What is the Vitamix Foodcycler FC-50?
You may have seen the Vitamix Foodcycler FC-50 featured in magazines recently as a “smart investment.” This appliance is advertised by Vitamix as a home food recycling system. Its draw is that it reduces the volume of food waste significantly faster than normal composting methods. It claims to work quickly, within 6-8 hours. Additionally, it is smaller than outdoor composting barrels, so it can be used indoors. The Foodcycler was given a rave review on FoodandWine.com, but is it helpful for gardeners (rather than just trendsetters)? The Foodcycler recently went on sale for just over $300, so I wanted to see what all the hype was about.
My experience with the Foodcycler
My foodcycler arrived quickly and well-packaged. The box was sturdy, but not too heavy for one person to lift. Setup was minimal and the process of adding scraps to the (included) bucket was easy to learn. I intended to keep the foodcycler on my countertop for ease of use. However, due to its size, it is now in my garage, right outside my kitchen door. My family apparently makes a lot of vegetable scraps, as we fill the bucket daily and run the foodcycler most nights. It operates quietly and simply, with the touch of one button.
The final product is significantly smaller in volume. A full bucket will typically cook down to less than one inch of recycled matter. Additionally, although not completely unscented, I would say the odor of your previously rotting food is significantly muted. The foodcycler grinds well. I have given it scraps ranging from apple cores to banana peels and the only food that it has left untouched so far is a complete moldy grapefruit that was on the top of a very full bucket. The grapefruit had a pleasant, cooked citrus smell after the cycle. I cut it in half and threw it in again; this time it was blended properly.
The Foodcycler will not look as clean and artsy as it appears on the Vitamix website (see above photo). Mine tends to be full of moldy food I found in the back of the refrigerator, not freshly cut vegetables with complimentary colors. However, it comes with a filtered lid to keep bugs out and the stink in. The consistency of your recycled food will depend on the stringiness of what you fill it with. Of note, the Foodcycler does not fully complete the composting cycle. However, it does make easy-to-use or store fertilizer for your existing soil.
Pros and Cons
Let’s start with the negatives. The Foodcycler is a bit heavy, so it is not easy to move around. Although it is small, it takes up significant space on your counter if you choose to have it in the kitchen. The finished product can be a bit “stringy” and is not the same soil-type compost that you get from longer composting methods. The Foodcycler needs to be run daily if your family eats (or wastes) as many fruits and vegetables as mine.
On the positive side, the Foodcycler is easy to use. It is quiet and requires very little maintenance. Compared to traditional composing methods, which take up significantly more space or can make your yard an eyesore (see below), the Foodcycler is a tiny rock star. Additionally, the speed of the Foodcycler is light years faster than traditional methods. I can enrich my soil with yesterday’s (rather than last year’s) food scraps.
A Gardener’s Conclusion
Overall I recommend the Vitamix Foodcycler FC-50 due to its ease of use, quick operation, and its ability to save your yard for more beautiful (or delicious) garden endeavors than a traditional compost pile. As the gardening season picks up, I will be studying whether or not these recycled scraps benefit my crop yields. Stay tuned for additional information later this year!
Looking for something to do with your recycled food? Considering adding it to your okra this summer. Or, ff you find the Foodcycler FC-50 saves you time and you need a new, somewhat complicated hobby, consider making bean to bar chocolate!
Please note: I have no affiliation to the Vitamix company and was not compensated in any way for this review.
