Rachael Ray’s $20 Garbage Bowl Has Been Saving Time in the Kitchen for Decades

As a food writer, I’m always in search of the latest and greatest kitchen hacks, and when it comes to tried-and-true advice, it’s best to consult the experts. While watching a rerun of Rachael Ray, I recently learned an easy trick that has already saved me so much time. As a genius way to keep your kitchen tidy and cut down on your prep time, the Food Network chef recommends keeping a “garbage bowl” on the countertop for food scraps, dirty utensils, and so much more. 

As it turns out, Rachael Ray has sworn by this hack for over two decades, and while she says you can use any receptacle, Amazon shoppers swear by the $20 garbage bowl from Rachael Ray’s own kitchen brand. 

Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl

Rachael Ray always keeps a garbage bowl on the kitchen counter while preparing her meals to save time. Instead of running back and forth to the trash can, sink, or compost bin, she throws vegetable peels, egg shells, sauce-covered spatulas, plastic packaging, and other waste in her scrap bowl. “It holds everything until you can go and make one trip to all of those places after you’re done eating,” she said.

Rachael Ray’s garbage bowl features a 4-quart capacity, meaning it’s large enough to fit all your food waste but small enough to fit on any countertop. It’s top rack dishwasher-safe and made from durable melamine, making it attractive enough to display on the countertop and ideal for everyday use. Best of all, it has a non-slip rubber base, so it stays put while you cook.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a dime to get in on the trend, since you can use any large bowl, bucket, or pot as your garbage bowl. That being said, over 6,000 Amazon shoppers have left perfect ratings for the Rachael Ray garbage bowl and claim the bowl comes in handy for so much more than trash. According to shoppers, “you can use it for anything” — including popcorn, mashed potatoes, salad, and even cookie dough. 

These bowls are made to withstand daily wear and tear, so you can expect yours to last a lifetime. “I’ve had one for probably about eight years and it still looks exactly the way it did when I purchased it,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

This Rachael Ray-approved kitchen hack takes the hassle out of food prep, and you can snag yours at Amazon for just $20.

More Rachael Ray Favorites to Shop:

2-Piece Cooking Utensils Set

Bench Scraper

Vegetable Peeler with Brush

Multi Stainless Steel Grater

Over-the-Sink Colander/Strainer

At the time of publishing, the price was $20.