Food leftovers are typically thrown away since composting them requires too much labor. Especially if you live in an area with long winters, there are much fewer opportunities for composting.
The bad smell that comes from conventional outdoor compost is not the only issue to be concerned about.
Additionally, the outdoor composts are attracting unwanted guests such as raccoons and rats. Composting issues may often be solved by using electric food composters.
So, since you came across this article, you must be wondering, are electric composts worth it? Well, we can say that electric composters are worth the money you pay and they will give a good result and can come with various advantages.
However, It’s not for everyone and you need some additional knowledge before using an electric composter. So, let’s discuss it in more depth.
Why Is Composting Beneficial
Composting’s primary objective is to lessen the quantity of household solid waste that is produced and use it in a wiser way.
More than 30% of what we waste is made up of food leftovers. These organic wastes are kept out of landfills via composting.
Did you know that one of the major sources of methane emission comes from municipal solid waste dumps? As the garbage rots and decomposes, it releases toxic gasses that fuel global warming.
If everyone starts to decrease the amount of solid waste, it will benefit both the environment and us.
An organic substance known as finished compost can be added to soil to aid with plant growth. In comparison to synthetic fertilizers, it is more ecologically friendly.
What Do Electric Composters Do?
An electric compost recycles food and is the equipment that is kept indoors. The ability of aeration, pulverization, and heat, reduces the number of food wastes by 90%.
The use of the electric composter is very easy and you can do it by simply placing your food scraps in the machine.
The machine produces macerated and dehydrated food scraps after many hours of processing.
Some substances remain relatively chunky and fibrous, while others transform into dark granular organic compounds.
Electric composters heat and grind food scraps over a period of hours to create a loose, and dried substance.
Those substances are one of the best types of fertilizers for the garden and indoor plants.
So, with this technology, it is possible to make the fertilizer in the shortest period of time when the regular garden composter relies on aerobic microbes and needs time to break the organic matter down.
How Do Electric Composters Work?
True compost is not always produced by electric composters, there are various types of electric composters and they all can.
In most cases, if you do not read and follow instructions carefully, or if the technology has specific settings, the resulting organic fertilizer may resemble coffee and not be as rich as we may need.
Therefore, before choosing the electric composters, make sure to read its review and instructions carefully.
Due to the microorganisms that release carbon dioxide and heat during the respiration process in outdoor compost, the temperature within the compost pile can increase to a range of 100 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
This organic conversion is the basis for electric composters. During the initial drying process, the interior temperature rises to 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to remove moisture from the food waste.
Built-in sensors monitor the appropriate temperature, moisture content, and aeration, which evenly distributes the oxygen.
The oxygen offers the ideal circumstances to hasten the process of natural decay.
Additionally, it promotes aerobic decomposition, the fastest and most effective method of composting with the least amount of odor creation.
After the food waste has been decreased, the process moves on to grinding, which is similar to rotating a regular compost pile.
Internal grinding gears in the electric composter rotate the decreased organic material, further disintegrating it into smaller granular fragments.
An electric composter does not come with sharp blades and does not reduce food scraps to a fine organic powder. They operate more as a mixer or agitator and spin once each minute.
The goal is not to create a perfectly grounded substance. It’s not necessary to be. Additionally, because of the reduced size, the breakdown process may proceed when combined with the soil.
Traditional Composts VS Electric Composters
Depending on the climate, Traditional composting might take up to two years. Composting is really slowed down by winter. Food leftovers just freeze when the process slows.
Manual rotating might shorten the process to 3 to 6 months in warmer weather. Composting by electricity may be completed in just four hours.
Seasonal composting is the norm. Making compost piles in the winter is challenging, if not impossible.
What will you do with the leftover food this winter? You can manage your food waste all year round with the help of electric composters because they are indoor appliances.
Even a properly maintained compost pile might occasionally release scents, particularly when it comes to meat and dairy.
Which, we can all agree is not nice at all, additionally, It will also not make your neighbor pleased.
Another issue is that uncontrolled compost piles may smell bad and release gasses that contribute to climate change.
Carbon filters in electric composters capture the smell and keep your house smelling fresh. There is a slight stench when the cover is opened, but it is not terrible.
Well, nobody likes the scent of food trash that is decomposing outside. On the other side, animals and bugs adore it.
Pests and soil mite of various kinds might be drawn to compost piles. Fruit flies, house flies, raccoons, seagulls, possums, rats, crows, and ravens can come to the outside compost pile.
Pets in the neighborhood also like eating foul waste. There is no chance of insect attraction because electric composters are interior machines and don’t release scents.
When making a regular compost file, once you choose the spot for it in the garden or backyard, you can make any changes and won’t be able to move it around. Up till completion, it remains there.
The majority of modern electric composters are portable in size and are easy to move around.
It can fit anywhere as long as there is a working outlet and airflow. This device can be fit everywhere and in places such as underneath the sink, countertop, in a garage corner, in the laundry room, and in other small spaces.
Just like everything else around us, electric composters have their pros and cons too. You may use the following list to evaluate if an electric compost is the best option for you.
| Advantages of electric composters | Disadvantage of electric composters |
|---|---|
| Time Saving | It is pricey and costs money |
| Possible to use all year round | Energy Consumption |
| Odorless and does not attract pests | It can be noisy |
| Portable and easy to move around | Needs to be chosen carefully |
So Are Electric Composts Worth it: Bottom Line
If you live in the frigid climate where the temperature drops rapidly and composting outside is impractical, then the electric composts totally with it. Those appliances do not require a lot of space and are easy to move around and use.
Composting is very important for our environment because it reduces the amount of food waste.
Additionally, you will create one of the safest and most beneficial fertilizers for your beloved plants.
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Peride Beradze
Peride is an avid planter, Tour Manager and freelance writer. She is a plant collector who mainly focuses on succulents. She loves studying cultures, traveling and learning new languages.