could slide back. I used a compact plunge-cut saw to make a fast cut — it threw a lot of sawdust, but it did the job cleanly.
After cleaning up, the can slid into place and the vases returned to their spot. It looked good, but I wanted it to feel more like a finished cabinet.
Rev-A-Shelf also offers a Door Mounting Kit to attach the cabinet door to the sliding unit, which would make the cabinet function like a newer built-in. I picked one up and got to work.
Installing the door kit was trickier. The instructions were a bit vague, and the small nuts and screws were fiddly to handle. The basic idea was attaching two thin bracket “fins” to the sliding tray, then bolting larger brackets that would hold the cabinet door.
When I test-fit the assembly without the door attached, I discovered our old cabinet door sits half-recessed into the frame. The supplied bracket layout created an overhang that prevented the door from sitting flush with the surrounding cabinets.
I improvised by reversing the brackets so they faced inward instead of outward. That adjustment fixed the fit. To line the door up perfectly before final fastening, I used the included double-stick tape to temporarily hold it in place. The tape lets you position the door, then pull the assembly out and secure the brackets with screws from the inside. Be careful to place screws only into the cabinet’s thick frame so they don’t poke through the other side.
Once the door was attached and everything put back, the cabinet looked cohesive and worked smoothly. There was a lot of taking things apart and putting them back together, but the result was worth it.
While I miss the capacity of our old garbage can, this pull-out system was straightforward to install and makes our older cabinets feel refreshed. The kit is reusable, so if we remodel the kitchen later we can take it with us or reuse it in a garage workshop to keep things tidy.
The last little task is touching up the screw holes where the hinges used to be. I’m considering adding dummy hinges so both doors look symmetrical, but that’s for another day.
We also picked up additional baskets and bins for pantry organization. Once priming and painting are finished we’re eager to restock the pantry in a much neater way. With the snow keeping us inside, we should have plenty of time to finish it up — so the pantry party is officially on.
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