Best Grind-and-Dry Food Recycler
Most kitchen “composters” simply grind and dry your food remains, but the Lomi 3 does the best job of this pile. I’m always impressed when companies listen to feedback and adapt, and Lomi’s new model solves some of the quirks and shortcomings of the now-discontinued Lomi 2. Gone are multiple modes, frustrating lid twisting and feeding scraps directly into the machine. There’s now a convenient 3-liter, 7.5-inch-long countertop bucket, just like the FoodCycler below; a handy push-button lid; And only two simple processing modes: Grow and Express. The Loami 3 is smaller and supposedly quieter than the Loami 2, but my decibel meter found the difference to be negligible. One feature I liked in Lomi 2 that is missing in 3, however, is Lomi Mode, which can break down the list of approved bioplastics, including Lomi’s own packaging. Lomi confirmed that the new model cannot accept bioplastics.
Photograph: Kat Merk
Like the Lomi 2, there’s an app for basic management, but I enjoyed not having to use it – press a button and the Lomi turns on. When it’s complete (the length of the cycle can vary from 3 to 16 hours depending on the amount and moisture of the material), it will ring a little bell, and you can either put the processed grounds, which are very fine and look like Folgers, into your outdoor compost pile, top-dress your lawn with them, or mix them into the soil at a 1:10 ratio (1:15 if using meat/dairy. Are doing). I also like that the Lomi 3 has a clear lid, so you can see where it is in its cycle.
Paying for what is essentially a grinder-and-dryer is too much, which is why I generally recommend the above mentioned recanal, especially if you want to generate something close to compost. However, if you want to reduce the amount of waste in your trash, or you live in an area where there is a fine for composting, the Lomi 3 is a thoughtfully designed, easy-to-use option that most people will be happy with. Note that my test unit originally came with a lid that bent after several months, allowing odors to escape and attracting fruit flies. Lomi said the initial batch of lids were made from faulty plastic and a new lid was shipped, but after a few months the new version also began to deteriorate.
Another great grind-and-dry recycler
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Eco 3 Compact Kitchen Food Recycler
First of all, I appreciate that FoodCycler doesn’t even pretend it’s making a composter. “FoodCycler is a food waste recycler,” the company explained firmly before agreeing to send a test unit. “Our primary goal is to provide a modern food waste solution for users who do not have access to traditional composting or other disposal options that divert from landfills. Therefore, the resulting byproduct cannot be labeled as ‘compost.'” And in fact, the FoodCycler breaks down the food so quickly and without any microbial involvement, that no one would think it is proper composting. But if you’re going with a grinder/dryer, use the ones mentioned above. The Echo 3 makes more whining/creaking noises during operation than the Loomi 3, but it’s still a great option.
Photograph: Kat Merk
Launching in 2024, the Echo 3 is a smaller version of the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 (read our full review here), with a larger 3.5-litre capacity and, according to FoodCycler, better grinding capabilities. At 11 x 9 x 13 inches, it’s small enough to sit on a counter or tabletop, though the real feature of this machine is its accessory bucket. Fill the smooth, 8-inch-tall lidded container with scraps (in my household of three, this took about three days), and once it’s full, replace the lid, place it in the machine, and press a button.
A few hours later, you’ll have a handful of “foodilizer,” which is a “homemade soil amendment” that looks like finely ground soil. In fact, the output is the finest grind output of any of these machines. There’s no assembly to this machine (besides filling the filter with carbon granules), no apps, no creating an account, no pods or tablets or choosing different cycles — you don’t even have to plug it in until you’re ready to use it.
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