Once I had the new doors installed, I moved on to the next section of cabinet doors and drawers.
I had the process of making the door frames engrained in my mind. I was now completing the doors and drawers within a week. The process was smooth, and errors were few. However, I ran into a small snag.
When I was visiting my sister-in-law, I took notice of her pull-out garbage can drawer. It worked smoothly and you did not need to pull the drawer fully out to drop garbage in the can. I wanted a pull-out garbage can drawer, again.
When Efiwym, my wife, and I bought this house thirty-five years ago, I installed a metal pull-out slide system for our garbage can. Utilizing the cabinet space next to the dishwasher, I installed the pull-out mechanism. I was somewhat concerned that I was screwing into particle board. I was worried that when you fully extend out the garbage can and press down to jam garbage into the bag, the screws would bust loose from the particle wood base.
My fear was soon realized. The screws did not last long and when I was pushing down on the garbage, the slides broke away. I moved the slides over a bit and re-installed the slides. Well, that did not last long. Additionally, the slides were starting to twist and bend. This resulted in making it more difficult to pull out the garbage can. Soon the kids were not pulling out the can and were just sliding their garbage between the cabinet frame and the top of the can. You can imagine the mess that it was making.
I decided to remove the slides and just have the garbage can sit in the opening. You would need to reach in and slightly pull out the can to put the garbage in. That method did not change the kids’ habits as before. They did not pull out the garbage can. They again just slipped their garbage between the cabinet frame and the top of the can.
My next great idea was to have a garbage can that would tip out. With the use of the remains of the pull-out system that the can sat in, I installed chains to the bottom and top of the garbage can. You now could tip out the can and put your garbage into the can.
It worked fine, if you were willing to tip the can in one hand and throw in the garbage with the other. The chains constantly broke away and I eventually just had a chain long enough to pull out the garbage can without it falling out of the cabinet. It was now the best time to make a change.
I was going to replace the door where the garbage was. I had the dilemma to either install the door with a hinge and install the garbage can pull-out system later or put the pull-out drawer in now. After some discussion with Efiwym, I would not install the drawer yet. I would finish the other doors first and then work on the garbage pull-out drawer as the last part of the project.
I would build the frame for the drawer, but I would not remove the door for the panel until I was ready to work on the pull-out drawer. And of course, I would design and build the pull-out drawer. Why buy one of those over-priced systems when you can build one yourself?
One night, I was looking for a 35-quart garbage can. This was the size of most pull-out garbage can systems. A replacement can from one of these systems was expensive, but I had a difficult time finding a plastic can of the similar size. Efiwym, questioning the size of the basket I needed, was looking too. In the process I found a pull-out system that was less than $100.00. It was of a metal variety and was reduced to $65.00 because the box was opened. I found the door brackets I would need to mount the door. It was an additional $25 from the same company. I mulled, pondered, and ruminated as I stared at my iPad®. Should I buy it? It would be easier than building one. But would it last?
Efiwym looked at me and asked, “Are you going to buy it?” I looked back at her and replied, “I already did.” The decision was made. It would save time and I would have it installed by the following weekend, (if it is delivered on time).