If it will fit your needs, consider an 18" double-bin pullout with a drawer above the two bins...it adds a drawer to your kitchen storage. The bins in this configuration hold 35 qts...just a bit smaller than a typical 13 gallon kitchen bag. At first I was afraid the trash bin would be too small, but now that we have a recycling bin in the kitchen (no more having to make "recycling runs" to the garage), I find that we actually generate less trash & recycle more. A win-win situation. Additionally, the 35 qt size seems perfect...not too small that you're constantly having to take the trash out and not too large that it begins to smell b/f it's full. (Another win!) Personally, I really dislike trashcans under the sink... First, there's the issue already mentioned...if someone needs to use the trash while someone else is working at the sink (prepping, cleaning up, etc.), that person working has to stop what they're doing and move aside. Sometimes it's OK, sometimes you're in the middle of something and it's best if you don't stop. Second, the bins that fit under the sink, IMHO, are too small. Generally, they're no larger than a PR's small trash can so you end up needing to take the trash out all the time (or at least it seems that way.) Third, to me it's the "yuck" factor...I've seen several people w/the trashcan under their sink and it always seems that the area is dirty (from missing the can b/c people try to get the waste in the bin w/o removing it or from an overflowing bin.) As to cleaning the pullout, it's a lot easier to clean than trying to get under a sink to clean! Plus, the fact that it pulls out means you're putting things directly into the bin...not reaching inside a cabinet and then depositing the waste...so less of a chance of hitting the cabinet frame, missing the bin, etc. You also know when you're putting something in the pullout that if it's above the rim of the bin, it's time to take out the trash!

Hi there, I have a larger family as well (five kids ages 17-21, all still living at home for the meantime) so I also have a busy kitchen. I have a trash compactor in my island instead of a pull out bin and that works great for us! It still gets emptied every 1-2 days, and I use regular trash bags (they’re the heavy duty Costco brand bags, found them to be the strongest) instead of special compactor bags, but without the compactor we were having to empty a full sized kitchen trash can twice a day. Since my compactor gets emptied so regularly, I don’t hesitate to put “stinky” trash in it... most people who use a compactor don’t do that because it might be weeks before it gets emptied... but I really like having a compactor. (I can’t crush it TOO many times though because stuff gets too heavy, and since I don’t shell out for the special compactor bags, the bags break if I try to cram too much into my compactor) I still usually get several crushes in per bag though. I also have a regular countertop microwave under the counter in the working side if my island. Like a previous poster mentioned, we don’t use our microwave constantly, and we tend to use the same couple of buttons each time. We don’t find it to be a problem getting stuff in our out, but it is a hassle if you wanted to actually see the digital display, the angle is bad for that. But we don’t need to see it if we are just pushing the same couple of buttons all the time. Now, the countertop microwaves are made to have plenty of air circulation on the sides... my hubby custom designed and diy built all of our cabinetry, and our microwave is just sitting on a shelf area under the island counter, but there is enough open space on each side of the microwave so it gets enough air circulation, we wouldn’t want it fitting snugly inside is my point. We did consider the drawer microwaves, but we just felt that we don’t use any microwave enough to warrant the cost of that. If I had enough room in my small walk in pantry I would’ve rather had the microwave in there, but that wasn’t an option for us, so under the counter has been a great alternative for us. Fwiw, my island trash compactor is directly behind me when I’m standing at my main kitchen sink where I do dishes, it hasn’t been much of a problem at all to turn around to throw stuff away. It was a good compromise to have it there at the island which is also my main prep space.

Doesn't it come with the trash bins? Check Rev-A-Shelf. Btw... the cabinet only needs to be 18" wide, not 21.5". I'd put those extra 3.5" into the cabinet next to it (assuming there is a cabinet next to it).

Maybe one of these: 0323 - Ultra•Seal™ 12.0 Cup Rectangle (without the lid) Simplify 2-Tone Decorative Small Storage Basket