The Best Grind-and-Dry Food Recycler
Most kitchen “computers” just grind and dry your food scraps, but the Lomi 3 does the best job of the bunch. I’m always impressed when companies listen to feedback and adapt, and the new Lomi model solves a few of the Lomi 2’s discontinued features and bugs. Gone are the multiple modes, the annoying twist-off lid, and the leftovers in the machine. Now there’s a convenient 3-liter countertop bucket, 7.5-inch tall, like the FoodCycler below; easy push-button lid; and two simple processing methods: Zoom and Reveal. The Lomi 3 is also smaller and supposedly quieter than the Lomi 2, but my decibel meter found the difference to be negligible. One feature I liked in Lomi 2 that is not in 3, however, is the Lomi mode, which can break down the list of approved bioplastics, including Lomi packaging. Lomi confirms that the new model cannot accept bioplastics.
Photo: Kat Merck
Like the Lomi 2, an app is there for basic management, but I’m happy not to use it—press a button and Lomi opens. When it is finished (the length of the cycle varies from 3 to 16 hours, depending on the amount and humidity of the content), it will play a small chime, and you can either put the processed grounds, very beautiful and look like Folger, in your pile of compost outside, dress up your grass with it, or add it to the soil in a ratio of 1:10 if you use milk meat (1:15). I also like that the Lomi 3 has a clear lid, so you can see exactly where it is in its cycle.
There is a lot to pay for which is a grinder and dryer, which is why I recommend the above Reencle, especially if you want to produce something near compost. However, if you’re simply looking to reduce the amount of waste in your trash, or you live in an area that is subject to a composting penalty, the Lomi 3 is a thoughtfully designed, easy-to-use solution that many people will appreciate. Note that my test unit initially came with a lid that twisted after a few months, allowing the smell to escape and attracting fruit flies. Lomi said the first batch of lids were made of faulty plastic and sent a new lid, but the new version is starting to warp again after a few months.
Another Great Grind-and-Dry Recycler
FoodCycler
Eco 3 Compact Kitchen Food Recycler
First, I appreciate that the FoodCycler doesn’t even pretend to compost. “The FoodCycler is a food waste recycling machine,” the company explained firmly before agreeing to send a test unit. “Our main goal is to provide a modern food disposal solution for users who may not have access to traditional compost or other disposal options that divert them from the landfill. Therefore, the resulting product cannot be called ‘compost.’ But if you’re going with a grinder/dryer, the Eco 3 makes a lot more whining/shaking noises while running than the Lomi 3, above, but it’s still a good choice.
Photo: Kat Merck
Launched in 2024, the Eco 3 is a smaller version of the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 (read our full review here), sporting a larger 3.5-liter capacity and, according to FoodCycler, better grinding ability. At 11 x 9 x 13 inches, it’s small enough to sit on a counter or tabletop, although the real help with this device is its accessory strap. Fill a nice, 8-inch-tall container with scraps (in my three-person household, this took about three days), and when it’s full, replace the lids, put it in the machine, and press the button.
A few hours later, you’ll have a handful of “Foodilizer,” a “homemade soil amendment” that looks like fine dirt. In fact, the output is one of the best parts of any of these devices. There’s no assembly with this machine (apart from filling the filter with carbon granules), no app, no creating an account, no pods or tablets or choosing different cycles—you don’t have to plug it in until you’re ready to use it.
