Rachael Ray's $20 trash cans have been saving time in the kitchen for decades

As a food writer, I'm always on the lookout for the latest and greatest kitchen hacks, and when it comes to tried-and-true advice, it's best to consult the experts. While watching Rachael Ray reruns, I recently learned a simple trick that's already saved me loads of time. As a clever way to declutter your kitchen and cut down on prep time, the Food Network chef recommends keeping a “trash can” on your countertop to hold food scraps, dirty utensils, and more.

In fact, Rachael Ray has swear by this hack for over 20 years, and while she says any container will work, Amazon shoppers are swearing by Rachael Ray's own Kitchen-branded $20 trash can.

Rachael Ray's Trash Can

To save time, Rachael Ray always keeps a trash can on her kitchen counter while she's prepping meals. Instead of making multiple trips between the trash can, sink, and compost bin, she tosses vegetable peelings, egg shells, sauce spatulas, plastic packaging, and other debris in the bin. “Once I'm done eating, I put everything in this bin until I can give it all a place to go at once,” she says.

The Rachael Ray trash can has a 4-quart capacity that's big enough to hold all your food scraps, yet small enough to fit on any countertop. It's top-rack dishwasher safe and made from durable melamine, making it an attractive countertop display and perfect for everyday use. Best of all, it has a non-slip rubber base to keep it in place while you cook.

The good news is, you don't have to spend a dime to get on this trend, since you can use anything as a trash can, like a large bowl, bucket, or pot. That said, more than 6,000 Amazon shoppers have given Rachael Ray's trash can perfect reviews, saying it's great for so much more than just trash. Shoppers say it's “versatile,” meaning it can be used for popcorn, mashed potatoes, salad, cookie dough, and more.

These bowls are built to withstand everyday wear and tear, so you can expect them to last a lifetime: “I've had them for probably about eight years now and they're still in the exact same condition as when I bought them,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

This Rachael Ray-approved kitchen hack will take the hassle out of meal prep, and it's only $20 on Amazon.

Shop more of your Rachael Ray favorites:

Cookware set of 2

Bench scraper

Vegetable Peeler with Brush

Multi-purpose stainless steel grater

Over-the-sink colander/strainer

At the time of publication, the price was $20.