Quick verdict
Six round activated charcoal filters, 6.7 inches across and 0.2 inch thick, that drop into the lid of most countertop compost pails to absorb odours between trips to the outdoor bin. Replaced every month or two they keep the kitchen smelling of nothing. The only question is whether your pail lid takes a 6.7 inch round filter; measure before buying.
Strengths
- Activated charcoal absorbs and neutralises compost odours
- Six filters is roughly six months to a year of replacements
- Fits most round-lid countertop pails with a 6.7 inch recess
- Thin 0.2 inch profile sits under the lid
- Inexpensive compared with branded replacement filters
Weaknesses
- Only for round lids with a 6.7 inch filter recess
- Life is shorter with wet, heavy scrap loads
- No frame; the filter relies on the lid clips to hold it
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
The Countertop Pail Problem
A kitchen compost pail collects peelings and coffee grounds for days before the trip to the outdoor bin, and without a filter it announces itself. Most pails have vented lids with a recess for a round charcoal filter that adsorbs the smell on its way out. MOWPOG’s six-pack of 6.7 inch filters is the generic replacement for the filters those pails ship with, at a fraction of branded prices.
This review is based on the listing specifications and on how activated charcoal pail filters perform generally. We have not used these filters ourselves and the brand is a generic importer.
How It Works
Activated charcoal has an enormous internal surface area that traps the volatile compounds carrying odour as air moves through the lid vents. The result is a pail that smells of nothing even with a week of scraps inside. The pores eventually saturate, and the filter is then replaced, not washed; rinsing removes grime but does not reopen the charcoal.
Fit
The filters are 6.7 inches across and 0.2 inch thick, a common size for 1 to 1.5 gallon countertop pails with round lids. They have no frame and rely on the lid’s clips or recess to hold them. Measure your lid recess before ordering; a filter a quarter inch too large will not seat and one too small lets odour bypass.
Longevity
With a pail emptied every few days, each filter lasts a month or two, so six covers six months to a year. Heavy loads of wet fruit scraps and coffee saturate charcoal faster. Owners who notice the first hint of smell swap the filter rather than waiting for it to fail.
Who Should Buy It
- Anyone with a round-lid countertop compost pail that takes a 6.7 inch filter.
- Households replacing branded filters at several times the price.
- Kitchens where the pail sits a week between emptying.
Common Owner Complaints
Wrong size for some lids and shorter life with wet loads. Measuring the lid and emptying the pail more often address both.
Getting the Most From Each Filter
Line the pail with a compostable bag and empty it before it is full, keep the lid closed between additions and let wet scraps drain before they go in. Store the spare filters sealed in their bag, since charcoal adsorbs odours from the air around it even before use. Date the filter when you fit it so the swap happens on schedule rather than when the smell returns.
Alternatives to Consider
Branded filters from the pail manufacturer fit exactly at higher cost. Rectangular filters suit pails with rectangular lids. A pail with a sealed lid and no vent avoids filters entirely at the cost of condensation inside.
Verdict
If your pail lid takes a 6.7 inch round filter, this six-pack keeps the kitchen odour free for the better part of a year at a very low price. Measure once, then set a reminder to change the filter monthly.
Full specifications
MOWPOG 6-Pack 6.7 Inch Charcoal Filters for Kitchen Compost Bins FAQs
Activated charcoal is porous and adsorbs the volatile compounds that carry odour as air passes through the lid vents. Once the pores fill it stops working, which is why filters are replaced.
A month or two with a pail emptied every few days. Heavy, wet loads of fruit and coffee shorten it.
Measure the recess in your lid. Most 1 to 1.5 gallon countertop pails use a round filter near 6.5 to 7 inches, but not all.
Rinsing removes surface grime but does not restore the charcoal. Replace rather than wash.
