I always have a lot of food scraps after a big garden harvest or meal prep session. Sometimes too much to throw in my compost bin or vermicomposting system. So I tested out an electric composter to see how effective it is at making compost from kitchen waste to add to my soil, raised beds, worm bins, you name it.
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You can always use this as vegan granola or serve it to your vegan friends as chips while watching soap operas.
This makes mulch, not compost. Which is still good
I like this idea for small places with no outdoor garden. I honestly just throw my scraps in a bucket add bokashi (so it doesn’t smell) and soil on top. I have three that I rotate in between. I also sometimes put scraps on my balcony to dry then i just grind them. I would buy this if it was cheaper bc it is convenient.
So its been a year, I'd like to know your thoughts on this gadget now, or anybody who has one. Is it worth it or is it collecting dust on your counter top?
I've been looking into these and the biggest drawback for me is that it's sterilized – none of the beneficial bacteria that makes compost so great for the soil. This product is good for making a nutrient fertilizer but a composter it is not.
This is what I’ve been needing in my life!
even it spends 1 Watt of energy, its a waste. Think how much energy was spent to create this machinery (in a third-world country). Please think of the environment and don't do this. This is a major landfill item. Get compost from your city, buy it from an organic source, talk to your neighbors and find a community compost bin.
Forbidden Cereal.
Great video, thank you as I’ve seen these advertised and wondered. For me, can’t see the value.
seems wasteful if you consider all the electricity – so not a "green" idea. Just bury your scraps in the garden.
There are a couple distinct differences between this "composter" and real composting. Most importantly, this is really just a dehydrator and a grinder, not a composter. He mentioned that it both dehydrates and grinds in the video, but I'm surprised (given that he's really into composing) that he didn't mention the differences in output chemistry, between dehydration and composting.
1) The output of this unit still contains all the sugars and starches, that were present in the original food, as there was no biological process being done. In order to further compost this material, it would have to be wetted down, so that biological composting could take place. If you put the material straight from this unit into a garden, the sugars and starches could attract insects, rodents, raccoons, skunks, etc.
2) He's wrong about the energy usage: 500W x 5.5hrs = 2.75kWh (he said 1.0kWh).
3) The heat the unit outputs, goes directly into your house. As well, 100% of the humidity this unit outputs, goes directly into your house. In the warmer months, your air conditioning system will have to remove these unwanted factors, effectively doubling the energy this unit costs to run. Now we're at 5.5kWh of power, potentially every day. That's like drying an extra load of laundry every day! Of course, during cooler months, the heat and humidity might be welcomed…
In any case, this unit and similar units are not without their cons. Something to consider when deciding whether this unit is right for you.
I want to dehydrate food in this thing
It uses electricity for heat to dehydrate, electricity to rotate and electricity for the fan and other components. It is also made of plastic so I would consider this and similar appliances as intended to stroke your ego and give subject matter in conversations with other enlightened friends.
I've been watching Mary's Nest, who's aim is a no waste kitchen, and a lot of good tips and recipes for sure, If you have a LOT of veggie scraps, you can make base soups and divide what seems like you would run out of space for the food,. but after your soup base, leftovers from a big canning session, there is the compost bin! I'm thinking between the garden, and canninng, I will be busy busy. A good busy! I appreciate all your helpful videos! Thanks!
This is a nice machine but my pockets say no, we can't afford it ☹️ cut the price in half and everyone will purchase it!!!
This is supposed to be environmentally friendly, but filter replacement and 3-8 hours of power.. and it is still not fully broken down.
I have one and it is life changing. I also have a worm bin and a tumbler, but it gets cold here, and the worms can handle just so much. I just made a lot of scraps with canning, so the unit has been in use at least twice a day. I love it!
This is pricey, but what other ways can a gal compost whose deathly afraid of worms(and really anything without legs). I liked this set up cause there's no wiggles (I can't even stand to say worm so I refer to anything without legs as wiggles). So what other options are a little more affordable that doesn't involve wiggles?
I know this is an older video but I was drawn to it after watching a commercial by Pela for their Lomi composting machine. Heck I didn't even know such a thing existed so naturally I YouTubed electric composting and came across your video. Have you reviewed other such composters or was this the only one? I'd really love to see you do a whole segment on them. Compare them to each other and then to other composting options.
I see no reason for not using a Champion Juicer to extract the moisture from the veggie scraps. and pour the juices into the garden and bury the pulp in your compost or worm bin.
A champion juicer will extract almost all of the liquid in the veggies. You are left with pulp and a container with the liquid.
Wouldn't it be cheaper if you got a dehydrator then crumble the stuff that comes out of it?
Can I use this for dog waste?
FIY Choice, an Australian consumer advocacy group, gave this a Shonky award specifically because of its lifetime cost, actual increase in landfill waste (as an appliance), and the horrible sound it makes.
These seem to catch a lot of heat but I think they could be good for people with limited space. Not everyone has acres to play and compost.
the idea seems great but mine broke fairly quickly. still can't figure out how to get it repaired. expensive failed experiment. 🙁
Are there machines that can just slice stuff to be later thrown in a vermicompost?
I an a gadget person so yes I would buy something like this. Good review.
Hi, maybe this is an uncommon question: Can I use the FoodCycler to freeze-dry food? I like crunchy freeze-dried strawberry or ananas pieces. 🙂
No, NO, NO! Please don't promote something that consumes energy to produce. Is the compost bin made of plastic? AND the electricity (not good for the environment) to do what nature does naturally? Oh, give me a break! $300? Nature is free!