Use Directions:
1. Add Your Scraps:
Place leftovers, shells, peels, and food waste into the 3.5L removable bucket. Do not exceed the fill line.
2. Press Start:
Start the cycle and let the Vortech grinding system grind and dry your food waste.
Cycle Duration: Approximately 4–9 hours, depending on load size and moisture content.
3. Feed the Earth:
Once complete, the unit shuts off automatically. The result is Foodilizer—a dry, nutrient-rich by-product suitable for plants.
What You Can Put Inside
A) Suitable:
Vegetable & fruit scraps
Meat, fish, poultry
Poultry & fish bones
Coffee grounds, tea leaves, coffee filters, tea bags
Beans, seeds, legumes
Eggs & eggshells
Shellfish, including shells
B) In Small Amounts:
Sauces, dressings, gravies
Dairy products
Jellies, jams, puddings
Starches (bread, rice, cake, etc.)
Lamb bones
Hard pits (peach, apricot, lychee, mango)
C) Cut Up Prior to Adding:
Paper towel & tissue
Corn cobs & husks
Whole vegetables
Fibrous plants (celery, asparagus, parsley, etc.)
D) Not Recommended:
Cardboard
Oils & fats
Candy & gum
“Compostable” plastics
Beef bones
General Rule:
If you wouldn’t put it in a traditional compost bin (such as candy, gum, cardboard, or large amounts of oil), don’t put it in the FoodCycler. Beef bones are the only food exception.
Best Practices
- Always add food to the bucket only, not directly into the unit.
- Keep the bucket on the counter while filling.
- Do not exceed the fill line or compress waste. If the bucket does not fit back into the unit, remove some contents.
- You may pause to add more waste only during Phase 1 (first LED flashing). Adding later may affect dryness and require a second cycle.
- For best efficiency, run cycles when the bucket is full (up to the fill line).
- Carbon filters reduce odor intensity but do not eliminate strong food odors completely.
- Overly hard or compacted waste may increase noise and reduce unit lifespan.
- Excess moisture may result in a damp by-product—simply run an additional cycle if needed.
- The bucket may be hot after cycling; allow it to cool before handling.
- Avoid third-party carbon pellets—they reduce performance and void the warranty.
- If the bucket becomes stuck, start a new cycle for 20 seconds, turn off the unit, then remove the bucket.
Care Tips:
Cleaning:
- Unplug the unit before cleaning.
- Wipe the exterior, bucket compartment, and outer bucket with a damp, wrung-out cloth.
- Do not pour water or liquids over the unit.
- Do not manually clean inside the bucket—the blades are sharp, and the bucket self-cleans during operation.
- Avoid household cleaners.
- Do not place the bucket in the dishwasher.
Operating Conditions:
- Recommended room temperature: 20°C to 28°C.
- The unit shuts off automatically when the cycle is complete.