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I’ve long been interested in the idea of indoor composting. I’ve tried my hand at several DIY approaches to this, including vermicomposting and Bokashi composting but each of these comes with its own challenges and setbacks. What I really needed was a fast, efficient method for making use of kitchen waste. And I found it!
The Airthereal Electric Kitchen Composter is a remarkable piece of technology that turns ordinary kitchen waste into dried, organic matter that can instantly be added to flower beds and gardens. Best of all, it does this in a matter of hours compared to the weeks-long process of traditional composting.
It is rare that I test a product that really delivers on its promise. The truth is, I’ve become increasingly skeptical of product claims over the years. But every now and then, a product comes along that is truly exceptional and offers a practical daily use that is worthy of praise.
I put this product through 38 tests over a two-month period, mixing and matching various kitchen waste. The Airthereal Kitchen Composter passed every test with no issues.
Note: Airthereal sent me this product for review. As always, the findings and opinions expressed here are mine alone. The company had no input into this article.
Indoor Composting Meets Modern Technology
The Airthereal Kitchen Composter is a sleek appliance that will look right at home on your kitchen countertop. It has a removal bin which makes the removal of the finished compost a breeze.
No Seasonal Limitations
One of the challenges with traditional composting is managing the organic matter during the winter. While it is possible to compost in colder months in some areas, freezing temperatures can inhibit the natural decomposition process (source).
This Airthereal Kitchen Composter takes seasonality out of the equation. Rain or shine, hot or cold, as long as you have electricity, you can put this appliance to work.
Is It Really Compost? (And Does It Matter?)
From a strictly technical standpoint, the output of this appliance is not true compost. By this, I mean it has not gone through the natural decomposition process.
What the Airthereal Kitchen Composter is doing is drying, grinding, and then cooling the organic material. What comes out is the dried, ground-up remains of what was put in. So no, not compost in its truest sense.
That being said, it is the organic remains of what you put in. So, if you are using vegetable scraps, fruit peelings, and other leftovers that contain nutrients that would benefit your flowers or gardens, then you are getting the dried and ground version of those.
There is an argument to be made that the drying process could rob those vegetables of their nutrients. There are advocates for both sides of this debate.
Some scholars point out that in pulling the moisture from foods a notable portion of the nutrients are lost (source). Others have found that little, if any, nutrient depletion results from the dehydration process, particularly in regards to green leafy vegetables (source).
Those debates aside, it’s really a simple question of waste and usage. By returning the organic matter to the soil in your garden or flower bed instead of tossing it into a trash can, you are making use of it and allowing it to add to the ecosystem in your soil. That beats a landfill any day of the week.
What About Odor?
One of the primary concerns my wife had when we set up the kitchen composter was the potential for odors when it’s going through its process. So does the Airthereal Kitchen Composter give off an odor? After two months of daily testing the answer is “Yes, No, Maybe So”.
The carbon filter does an excellent job of limiting smells from the appliance. What it really comes down to though is this – you get from it what you put into it.
Vegetable peelings and leftovers from citrus, celery, cucumbers, and spinach, for example, have a mild “earthy” smell that is not offensive and often not even noticeable. Adding in coffee grounds, eggshells, and other items can result in a more noticeable odor.
In each case, the odor was temporary while the device was working. We noticed no lingering smell in the house. But it’s worth pointing out that the carbon filter does not completely eliminate odors.
Who Needs A Kitchen Composter?
More than anyone else, the first people I would recommend this to are those living in an apartment or other setting where managing a traditional compost pile is impractical.
Being able to toss plant-based scraps into the bin and, within a couple of hours, have something that can simply be added to the soil of your flower bed or garden is simply addictive.
As someone who has built and turned countless compost piles over the years, I can say without hesitation that the ease of use and simplicity of this product makes it an excellent option for anyone who wants to make use of otherwise discarded kitchen scraps.
Check out the Kitchen Composter on Airthereal’s website. You’ll find extensive information on the product, its uses, and features.
You can also purchase the product through Amazon.