Electric composters are simple appliances (about the size of a countertop bread maker) that can turn your kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich dirt. Most electric composters can produce that dirt in less than 24 hours. You can then use the finished product directly on your lawn, in your garden, or add it to existing compost as enrichment. Here’s everything you want to know about electric composters.

Electric Composters: What to Know

First, as a vegetable gardener and someone who tries to be a good steward of Mother Earth, these devices have been on my radar for some time. Alas, I didn’t think I knew anyone using them and wanted to check them out before I invested. On a recent trip to visit family in Boston, I discovered that I could see one in action. I got to see one of the pioneers in the industry, a Lomi.  

Here’s how they had their system set up: A lidded bin, lined with a compostable bag sits near the sink in their kitchen. Any veggie waste, egg shells, coffee grounds and small remnants of finished meals go into the bin. When it’s full, the whole kit and caboodle gets dropped into the Lomi (on a shelf in their laundry room) and started. The Lomi offers a few different settings. When it’s finished, the “compost” is dumped into a storage bin that they empty periodically in outdoor beds. 

I was hooked and asked myself: “What’s everything you want to know about electric composters?”  Researching ensued. I knew I wanted as large of a capacity as I could find and I also knew mine would be located on a kitchen counter, so I was looking for a pleasing aesthetic. What I ended up settling on was the Vego Garden Composter and let me tell you why. First, it had the largest capacity for the machine size (4 L).  I was already a fan of the brand and think their quality is impressive plus I also had a bunch of loyalty points from previous purchases. Combining those with a recent Labor day sale, brought the price down almost in half (at a regular price of $579.95, that mattered). 

What does it make?

Second, here’s the skinny: “Vego Meal” is the nutrient-rich output from your Vego Kitchen Composter. So it isn’t really compost, but achieves much of the same benefits like reduced waste to landfills that can be used on your lawn, garden, or houseplants. It also maintains viable nutrients to nourish your plants. Plus, it also eliminates the management of large outdoor compost systems: no more smelly piles nor worry about wildlife and rodents. It also has a cleaning mode and is whisper quiet (many competitors aren’t).

Next, the other benefits that Vego boasted weren’t so interesting to me, but I have found that I really enjoy them as I’m getting to know my machine. My very favourite is the clear class lid and backlight. Fun to peak in and monitor the process. The other really cool feature is a built-in scale. It works in tandem with the Vego app. You place your scraps in the machine and select which setting you want. The machine weighs the scraps, then updates you on the process via wi-fi on an app. The app keeps a record of what you process, when, how long it took and what cycle you used. It also maintains a rolling total of how your machine reduces your family’s carbon footprint. Pretty cool.

Electric Composters: Issues

Finally, I should note that on my VERY first run, I was out on errands and was notified that my machine was experiencing a problem and had paused. The Vego shut itself down to protect the motor until I could remove a clog (yes, I put an item in that was contraband and had to remove it because I hadn’t read all the directions).  My system is simple: I add scraps to a small bin like the one I described above. I compost then dump into a planter or in the yard. Pretty basic, but it works for my house.

In summary, I’m very pleased. I’m reducing waste, adding good stuff back to my plants and enjoying the benefits of pretty, healthy plants.