Reencle Gravity-Indoor Composter Review

Over the past few years, I have been using an indoor composter called the Reencle Prime. This was the second model created by a company out of Korea called Hanmi Flexible, but was the first model available for purchase internationally. This year, Reencle released an upgraded version called the Reencle Gravity. As I have had the Reencle Prime for the past 3 years, I have experience with the units and now have had a chance to use and compare the Gravity for the past 3 months and this is my review. If you would like to read my first impressions between the two, you can find that by clicking here.

Full disclosure: I was given the Reencle Gravity by the company in order to provide my impression of the machine. I was not asked to state anything specific, and I am providing nothing other than my true opinion of it. The Reencle Prime I had bought for myself, out of pocket, a few years ago.

Product Background

The Reencle indoor composters are different than the majority of indoor composters on the market. Instead of grinding and dehydrating, the Reencle uses a microbial bed to break down food waste. These microbes are self perpetuating and mimic normal outdoor processes for breaking down food into compost. The Reencle creates an ideal environment for these microbes to thrive through temperature, air control, and uses stirring rods to copy a hot composting outdoor system. When you empty the compost from the machine, you empty down to a minimum line, leaving some of the compost in the machine to keep the microbes going.

My impression on the features

I have owned the Reencle Prime for over 3 years, so I already had some baseline knowledge on how to use and setup the Reencle Gravity. There are a few options available on the Gravity that are not available on the Prime, and for the most part, I like the newer features.

The Microbes

The Gravity came with an upgraded version of the microbes (ReencleMicrobe™ 2.0) than what the Prime came with. It also came with a compost booster that was added when initiating the microbes. Essentially, the booster is nutrients to help the microbes get up and running quickly. When getting the Reencle started, it is good to remember that you are growing a culture from microbes that were "asleep", so you will have to slowly introduce foods and monitor how well the microbes are breaking things down initially. In other words, adding in a variety of foods and working up to larger amounts or more complex food types. Based upon my experiences with the Prime, I believe that the ReencleMicrobe™ 2.0 that came with the Gravity were quicker in getting established than the 1.0 version that came with the Prime. For example, the Gravity was able to breakdown a mass of more complex chicken chunks within 24 hours after one month of microbe establishment. 

One other thing I noticed, was that the newer microbes were a bit dustier than the older ones. I am thinking this is related to the change in the pellets that were added to the 2.0 compost, so I did have to water the 2.0 microbes of the Gravity quite a bit more than I remember doing so with the 1.0 microbes of the Prime, as well as cleaning off the internal filter a bit more often at the start, but it has since stabilized out in terms of moisture much like the 1.0 microbes.

The LED Panel and Buttons

The Gravity comes with an LED panel display that is not available on the prime. The display has a timer that counts upwards from when the Gravity was last opened, up to 24 hours. It also has a scale that appears when you open the lid to add in food waste. The buttons are the same as they are on the Prime, so power on/off, dry, purify, and open/lock. Originally, I was worried that the buttons would be overly sensitive on the Gravity like they are on the Prime, but I have found that they are not as sensitive. They are still rather easy to accidentally turn on, but slightly less so than the Prime. 

I really like the scale function, but you are not able to change it from Kg to Lbs. I put a sticker on my machine to remind me of how many Kg it can take per day (1.5 Kg). It has been extremely helpful for me to see how much weight of food waste I am adding at a time so I know I am not overloading the machine. The scale only shows you how much you are adding at the time you are doing it, so I truthfully wish that the scale could be zeroed and then add up how much weight is added through the day overall, but even so, I find the current scale very helpful. I mostly do not find use for the timer feature. I am not sure the point of having it, but perhaps it is helpful to others.

Capacity

 The capacity on the Gravity is larger than on the Prime-14 L to 22 L. I like that the Gravity machine is a decent bit bigger than the Prime. I had the Reencle Prime on a stand so I didn't have to bend over as much when hitting the buttons. I do not require a stand for the Gravity. The larger capacity and ability to process more food waste is great considering we are a larger family unit. 

Filter systems

The filter systems are set up the same between both units, but the Gravity has an added internal filter latch to keep the filter in place. The external carbon filter on the Gravity is also much larger. My husband prefers the Gravity, as he claims he cannot smell it at all when it is closed and felt that he could smell the Prime. I have had no issues with scents between the two, but some people tend to be more sensitive to smells.

Final Thoughts

My overall opinion on the Gravity is that I like it over the Prime because of the features. I like the larger size and the added scale. The 2.0 microbes seem to function better than the 1.0 in terms of time it takes to be able to handle more complex food waste and break them down quickly. Overall, they both create compost for my garden beds that I have used very successfully in feeding my plants. You still have to cure and mix the compost in other soil due to the nutrient density of the compost, but I have enjoyed using these products as they have really made it easy and convenient for me and my family. Overall, both machines are useful and depending on your needs, either can assist in your composting desires.