Are you on a mission to find the best compost grinder? In this article, I will guide you through the process of choosing the best compost grinder for your kitchen (or outdoors), what to look for when choosing a compost grinder, and lastly, I will give you my top picks for the best compost grinders aka compost shredders on the market.
First things first, let’s talk about what a compost grinder actually is and why you need one.
What Is A Compost Grinder?
If you’re reading this article, you might already be familiar with compost grinders. But for those who don’t know, a compost grinder, or as some say, compost shredder, is a tool that helps you break down organic matter into smaller pieces. This is helpful because it speeds up the composting process and allows you to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden quicker than if you were to just let nature take its course.
A compost grinder literally grinds up your organic waste so that it decomposes faster. It’s done by cutting, crushing, and shredding the organic matter into smaller pieces. This exposes more surface area to oxygen which helps the composting process along.
Not only does this process speed up decomposition, but it also reduces the volume of your organic waste. So, if you’re someone who generates a lot of organic waste or doesn’t have a lot of space, a food grinder for compost can help you save space in your compost bin.
How to choose a compost grinder
There are many different types of compost grinders on the market, from small kitchen compost grinder models to large compost grinder machines. The type of grinder you need will depend on the amount of compost you want to create, as well as the size and type of organic matter you’ll be breaking down.
For example, if you’re only composting kitchen scraps, a small kitchen compost shredder will likely suffice. But if you’re looking to grind up larger yard waste, such as branches and leaves, you’ll need a larger, more powerful grinder.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a compost grinder:
- The size of the organic matter you’ll be breaking down
- How much compost you want to create
- The type of organic matter you’ll be breaking down
- Your budget
These will be the factors I will take into consideration for my top picks for the best compost grinders. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
7 Best Compost Grinders In 2023
Here’s the overview of the list:
- Best Kitchen Compost Grinder: Vitamix 068051 FoodCycler FC-50
- Fastest Grinder To Turn Kitchen Waste Into Compost: Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter
- The Most Sustainable Kitchen Compost: BeyondGREEN Home Backyard Composter
- The Most Affordable Kitchen Compost: All Seasons Indoor Composter Duo
- Best For The Leaves: WORX WG430 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher
- Best For Branches: Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper
- Best Outdoor Compost Alternative: VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter
Vitamix 068051 FoodCycler FC-50: Best Kitchen Compost Grinder
This is the ultimate kitchen composting machine for your kitchen. The Vitamix 068051 FoodCycler FC-50 takes all the food waste from your kitchen and reduces it down to compost in just 4-8 hours. Yes, you read it right – what normally would take weeks or months can be done in just a few hours with the FC-50.
The FoodCycler FC-50 kitchen waste shredder has a 3-stage process that first grinds up the food waste, then breaks it down further, and finally composts it. This all happens in a sealed chamber so there’s no smell or mess. And when the cycle is done, you’re left with nutrient-rich compost that’s ready to use in your garden.
If you’re serious about composting, the Vitamix 068051 FoodCycler FC-50 is the way to go. It’s a bit of an investment but it’s worth it for the convenience and speed it offers.
Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter: Fastest Kitchen Grinder To Turn Kitchen Waste Into Compost
Another great kitchen composting option is the Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter. It’s a bit different from Vitamix in that it doesn’t just grind up the food waste. Instead, it uses the so-called LomiPods – special enzyme-filled pods – to break down the food waste.
Additionally, charcoal filters help with odor control. This however means that you will have to replace the filters and pods every once in a while. The price is reasonable, though, it ends up being around 1$ per cycle.
Based on reviews on Amazon, Lomi mart Waste Kitchen Composter manages to really transform your dinner leftovers into ready-to-use compost in as less as 4 hours, which is pretty amazing. If you are looking for a machine that will help you with your composting and doesn’t require too much work, Lomi compost grinder is definitely the way to go.
BeyondGREEN Home Backyard Composter: The Most Sustainable Kitchen Compost Solution
The beyondGREEN Home Backyard Composter doesn’t really work as a compost grinder. Meaning, it doesn’t grind your kitchen waste into compost. Instead, it uses a unique two-chambered system that composts waste in the upper chamber, while curing the compost in the lower chamber.
This process is actually very similar to what happens in your compost pile – the difference is that it’s accelerated and happens in a sealed chamber so there’s no smell. You can expect to get the finished compost in as little as 5 days.
This composter is made with sustainability in mind – it’s made from recycled materials and it’s completely BPA-free. The beyondGREEN Home Backyard Composter is a great choice if you’re looking for an eco-friendly and efficient composting solution.
All Seasons Indoor Composter Duo: The Most Affordable Kitchen Compost Option
Want a more simple composting solution? Then check out the All Seasons Indoor Composter Duo.
It’s a 5-gallon compost bin that can be used indoors or outdoors. It comes with their compost starter Bokashi mix which helps to speed up the composting process. The Bokashi mix is full of beneficial microbes that help to break down waste and you should sprinkle a layer of it on top of your kitchen waste after putting it in the bin. Once the bin is full you can expect your first compost “harvest” in around 2 weeks.
The All Seasons Indoor Composter Duo is a great choice if you’re looking for an easy and low-maintenance composting solution. It’s affordable, releases minimal odor, and is quite big while still fitting under a kitchen sink.
The main con I see is that for the best results you need to chop the kitchen waste into small pieces before putting it in the bin. That can be a bit of an inconvenience but that’s why it’s much cheaper than the fancy kitchen compost grinders.
WORX WG430 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher: Best For The Leaves
When the leaves start falling, the WORX WG430 is the perfect tool to help with all your leaf-related needs. This electric leaf mulcher has a powerful 13-amp motor that can mulch up to 53 gallons of leaves per minute.
The WORX WG430 chipper shredder for composting is equipped with a powerful shredding system that can reduce leaves down to a 1:11 ratio. This means that 11 bags of leaves will fit into just 1 bag when they’re mulched. You can leave the remaining leaves for your compost pile or use them as mulch for your garden beds.
While it might look like an intimidating tool, the WORX WG430 is actually very easy to use. You can easily move it around wherever you need it thanks to its two wheels and built-in handle. And when you’re done, simply fold it up for easy storage.
Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper: Best for branches
Another heavy-duty tool for your garden is the Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper. This compost mulcher is great for breaking down branches and twigs into smaller pieces.
The GS70015 has a 15-amp motor that can chip branches up to 1.7 inches in diameter. It also has a large hopper so you can easily load it up with branches. The chipper also comes with a collection bag so you can use the freshly chipped mulch in your garden right away. While you could technically use the mulch for compost, it might be a bit of a waste – mulch is great for garden beds.
The GS70015 is easy to move around thanks to its two wheels so you can easily get it where you need it…or as far as the extension cord will reach. Yes, it does run on electricity so you’ll need to have an outlet nearby. But, if you have a large yard, an extension cord is a small price to pay for the power and convenience this chipper offers.
VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter: Best Outdoor Compost Alternative
Maybe instead of a compost grinder, you could do with a tumbling composter? If that’s the case, then the VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter is a great option. It’s a 43-gallon bin that you can use to compost your kitchen and yard waste. The bin has two chambers so you can continuously add new waste while the other chamber is curing.
If you have space in your garden and are looking for an alternative to just piling up your compost, then the VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter is a great choice. It’s well-made and is one of the Amazon best-sellers in the category.
Best Compost Grinders: In Conclusion
So there you have it – a few great options for compost grinders and their alternatives. If you’re looking for an actual kitchen compost grinder, Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter or Vitamix 068051 FoodCycler FC-50 will be your top choices.
However, if you’re looking for a simple and low-maintenance solution, then the All Seasons Indoor Composter Duo will be a great choice. And finally, if you have space in your garden and are looking for an alternative to just piling up your compost, then the VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter is a great option.