Reencle Essential Review: Same Scraps, Lower Price

Reencle’s Essential is a lower-priced version of its Prime electric composter, costing $150 less while keeping the same core process and capacity. The reviewer found it similarly convenient for dealing with food waste, though the manually operated lid is a notable downgrade: it must be opened with a button and closed by hand, and a beeping alert sounds if it is left open.

Unlike machines that mainly dry and grind scraps, Reencle uses heat-loving bacteria to break them down into biologically active material. The output still needs to cure for 30 days and be mixed with potting soil, at a recommended ratio of one part output to four parts soil. The Essential accepts meat, dairy, eggs, cooked food and small bones, with a recommended daily limit of 1.5 to 2.2 pounds; the reviewer reported no odour or mould when following the instructions.