Without fruits and veggies, where would we be? Produce is an important element of a healthy diet! That is why it is critical to protect the land and its soil, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Composting is a great technique to ensure that you are doing so while also helping to minimize food waste!
Traditional composting is generally slow, takes up space in your yard, and tends to smell bad. Even if you get a composting bin to help keep the bad odors at bay, the composting process typically can take anywhere from four weeks to a year.
The good news is that an electric composter (also called a food recycler) is an excellent alternative. And because electric indoor composting makes the process easier and more efficient, I have compiled a list of the best electric kitchen composter available. You might also enjoy reading: Can You Successfully Compost Bread? (Find out!)
What Is An Electric Composter?
A kitchen electric composter is designed to quickly turn organic waste into usable and organic compost (fertilizer). Generally, it takes about 8 to 48 hours, depending on the type of device you have.
How To Choose an Electric Composter
Choosing an electric composter can be overwhelming. Here are the main things to consider when choosing an electric kitchen composter:
1- How Long Does It Take To Compost?
Generally, electric composters compost faster than a compost bin or traditional compost pile, but some electric composters are faster than others.
Depending on the models, it can take s little as three hours to a couple of hours longer. Because some electric composters make noise while in process, choosing faster ones is a good idea.
2- Proper Size
Even though most electric composters are designed to be compact, it is essential to ask yourself how much space it takes up if you plan to set it on your kitchen countertop.
Numerous electric composters occupy about the same space as an air fryer with a footprint of less than 30 square inches (76.2 cm); some bigger capacity models can be more extensive.
3- Food Processing Capacity
On average electric composters can process 3 pounds (1.37 kg). Choose your electric kitchen composters depending on how much food waste you want to compost at once and how much food waste you produce.
4- Aeration System
A good electric composter should provide adequate room for your food waste to turn and break down while releasing the gases.
Pick an electric composter with an excellent aeration system.
3- How Much Does It Cost?
Typically, electric food composters cost between $300 to over $700. Remember that high-priced electric food composters don’t necessarily mean better; it all depends on your requirements.
And don’t forget to account for additional costs, such as buying enzymes or additives if required. Based on these criteria, I have compiled a list of the best electric composters for you.
But first, let’s discuss the advantages of using an electric kitchen composter. You might also enjoy reading: Vermicompost Vs. Compost: Which One Is Better?
Benefits of Using Electric Kitchen Composter
Generally, every electric kitchen composter has a three-part drying, grinding, and cooling cycle to transform kitchen waste into compost.
Because electric kitchen composters are highly sufficient, they make it easier for you and require much less effort on your part.
Compared to traditional composting methods, electric composters offer several advantages.
1- Electric Kitchen Composter Eliminate Odors
Electric composters essentially eliminate odors and methane by using activated carbon filters.
Even though pure methane does not smell when mixed with the sulfur compounds present in most foods, it can stink.
2- Electric Kitchen Composter Help Reduce Food Waste
Instead of tossing away food scraps that will ultimately take up space in landfills, you can turn your food leftovers into fertilizer.
Because an electric composter’s drying and grinding process already shrinks your food waste extensively, using an electric composter helps save the environment by minimizing your wastage.
See also: Can You Effectively Compost Rice? (Here’s how!)
3- Electric Composter Can Save You A Lot Of Space
Using electric composters can save you space. With traditional composting, you need garden space and a compost bin inside to collect the organic waste, which can get very smelly.
However, electric composters can take up very minimal room inside and help prevent smells, making electric composters perfect for an apartment.
4- Electric Composters Are Not affected by Weather Conditions
One of the most important benefits of electric composters is that they are unaffected by the changing seasons.
Compost piles usually stop working during the winter months, which means that if you live in an area with a long winter, it will take a long time to produce compost.
5- Electric Composter Can Process Dairy, Meat, and Other Leftovers
You don’t have to abide by the ‘greens to browns’ ratio with an electric composter. And most electric composters can compost meat, dairy, and other leftovers. Also, traditional compost piles can attract a lot of unwanted visitors, including insects, flies, and rats.
Top 6 Best Electric Kitchen Composters
An electric kitchen composter makes the process of composting easier and more efficient. Here is a list of the best electric kitchen composter available on the market.
1- Food Cycler by Vitamix
The Vitamix FoodCycler is an excellent addition for individuals looking to reduce the trash in landfills. The decomposed material from the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 may be used on your plants as a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Simply put leftover food into the bucket, turn on the machine, and wait for it to finish.
Food waste decomposes into a minuscule percentage of its initial size. To make a nutrient-rich fertilizer, store the decomposed food inside a sealed jar and combine it with plant soil. The buckets are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
2- New OXO Clean Compost Bin (1.75 GAL/6.62 L)
The New OXO Clean Compost Bin is among the cheapest and most popular electric kitchen composters on Amazon. It is around 1.75 gallons (6.62 liters) in size, with an inside bucket that contains enough food waste for a few days.
It has a smooth interior that makes it easy to clean, allowing it to be placed neatly on kitchen counters or out in the open.
The filters are meticulously constructed to keep bugs and smells out, and the bucket sides are smooth to keep moisture from accumulating. The inside plastic bucket was dishwasher safe, and the filters may be washed and reused.
3- BelleMark Compost Bin
The Compost Bin from BelleMark Kitchen is a rustic-looking Acacia wood bin with a stainless 1.6-gallon bucket. This compost container looks great in your kitchen and is rust-proof, with a tight steel cover that keeps smells and bugs at bay.
The inside compost bucket may be removed and washed in the dishwasher.
4- Bamboozle Food Composting Bin
Bamboozle’s compost bin is built completely of biodegradable materials, is dishwasher safe, and has a stylish bamboo handle. The charcoal filters are designed to keep smells from leaving the bucket and may be used again after washing and making it the best electric kitchen composter.
Food wastes may be safely stored in this composter until they are transformed into compost that can be returned to the land. Dishwasher-safe containers and lids are available, as well as replacement filters.
5- Utopia Kitchen Compost Bin for Kitchen Countertop
This Food Recycler Waste Bin Compost pile is a 1.3 Gallon (4.93 liters) capacity—the manufacturer claims that you may go a week without emptying it.
In addition, it comes with charcoal filters that help trap and control odors naturally in the bin, so you can preserve the compost bin in a convenient place on your counter until the container is full.
Consider buying the Utopia kitchen compost bin if you need a higher capacity and don’t want to tumble your compost physically.
6- Kitchen Composer Pela Lomi
The Lomi kitchen composter employs cutting-edge technology to break down not only food waste but also bioplastics. Unlike some electric composters, which primarily dry food waste, this Lomi composter has many composting cycle durations that produce nutrient-rich compost.
It’s ideal for when you need to dispose of food trash fast and is one of the best electric kitchen composters. All sorts of wasted food, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, as also Lomi-approved biodegradable items and yard trash, are accepted by the Lomi composter.
It is 16 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 12 inches tall, making it small enough to fit on your kitchen counter. It can contain up to 3 liters (6.6 pounds) of wasted food at the time and is 16 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 12 inches tall.
FAQS
Is An Electric Composter Good?
Electric composters are a good alternative to traditional composting. Compared to traditional composters, electric kitchen composters are faster and can turn your food leftovers into nutrient-rich fertilizer in a few hours, or sometimes about half a day or less.
In addition, electric composters typically don’t require a ton of space; however, they use little electricity compared to traditional composting. Given the environmental impact of electronics and plastics, many people would be better off with a low-tech approach.
Are Countertop Composters Good?
Countertop compost bins tackle the problem by collecting leftovers, reducing smells, and making it easier to remember to be more trash careful. In a tiny kitchen, this product has a great capacity to reduce smells without taking up important counter space.
How Do You Choose a Kitchen Compost Bin?
First, think about how much counter space you have and how much culinary waste your family makes. The capacity of small tabletop compost bins is often less than 1 gallon. While they tend to be smaller, you’ll have to empty them more regularly.
See also: Composting Pasta: Here’s The Truth!
What Can You Add In An Electric Composter?
In an electric composter, you can put vegetable peelings, fruit debris, teabags, plant prunings, and grass clippings, as these are all compostable. Items like cardboard egg cartons, wrinkled-up paper, and scattered leaves are also wonderful to include.
Are Compost Machines Worth It?
Ultimately, buying an electric composter depends on your needs. If you live in a small space, you might face challenges. In some cases, you can explore other options that don’t require purchasing an expensive machine or using electricity.
If you live in a city that does not offer a municipal composting option, it might be a good idea to look into Bokashi composting and worm composting (also called vermicomposting).
Both options don’t require electricity, and they are significantly less expensive than electric composters.
See also: Bokashi Vs Traditional Compost: Which One Should You Choose?
Wrapping Up
Overall, these are the best electric kitchen composter:
- Food Cycler by Vitamix
- New OXO Clean Compost Bin
- BelleMark Compost Bin
- Bamboozle Food Composting Bin
- Utopia Kitchen Compost Bin for Kitchen Countertop
- Kitchen Composer Pela Lomi
Using an electric kitchen composter can help you quickly and easily reap all the benefits of composting, as suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
