I Tested Kitchen Composters and Found Some Stink
Kitchen composters grind food scraps into soil-like material but rarely make true compost.
In brief
Kitchen composters grind food scraps into soil-like material but rarely make true compost. Reencle Prime produces closest to usable compost among kitchen composters tested. Originally reported by WIRED.
What Kitchen Composters Do
Kitchen composters grind food scraps into dry material but don't create true compost.
Why They Exist
Food waste makes up 24 percent of municipal solid waste, releasing methane as it breaks down in landfills.
Reencle Prime
Reencle Prime ($499) produces material closest to usable compost with 8/10 rating.
Reencle Prime Features
Reencle Prime uses activated carbon, wood pellets, glucose, and patented thermophilic microbes.
Reencle Prime Operation
Reencle Prime operates like a heated trash can with sensor or button to open lid.
Reencle Prime Output
Reencle Prime output resembles dirt and sawdust, usable after mixing with soil at 1:4 ratio.
Reencle Prime Smell
Reencle Prime can stink but dry and purify buttons help mitigate odor.
Reencle Gravity
Reencle Gravity ($649) is larger, accepts 3.3 pounds of waste daily, quieter than Prime.
Lomi 3
Lomi 3 ($649) is best grind-and-dry food recycler with 3-liter capacity and quiet operation.
Lomi 3 Features
Lomi 3 has easy push-button lid, Grow and Express modes, and clear lid for cycle visibility.
FoodCycler Eco 3
FoodCycler Eco 3 ($400) produces extra-fine grounds but may develop creaking noises over time.
Airthereal Revive R800
Airthereal Revive R800 ($300) is affordable but lacks included scrap bucket and has a loud fan.
Mill Food Recycler
Mill Food Recycler ($999) ships grounds to Washington state farm for chicken feed.
Bokashi Bin
Bokashi Bin ($83) uses anaerobic fermentation to break down food waste without electricity.
Bokashi Bin Process
Bokashi Bin requires adding food scraps and microbe-infused bran, then burying after two weeks.
Best Overall
Reencle Prime is top pick for producing material closest to usable compost.
In short
Reencle Prime produces closest to usable compost among kitchen composters tested.
