Breville FoodCycler is a kitchen appliance that’ll earn its keep

Food scraps, including meat, are dried to a crisp, ground up, and reduced to what Breville calls “eco chips”.

Breville FoodCycler

Another big plastic box for the kitchen? Well, maybe, but it doesn’t produce food; it recycles it. And it doesn’t have to live in the kitchen.

How does it work? Food scraps, including meat, are dried to a crisp, ground within an inch of their life, and reduced to what Breville calls “eco chips” but the rest of us would call a fibrous powder you can throw in the garden, feed the worms with or chuck into the compost.

So it’s an electric gadget for people who feel bad about throwing out organic food matter but can’t be bothered composting? Exactly. Great for flats and townhouses. And let’s face it, composting is a filthy business.

Does it smell? No, surprisingly. It has a couple of sophisticated filters in the back that work a treat.

A keeper or one for the back of the pantry? I feel guilty chucking a soggy lettuce. It’s a keeper.

$599.95, breville.com.au