Vitamix Foodcycler FC-30 vs FC-50 Review: For Indoor, Home Use, This Vitamix FoodCycler Does Wonders To Your Food Waste Without Taking Up Too Much Space

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It’s hard to pick a food recycler when you don’t know exactly what models like the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30 vs FC-50 do. The FC-50 is an improved model from the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30. But both do the job of turning food waste into usable, fertilized material for plants.

It reduces food wastage, enhances efficiency, and you don’t need to have a huge outdoor space for composting. The Vitamix FoodCycler lets you do this inside your kitchen, right from where you would generally throw away food scraps in the garbage.

Between these two models, however, people who love composting love the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50. While the winner is also a matter of personal consideration because using both food recyclers will give you the same results. But for better accessibility, the FC-50 is more down-to-earth and favorable.

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30 vs FC-50: Comparision Chart

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Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30 vs FC-50: Differences

The Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 wins 2 – 1 against the FC-30. In many ways, it is considered more proactive with a higher processing time and long-lasting warranty. The FC-30, however, has a slightly larger capacity than the FC-50.  

1. Performance

The Winner: Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Performance
Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Performance

+Processing Time

The processing time of such appliances ranges between 2 to 8 hours. And the FC-50 is slightly more advanced in that it offers a processing time of 4 to 8 hours. While the processing time of the FC-30 is 3 to 8 hours.

The thing is that the FC-50 is an improved version of the FC-30. And the processing time is a part of that improvement. By taking 4 to 8 hours to process the food scraps, it completely eliminates the foul food odor and turns food to an odorless powder that you can then directly add to the plant soil.

It’s easy to maintain while also being quick and intuitive to operate on a regular basis. The FC-30 is fast-acting with a larger container capacity. It, too, turns food scraps into an odorless and dry, and organically fertilized powder for plant growth.

But I find that the FC-50 is more energy-efficient with improved features that offer more value (especially in the long run) than the FC-30.

2. Cleaning & Maintenance

The Winner: Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Maintenance
Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Maintenance

You must have already noticed that both FoodCycler-s feature the same weight (27 lbs) and the same dimensions, 11 x 14.2 x 12.6 inches.

However, what’s different is the container size between the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30 vs FC-50. The former offers more space – 0.5 liters to be exact – than the latter. So for the same weight and size, you get to add more food to turn to fertilizer in the FC-30 which enhances its usability and convenience.

Whether you plan on keeping it under the sink, inside a cabinet, having more room for peels and throw-aways is always a good thing. Especially when you have plenty of those by the end of a meal.

If you want to compost more food in the day, the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30 lets you do more without adding weight or bulk to your kitchen space.

3. Utilities

The Winner: Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Utilities
Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Utilities

+Warranty

Both models come with a convenient and cost-effective warranty card. But the FC-50 is even more so because it features 3 years of coverage that includes all the necessary and important parts of the appliance. This includes the filter, container, and the main housing of the FoodCycler.

In the FC-30, you will get 1 year of warranty but without filter protection. The carbon filter needs replacing once every 3 to 4 months depending on how often you use it. And the overall price of replacing filters can be quite expensive. So that’s a major letdown as far as the FC-30 is concerned.

For the FC-50, you can also purchase (although separately) dissolvable cleaning tablets that let you get rid of any unwanted bacteria or fungi from the container and lid inside the bucket. This ensures that the bucket stays clean and there’s nor residue food compound that gets left behind after emptying.

The ABS Plastic shell casting with Aluminum protects the interior of the bucket and lid. So the materials that make up the FC-50 are quite reliable and durable to begin with. You don’t face any trouble with maintaining the unit including the smaller parts such as the bucket lid or handle.

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30 vs FC-50: Similarities

1. Carbon Filters

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Carbon Filters
Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Carbon Filters

Both the Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30 and FC-50 feature scientifically formulated carbon filters, two to be exact, that do the composting in an efficient and odorless manner. On top of doing the basic which is ensuring that the food scraps get composted quickly and effectively, carbon filters eliminate harmful methane gases from that process. This is why you can use the Vitamix FoodCycler inside your home and not necessarily outdoors.

Keeping it under the sink won’t stink up your kitchen. It makes food recycling indoors more realistic, especially for people who don’t have a huge backyard. Or for people who live in colder cities for the most part of the year. Lack of sunlight can make composting, naturally, tricky.

So what do these carbon filters do?

They compost everything from vegetables to fruit scraps, recycled meat, dairy products, bones from meat including fish, and even pet food. Basically, most of the things you happen to throw away at the end of a meal can be put inside a food recycler bin.

2. Electric Consumption

Both machines require a steady power outlet that needs to be plugged in all the time. Imagine you’re using a microwave so we all have a separate outlet for a microwave that nobody ever connects anything else to.

According to research, the Vitamix uses less (if not more) electricity than a small-sized microwave. So it is energy-efficient and incredibly temperature-resilient.

3. Utilities

Both models include high-quality parts that ensure smooth and consistent performance. They are corded with 2-ft cord wrap, a removable bucket with a secure lid, and an extra carbon filter setup.

All these parts work optimally and do not take up too much space. The power button, secure fittings give every indication of superior craftsmanship so I don’t expect it to become run down for a very very long time. Even after running a coupe of cycles, the machine continues to run as if it’s the first. It does not emit any foul odors, does not vibrate, and despite the amount of food it can hold, it’s very easy to maintain.

You can also put the bucket in a dishwasher to avoid rinsing it in your kitchen sink. A few washing cycles in the dishwasher and the bucket will look and smell brand new!

Quick Rundown of Vitamix FoodCycler FC-30

Pros
  • Great solution for small households.
  • Adaptable and energy-efficient performance.
  • Fast-acting carbon filters that are easy to maintain.
  • High-quality and durable parts with portable lids.
Cons
  • The cord’s length is a bit short.
  • It does take some getting used to.

Quick Rundown of Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50

No products found.

Pros
  • Ideal choice for less kitchen space.
  • Easy to maintain and operate.
  • Best compost solution for beginners.
  • Cleaning the bucket and lid is no problem at all.
  • Odorless and dishwasher-friendly.
Cons
  • The cord is too small.
  • The carbon filters are expensive.

Product Videos

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References

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