Countertop Electric Composters: An Easy and Eco-Friendly Solution for Kitchen Waste

Are you tired of throwing away organic waste every day? Want to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment? Countertop electric composters might be the solution you are looking for. These compact machines are designed to turn your kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil additive like compost, all in the comfort of your home. Of course, the output from these machines is not compost, as actual compost uses microbes and “things” to break down the waste. However, it makes for a great soil additive and can be considered compost.

What is a Countertop Electric Composter?

A countertop electric composter is a small machine that uses heat and mixing to break down organic waste quickly. Unlike traditional composting methods, which require ample outdoor space and take months to produce usable compost, countertop electric composters can produce usable compost in as little as 24 hours. These machines are perfect for people living in apartments or needing access to outdoor composting space.

These hold even greater importance in cold areas as we live in where no active composting happens for at least half the year. My composters can take a year or more to produce good compost, which leaves a good portion of the year where I throw food waste into the garbage. 

With one of these, I see how I could compost and store the output from one of these machines all winter and spread it in my gardens come spring, giving me a year-round composting ability. 

How Do Countertop Electric Composters Work?

Countertop electric composters work by using heating and mixing (copping) to break down organic waste quickly:

1. Add kitchen scraps, such as fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and other organic matter, into the composter.
2. The machine heats up and turns the waste into “compost” by drying, mixing/breaking it down.
3. The compost is ready to use in your garden or indoor plants. In some cases, the waste should be stored/mixed with soil to allow some microbial composting to start.

Benefits of Countertop Electric Composters

There are several benefits of using countertop electric composters:

1. They are easy to use and require minimal maintenance. You don’t need to turn the compost or add any additional materials to the machine, making them an effortless and straightforward way to compost.
2. They are eco-friendly, reducing your carbon footprint and helping to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
3. The compost produced by these machines is nutrient-rich and can be used to fertilize indoor or outdoor plants, making them healthier and more productive.
4. Allow for year-round composting of food scraps.

Tips for Using Countertop Electric Composters

To get the most out of your countertop electric composter, here are some valuable tips:

• Cut your kitchen waste into small pieces before adding them to the composter. This will help the machine break down the waste more quickly and efficiently.
• Add dry material to your composter, such as shredded newspaper or leaves. This will help to balance the moisture level and improve the composting process.
• Clean your machine regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria and odours.
• Don’t overload your composter. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maximum capacity.
• Use the compost produced by your machine to fertilize your indoor or outdoor plants. It’s a great way to reduce waste and improve the health of your plants.

FAQs

Can I compost meat and dairy products in a countertop electric composter?

Some models of countertop electric composters can handle meat and dairy products, but others cannot. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines before adding these items to your composter.

Will you have to pre-chop up things before you add them?

Yes, a small list of materials should be pre-cut into smaller pieces before being added to the composter.

Will using a countertop electric composter reduce my garbage?

Yes, by composting your kitchen waste, you can drastically reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

Can I use the compost produced by my countertop electric composter on edible plants?

Yes, the compost produced by a countertop electric composter is safe to use on edible plants. Just make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for usage.

How often should I clean my countertop electric composter?

It’s recommended to clean your composter after every use to prevent the buildup of bacteria and odours.

Can I compost pet waste in a countertop electric composter?

Pet waste should not be composted in a countertop electric composter as it can contain harmful bacteria.

During the March 7, 2023, Nipigon Town Council meeting, A person from Food Cycle Science (https://foodcycler.com/) presented their subsidized pricing model for municipalities to put more of these devices into homes. 

At a starting price of $499, and through Impact Canada grants – ($250/unit) (https://impact.canada.ca/) and Municipal support/Buy-in ($100/unit), the end cost would be $150 per unit to the end user ($300 for the larger units). The units are rebranded Vitamix Foodcycler units similar to the one below. 

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50, 2L Capacity, Grey

~$500 retail

The Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 is another popular option for those seeking a reliable and efficient countertop composter. It has a 2L capacity and can compost food waste, including meat, dairy, and bones.

Costs:

Refilling/replacing the Carbon filter with activated charcoal is around $100 annually.

Each cycle uses a maximum of 1.5 kWh of electricity, around 10 to 15 cents per use.