A trash compactor makes the most sense in a busy kitchen. It helps most when you fill a trash can every day or two. The KitchenAid KTTP515TSS presses that trash into fewer, denser bags. The appliance is 15 inches wide, but it needs a cabinet opening at least 15 1/4 inches wide. The stainless unit we list right now also comes with a catch. It’s a closeout sold AS IS and FINAL SALE, with No Refund, No Cancellation. So check your cabinet and the unit itself before you pay.
This KitchenAid KTTP515TSS review draws on KitchenAid’s own documents and our listing. It is not a hands-on test. We cover who a compactor suits and who should skip one. Then we get into Solid Pack, cabinet and power fit, bags and filters, and the offer terms.
Quick verdict
The KitchenAid KTTP515TSS is a good pick if your home makes lots of everyday trash. It should be the kind that won’t turn smelly. Your opening also needs to be at least 15 1/4 x 34 1/4 x 24 inches. Solid Pack is its best feature, though it locks the drawer while it works. Our unit is an AS IS, FINAL SALE closeout. Get its condition and warranty status confirmed in writing first.
Buy it or skip it
Start with your trash. A compactor presses it into a smaller bag. KitchenAid’s manual says a full bag holds trash at about one quarter of its original bulk. You still throw out the same amount, and it doesn’t help with recycling. It also won’t grind food scraps the way one of our garbage disposals does.
A good fit if
You’re the right buyer if your home goes through lots of packaging, paper and dry kitchen trash. You may be tired of hauling bags out. Fewer, denser bags is the whole point. It also suits a kitchen with an old built-in compactor to replace. A base cabinet slot at least 15 1/4 inches wide, 34 1/4 inches high and 24 inches deep works too.
You’ll also need a grounded 115 V outlet in the right spot. The drawer needs room in front and on the right side, which we cover below. Last, you have to accept AS IS, final-sale terms. Before you do, have Masters confirm the unit’s condition and what comes with it. Ask whether the warranty applies, too.
Skip it if
- Much of your trash is food waste. The manual says not to compact raw meat, fish, grapefruit rinds, disposable diapers or personal hygiene items. They can develop strong odors.
- You already sort most of your recycling. Don’t compact recycling by default. Follow your local rules.
- Your home makes little trash, or lifting a dense, heavy bag is hard for you.
- You want the drawer open at all times. Solid Pack locks it, and the manual recommends at least 30 minutes in that mode.
- You can’t accept No Refund, No Cancellation terms or an unconfirmed warranty. A new unit with standard terms is the safer path.
A plain pull-out trash and recycling bin may suit you better if a compactor doesn’t fit your habits. It can use that same cabinet. It needs no outlet and no special bags, and it never locks you out. You lose the compacting, and changing the cabinet has its own cost.
What the KTTP515TSS does
The KTTP515TSS trash compactor is a 15-inch built-in unit. It sits under your counter and opens like a drawer. KitchenAid rates its 1/3 HP motor at 2,300 pounds of ram force. The ram presses down on a 1.4 cu. ft. bin.
For smells, a small fan pulls air through a charcoal filter. KitchenAid says this system helps minimize odors. That is KitchenAid’s claim, and we did not measure it. The odor-prone items listed above still belong in another bin.
Most of the controls stay out of sight. A removable knob turns the compactor on and off. The manual tells you to take it out so children can’t run the unit. A foot pedal unlocks the drawer. It does not open the drawer all the way, so you still pull the handle. A separate foot-operated Start button runs a cycle. The front is a flat stainless panel with a towel-bar handle.
Bag changes get some help, too. The drawer slides out on rollers. One side releases and the bin tilts to the right. That takes pressure off a full bag so it lifts out more easily. Four retainer buttons hold the bag in place. The spec sheet also lists automatic anti-jam and all-welded construction.
A few things are missing. There’s no sound package. Our listing also says it has no Wi-Fi. It says the unit is not ENERGY STAR certified. It is not ADA compliant or approved for outdoor use. KitchenAid sells optional handle kits in Brass, Bronze, Black Ore and Stainless Steel. Those are separate purchases.
KTTP515TSS specs
Two sizes matter here: the appliance itself and the opening it needs. Don’t mix them up.
| Spec | KitchenAid KTTP515TSS |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.4 cu. ft. |
| Appliance size | 15 in W x 34 1/8 in H x 24 in D (34 1/2 in max height) |
| Minimum cutout | 15 1/4 in W x 34 1/4 in H x 24 in D |
| Depth with drawer open | 47 in |
| Motor and ram force | 1/3 HP, 2,300 lb (KitchenAid rating) |
| Compaction ratio | 4:1 listed standard spec; 5:1 with Solid Pack (KitchenAid claim, not our measurement) |
| Electrical | 115 V, 60 Hz, 15 A; 15 or 20 A fused, grounded circuit |
| Weight | 130 lb |
| Odor control | Fan with charcoal filter |
| Published KitchenAid warranty | 1-year limited parts and labor; 30 days on the original charcoal filter. Not confirmed for this AS IS unit |
The warranty row shows KitchenAid’s published coverage. We have not confirmed whether this AS IS closeout unit qualifies. Get that answer in writing before you buy.
Standard compaction vs. Solid Pack
The two modes trade speed for density.
A standard cycle is quick. You load trash, close the drawer and press Start with your toe. KitchenAid advertises a cycle time under 30 seconds. The spec tables list a 4:1 compaction ratio. That fits the manual’s note. It says a full bag ends up at about one quarter of the original bulk.
Pressing only starts once the drawer is more than half full. The ram stops 7 inches above the bottom of the drawer, so a light load won’t get pressed.
Solid Pack works differently. The ram goes down and stays down. It holds steady pressure so trash can’t spring back. KitchenAid’s marketing claims 5:1 compaction and up to 80% less trash volume. It says that fits five bags of waste into one. The owner’s manual puts the gain another way. It says regular Solid Pack use can raise bag capacity by up to 25 percent. These are KitchenAid’s figures, and we did not measure them.
The trade-off is access. During Solid Pack, the drawer stays locked until you press the Start button to raise the ram. The manual recommends leaving the ram down for at least 30 minutes. The under-30-second figure is for a standard cycle only.
In daily life, that means timing. Run Solid Pack after dinner cleanup or before bed. Use standard cycles while you’re cooking and still tossing things in.
Will it fit your kitchen?
On a final-sale unit, a wrong measurement is a costly mistake. The “15-inch” in the name is the appliance width. The opening has to be wider. Check each item against KitchenAid’s Dimension Guide and Owner’s Manual. Both are linked under Useful Documents on our product page.
- Measure an opening at least 15 1/4 inches wide, 34 1/4 inches high and 24 inches deep.
- Leave 23 inches in front so the drawer can fully open or come out. With the drawer open, the unit reaches 47 inches deep.
- Leave 6 inches on the right side so you can tilt the bin and remove bags.
- Put a grounded three-prong outlet at least 3 inches from nearby cabinets or walls. It can sit on the left or right, as the dimension guide shows. Check the diagram for exact placement.
- Supply single-phase 115 V, 60 Hz AC on a 15 or 20 A fused, grounded circuit. KitchenAid recommends a circuit that serves only the compactor.
- Use the factory three-prong cord as it comes. Don’t use an adapter or an extension cord. Don’t remove the ground prong or change the plug.
- Use two or more people to move and install it. The compactor weighs 130 pounds.
If you’re replacing an old compactor, measure the existing opening. Don’t assume an older 15-inch unit’s slot matches this cutout. Look at the outlet, too. The manual says a compactor plugged into a wall-switched outlet may not start. That’s often an outlet meant for a disposal.
Follow the full installation instructions and your local codes.
Bags, filters and upkeep
A compactor comes with running costs. Plan for two of them.
The first is bags. The manual says to use only bags made for your compactor. KitchenAid lists 15-inch heavy-duty plastic bags in 15-, 60- and 180-packs. The larger packs include an odor remover. Each bag needs to sit flat against the bottom, sides and corners. It also has to hook over all four retainer buttons. The manual warns that the ram will tear a bag that isn’t put in right.
The second is charcoal filters. The replacement is KitchenAid part number 4151750. The manual doesn’t give a replacement schedule. KitchenAid’s warranty treats filters as consumable parts. So after the first 30 days, replacements are on you. Check current prices before you buy, so the running cost doesn’t surprise you.
Full bags get heavy. KitchenAid’s own warning says two people may be needed to lift and carry one. If that’s a problem, compact less before you empty it.
A few loading rules from the manual:
- Wrap wet or messy trash.
- Load bottles and cans on their sides in the center, and cover glass to contain fragments.
- Never push trash down with your hands or feet.
- Keep out oily rags, insect sprays and anything hot or burning, such as lit cigarettes.
Expect some noise. This model has no sound package. The manual says a steel chain and sprockets drive the ram. The fan also hums when it’s on. It runs only when the knob is switched on. It keeps going after a cycle if the Air Filter switch is left on. Flip that switch off if the hum bothers you. One reviewer on KitchenAid’s page found it quieter than their old compactor. That’s one person’s view.
For cleaning, take out the removable knob first. Wear gloves, then wash the drawer with mild detergent and warm water. You can lift the drawer out to vacuum the cabinet underneath.
How we assessed the KTTP515TSS
We built this KitchenAid trash compactor review from KitchenAid’s files on this exact model. We used its product page, dimension guide, owner’s manual and warranty, plus our live listing. We did not run hands-on tests, and we didn’t measure noise, compaction or odor control.
We found no expert lab test or hands-on review of this exact model. We also didn’t borrow awards or test results from other KitchenAid compactors. Those are different machines.
Customer feedback is thin. We had no Masters reviews to draw on for this listing. KitchenAid’s page showed two reviews when we checked, and both gave 1 star. One owner said the “compactor failed after 4 months” and described a hard repair process. The other liked the look and the noise level. That owner also said the front panel wobbles and bends. Two reviews can’t tell you how common these problems are.
Still, those two bad reviews give you one more reason to check this unit’s condition and warranty before you pay.
The $949 closeout offer
When we checked our listing in October 2026, the stainless KTTP515TSS was $949 at Masters Wholesale. Please confirm the current price before you order. The KitchenAid KTTP515TSS at Masters is labeled CLOSE OUTS, AS IS and FINAL SALE. The page states No Refund, No Cancellation. Once you buy it, it’s yours.
The page also shows a crossed-out $1,949 and “Save $1,000.” We could not confirm that $1,949 is KitchenAid’s list price. Judge the $949 on its own merits.
Our quote request form for the KTTP515TSS is where you can ask about this exact unit. Before you buy, get written answers on these points:
- The unit’s condition, including any dents, scratches or problems with how it works.
- What comes with it, such as the removable knob, charcoal filter and manuals.
- Whether KitchenAid’s warranty applies to this AS IS unit.
- Whether we have the unit in stock, and what delivery and installation will cost.
An Add To Cart button doesn’t prove we have it in stock, so ask us directly.
The warranty question matters most. KitchenAid publishes a 1-year limited parts and labor warranty. That doesn’t confirm this closeout unit qualifies. The published warranty also excludes cosmetic damage, such as scratches and dents. It covers that damage only if a defect caused it. You must also report it to KitchenAid within 30 days. So don’t count on it to cover marks on an AS IS unit. The manual also has a safety rule. Don’t run the compactor after damage of any kind until an authorized service person checks it.
If the terms don’t work for you, we carry other trash compactors as well.
KitchenAid KTTP515TSS FAQs
Does the KitchenAid warranty cover an AS IS closeout unit?
That isn’t confirmed. KitchenAid publishes a 1-year limited parts and labor warranty. It adds 30 days on the original charcoal filter. Ask Masters to confirm in writing whether it applies to this AS IS unit before you buy.
Will the KTTP515TSS fit a 15-inch cabinet opening?
No. The appliance is 15 inches wide, but the opening must be at least 15 1/4 inches wide. It also needs 34 1/4 inches of height and 24 inches of depth. Leave 23 inches in front and 6 inches on the right, too.
How long does Solid Pack take?
The manual recommends keeping the ram down for at least 30 minutes for best results. The drawer stays locked the whole time. It unlocks when you press the foot Start button to raise the ram.
What should not go in the compactor?
Keep out raw meat, fish, grapefruit rinds, disposable diapers and personal hygiene items. They can develop strong odors. Also keep out oily rags, insect sprays and anything hot or burning. It’s for household use only.
Does a trash compactor replace a garbage disposal?
No. A compactor presses trash into a smaller bag. It doesn’t grind food waste, and it doesn’t change how much waste you create.
Does it need a dedicated circuit?
KitchenAid recommends a circuit that serves only the compactor. It must run on a grounded 115 V, 15 or 20 A fused circuit. Never use an extension cord or adapter.
Our verdict
The KitchenAid KTTP515TSS is a good pick for a home with plenty of trash to compact. It suits a buyer who wants Solid Pack and the charcoal-filter fan. That buyer’s opening must also meet the cutout and clearances. For that buyer, it has the right tools to cut down on trips to the curb.
The KTTP515TSS listing is an AS IS, FINAL SALE closeout with No Refund, No Cancellation. Do three checks first:
- Measure your opening and the front and right-side clearances.
- Confirm you have a grounded 115 V outlet on a 15 or 20 A circuit.
- Get the unit’s condition, included parts and warranty status from Masters in writing.
If any check fails, pick a new unit with standard terms or a plain pull-out bin instead. If all three pass, contact us before you order.