What Does an Electric Composter Make?

An electric composter such as Natridy leaves dry, ground food scraps, not soil you can use on its own. Natridy says its output needs a finishing step: mix it into soil or a compost pile, place it in a green bin where accepted, or discard it; the right choice depends on local rules and what you want.

How four machines describe their output

The word “composter” does not tell you exactly what will be in the bucket at the end of a cycle. Look at the maker’s description of the material, the process, and its directions for use. The comparison below keeps each maker’s own wording separate. A blank end-use direction is not a recommendation; it means that direction was not published in the claims reviewed here.

Machine	Maker’s name for output	Maker’s stated use	Process	Time stated by maker	Consumables
Natridy Electric Composter	dry, ground food scraps	Mix into soil or a compost pile to finish; green bin where accepted; trash	Dries and grinds scraps	Auto: about 2–8 hours; Quick: 4 hours	Activated-carbon bags; one bag lasts 3 months or 45 cycles, whichever comes first
Lomi 3	“nutrient-rich dirt”; its LomiPods page calls the output Lomi Earth	Not published by the maker	Not published by the maker in the claims reviewed	Express: 3–6 hours; Grow: 11–17 hours; Cleaning: 1.5 hours	Charcoal filters; LomiPods are also sold
Reencle Prime	Reencle calls its output “compost”	Not published by the maker in the claims reviewed	Living microbes; continuous operation is described	FAQ: operates 24 hours; its how-it-works page says “30 days” and also says 24 hours plus 3 weeks to cure	Activated-carbon filter; microbe starter
FoodCycler Eco 3	fine, dry by-product called Foodilizer, described as a soil amendment	Specific directions not published by the maker in the claims reviewed	Grinds and dries waste	4–9 hours	Refillable charcoal filter; replace every 3 or 4 months, or sooner if smells appear

These descriptions are not interchangeable. Natridy and FoodCycler describe a dry, ground output. Lomi uses its own names for the material. Reencle describes a microbial process and calls its output “compost.” Use those distinctions when deciding what you want to handle after a cycle.

For Natridy, the most important expectation is simple: the bucket holds dry, ground scraps, not a ready-to-use soil product. The product page says to mix the material into soil or a compost pile to finish. It also lists a green bin, where accepted, and trash as disposal options. Local green-bin rules can vary, so check what your program accepts before adding the material.

The table is a starting point, not a full ranking. Machines have different processes and maker descriptions. If you want to compare other details, see the four-machine comparison. For a closer explanation of material after a cycle, read output explained.

Quick answers to the questions buyers ask

Do electric composters produce compost or dried food scraps?

It depends on the machine: Natridy and FoodCycler describe dried, ground scraps, while Reencle describes a microbial process and calls its output “compost.” Natridy’s material needs mixing into soil or a compost pile to finish. Makers use different names and give different directions, so check the product’s own output description before buying.

How best to compost food waste?

Choose a method based on the material you want at the end and the time or space you have. Natridy says to mix its dry, ground output into soil or a compost pile to finish, or use a green bin where accepted. If you use a municipal program, check its rules for this material first.

What is the best composter machine for home use?

There is no single best choice for every household in the information reviewed here. If you want a dry, ground output, compare Natridy and FoodCycler’s descriptions; if you prefer a machine described as using microbes, consider Reencle. Compare stated capacity, cycle time, upkeep, price, and output before choosing.

What does an electric composter make?

The output depends on the machine. Natridy says it produces dry, ground food scraps; FoodCycler describes a fine, dry by-product; Lomi calls its output “nutrient-rich dirt”; and Reencle calls its output “compost.” These are the makers’ descriptions. Read the stated use directions too, since an output name alone may not explain what to do next.

What do you do with food recycler output?

For Natridy, mix the dry, ground scraps into soil or a compost pile to finish, put them in a green bin where accepted, or discard them. Follow the directions for the machine you own, not another maker’s advice. Local collection rules may differ, so check with your green-bin or waste service before adding the material.

Does Lomi make compost?

Lomi describes its Lomi 3 output as “nutrient-rich dirt,” and its LomiPods page calls the output Lomi Earth. Those are Lomi’s terms; the available claims do not establish a separate end-use direction. Lomi 3 has a bucket of about 101 oz (3 L is Lomi's published figure; the ounces are our conversion), and Lomi lists Express Mode at 3–6 hours and 1 kWh.

Is a food recycler the same as a composter?

Not always: the terms can describe machines with different processes and outputs. Natridy and FoodCycler describe drying and grinding scraps, while Reencle describes living microbes. Lomi uses its own output name. Compare each maker’s process and end-use directions rather than assuming that every machine leaves the same material.

How we compared

We checked product and help pages captured on October 31, 2026. Each machine’s output name and figures in this article come from its maker, and a figure for one machine does not describe the others. Where the reviewed claims did not include a detail, we say so instead of filling the gap. We make Natridy.

The comparison is about what each maker says its machine does and what it says about the material afterward. It is not a test of the material or a claim that one output is right for every garden, home, or waste program. Machine capacity also needs context: Natridy lists a total capacity and a smaller recommended batch, while another maker may report a bucket size or daily processing amount. Use the maker’s stated figure for the model you are considering.

If you want a machine for scraps from regular cooking, think through the whole routine. Consider where the unit will sit, what scraps its maker permits, how often you will run it, and what you will do with the output. Natridy lists an Auto cycle that reads the batch and takes about 2–8 hours, a fixed 4-hour Quick cycle, and a fan-only Storage mode. Its energy figure is tied to a 4-hour cycle; Auto use varies with the load.

For Natridy’s list of accepted and excluded scraps, see what can go in. The product details, current listed price, and included carbon bag are on the Natridy Electric Composter page. Product listings can change, so check the maker page for current terms before ordering.

Dry, ground scraps: Natridy and FoodCycler Eco 3

Natridy says its countertop machine dries and grinds kitchen scraps. It describes the result as dry, ground food-scrap material. The product page says the process cuts waste by 90% by volume. That is Natridy’s figure for its machine, not a general result for electric composters.

The bucket has a listed capacity of 100 oz (3 L), while the recommended working batch is 68 oz / 2 L. The maker gives both figures; they describe different amounts, so do not treat the larger bucket capacity as the recommended batch. Natridy lists an Auto cycle of about 2–8 hours and a fixed Quick cycle of 4 hours. The amount of electricity used in Auto changes with the load.

Specs.

• Model: CYF01-500CD5.
• Capacity: 100 oz (3 L), Natridy's published figure.
• Recommended working batch: 68 oz / 2 L.
• Power: 500 W; 120 V / 60 Hz.
• Energy: ~1 kWh per 4-hour cycle.
• Noise: 39 dB (measured).
• Weight: 19.2 lb.
• Dimensions: 9.84 x 14.3 x 11.8 in.
• Output: dry, ground food-scrap material.
• Warranty: 2 years.
• Returns: 90 days.
• Listed price: $269.99 (as listed).

FoodCycler says its Eco 3 grinds and dries waste in 4–9 hours. It lists a bucket of about 118 oz (3.5 L is FoodCycler's published figure; the ounces are our conversion) and says the machine uses 0.9 kWh per cycle. FoodCycler calls its output Foodilizer, a fine, dry by-product and nutrient-rich soil amendment. The maker’s page does not provide specific directions for using that material in the claims reviewed here.

FoodCycler lists a refillable filter and says to replace and refill the charcoal every three or four months. It also says to refill sooner if smells appear before the three-month point. The maker lists the Eco 3 for 1–3 people, but that is FoodCycler’s description, not a capacity rule for other machines.

These dry-output options may suit a buyer who wants scraps reduced in volume and is comfortable deciding how to handle a dry by-product. They may not suit someone looking for a machine whose maker describes a microbial process. Choose based on the material you want, not only the product name or cycle length.

“Nutrient-rich dirt”: Lomi 3

Lomi says Lomi 3 transforms food scraps into what it calls “nutrient-rich dirt.” The maker also names the output Lomi Earth on its LomiPods page. These labels are Lomi’s wording. The claims reviewed here do not give a separate instruction for how households should use the output, so do not assume that a name alone answers that question.

Lomi lists a bucket of about 101 oz (3 L; the ounces are our conversion), Express Mode at 3–6 hours, Grow Mode at 11–17 hours, and Cleaning Mode at 1.5 hours. It lists energy use of 1 kWh for Express, 1.1 kWh for Grow, and 0.2 kWh for Cleaning. Those figures apply to Lomi’s listed modes, not to other machines.

Specs.

• Bucket: about 101 oz (3 L, Lomi's figure; our conversion).
• Modes: Express 3–6 hours; Grow 11–17 hours; Cleaning 1.5 hours.
• Electricity: Express 1 kWh; Grow 1.1 kWh; Cleaning 0.2 kWh.
• Weight: 16 lb (7.25 kg).
• Noise: < 45 dB.
• Standard warranty: 1 year; 3 years while Membership is active.
• Price: $549 on its own, or $449 with Membership billed at $120 plus tax once a year, starting 3 months after purchase.

Lomi lists charcoal filters and offers LomiPods, which it says speed up the breakdown of scraps and reduce smell. Its filter refill listing says to replace the filter every 3 months or 45 cycles. These are maintenance and product claims from Lomi. Check its current listing for package details and terms.

If you are comparing Lomi’s output with Natridy’s, keep the difference in wording clear. Lomi uses its own output labels, while Natridy describes dry, ground food-scrap material and gives steps for mixing or disposal. The available claims do not make those descriptions equivalent, and they do not supply a shared standard for judging the materials.

Compost from microbes: Reencle Prime

Reencle describes a process that uses living microbes and calls its output “compost.” Its pages give more than one time description: the how-it-works page says it “makes compost in 30 days”, and also says scraps break down in 24 hours and are fully cured in 3 weeks. Reencle’s FAQ says the machine operates 24 hours. These statements are shown side by side, not reconciled.

Reencle’s product specification table lists 3.7 gal (14 L) capacity, 20.1 lb weight, and processing of 1.5 lb per day as optimal, up to 2.2 lb per day maximum. Its FAQ separately lists 3.7 gallons and says it can compost up to 2 lb of food waste in 24 hours. Its FAQ gives 30 dB, while the product specification table has no decibel figure. These differences are the maker’s published figures for different pages.

Specs.

• Listed capacity: 3.7 gal (14 L); Reencle's FAQ gives gallons, its listing liters.
• Weight: 20.1 lb.
• Daily processing: 1.5 lb optimal; 2.2 lb maximum per day in the product table.
• FAQ processing statement: up to 2 lb in 24 hours.
• Noise: FAQ says 30 dB; product table gives no dB figure.
• Power: maximum 130 W; average 52 W in the product table.
• Warranty: product page lists 2 years; its how-it-works page lists 1 year.
• Filter: Reencle lists an activated-carbon filter at $35, lasting 9–12 months.

Reencle also sells a microbe starter and says microbes regenerate inside the machine, with a fresh pack needed only if the colony cannot recover. Its product page lists a 60-day trial. The details matter if you prefer a continuous process, but the machine’s output name and schedule are still the maker’s descriptions. The reviewed claims do not state a separate household end-use direction for the output.

What to do with the output

Start with the instructions for your own machine. For Natridy, the maker says to mix its dry, ground material into soil or a compost pile to finish. It also lists adding it to a green bin where accepted, or putting it in the trash. Those are Natridy’s stated options; they are not automatic directions for another maker’s output.

A green-bin program may have rules about what it accepts. Check with the service that collects your waste before putting processed scraps in the bin. If you plan to mix Natridy output into soil or a compost pile, follow the maker’s direction to mix it in rather than treating the dry material as a ready-to-use soil product.

Natridy’s directions do not include animal feed; they describe soil, a compost pile, a green bin where accepted, or trash. If your household needs another kind of use, the available maker information does not establish that use. Keep the decision tied to the machine’s directions and your local collection rules.

The amount left after processing can also affect your routine. Natridy lists a 90% reduction in waste volume, while Lomi says up to 80%; each figure belongs to its maker and machine. These claims are not a direct, independently measured comparison. A smaller volume may change how much material you handle, but it does not tell you by itself how to use the result.

When choosing, ask yourself three plain questions: Is the maker’s output description what I want? Do I have an appropriate place to put it after a cycle? Am I comfortable with the maintenance the maker lists? If the answer to any of these is no, compare another process or a different way of managing scraps.

FAQ

How often should I replace Natridy’s carbon bag?

Natridy says one carbon bag lasts 3 months or 45 cycles, whichever comes first. Replace it sooner if the unit starts to smell, even if you have not reached 45 cycles. Natridy lists refills at $29.99. The maker also says a few runs a week can mean about $120 a year in refills.

How much food should I put in Natridy at once?

Natridy lists a 100 oz (3 L) bucket, but its product page recommends a maximum 68 oz / 2 L batch per use. Use the smaller recommended batch as your guide. The maker’s manual also describes the processing capacity as 100 oz with 68 oz recommended per use, so the two amounts should not be confused.

Can I put meat and bones in Natridy?

Natridy lists meat, fish, leftovers, and cooked chicken bones and ribs among accepted scraps, with bones drained. It says to keep beef bones and pork shank bones out, along with glass, metal, plastic, hard shells, fruit pits, and other listed items. Check what can go in before adding a less common scrap.

How much space does Natridy need around it?

Natridy’s manual says to leave 7.9–11.8 in (20–30 cm) from the wall for ventilation and not to place the unit in a confined space such as under cabinets. The manual also says to disconnect power and let the machine cool before cleaning. Follow those instructions when choosing a countertop spot.

Sources

Natridy product page — https://shop.natridy.com/products/natridy-core-unit — retrieved October 31, 2026.

Lomi 3 product page — https://lomi.com/products/lomi-3-food-recycler — retrieved October 31, 2026.

Lomi FAQ — https://lomi.com/pages/faq — retrieved October 31, 2026.

Lomi filter refills — https://lomi.com/products/lomi-filter-refills-45-cycles — retrieved October 31, 2026.

LomiPods — https://lomi.com/products/lomi-pods-45-cycles — retrieved October 31, 2026.

Reencle Prime product page — https://reencle.co/products/reencle-food-waste-composter — retrieved October 31, 2026.

Reencle FAQ — https://reencle.co/pages/faq — retrieved October 31, 2026.

Reencle how it works — https://reencle.co/pages/how-it-works-new — retrieved October 31, 2026.

Reencle filter — https://reencle.co/products/reencle-prime-filter — retrieved October 31, 2026.

Reencle microbe starter — https://reencle.co/products/reenclemicrobe — retrieved October 31, 2026.

FoodCycler Eco 3 — https://foodcycler.com/products/eco-3 — retrieved October 31, 2026.

FoodCycler carbon refill — https://foodcycler.com/products/carbon-refill-packet — retrieved October 31, 2026.