General Guide

How does a kitchen composter work?

Composting is the process of breaking down food waste material that would normally be thrown in the garbage and turning it into fertilizer for gardening. Traditional composting occurs as food and other natural materials break down, usually over a period of several months to a year.

Kitchen composters differ from traditional composters in that they have sealed environments and filters that suppress odors from the compost production process. Additionally, instead of breaking down naturally over a long period of time, the Revive kitchen composter uses heat and cutting blades to dry out food waste and grind them into powder.

The end result is turning your large volume of wet, smelly food waste into a smaller volume of dry, odorless powder that is great for fertilizing your plants. It’s like putting the natural decomposition process on turbo mode!

What does a kitchen composter produce? It is really composting?

Your Revive kitchen composter will produce a fine, dry, brown, odorless powder after running a complete 4-hour cycle. This dry powder will be very similar to compost, with the main difference being that the heating and drying process kills off most of the bacteria that are present in traditional compost. This powder can be used to top-dress plants as a fertilizer, but to get “traditional compost” you will want to add a liquid compost starter or add it to a large outdoor compost pile.

What Are SHARKSDEN™ Tri-Blades?

SHARKSDEN™ tri-blade is the trademark name for a type of blade used in various applications such as electric food processors, rotary cutting machines, power tools, grinding machines, feed grinding machines, knife grinding machines, and power saw blades.
Constructed from durable cast aluminum material, the SHARKSDEN blades will last for years to come and are very resistant to corrosion, snapping, or chipping.
Based on the name, you might have guessed that the SHARKSDEN Tri-Blade has three cutting blades, which enhances cutting efficiency and performance compared to blades in a cross or star type of pattern. The two butterfly-cutting blades maximize the contact area with the food and also take care of the top of the food pile. The blades are called SHARKSDEN because they are able to rip and tear through food waste just like a set of shark’s teeth in the ocean!

Product Highlights

• Three cast-aluminum-material SHAKSDEDN blades increase the cutting contact area to shred tough, fibrous foods
• Gear motor provides higher torque to easily crush large volumes of food waste
• A butterfly-shaped blade design with a higher height increases the cutting contact surface between the blade and the bin material, making it easier to shred food waste, especially fibrous materials
• See for yourself! Look at the comparison against two other competitor brands below

Overall, the SHARKSDEN Tri-Blade is a specialized blade designed for efficient and precise cutting to break food waste down evenly. The food scraps are dried and turned into a fertilizer that you can use to increase the amount of organic material in your garden leading to healthier soil and more vibrant plant growth.

How can I use the end product in my garden?

You can use the finished product directly in your garden by placing it on top of the soil near your plants and gently raking it in. The end product will not be quite as potent as traditional compost from a compost pile. However, it is far better than adding chemical fertilizers and will still add organic materials to your soil.

Why Mold and Pests Occur?

• Excess Moisture: If the compost is too wet, it can create a perfect environment for mold growth. High moisture levels can also attract pests.
• Imbalance of Materials: A compost that is too rich in "greens" (nitrogen-rich materials) without enough "browns" (carbon-rich materials) can lead to odors and mold. This imbalance can also attract unwanted insects.
• Inadequate Aeration: If the compost isn't stirred regularly, it can become compacted, reducing airflow. This lack of aeration encourages anaerobic conditions, which can lead to mold.
• Using Incomplete Compost: If the compost hasn’t fully broken down, it may contain undecomposed materials, which can attract pests.

How to Handle Mold and Pests?

• Assess Moisture Levels: Check the moisture content of your compost. If it feels soggy, allow it to dry out by spreading it out in a thin layer on a surface for a few hours. Ensure that the compost is moist but not wet when you use it.
• Improve Material Balance: If you notice that your compost is too green, add more brown materials like shredded leaves, cardboard, or dried grass to create a better balance. This will help reduce odors and mold.
• Increase Aeration: Stir your compost regularly to ensure proper aeration. If you’ve already mixed it into your plants, gently mix the top layer of soil to allow air to reach the compost.
• Remove Moldy or Infected Compost: If the mold is extensive or if there are many pests, consider removing the affected compost from your plants. You can compost it again in a separate bin to allow it to break down properly.
• Monitor Your Plants: Keep an eye on your plants after addressing these issues. If pests persist, consider using organic pest control methods or neem oil to manage the situation.

What will my power bill look like after using this product?

The Revive kitchen composter uses less than 1 kWh of electricity per running cycle, which uses far less carbon than the food waste would otherwise produce in a landfill by releasing methane– not to mention the decreased frequency of replacing your trash bag. Let's go into more detail!

For example, let’s say your electric cost is $0.13 per 1 KW of power used. Revive’s power usage is rated at 1.6 KWh per cycle. That is $0.21 per cycle.

Assuming you run the Revive for 10 cycles per month that would be about $2.10 per month in electricity costs, or *$25 per year.

*Estimated energy cost based on a national average electricity cost of 13 cents per KWh and a full 10-cup bin processed 10 times monthly. This stat is only for reference. Your actual costs may differ based on your utility cost, how full the bin is, and how frequently you run the kitchen composter.

How To Use Your Kitchen Composter

What can I add to it?

You can add the following things to your Revive kitchen composter:

The following things should be added only in small quantities:

What should I not add?

A few more things to know

• Don’t put in pig or beef bones, as it is highly likely to cause the machine to clog and cause damage. Cooked chicken or fish bones only.
• Don’t put only high-sugar or starch foods such as apples or potatoes in the composter because the sugar and starch will become harder after the water dries up, forming hard lumps that can cause blockages. (Mixing vegetables and other foods with high-starch foods can solve this problem.)
• The bucket of the composter is a reinforced non-stick pan. To protect its non-stick effect, it is not recommended to put in hard foods such as shells and large bones, especially shells which can easily damage the non-stick layer.
• The machine can handle all plant-based foods, meat, fruits (those with high sugar content need to be mixed with other foods), and poultry bones. It cannot handle pork bones, beef bones, plastics, or metals.

Additional Use Tips

• Before putting the food in, drain off any obvious moisture to improve the machine's working time and energy.
• The machine's nameplate indicates 500W, but its average power during the entire working process is around 150W (the machine has intelligence sensing and can adjust power in real-time). The power consumption for a regular food cycle is about 0.5 kWh.
• Regarding the "cannot handle" foods, it means that there is a probability of abnormal occurrences during processing, such as:
  
  • machine blockage and alarm (requires manual intervention);
  • damage to the non-stick layer of the feeding bucket, affecting its non-stick effect.

Can I add dog poop or any other animal waste?

Absolutely not. You should dispose of pet waste in the garbage, by burning it, or whatever other method your local municipality requires or recommends.

How full can I fill the bin?

There is no minimum amount, but there is a max fill line on the bucket indicating the maximum capacity. A smaller amount of waste in a cycle will finish faster than a full bucket. Overfilling the bin will lead to a much longer run time and an inconsistent and incomplete finished product.

Can I add more waste while the composter is running?

No, you cannot add food waste when the food composter is running. Just save those scraps for the next cycle in a few hours.

How long does it take for a cycle to run?

One cycle of the kitchen composter will take approximately 2-7 hours depending on how full the bin is and how long it takes to dry out the food waste and scraps. The composter will automatically power off once the cycle is complete. Do not open the composter during this time.

Can you store the scraps in the bin for long periods of time before using them?

We don’t recommend storing scraps in the kitchen composter or its container for long periods of time as it will affect the filter and may lead to mold growth.

If you want to store scraps for future use, you can put them in the fridge (for a few days) or in the freezer and let them thaw out at room temperature before processing. If putting the food waste scraps in the freezer you may have to drain off some of the liquid after thawing before you put it into the food composter.

Maintaining Your Kitchen Composter

How do I clean it?

Unplug the machine, open the lid, then place the blades and food bin directly into your dishwasher or wash with hot, soapy water. The main body of the unit can be wiped off with a soft cloth.

The Revive kitchen composter should be cleaned regularly when you start to notice any buildup on the moving parts or bin.

How often should I replace the filter?

The filter should be replaced every 90 days or whenever you start to notice odors coming from the composter.

Will the composter remind me when it's time to change the filter?

No, it is a standard charcoal filter so there are no sensors that will force or remind you to replace the filter after a certain time. You will know when it’s time to replace the charcoal filter when you start to notice an odor from the food composter.

Have a question that’s not listed here?

If you don’t see an answer to your question or if you need technical support with your food composter, please call us at 1-725-333-0437 or email us at support@airthereal.com.