Composting is easier, quicker, and more effective with the use of electric composters. By turning food scraps into rich compost that can be used for indoor and outdoor gardening, composting is a great method to keep food waste out of landfills. However, composting is a time-consuming and messy procedure. It usually takes at least 4 weeks and can smell, draw bugs, and need to be turned frequently. Not everyone can manage an outdoor tumbler or compost pile because they lack the necessary yard space, time, or skills.
Electric composters can produce a soil addition in a matter of hours or days as opposed to weeks or months, even if they cannot produce traditional compost. Food wastes are dried and ground in an electric composter before being cooled, making the finished product usable.
Without the inconvenience of a sizable compost pile, organic plant nutrients can be obtained with electric food composters, which are also easy to use and practical. In this article, we examine some of the top electric composters that may be used on the kitchen counter or floor for quick composting.
Before Purchasing an Electric Compressor
Because of their speed, electric composters do not go through the conventional composting process, despite their convenience. Food is ground up and dried, but the bacteria that helps transform it into nutrients that plants can use is absent. Electric composters don’t produce the same amounts of carbon dioxide and methane gas as conventional compost piles since they skip this step. On the other hand, the heat and rapid process might destroy germs and bacteria that are essential to the quality of compost.
Because of this, some electric composters come with bacteria packets that you may add back to the dried food after the composting process is complete. If you’re searching for a more conventional approach, vermicomposting—composting with worms—is a faster procedure that can be done at home. Alternatively, you can use outdoor compost tumblers.
1. GVitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Food Recycler
Dimensions: 14.2 inches high by 11 inches wide by 12.6 inches deep
Shortest cycle time: 6.5 to 7 hours
Bowl capacity: 10.5 cups (2.5 liters)
The Vitamix FoodCycler contains a bucket that can hold up to 10.5 cups of food waste for composting, and it only takes up 1 cubic foot of counter space. The unit contains a carbon filter in the top that lessens smells while heating and the bucket is dishwasher safe.
The garbage bucket can be stored anywhere because it is detachable. While cooking, some users choose to keep it out of the way in a spot such as beneath the sink, while others like to set it on the counter so they may place food scraps there before adding them to the FoodCycler. The product may run several cycles a day and is made to operate quietly.
Small bones can also be composted via the FoodCycler, while bigger bones may jam the bucket during cycles. Additionally, reviewers have observed that the FoodCycler performs less effectively when processing big quantities of fibrous or sticky foods, such as celery melons, or bananas.
Conveniently, the lid locks as a safety precaution, keeping small children and inquisitive animals away. Additionally, the FoodCycler shows on the display when the filters need to be changed. The business suggests adding 1 cup of dry food scraps to roughly 10 cups of soil and letting it lie for 10 days as a soil amendment.
2. Lomi Classic Electric Kitchen Composter
Dimensions: 12 inches high by 16 inches wide by 13 inches deep
Shortest cycle time: 4 hours
Bowl capacity: 12.6 cups (3 liters)
Even though it’s a little bit bigger than some of our other options, the Lomi Classic kitchen composter is still perfect for kitchen countertops. Up to 12.6 cups, or 3 liters, of food scraps can be stored inside, according to the business, which also claims an 80 percent waste reduction. It takes at least four hours to finish each cycle.
The Lomi can be operated in three distinct ways. The shortest cycle, known as the “Grow” mode since it leaves more nutrients in the food, can take up to 16 hours, whilst the fastest option takes roughly 3 to 5 hours.
Additionally, this countertop device features a “Lomi-Approved” mode that takes up to 8 hours to compost bioplastics or Lomi-approved items like some produce bags and even utensils. Even softer bones, like those from fish or tiny chickens, or bones from soups, can be composted by the Lomi.
The Lomi comes with charcoal pellets that serve as a filter to eliminate odors while the machine is grinding and dehydrating food leftovers. These pellets must be positioned in the bucket close to the rear of the Lomi and a little container on top.
3. QMCAHCE Electric Compost Bin
Dimensions: 16.14 inches high by 11.37 inches wide by 15.56 inches deep
Shortest cycle time: 4 to 7 hours
Bowl capacity: 12.6 cups (3 liters)
Customers may wish to look at the QMCAHCE compost bin if they want a compost bin that has most of the features of our top recommendations without costing the same amount of money. Its proportions are comparable to those of typical electric composters, and it comes with a 12.6-cup bucket. Its cycle duration is around 4 to 7 hours. Additionally, it gives consumers the choice to add more scraps as the cycle progresses.
There are five modes available for this electric composter: dry, grind, cold, UV, and clean. There’s no need to wash the bucket because the UV cycle helps sterilize it as the cleaning mode cleans it. Each cycle is enhanced by an integrated activated carbon filter system that lessens odors.
One drawback of this product is that some people find it bothersome since it has an automatic voice that activates whenever a cycle begins.
4. GEME Electric Composter
Dimensions: 26.2 inches high by 12.6 inches wide by 18 inches deep
Shortest cycle time: 6 to 8 hours
Bowl capacity: 80.3 cups (19 liters)
The GEME is a good option for people seeking a larger electric composter. With a capacity of up to 80.3 cups (19 liters), this kitchen composter is meant to be placed on the floor as opposed to a countertop. For food waste, GEME offers a packet of microbes that can be added to replicate a more conventional composting procedure. According to GEME, 90% of all biowaste, including pet waste and small bones, may be processed by their product.
Technology for internal deodorization is used in this composter. It functions by utilizing a combination of heat-resistant microorganisms that eliminate odors and kill bacteria during the biowaste’s breakdown. Additionally, GEME features an integrated disinfection system that helps get rid of odors without the need for a carbon filter, saving you time and money.
Users can add food waste as needed because this device does not have the conventional cycles found in other electric composters; it functions essentially like a garbage can but only with food scraps. But the byproduct will take at least 6 to 8 hours to be ready, and the longer it rests, the more compost-like it will be.
In comparison to the other electric composters on this list, the GEME can handle up to 4.4 pounds of food waste per day and compost meat, dairy, and small bones.
5. Airthereal Revive Electric Kitchen Composter
Dimensions: 12.5 inches high by 10 inches wide by 12.5 inches deep
Shortest cycle time: 2 (to 7) hours
Bowl capacity: 10.5 cups (2.5 liters)
The Airthereal Revive electric kitchen composter is the quickest composting machine; it may produce soil amendment in as little as two hours, while it may take up to seven hours, depending on the contents. With its 10.5-cup detachable bucket and a height of about 12.5 inches, the Airthereal is the tiniest kitchen countertop composter on our list.
The Airthereal is capable of composting meat, dairy, and soft bones, just like several other composting devices. Users merely need to push the power button to initiate the single cycle. The food scraps will be dried, ground, and cooled, leaving only a small portion within to enrich the soil. It incorporates safety features like an automated shut-off if the lid is removed or the machine becomes jammed.
When dehydrating food, the Airthereal employs activated carbon filters to reduce odors. The machine features a light that alerts users when the filters need to be changed, which is usually every six months. Due to its 2-hour cycle time, this electric composter is our best choice for expedited composting.
