Frequently Asked Questions

About the FC50

Is the FC50 a composter? Not in the traditional sense. Rather than breaking waste down slowly with microbes, the FC50 dries and grinds food scraps into a dry material we call PlantMix, reducing their volume considerably within hours. PlantMix is a useful base for the garden, though it is not finished compost on its own — more on that below.

What can I put in it? Most everyday kitchen scraps: fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, cooked leftovers, bread and grains. It also handles meat, fish and poultry bones.

Do I need to add microbes or enzymes? No. The FC50 works through drying and grinding alone, so there are no microbes, enzymes or additives to buy.

How much can it hold? The bucket has a 3L capacity, which suits everyday household food waste.

Running a cycle

How long does a cycle take? A typical load takes around five hours. Wetter waste holds more moisture, so those cycles can run longer.

Does it stop on its own? Yes. The FC50 adjusts its drying time to the moisture in the waste and stops once the cycle is complete.

Mine has been running for ten to twelve hours — is something wrong? Most likely not. Wet food waste extends the drying cycle, and because the FC50 dries the contents fully, longer cycles can be normal. If the contents already look and feel dry, you can stop the cycle manually after several hours.

Can I run it overnight? Yes. The FC50 is designed for unattended operation, and many households run a cycle overnight.

Odour and noise

Does it smell while running? It is built to keep odours in check. An activated carbon filter absorbs odours through the cycle, which makes it well suited to everyday indoor use.

Is it noisy? It is designed for quiet, low-vibration operation, and is noticeably quieter than many common kitchen appliances.

PlantMix

What is PlantMix? PlantMix is the dry, ground material the FC50 produces at the end of a cycle. It is not fully matured compost yet — it continues to break down — so it works best when left to mature a little further and then mixed into soil. Our guide on using PlantMix covers this in detail.

Is PlantMix safe for pets? PlantMix is intended for gardening and soil use. It is not designed or recommended as food for animals.

Filter and cleaning

How often should I replace the carbon filter? Under normal household use, the 1kg activated carbon filter lasts around six months. A replacement filter is approximately AUD $30.

Can I wash the bucket? Yes. The bucket lifts out fully and is straightforward to clean after use.

The coating inside my bucket looks worn — do I need a new one? No. Light wear marks inside the bucket are normal, appearing where the grinding action presses the material. This is cosmetic only and does not affect how the unit performs.

Is bucket coating wear covered under warranty? Cosmetic marks and normal wear inside the bucket are part of regular use rather than a manufacturing fault, so they are not treated as a defect. If anything about your unit concerns you, contact us and we will help.

Power, voltage and connectivity

What are the running costs? The FC50 does not draw its full 570W continuously — it cycles the heating on and off — so actual consumption is modest, at roughly 0.8–1.2 kWh per cycle. For most Australian households that works out to around AUD $0.25–$0.40 per cycle, depending on your electricity rate.

Does it restart after a power outage? No. For safety, it does not resume on its own after a power interruption — simply start a new cycle once power returns.

Can I control it from an app? No. The FC50 has no Wi-Fi or app connectivity. It is made to be simple and reliable, operated through the touch panel on the front.

What voltage does it use, and can I use it overseas? The FC50 runs on AC 220–240V (570W), which matches mains power across Australia and New Zealand, so no transformer is needed here. In other regions, check your local voltage first: 220–240V countries are compatible, while 110–120V countries would require a suitable step-up transformer.