Best Crushed and Dry Food Recycler
Most kitchen “composters” simply grind and dry your food scraps, but the Lomi 3 does the best job of the group. I’m always impressed when companies listen to feedback and adapt, and Lomi’s new model addresses some quirks and weaknesses of the now-discontinued Lomi 2. No more multiple modes, annoying twist-off lid and having to put leftovers straight into the machine. Now there’s a convenient 3-quart, 7.5-inch-tall countertop bucket, just like the FoodCycler below; an easy-to-use push-button lid; and only two simple treatment modes: Grow and Express. The Lomi 3 is also smaller and supposedly quieter than the Lomi 2, but my decibel meter found the difference negligible. One feature I appreciated on the Lomi 2 that’s missing in the 3 is Lomi mode, which could break down a list of approved bioplastics, including the Lomi’s own packaging. Lomi confirms that the new model cannot accept bioplastics.
Photography: Kat Merck
As with the Lomi 2, an app exists for basic management, but I appreciated not having to use it: press a button and the Lomi turns on. When finished (cycle length varies from 3 to 16 hours, depending on the quantity and moisture of the contents), it will emit a small chime and you can either put the treated grounds, which are very fine and look like Folgers, into your outdoor compost pile, cover your lawn with them, or add them to the soil at a ratio of 1:10 (1:15 if using meat/dairy). I also like that the Lomi 3 has a clear lid, so you can see exactly where it is in its cycle.
It’s expensive to pay for what is essentially a grinder and dryer, which is why I generally recommend the Reencle above, especially if you want to generate something close to compost. However, if you are simply looking to reduce the volume of waste in your bins, or if you live in an area subject to composting finesThe Lomi 3 is a carefully designed and easy-to-use option that most people would be happy with. Note that my tester originally came with a lid that warped after several months, allowing odors to escape and attracting fruit flies. Lomi said the first batch of lids were made with faulty plastic and sent a new lid, but the new version also starts to warp after a few months.
Another great grinding and drying recycler
FoodCycler
Eco 3 Compact Kitchen Food Recycler
First of all, I appreciate that FoodCycler doesn’t even claim to make a composter. “The FoodCycler is a food waste recycler,” the company explained firmly before agreeing to ship a test unit. “Our primary goal is to provide a modern food waste solution to users who do not have access to traditional composting or other disposal options that divert from landfill. Therefore, the resulting byproduct cannot be labeled as ‘compost.'” And indeed, the FoodCycler breaks down food so quickly, and without microbial involvement, that no one would think it is good compost. But if you’re going for a grinder/dryer, the Eco 3 makes more whining/squeaking noises during operation than the Lomi 3 above, but it’s still a great choice.
Photography: Kat Merck
Launching in 2024, the Eco 3 is a smaller version of the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 (read our full review here), featuring a larger capacity of 3.5 liters and, according to FoodCycler, better grinding capacity. Measuring 11 x 9 x 13 inches, it’s small enough to sit on a counter or table, although the real convenience of this machine lies in its auxiliary bucket. Fill the sleek, 8-inch-tall lidded container with leftovers (in my three-person household, this took about three days), and once it’s full, swap the lids, place it in the machine, and press a button.
A few hours later, you’ll have a handful of “Foodilizer,” a “homemade soil amendment” that looks like finely ground soil. In fact, the result is one of the finest ground of any of these machines. There’s no assembly with this machine (other than filling a filter with charcoal granules), no app, no creating an account, no pods or tablets or choosing different cycles – you don’t even need to plug it in until you’re ready to use it.
