Is it actually faulty, or is this normal?

Before you assume something's gone wrong, rule out the two most common reasons a Reencle looks like it's misbehaving when it isn't.

First: overloading. If yours has started smelling after a few weeks of otherwise normal use, a fault probably isn't the cause. The Prime's optimum daily input is 0.7 kg, with a maximum of 1 kg. Feed it more than that, even gradually, and you get the classic "something's wrong" smell from a machine that's simply overwhelmed, not broken.

Second: timing. Contents still look wet or unfinished right after a cycle? That's expected, not a fault. Reencle works in two stages: roughly 24 hours for food waste to break down, then around three weeks of curing before it's finished compost. A batch that looks wet an hour after the cycle ends just hasn't reached the curing stage yet. Give it the full three weeks before you judge it.

Worth checking the filter too, while you're at it. If it's due or close to due, replace it before assuming there's a deeper problem. The carbon filter needs replacing roughly once a year, at a cost of £35. If you're still in your first few weeks of ownership, it's also worth reading what to expect in your first month with your Reencle, since most early "is this broken" moments follow the same settling-in pattern.

Power and setup checks

Before you go digging into the unit itself, rule out the mains supply. Sounds basic. It's also the fastest check going, and the one people skip.

The Prime draws 130 W at maximum and 52 W on average. The Gravity Pro draws 95 W at maximum and 47 W on average. Both are low domestic loads that sit comfortably within a standard UK socket circuit, so if the unit won't power on, your own plug or socket is a far more likely culprit than the composter's wiring. For what that draw actually costs over a month, see our breakdown of electric composter running costs in the UK.

• 1 Is the socket itself live? Test it with another appliance you know works.
• 2 Has an RCD or circuit breaker tripped at your consumer unit?
• 3 Is there a blown fuse in your own plug or extension lead?
• 4 Is the 1.8 m power cord fully seated at both ends? We can't confirm what plug or fuse ships in your particular box, so check your own plug and socket rather than assuming anything about the unit itself.

Still nothing? Try a basic power cycle: unplug it, wait a minute, reconnect. Treat that as a first diagnostic step, not a guaranteed fix.

DIY fixes to try first

Ruled out overloading, curing time, and the mains? A few straightforward things are worth trying before you go anywhere near a return or a warranty claim.

• Check the filter: replace it if it needs it. Due roughly once a year, £35. An overdue filter is a common, easily fixed cause of lingering odour.
• Check moisture and input balance: keep daily input at or below the maximum: 1 kg for the Prime, 1.5 kg for the Gravity Pro. One oversized batch causes more trouble than the same amount of waste added gradually over the week. Not sure which model's limits apply to you? See Reencle Prime vs. Reencle Gravity Pro.
• Not responding at all? Try the power cycle from above.

When to stop troubleshooting and escalate

Tried the checks above, filter, load, power, and nothing's cleared up? That's your cue to stop troubleshooting and move to the return, warranty or support routes below. There's no benefit in repeating the same checks on a loop. If it's still not right after a fair go at the DIY fixes, take that as confirmation you're dealing with something beyond a settings or feeding issue, and work out which of the three formal routes applies to you.

Route 1: Reencle's 60-day free return

Still within 60 days of receiving your Reencle? This is almost always the simplest route, whether or not the unit's actually faulty. Reencle offers a 60-day free return window, and it applies regardless of the reason.

You don't need to prove a fault for this one. If something feels off and you're still inside the 60 days, it's usually your lowest-friction option.

Route 2: the 1-year manufacturer warranty

Past the 60-day return window but still within a year of purchase? Reencle's manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year.

This covers manufacturing faults, not damage caused by overloading or misuse, so it's worth ruling out the causes in the checks above first. Keep your receipt or order confirmation. You'll need proof of purchase date to make a claim.

Contact Reencle UK support

Tried the fixes above and it's still not right? Or not sure whether you're in return or warranty territory? Email Reencle UK support at info@reencle.co.uk and tell them what's happening.

None of this affects your statutory rights.

Putting it together: the decision tree

Here's the whole thing as a quick walk-through.

• Still troubleshooting? Go back to the DIY fixes above and work through filter, load, and power checks properly before moving on.
• Under 60 days? Not fixed, and you're under 60 days from receiving it? Use the free return.
• 60 days to 1 year? Not fixed, and you're between 60 days and 1 year from purchase? Use the manufacturer warranty.
• Still not sure? Email Reencle UK support at info@reencle.co.uk.

Why a soggy batch slows everything down

Adrian Thorne, RHS Horticultural Advisor, explains in the RHS guide "Four steps to perfect compost" that "soggy compost gets cold, and this slows the microorganisms right down."

His advice is written for garden heaps rather than electric composters, but the idea carries over: composting is done by microbes, and they work best in a mix that's damp rather than waterlogged.

That's why the checks earlier in this post start with how much goes in each day. A batch that's too big or too wet is the most common reason a Reencle seems to be struggling, and cutting back the daily amount is usually the fix.

Why does my Reencle smell after a few weeks?

Some odour during active breakdown is normal, but a smell that builds up over weeks usually means the unit's been overloaded. The Prime's optimum daily input is 0.7 kg, with a 1 kg maximum. Feeding it beyond that regularly is the most common cause. Cut back the daily amount and check the filter isn't overdue.

Is it normal for Reencle to still look wet after the cycle?

Yes. Reencle works in two stages: around 24 hours for the waste to break down, then roughly three weeks of curing before it's finished compost. A batch that looks wet or unfinished straight after a cycle simply hasn't reached the curing stage yet, not a sign of a fault.

How long is the Reencle warranty in the UK?

The Reencle manufacturer warranty is 1 year from the date of purchase, covering defects in materials and workmanship. Keep your receipt or order confirmation as proof of purchase, since you'll need it to make a claim within that window.

Can I return my Reencle if it's just not what I expected, not faulty?

Yes. Reencle offers a 60-day free return window that applies regardless of whether the unit is faulty. If you're still within 60 days of receiving it, this is usually the simplest route, whether the issue is a fault or simply that it isn't what you expected.

Who do I contact if my Reencle still isn't working?

Email Reencle UK support at info@reencle.co.uk. Try the DIY checks in this post first, as an overloaded or still-curing batch is the most common reason a Reencle seems faulty.

The bottom line

Most Reencle issues that feel like a fault are really about how it's being fed, and getting the daily input right is the easiest way to keep it running smoothly.

And the scraps? The overloading diagnosis above comes down to one thing: what and how much goes in on a given day, and that's a feeding habit, not a fault. Vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells and small leftover portions added steadily through the week, rather than one large batch dumped in after a big cook-up, are exactly what a Reencle set to its 0.7 kg optimum daily input is built to handle. Overloading it with a fridge clear-out or a week's worth of trimmings in one go is the single most common thing owners mistake for a fault. Keep the daily amount modest and consistent, and most of the "is this broken" moments above never happen in the first place.