February 8, 2025

Lomi Compost Review

Photo: Debbie Wolfe

As our culture grapples with complex issues like waste disposal, pollution, and sustainability, business-minded innovators continue to create solutions that work for consumers. Composting is a perfect example. This is an important solution to the problem of overflowing landfills, but the process of breaking down organic waste and turning it into a valuable soil amendment requires time and space. In addition, conventional composting cannot safely process certain materials such as meat scraps.

Lomi claims to eliminate the space, time, and ingredient barriers of home composting, resulting in less household waste and leaving users with a nutrient-rich material ideal for indoor gardening. or outside. I tried it for a month and got good results, but it’s not the right choice for everyone.

Lomi Countertop Composter: At a Glance

Lomi Compost Review

Photo: Debbie Wolfe

Rating: 8.5/10

PROS

  • Easily converts waste into compost
  • Fits on the countertop
  • Works with most organic materials
  • Easy to use plug-and-play

CONS

  • Requires a balanced mix of ingredients
  • Expensive (competitive with similar products)
  • Requires electricity

Get the Lomi Countertop Composter at:

What is a Lomi Countertop Composter?

Lomi is a countertop appliance that quickly converts organic household waste into compost. The machine is 16 inches by 13 inches by 12 inches, or about the same size—and noise—as a bread machine. It works with a wide range of materials, including fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, egg shells, paper towels, cardboard, and even meat scraps. and bioplastics.

Lomi accelerates the natural decomposition process by grinding, aerating, and heating the waste. Although they are not required for the system to function, Lomi Pods can be added to the mix to inoculate the material with beneficial microbes. They are recommended for breaking down hard compostables like bioplastics. Doing so will improve the efficiency of the machine’s operation and the quality of the resulting compost.

Choose from three operating modes for best results.

  • use Eco Express mode for the fastest breakdown of food scraps; it processes the material in just 3 to 5 hours.
  • When adding bioplastics, packaging materials, and other hard compostable materials, choose the 5- to 8-hour Lomi approved mode.
  • Grow mode for gardeners who want to retain the maximum amount of nutrients in compost. It runs at a lower temperature for 16 to 20 hours and should only be used on food scraps.

To use the Lomi Countertop Composter, simply fill a 2-liter container with scraps, add a Lomi Pod and dissolve it over the ingredients with 50 milliliters of water, close the lid, and use the interface of a button to select an operating. mode.

The activated charcoal filter eliminates odors while the machine grinds and processes the material. In less than 24 hours, Lomi can provide dry, compost-like soil that can be easily stored, applied to indoor or outdoor gardens, or placed in the green bin until pickup day.

Does the Lomi Countertop Composter really work?

In a word, yes. For a month, I have been using Lomi in every mode, and it works as advertised. During the month, I add any kind of food scraps or leftovers I can think of, including things I haven’t added to other compost systems. In limited quantities, leftover spaghetti, a hot dog, and baked potatoes have good results.

The final material is relatively dry, uniform in texture, and usually reduced to about 20 to 25 percent of its original volume. Some of the hard material, such as eggshells, can still be identified after processing, but the particles do not exceed 3 millimeters and are significantly damaged. As a point of comparison, I make compost in worm bins, tumblers, and piles. To me, Lomi compost is similar to 4- to 6-week-old compost from other systems.

After a few days, I fell into a rhythm of filling the Lomi Countertop Composter all day and running it overnight, which worked well. In Eco Express and Lomi Approved modes, the composter is ready for me to empty first thing in the morning, or after dinner if in Grow mode. A definite plus is that I did not notice any kind of smell while the machine was working. The noise level is not loud, but it is more noticeable at night when the rest of the house is quiet. Some sensitive sleepers may prefer to start the machine first thing in the morning.

Since I have a large yard and many house plants, it is easy to find a new place to sprinkle Lomi soil every day. I usually sprinkle it on grass or landscape beds. I have noticed that some of the materials processed in Eco Express mode without the Lomi Pod have a slight odor when they are wet.

Is the Lomi Countertop Composter easy to use?

Lomi is very easy to use. Simply fill the container, add a Lomi Pod and water, then close the lid and push the button. Daily operation is intuitive and fits into normal household routines. I’m used to saving food scraps and putting them in my compost bin every day, so switching to the Lomi system was pretty easy. Those who currently use a green bin for municipal composting will likely find it equally convenient.

Maintaining the system over time is not difficult either. Remove and wash the bucket regularly in the dishwasher and wipe the exterior with a damp cloth as needed. Replace the filters whenever the indicator light says it’s time to do so, which is every 3 to 6 months, depending on use. Activated charcoal from the spent filter can be added to your garden. Pela, the manufacturer of Lomi, offers a subscription service to keep you in stock with Lomi Pods and replacement filters. For an annual fee, you will receive supplies every month.

Lomi Compost Review

Photo: Debbie Wolfe

How long does it take to compost in the Lomi Countertop Composter?

Depending on the mode, materials, and how full it is, the Lomi Countertop Composter runs a complete cycle in 3 to 20 hours. Eco Express mode is great for breaking down basic food scraps quickly; it ends in a cycle of 5 hours or less.

The Lomi Approved mode is the best option for breaking down bioplastic, packing materials, and other hard fibrous content. This mode takes 5 to 8 hours to complete a cycle.

In Grow mode, the system continuously holds a lower maximum temperature for a longer time than other modes to preserve the maximum nutrients and biotic value of the finished compost. Grow mode requires up to 20 hours to complete a composting cycle.

Is the Lomi Countertop Composter worth it?

At just under $500, the Lomi is a great investment. For many buyers, this may be the most expensive kitchen appliance that isn’t a stove, refrigerator, or dishwasher. The ongoing cost of $11 per month for Lomi Pods and replacement filters, and the maximum yield of 2 cups of compost per day makes it impossible for anyone to break even by saving money on land changes. But this is a new technology that solves many problems faced by many apartment, condo, and townhome residents, so it can be a good buy for the right customers.

Is the Lomi Countertop Composter right for you?

Lomi was developed to address the many problems associated with composting food waste at home in an urban environment: time, space, mess, and odor. It produces high-quality compost quickly and eliminates the bulk, mess, and smell of stored green waste waiting for weekly pickup.

Chances are if you’re a suburban or rural gardener, Lomi doesn’t make sense as an addition to your kitchen. It processes a small amount, requires daily attention, and adds an appliance that harnesses the power of a natural process that, in fact, would work better without it. If you have the space and time for other composting systems, this one may not provide much added value.

Among others, Lomi would be a good choice

  • Apartment, condo, or townhome residents who need to store food waste for pickup
  • Homeowners with little or no outdoor space for composting
  • Gardeners with limited mobility want an easy way to make compost
  • Those who need an alternative to worm bins and bokashi composting

Where to Buy a Lomi Countertop Composter

Get the Lomi Countertop Composter at:

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