Yes, we have the 18" trash compactor. We didn't have a choice as we had an older 18" Kitchenaid and Viking is the only company that has a trash compactor that is this size. We have had our Viking for 4 months and so far it's been fine. Our former Kitchenaid had the two separate chutes. This time around, we got the single chute. Our top chute of the Kitchenaid stopped working, so we got used to using only the bottom chute. It was only when the compactor completely didn't work that we got a new one. If I had an option to get a 15" or 18" I would definitely go with a 15" as replacement will be a lot easier and cheaper.

Thanks for the response.

So, did you feel the separate chute was a valuable feature? I've got my heart set on it, but it's 3" and about $1000 extra to get it.

I must admit to not liking trash compactors. I didn't include one in my current house for one main reason. You can have trash in there quite a while (unless you have a large family), and with certain foods such as fish and others that reek after a day or two at room temperature made my family life far less enjoyable than emptying a normal trash bag.

Greg

We've had one for about 20 years and couldn't live without it. We'd need extra trashcans without it. We have 2 - 3 loads a week and never have a problem with smells.

Of course we wouldn't leave food to rot and smell up the place either. We'd just empty it sooner - same thing you'd have to do with a regular garbage can if you put smelly foods in it.

We certainly did use the small separate trash chute in our former trash compactor. However, when that small chute became inoperable, we got used to using just the large chute and decided to just go with a single chute with the Viking as it looked more streamlined for our kitchen. We were careful of the items that we would put down the smaller chute - mainly used it for non-sticky items.

Two final questions:

1) How exactly did the top chute of your old KitchenAid become inoperable? I thought it was just a flap that opened giving you access to the main hopper. (Guess I should actually try to see one of these in person before pulling the trigger)

2) How easy is the handle-opening drawer to open? I've always had a foot pedal and I'm assuming the latching mechanism on these is probably pretty substantial - so I'm concerned my wife will get quickly frustrated if she needs to put all 95 lbs. behind it just to get it to break free.

Thanks for the feedback. Seems there are very few 18" compactor owners and previous owners out there to which I can do some brain picking. :)

The Viking brand is not what it was 15 years ago! We have a 5-yr-old Viking compactor and just had our third service call in two months. We replaced a 20-yr-old Kitchen-Aid with this one because we needed an 18". The plate that compacts doesn't go up and down properly because the augers that raise and lower it get off-kilter somehow .. even though we're very cautious about what we compact. For what these cost, that doesn't seem right. We were basically told that if this happens again we need to buy a new compactor. We'll get a Kitchen-Aid and piece in the cabinetry around it to accommodate the narrower unit. Hope this helps!

Hmmm .. I see now that my post is about 7 years too late! Well, maybe this will help someone else ...