A: No. Dehydrators just bake and dry the food. Ecoblend units use a living microbial culture to biologically break down the waste. The machine creates the perfect environment (heat + airflow + mixing) for the microbes to digest the food, resulting in genuine compost, not just dried scraps.

A: The process is continuous, but typically food waste is broken down by 80-90% within 24 hours. You don't need to wait for a cycle to finish; you can add new scraps at any time as long as the unit is running.

A: No. The unit has an activated carbon filter to trap odours. Because the process is aerobic (uses air) and heated, it prevents the rotting "garbage smell" associated with standard bins. The output smells like dry earth or tea leaves.

A: The units are designed to run 24/7 but are energy efficient.

• Home Unit: Uses minimal power (comparable to a small appliance) to maintain the microbial environment.
• Commercial Units: Usage varies by size, but generally costs far less than commercial waste disposal fees.

A: A good rule of thumb: If you can eat it, the machine can process it.

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Meat, fish, and poultry (cooked or raw)
• Small bones (chicken, fish)
• Dairy products, bread, and grains
• Coffee grounds and eggshells

A: Do not put in:

• Large bones (beef, pork, lamb shanks)
• Oyster or clam shells (too hard)
• Cooking oils or large amounts of liquid
• Compostable bags or cutlery (they take too long to break down)
• Rubbish (plastic, metal, glass)

A: Small amounts of soft paper (like a napkin) are fine, but this is a food waste machine. Excess paper fills the tank without adding nutrition to the compost.

A: Yes. The microbes are the "engine" of the machine. When you first set up the unit, you add the microbial starter pack. You may need to top this up occasionally or if the culture dies (usually from power loss or adding prohibited items).

A: You don't empty it every day. The machine reduces the volume of waste by up to 90%.

• Home Use: Most households empty the unit once a week or fortnight.
• Commercial Use: Depends on volume, but generally extends the time between waste collections significantly.

A: The output is a dry, concentrated compost additive. It is very strong, so don't plant directly into it.

• Garden: Mix it into your soil (1 part compost to 10 parts soil).
• General Waste: If you don't have a garden, you can bin it. It’s dry, sterile, and light, so it won't smell or make a mess.

A: You may have added too much moisture or high-sugar fruits (like watermelon) at once. Add some dry "browns" like bread crusts or coffee grounds, or run the machine for a while without adding new waste to let it dry out.

A: It should be quiet (like a dishwasher or fridge). If you hear a loud grinding or clunking, a hard object (like a large bone or peach pit) might be stuck in the agitator. Turn it off and check the tank.