Are you looking for a way to grow better plants without the need for chemical fertilizers and the like? Have you tried composting but just can’t seem to wait that long for it to finish? Yea, me too. So, what if you could still organically improve your soil for optimal growth without waiting months on end”¦how about within hours instead? Does that pique your interest some? Yep, me too.

This is actually quite possible with “foodilizer.” What the heck is that? I’m glad you asked because that was also my first question. Just like compost, foodilizer results from food waste, only it’s somewhat different. First, it’s all done inside! That’s right. All you need to make the magic happen is the FoodCyclerâ„¢ FC-30, an in-home composting unit that is not only easy to use and maintain, but it’s odorless, environmentally friendly and, in as little as 3-6 hours (on average), reduces your kitchen scraps by up to 90%. The final product is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that’s ideal for use in the garden. And, while it may not be compost, it can help your plants grow better and faster.

One thing I like about the FoodCyclerâ„¢, besides the foodilizer, is that it’s small enough to fit on the kitchen counter and light enough at just 20 pounds to be easily moved. I don’t have a lot of counter space so it’s not intrusive. The main thing that I noticed and loved when using the product was that it’s quiet. I was expecting a loud racket as it dried and grinded the food, but it didn’t. Unless you’re sitting right next to it, you’d barely even know it was on.

And this brings me to how it works, which is totally easy. You simply fill the removable bucket with all your leftover food scraps, cooked and uncooked (approximately 2-3 lbs). You can pretty much toss anything into the FoodCyclerâ„¢ that you would the compost pile, although with a few exceptions. For example, it can handle a few small bones, meat, and citrus rinds BUT steer clear of any large, hard bones or big peach pits and nuts/shells. Also, leave out sticky candy or gum and cooking oils or grease. It’s best to stick with regular table scraps, fruit rinds, eggshells, etc. You can even add things like cake and bread, but again, in small quantity. I added my used coffee grounds too. Keep in mind that whatever you put in the FoodCyclerâ„¢ you’ll want to make certain there’s a good mix, just as you would with composting, to prevent it from becoming too mucky or gooey.

Once the bucket is filled, place it inside the main unit, lock the lid, and begin processing. That’s it! No need for turning or mixing. No need for water. No chemicals, no venting, no draining. Just go about your normal routine and the FoodCyclerâ„¢ takes care of the rest – quietly and efficiently breaking down the food waste into small particles while it’s heated and sterilized. Depending on the type and amount of food scraps or moisture, the entire process can take as little as 3-6 hours. Mine took about 7 hours, likely due to the high moisture content of all the fruit that I tossed in there after cleaning the fridge – still no biggie. Waiting for compost is much longer.

The carbon filter filtration system eliminates odors, so there’s no worries about the house stinking up. Once processing is complete, the unit automatically shuts off. Then you can empty the contents, which can be used in the garden, your houseplants, or spread on your lawn. Don’t expect this to look like dark brown, crumbly, earthy smelling compost either. It’s different. In fact, the form of the foodilizer by-product appears differently depending on the type of food waste that’s processed.

• Fish or cooked vegetables may appear in a fine powder form.
• Uncooked fruits/veggies may take on a small cereal-like appearance.
• Starchy and cake-like items will have a thicker, chunkier texture.

My end product was somewhere in the middle”¦kind of looked like mulch but with a nice coffee-like aroma. The before and after was really cool!

It is recommended that you allow this foodilizer to cure for about a week prior to using it, which gives you time to make more. Then you simply mix it into the garden at a ratio of 1 part foodilizer to 10 parts soil. Since the dehydration phase of the cycle eliminates bacteria, your foodilizer won’t have the microbes that compost generates BUT the company does offer foodilizer tablets, which help regenerate the microbial quality in compost if that’s important to you. Otherwise, it’s perfectly fine and beneficial to use this nutrient-rich, quick-release fertilizer as is. Your plants will thank you in the end with lush, healthy growth!