Vitamix FoodCycler FC50 Manual

Symbols

	Warning and Caution		Lock
	Unlock		NEVER touch moving parts. DO NOT reach your hand inside of bucket when bucket is inserted in the FoodCycler. Remove the bucket from the FoodCycler if adjustment of bucket contents is necessary.
	On/Off		Remove the plug from the power outlet if the appliance is to be left unattended, not in use, before attempting to move the appliance, before cleaning, disassembling, assembling and when storing the appliance. Always unplug the FoodCycler before opening the lid.
	Read and understand owner's manual.		DO NOT touch any hot surfaces. Use the handles or knobs provided for safe handling. Allow the FoodCycler components to cool completely before opening the lid (approximately 35 minutes after the cycle has completed).
	Pinch point		DO NOT immerse the base unit in any liquid, including water.
	Electrical Shock Hazard - see Important Safeguards

Important Safeguards

To avoid the risk of serious injury when using your Vitamix FoodCycler and accessories, basic safety precautions must be followed, including the following.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS, SAFEGUARDS, AND WARNINGS BEFORE OPERATION.

1. Carefully read all instruction materials accompanying this product.
2. To avoid electrical shocks; keep cords, plugs and portable electrical appliances away from water and other liquids.
3. DO NOT immerse the base unit in any liquid, including water.
4. Keep the appliance and power cords out of reach of children.
5. Not intended for use by or near children or persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge. Close supervision is necessary when the FoodCycler is used by or near children or incapacitated persons. Children should be supervised to make sure that they DO NOT play with the FoodCycler.
6. To avoid inadvertent activation, unplug from the outlet when not in use, before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning. Always unplug the FoodCycler before opening the lid.
7. GFI circuit breakers might be installed in your kitchen. Look for them in outlets near sinks. If the FoodCycler won't operate, unplug the unit. Reset the wall outlet or circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker continues to trip, unplug the FoodCycler from the outlet. Allow the FoodCycler to sit for 24 hours before attempting to use it again. Contact Vitamix Customer Services if the problem persists.
8. The FoodCycler must only be plugged into properly grounded outlets.
9. DO NOT let the electrical cord hang from counter or table edge.
10. Allow the FoodCycler to cool before opening the lid (approximately 35 minutes after cycle has completed). Allow the FoodCycler's interior components to cool completely before handling. Use the handles or knobs provided for safe handling.
11. DO NOT open the lid during a cycle.
12. DO NOT put your hands inside the FoodCycler unless it has completely finished cycling and has gone through all the cycle modes.
13. NEVER touch moving parts. DO NOT reach your hand inside of bucket when bucket is inserted in the FoodCycler. Remove the bucket from the FoodCycler if adjustment of bucket contents is necessary.
14. DO NOT operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug. If the power cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.
15. Do NOT operate any appliance showing signs of malfunction, or any product that has been dropped or damaged in any way.
16. 
    The use of attachments not recommended or sold by the manufacturer may cause fire, electric shock, or injury.
17. DO NOT operate the machine outdoors if the FoodCycler is at all exposed to the elements.
18. DO NOT place the FoodCycler on or near a hot gas or electric burner.
19. DO NOT place the FoodCycler inside a heated oven.
20. Keep the FoodCycler out of direct sunlight.
21. DO NOT dismantle, reconfigure, alter or adapt the FoodCycler in any way.
22. Keep the FoodCycler at least 6" from all walls and surfaces to ensure proper ventilation of any steam emissions.
23. Make sure that the FoodCycler is sitting on a flat, dry surface.
24. DO NOT add food waste directly into the machine without the bucket installed in the FoodCycler.
25. DO NOT consume or ingest dehydrated food waste or any food waste that has been placed into the bucket.
26. DO NOT incorporate any recycled food compound byproduct from your FoodCycler that contains animal protein (e.g., chicken bones, fish bones, etc.) into your soil.
27. The bucket has a thin, indented fill line located on the inside wall of the bucket. DO NOT add food waste above this line.
28. DO NOT pack down food waste to keep it beneath the fill-line once full. Overloading the bucket might cause a jam.
29. Always ensure that no food waste falls outside of the bucket and into the unit. You should remove the bucket from the unit prior to adding food waste to the bucket.
30. DO NOT place items that are larger than the size of a human palm inside the bucket. Larger items should be cut down to smaller sizes so that they can be more easily processed without placing undue stress on the system.
31. DO NOT cycle large bones (such as pork or beef bones), pits, candy, gum, nuts or hard shells: these materials may cause serious damage to the bucket, and/or cause a motor overload.
32. DO NOT add oil, flammable materials or compounds, or water to the FoodCycler.
33. Do not leave foreign objects, such as spoons, forks, knives or other utensils in the bucket as this will damage the unit components when starting the Food Cycler and may cause injury.
34. Allow the bucket to cool before handling it, The cooling cycle lasts approximately 35 minutes.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAFE USE
This product is intended for HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY and is not intended to be used for commercial purposes.
Any repair, servicing or replacement of parts must be performed by Vitamix or a Vitamix-authorised service representative.
NOTICE: THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS AND IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAFE USE IS A MISUSE OF YOUR VITAMIX FOODCYCLER THAT CAN VOID YOUR WARRANTY AND CREATE THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.

Electrical Shock Hazard.
DO NOT immerse the base unit in any liquid, including water.
ONLY use an earthed outlet.
DO NOT remove the earth.
DO NOT use an adapter.
DO NOT use an extension cable.
Always unplug before removing the lid, cleaning or when not in use.
Failure to follow instructions can cause death or electric shock.

THE INSTRUCTIONS APPEARING IN THIS USE AND CARE MANUAL CANNOT COVER EVERY POSSIBLE CONDITION AND SITUATION THAT MAY OCCUR. COMMON SENSE AND CAUTION MUST BE PRACTICED WHEN OPERATING AND MAINTAINING ANY APPLIANCE.

Parts and Features

Unbox and inspect all parts prior to use. If you find any damage, contact Vitamix Customer Service for instructions. Refer to Setup for next steps.

1. Power cord (plug not shown)
2. Main body
3. On/Off button
4. Cycle indicator lights
5. Bucket
6. Processing lid
7. Collection lid
8. Carbon filters
9. Filter caps
10. Back panel
11. Foodilizer tablets (sold separately)

1. Power cord (plug not shown) - It is suggested that you unplug the FoodCycler before leaving your home for an extended period of time.
2. Main body - DO NOT immerse the base unit in any liquid, including water.
3. On/Off Button -

• When the unit is plugged in the On/Off button will flash on and off once indicating that the FoodCycler has entered STANDBY mode. In STANDBY mode, no LED lights will be illuminated.
• To enter PROCESSING mode, press the On/Off button once. The Drying LED will illuminate, indicating that the Drying cycle has begun. The On/Off symbol will illuminate when the unit is in PROCESSING mode.
• Removing the lid or pressing the On/Off button during PROCESSING mode is NOT RECOMMENDED.
• 
  TO AVOID INJURY - DO NOT TOUCH surfaces inside the FC-50 if the process is interrupted. Surfaces (including the bucket and bucket handle), will get hot and could burn.
• If the lid is opened during PROCESSING mode, the existing cycle will be paused and the On/Off button will flash. Once the lid is closed and locked, the cycle will resume.
• To put the unit into STANDBY, cancel a PROCESSING mode, or to reset the unit, press and hold the On/Off button for 3 seconds.
• PROCESSING has ended when all operating modes have completed and no indicators light are illuminated.

4. Indicator lights (Drying, Grinding, Cooling and Change Filter)
5. Bucket - removable. The bucket is designed to fully grind and process your food waste.
   Note: If the bucket coating fades or chips, this is not a defect. This cosmetic damage is a result of a hard material scraping along the bucket coating during a cycle, but it will not affect the function of the unit.
6. Processing lid - (used during cycling)

• Unplug the unit before opening the lid. If opening the lid after cycling, allow the bucket to cool before handling.
• To open the lid - grip the lid handle and rotate counterclockwise until the arrow on the lid is aligned with the unlock symbol. Lift up on the lid to remove.
• Closing the lid - close the lid by inserting it into the top of the unit, over the bucket. Turn the lid handle clockwise until the arrow on the lid aligns with the lock symbol on the unit.

7. Collection lid - (used when the bucket is not in an active cycle.)

• This lid allows the bucket to be kept on a countertop while collecting food scraps without off-putting smell.
• The unit will not operate with the collection lid.
• The collection lid filter is removable for cleaning or replacement.

8. Carbon filters - the filters wick away any and all odors during processing.

• 
  Remove filter stickers - Check to see if your unit has stickers on the filters. They must be removed before using the machine. To remove the filter stickers, remove the back panel from the unit and peel the stickers from the top of the two carbon filters. Dispose of the stickers and replace the back panel.

9. Filter caps - small funnels sit on top of your carbon filters, ensuring that the air and steam flow is properly directed toward the unit vents. (set of two)

• The filter caps are placed inside the unit in transportation. Remove the filter caps from inside the unit prior to running a cycle.
• To install - remove the plastic wrap from the Filter Caps and secure them over the top of each filter inside the unit. Place the circle-shaped openings on top of the filters, ensuring that the half-moon-shaped opening faces out toward the back of the unit.

10. Back panel - To remove, face the back of your unit. Grip the plastic tab (with the arrow) at the top of the back panel. Pull down gently on the tab to release the back panel from the unit.
11. Foodilizer tablets - (sold separately) dissolvable soil probiotic that adds beneficial bacteria into soil mixed with recycled food compound from the FC-50.

Indicator Lights and On/Off

There is a sticker overlay for the control panel in French-Canadian for use by our Canadian customers.

Note: when a cycle is active, the light next to the cycle description will illuminate.

1. The change filter light will illuminate when it is time to change your filters. You must manually reset the Change Filter light after you have installed new filters.
2. The cooling cycle is the last mode in unit's cycle. The cooling mode lasts approximately 35 minutes.
3. The grinding cycle is the longest cycle mode and can last anywhere between 150 minutes. Once this cycle is done, the unit will switch automatically to cooling.
4. The drying cycle can last anywhere between 70 minutes. The unit will automatically switch to the grinding cycle after the drying cycle has completed.
5. On/Off

Setup

1. Remove the back panel.
   • Grip the plastic tab (with the arrow) at the top of the back panel. Pull down gently on the tab to release the back panel from the unit.
     
2. Remove the white stickers from the top of each carbon filter.
3. Open the lid.
   • Grip the lid handle and rotate counterclockwise until the arrow on the lid is lined up with the unlock symbol ( ).
     Lift up on the lid to remove.
     
4. Remove the filter caps from inside the bucket.
5. Remove the sticker on the vent on the inside of the bucket compartment.
   
6. Install a filter cap onto each filter.
   • Remove the plastic wrap from the filter cap and discard. Secure each cap. To do so, place the circle-shaped opening on the top of the filter, ensuring the half-moon shaped opening faces towards the back panel (when it is installed).
     
7. Replace the back panel.
   • Place the back panel so that the two bottom tabs fit into the grooves lining the bottom of the unit's back cavity. Push the back panel into the unit's back cavity until the panel's tab fits into place in the unit's back cavity. If the sides of the panel do not sit flush against the unit's back cavity press against the non-flush panel sections with your thumb or fingers until it snaps flush to the unit.
     
8. Remove the bucket.
   • Remove and discard the max fill sticker from the inside wall of the bucket.
   • Grip the metal handle and pull straight up. The bucket should slide out easily.
     
9. Add food waste to the bucket.
   • DO NOT add food waste directly into the machine without the bucket installed in the FoodCycler. The bucket doesn't have to be installed in the unit to fill with food waste.
     
   • You can add food waste to the bucket throughout the day, until the bucket is full. Do NOT fill the bucket above the max fill line.
     
   • To ensure optimal food waste breakdown, mix food waste together, with heavier foods interspersed with lighter, dryer foods.
   • Avoid high concentrations of the following foods (the dense, starchy and/or moisture-rich composition of these foods make them difficult to process in large quantities.):
     • starches (bread, cake, rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, stuffing)
     • citrus fruit rinds
     • condiments, dressings, sauces & soups
     • nut butters
     • jam, jellies, marmalades
     • high sugar fruits (grapes, cherries, melon, oranges, bananas, etc)
   • DO NOT cycle large bones (such as pork or beef bones), pits, candy, gum, nuts or hard shells: these materials may cause serious damage to the bucket, and/or cause a motor overload.
   • DO NOT add oil, flammable materials or compounds, or water to the FoodCycler.
   • When the bucket is not in use and you are adding food waste, use the collection lid to reduce the amount of offputting smells.

Running a Cycle

TO AVOID DAMAGE AND INJURY

• DO NOT leave unprocessed food waste in the FoodCycler for long periods of time. The carbon filters only wick away odors during processing, and leaving decomposing organic matter in the enclosed FoodCycler will generate odors and might attract fruit flies or other pests.
• Be careful not to drop the FoodCycler, or the bucket. This may affect the FoodCycler's performance by dislodging or damaging internal components.
• Always ensure that no food waste falls outside of the bucket and into the unit. This may cause damage to the motor and other internal components. You should remove the bucket from the unit prior to adding food waste to the bucket.
• DO NOT pack down food waste to keep it beneath the fill-line once full. Overloading the bucket might cause a jam.
• DO NOT place items that are larger than the size of a human palm inside the bucket. Larger items should be cut down to smaller sizes so that they can be more easily processed without placing undue stress on the system.
• All guidelines in the instruction "Add food waste to the Bucket" also apply.

Note: Use these instructions to load the bucket into the unit and start a cycle after collecting the food waste.

1. Open the plastic lid.
   
   • Grip the lid handle and rotate counterclockwise until the arrow on the lid is lined up with the unlock symbol ( ). Lift up on the lid to remove.
     
2. Insert the bucket by aligning the arrow shape on the rim of the bucket with the arrow stamped along the interior of the unit cavity. This will interlock the unit.
   

Note: If the bucket does not easily drop into the unit, try turning the bucket's bottom bolt slightly and then insert the bucket again.

3. Close the lid.
   • To place the lid back in the unit, align the arrow on the lid with the "Unlock Symbol" until the lid fits back into the FoodCycler. Turn the lid handle clockwise until the arrow on the lid aligned with the "Lock Symbol" ( ).
     
4. To start the cycle, press On/Off ( ).
   
   • The unit's cycle will run anywhere between 3-8 hours, depending on what is being cycled, and the volume of the contents.
   • DO NOT open the lid during a cycle.
5. When complete, the unit will auto shut off and enter Standby mode.
   • The unit will beep once the cycle is complete.
   • The unit will remain in Standby for up to 30 minutes.
   • To turn the unit off manually, press the On/Off button for 3 seconds. This will shut the unit down completely while it is still plugged into an outlet.
   • DO NOT put your hands inside the FoodCycler unless it has completely finished cycling and has gone through all cycle modes and you have unplugged the unit.

What to do with Recycled Food Compound

• DO NOT consume or ingest recycled food compound or any food waste that has been placed into the bucket.
• Using recycled food compound (RFC) as soil fertilizer:
  DO NOT incorporate any RFC by-product that contains animal protein (e.g., chicken bones, fish bones, etc.) into your soil.
  In most cases, and depending on your existing soil makeup, using the RFC as a soil amendment will incorporate all necessary nutrients to promote plant growth. Delaying planting by 1-4 weeks after the application of RFC to soil allows for the breakdown of the RFC, which makes more nutrients available for uptake by growing plants. Always be mindful of the sodium content of food waste being incorporated into the RFC that will serve as a soil amendment. Food with too high of concentration of sodium (like animal protein) could have a detrimental effect on the growth of plants and Vitamix recommends that you DO NOT incorporate any RFC into your soil that contains animal protein Vitamix recommends that you add RFC to your soil in a ratio of 11 parts soil to 1 part RFC by volume (11:1).
• If you choose not to use your food waste as a fertilizer, follow your local codes to dispose in your trash collection.

Cleaning

Electrical Shock Hazard.
DO NOT immerse the base unit in any liquid, including water.
ONLY use an earthed outlet.
DO NOT remove the earth.
DO NOT use an adapter.
DO NOT use an extension cable.
Always unplug before removing the lid, cleaning or when not in use.
Failure to follow instructions can cause death or electric shock.

Both the exterior of the unit and the removable bucket should be cleaned regularly.
Note: With particularly stubborn grime, you can add a small amount of dish soap to your damp dish cloth before thoroughly wringing out most of the moisture.

1. Soak a dish cloth and wring out the dish cloth until damp (not dripping wet).
2. Wipe down the outside of the main body.
3. Remove any remaining moisture with a clean, dry towel or cloth.
4. Remove the bucket.
5. Remove all blockages and loose particles from the bucket.
6. Place the bucket into the lower rack of the dishwasher.
7. If using the hot cycle in the dishwasher, allow your bucket to cool before handling it, or placing it back in your FoodCycler.

Note: You can also hand wash your bucket. Use warm water, a small amount of dish soap and a dish cloth. Scrub around and beneath the grinding arms as much as possible to clean all surfaces. Periodically clean the inside of the unit with the bucket removed.

1. Turn off and unplug the unit.
2. Use a damp dish cloth that is not dripping to wipe down the interior surfaces.
3. Allow the inside surfaces to completely dry before using.

Cleaning the Collection Lid:

• The collection lid is dishwasher-safe.
• You must remove the carbon filter liner prior to placing in the dishwasher or immersing in water.
• To handwash the lid, use a wrung-out dishcloth or paper towel to wipe away any food waste residue that has adhered to the outer plastic part of the lid, or the inner silver grill.
• Do not attempt to wash the filter. Replacements are sold separately at Vitamix.com.

Troubleshooting

Note: If the FoodCycler bucket coating fades or chips this is not a defect. This cosmetic damage is a result of a hard material scraping along the bucket coating during a cycle, but it will not affect the function of the unit.

If your unit is signalling a machine issue, DO NOT continue using your unit. Contact Vitamix Customer service for instructions.

To see the complete line of Vitamix, visit vitamix.com

Vita-Mix Corporation
8615 Usher Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44138 U.S.A.
1-800-848-2649

Documents / Resources

References

• High Performance Blenders - Blending Machines | Vitamix

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