How to Use the Reencle Electric Composter Correctly: A Complete User Guide

The Reencle electric composter works by maintaining a warm, aerated environment for a resident population of microorganisms that continuously break down food scraps. You add food waste throughout the day, the machine processes it over hours to days, and you periodically remove the output — a dark, soil-like pre-compost material. To get the best results, add a balanced variety of food scraps, avoid large bones and very hard shells, and allow the output to cure for 2 weeks before applying it to your garden.

How the Reencle Works: The Microbial Process

Unlike electric food dehydrators that simply dry food waste, the Reencle uses a fundamentally different approach: biological decomposition accelerated by a controlled environment.

Inside the Reencle, a resident microbial community — bacteria and fungi specifically selected for rapid, effective organic matter breakdown — lives in the base medium that comes pre-loaded in the unit. The machine maintains the conditions that these microorganisms need to work at peak efficiency:

• Temperature: The Reencle heats its internal environment to an optimal range for mesophilic composting (roughly 35–45°C / 95–113°F), accelerating microbial metabolism
• Aeration: Continuous or intermittent mixing ensures oxygen reaches the entire mass, supporting aerobic (oxygen-using) decomposition rather than anaerobic decomposition — the aerobic process is faster, more complete, and does not produce the foul odors associated with anaerobic breakdown
• Moisture regulation: The machine manages moisture levels to keep the microbial community active without creating waterlogged, anaerobic zones

The result is a continuous-input system: you add food scraps throughout the day as you generate them, and the resident microbes process them continuously. This is fundamentally different from batch composting systems (outdoor bins, tumblers) that require you to manage an entire pile.

The science behind this accelerated biological decomposition is consistent with what Cooperband (2002) describes as the key variables controlling composting rate: temperature, aeration, moisture, and carbon-to-nitrogen balance. The Reencle manages all four in an automated indoor environment.

What to Add

The Reencle is designed to accept a broad range of food scraps. In general, add anything that was once alive and would eventually decompose in nature:

Readily accepted:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps (peels, cores, ends, over-ripe produce)
• Cooked and uncooked meat and fish (including small bones like chicken bones and fish bones — the machine can handle these)
• Dairy products (cheese rinds, yogurt, butter, leftovers)
• Eggs and eggshells
• Bread, pasta, rice, grains
• Coffee grounds and paper filters
• Tea bags (remove staples; paper/fabric bags are fine)
• Cooked leftovers of any kind — including mixed dishes, sauces, and soups (in moderate amounts)
• Small amounts of paper napkins or unbleached paper towels

A note on carbon balance: Like any composting system, the Reencle benefits from a varied input that includes both nitrogen-rich scraps (vegetable peels, meat) and some carbon-rich material (bread, grains, coffee grounds, small amounts of torn paper). If you're adding mostly wet, nitrogen-rich scraps, the occasional addition of a small piece of dry bread or a handful of grounds helps maintain balance.

What to Avoid

Some materials are outside what the Reencle's microbial community and mechanical components can handle:

Do not add:

• Large, dense bones (beef marrow bones, large pork ribs, whole poultry carcasses) — these take far longer to break down than other scraps and can jam the machine's mixing mechanism. Small bones (chicken wings, fish bones) are fine.
• Very hard shells (lobster shells, crab shells, clam shells) — same issue; the microbial breakdown rate cannot match the density of these materials at indoor temperatures. Oyster and small shellfish shells are borderline; crush them first if you add them.
• Plastic, metal, rubber, or glass — these are not biodegradable and will damage the machine
• Pits and stones from large fruits (avocado pits, peach stones, mango seeds) — too dense and too slow to break down
• Very large volumes of liquid (large amounts of soup broth, liquid cooking oil in large quantity) — small amounts are fine, but excess liquid can overwhelm moisture balance. Drain excess before adding.
• Non-food organic materials (lawn clippings, paper in large quantities, cardboard) — the Reencle is designed for food scraps, not yard waste

Ideal Batch Size and Feeding Cadence

The Reencle is designed for continuous-input use, not batch processing. You add scraps whenever you have them — after breakfast, after cooking dinner — and the machine runs continuously.

Recommended daily input: For most households, adding up to 1–2 lbs of food scraps per day works well. The average American household generates approximately 0.9 lbs of food waste per person per day (EPA), so a family of 2–4 can typically run the Reencle continuously without overwhelming it.

Signs you are adding too much at once:

• The machine struggles to mix (sounds strained)
• Scraps are visible on top without being incorporated after several hours
• Moisture levels feel excessively wet

If you have a particularly large amount of scraps (post-holiday cooking, batch cooking), space additions across 24–48 hours rather than adding all at once.

Removing output: Every 1–2 weeks (depending on your household's input volume), remove a portion of the processed material from the bottom of the unit. Do not empty the unit completely — the resident microbial community lives in the base medium, and leaving 20–30% behind seeds the next cycle with active organisms.

Understanding the Output: Pre-Compost vs. Finished Compost

This distinction matters and is important to understand clearly.

What comes out of the Reencle is correctly described as pre-compost or "feedstock" — not fully finished compost. It is dark, granular, and has reduced significantly in volume from the original scraps. It smells earthy or faintly fermented. It is biologically active and breaking down rapidly, but the composting process has not completed.

Why the distinction matters: Applying immature compost directly to plant roots can damage them. Immature compost is still undergoing active decomposition, which consumes nitrogen (competing with plants) and can generate heat or off-gases in concentrated amounts.

How to finish the compost: After removing the pre-compost from the Reencle, place it in a sealed container, a small outdoor bin, or a corner of an outdoor compost pile and allow it to cure for 2–4 weeks. During this period:

• Biological activity continues but slows
• Remaining unstable compounds break down
• The material becomes stable, earthy-smelling, and ready for direct plant use
• Pathogen populations (if any were introduced) decline to safe levels

After curing, the material is functionally equivalent to finished compost and can be used exactly as you would use any quality compost.

How to Use the Output in Your Garden

Once fully cured (2–4 weeks after removal from the Reencle), use the output in any of these ways:

As a soil amendment: Work 1–3 inches of cured Reencle compost into the top 6 inches of garden bed soil before planting. This improves soil structure, feeds soil biology, and provides slow-release nutrients across the growing season.

As a top-dressing / mulch: Apply a 1–2 inch layer around the base of established plants (keeping 2 inches clear of stems). This feeds the root zone as it breaks down further and retains soil moisture.

In container mixes: Mix cured Reencle compost at 20–30% by volume into potting mix for containers. Do not use pure Reencle output in containers — dilute with potting mix or perlite.

As compost tea source: Fully cured Reencle output can be used as the source material for aerated compost tea (see our companion guide: How to Make Compost Tea).

For lawn care: Apply a thin layer (1/4 inch) of cured compost over lawn areas, rake in lightly, and water. This is called topdressing and improves soil biology under turf.

Maintenance: Filter Replacement and Cleaning

Keeping your Reencle in good working order requires minimal regular maintenance.

Carbon filter: The Reencle uses a carbon filter to neutralize odors before air is released from the unit. Replace this filter every 3–6 months, depending on use intensity. Signs the filter needs replacement: odor escaping from the unit, a decrease in effectiveness. Replacement filters are available directly from Reencle.

Interior cleaning:

• Do not use harsh chemical cleaners inside the unit — these can kill the microbial community that makes the machine work
• Wipe the interior with a damp cloth or mild, unscented soap if there are stuck-on residues
• Allow the interior to dry before closing to avoid excess moisture buildup

Exterior cleaning:

• Wipe down with a damp cloth as needed
• Avoid submerging or hosing down the unit; it contains electronic components

Mixing blade check:

• Periodically check that the mixing blade or paddles move freely and are not jammed by dense materials
• If the machine sounds strained or the blades stop, check for and remove any hard items that may have jammed the mechanism

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: The machine doesn't seem to be processing scraps (large pieces still visible after 24+ hours)

Possible causes and solutions:

• Too much material added at once — reduce daily input for 2–3 days
• Overly wet inputs — add a small amount of dry carbon material (stale bread, coffee grounds) to absorb excess moisture
• Microbial community is stressed — if you recently added something that could harm the microbes (very acidic materials in large amounts, cleaning chemicals), reduce inputs for a few days and let the colony recover
• Filter is clogged and restricting airflow — check and replace the carbon filter

Problem: Unusual smell (not earthy — more sour, putrid, or ammonia-like)

Possible causes and solutions:

• Anaerobic conditions developing — too wet, insufficient aeration, or too much nitrogen-rich input at once. Add dry carbon material, reduce wet inputs temporarily.
• Meat or dairy scraps in excess — balance with vegetable and grain scraps
• Filter needs replacement — odor escaping through filter indicates the filter is saturated

Problem: Machine is very loud or making grinding noises

Most likely a hard object (large bone, pit, shell, utensil accidentally added) has jammed the mixing mechanism. Turn off the unit, carefully open according to the manual, remove the foreign object, and restart.

Problem: Output is wet and clumpy rather than dry and granular

You may be adding too much liquid-heavy input (soup, broth, very wet produce). Allow the current contents to dry slightly by running the machine with no new input for 24 hours. Then resume with balanced, moderately wet inputs.

Practical Takeaways

• The Reencle is a continuous-input system — add scraps daily as you generate them, don't batch everything for once-a-week
• Avoid large bones, very hard shells, pits, and non-food materials
• The output is pre-compost, not finished compost — always cure for 2–4 weeks before applying to plant roots
• Replace the carbon filter every 3–6 months and clean gently without chemical products
• Leave 20–30% of material in the unit when removing output to preserve the microbial community

FAQ

Q: Can I add meat and dairy to the Reencle? A: Yes — this is one of the Reencle's significant advantages over traditional outdoor composting. Meat, fish, dairy, and cooked foods are all accepted. The sealed indoor environment eliminates the pest and odor concerns that make these materials problematic in open outdoor bins.

Q: How long before my Reencle output is ready to use in the garden? A: Remove material from the unit after 1–2 weeks of accumulation, then cure for an additional 2–4 weeks in a sealed container or outdoor pile. Total time from your plate to garden-ready compost is typically 3–6 weeks.

Q: My Reencle smells a little inside — is that normal? A: A faint earthy or fermented smell is normal and indicates active biological processing. Noticeable odor escaping the unit indicates either a saturated carbon filter (replace it) or imbalanced inputs (too wet, too much protein). Address both by reducing wet inputs and replacing the filter.

Q: How do I know when to remove material from the Reencle? A: When the unit is approximately 3/4 full, remove material from the bottom to make space. Do not wait until it is completely full, as this can stress the processing capacity. Aim to remove a scoop every 1–2 weeks.

Q: Can I put the Reencle output directly in my potted plants? A: Not without curing first. Fresh Reencle output is biologically active and can generate heat or tie up nitrogen in the soil, which can damage container plant roots. Cure for 2–4 weeks, then mix at no more than 20–30% by volume into your potting mix.

References

• Cooperband, L. (2002). The Art and Science of Composting. UW-Madison Extension. Retrieved from https://extension.illinois.edu/
• Cornell Composting. Active Composting Parameters. Retrieved from https://compost.css.cornell.edu/
• Doran, J.W., & Zeiss, M.R. (2000). Soil health and sustainability. Applied Soil Ecology, 15(1), 3–11.
• Ingham, E.R. (2009). The Compost Tea Brewing Manual (5th ed.). Soil Foodweb.
• Rodale Institute. Composting Basics. Retrieved from https://rodaleinstitute.org/
• U.S. EPA. Composting at Home. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
• U.S. EPA. Food Waste. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food
• USDA NRCS. Soil Organic Matter and Composting. Retrieved from https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Author bio: [Reencle Content Team — passionate about sustainable food systems, soil health, and making composting accessible for every household. Content reviewed by horticultural and environmental science advisors.]