Lomi is one of the simplest home appliances on the market–with just the push of a button your food scraps are turned into soil. No confusing settings, heavy lifting, or installation. That being said, there are tips and tricks for those that want to go above and beyond.
In the article, we’ll cover all the do’s and don’ts of using your Lomi, from what should go inside to how often you should run it. All these tips will ensure you get the best results, know how to use Lomi dirt properly, and give your Lomi a long and happy life.
Feel free to skip ahead to your burning question:
- 7 things you should DO for optimal Lomi composting
- 6 Lomi DON’TS to avoid problems
- Lomi compost problems & troubleshooting
Let’s dive into all the best practices of using your Lomi!
7 things you should DO for optimal Lomi composting
If used properly, Lomi and Lomi end product are incredibly valuable. Let’s look into all the best ways to use this amazing composter.
#1. DO add a diverse mix of food waste to each Lomi cycle
Lomi thrives when a variety of food waste is added to each cycle. This means mixing many kinds of fresh fruit and vegetable scraps, grains, and other items like eggshells and coffee grounds.
By adding in foods of different textures and nutritional complexes, you ensure that your Lomi dirt will come out the perfect texture. Also, a diverse mix of food waste means a variety of nutrients for your plants. Bananas add potassium, eggshells provide calcium, and seeds come filled with magnesium – all nutrients that are ideal for plant growth.
#2. DO cut up larger food waste items and Lomi Approved compostables
While it might be tempting to test Lomi’s limits with an entire cob of corn, it’s probably not worth the risk. Lomi is equipped with a powerful grinder, but to prevent damage and give the process a head-start, cut up large food items before adding them to Lomi.
Items such as pineapple cores and crowns, corn cobs, broccoli stems, and large chunks of spoiled food should be cut up. Always break apart Lomi Approved plastics and packaging before adding them to Lomi. That includes items such as compostable forks, plates, packaging, and more.
#3. DO try out every Lomi mode
Lomi comes with three modes–Eco-Express, Grow, and Lomi Approved. Each mode has specific functions to optimize the end product. For the most energy-efficient mode and shortest cycle, try Eco-Express. If you’re looking to use Lomi dirt in your plants, throw it on Grow mode. And if any Lomi Approved plastics or packaging are in the batch, select–you guessed it–Lomi Approved mode.
Make sure to give every mode a spin to unlock the full powers of your Lomi.
#4. DO add Lomi dirt to your garden
Ever wonder what the most environmentally friendly use of Lomi dirt is? By mixing Lomi dirt into the soil for your garden, you deliver food waste nutrients right back to the earth. Plus, you prevent the food from producing methane in the landfill, a greenhouse gas with 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide!
Simply mix Lomi dirt into your gardening soil in a 1:10 ratio, and watch as your food scraps become more than garbage.
#5. DO mix your Lomi dirt properly into soil
To get the best results from Lomi dirt for your plants, the end product should be mixed with other soil in a 1:10 ratio. Lomi accelerates the composting process, and pairs well with other fertilizers and soils, but should not be used alone or in higher than 10% concentration for best plant health.
For the most optimal results, let Lomi dirt sit and mingle with the other soil for 3 weeks before adding it to your plants or garden. This process is called “curing” the dirt.
#6. DO read and follow the instruction manual
Have you ever started following a recipe, only to realize you messed up because you were too lazy to read all the instructions before starting? We all have. Don’t make the same mistake with your Lomi. While it might seem boring, take the time to read the instruction manual when you first open the box.
Don’t worry, Lomi manuals aren’t like those of one unnamed furniture store–our’s has words and it’s easy to understand. Using Lomi is as simple as clicking a button, but the nuances are important to make sure you get the best quality dirt, avoid odors, and give your Lomi a long and happy life.
#7. DO use a LomiPod
Microbes are the king of composting–they eat organic matter, turning it into valuable material used for growing plants. That’s why LomiPods are so important. LomiPods are a revolutionary blend of microbes that function as compost accelerators. They are carefully tailored to enhance soil quality for your plants.
To use LomiPods, simply add one on top of your batch, pour 50ml (about 3 tablespoons) overtop, and run your Lomi! When the cycle is complete, you will have microbe-rich dirt which is perfect for your plants.
6 Lomi DON'TS to avoid problems
As with any appliance, incorrect use will lead to problems and damage. Let’s look at some things not to do.
#1. DON’T put items in Lomi that shouldn’t be added
Lomi is a tough cookie, but it doesn’t like all materials. Lomi is designed to create a valuable natural fertilizer and it’s not meant to replace your garbage bin. Be careful to never add liquids, oils, very hard foods, and non-organic materials to Lomi.
This includes materials such as plastic, metal, and styrofoam. When it comes to food items, oils and butter should not be added to Lomi, and neither should hard pits (ex. avocado, mango) or popcorn kernels. Pay close attention to our specific list of foods that should never go in Lomi.
#2. DON’T add only one type of food
Here’s a little-known secret: fertilizer cannot be made out of just lasagna. Or just watermelon. Or just bread. In order to create a nutrient-rich dirt and ensure that Lomi runs properly, each batch should contain a variety of food waste.
If you have a large amount of one type of food scraps, save it for the next batch and add a mixture of other foods before running. Not only will this help Lomi to break down the food efficiently, but will also create a diverse nutrient profile in your end product.
#3. DON’T incorrectly use Lomi dirt
Creating dirt out of food scraps in just a few hours seems pretty magical. Unfortunately, there’s no cheating mother nature when it comes to soil amendments. That’s why we always recommend mixing Lomi dirt into other soil before adding it to plants, and sticking to a 1:10 ratio of Lomi dirt to soil.
It is not ideal to add Lomi dirt on top of soil and simply let it rest, with the exception of sprinkling it on your lawn. It’s also not recommended to replace soil entirely with Lomi dirt. Use your homemade natural fertilizer as it’s intended, and you’ll see amazing results for your plants.
#4. DON’T let scraps sit inside Lomi for too long
Lomi is amazing at eliminating odors. With an advanced and refillable carbon filter, Lomi should never smell. However, issues may arise if you let food ripen inside the machine.
Rotting or molding food scraps never smell good, and even if the carbon filter can handle it, you may waft up some unwanted smells when you open the lid. For this reason, we don’t suggest letting food sit inside Lomi for more than two days.
#5. DON’T add too much cooked or sugary food waste
What do Lomi and healthy diet advice have in common? Everything in moderation. Lomi can handle your cooked food leftovers, cake scraps, and cookies if added in limited quantities. However, problems start to arise with Lomi dirt quality if too much cooked or sugary food is added.
When adding cooked food to Lomi, make sure to combine it with fresh fruits and vegetable scraps. Two liters of chili won’t make the best natural fertilizer, but chili mixed with fruit and vegetable scraps can make amazing plant food!
6. DON’T forget to share your Lomi creations!
Turning food scraps into fertilizer is pretty cool. As a matter of fact, we think it’s very cool. That’s why we love to share your before and after pictures on Instagram. Take a picture of your food scraps, then your Lomi dirt, and tag us on Instagram @getlomi for a reshare.
Instagram isn’t the only way to share your creations. Gift your friends dirt for their gardens, send videos to your family, or even use Lomi dirt for your kid’s show and tell. However you choose to share the Lomi love, it’s sure to start an interesting conversation.
Lomi compost problems & troubleshooting
Improper usage of Lomi might lead to problems. We've listed some problems you might experience and how to deal with them. So, let’s take a look at troubleshooting based on common causes.
Lomi is a revolutionary kitchen appliance that can handle almost anything you throw at or in it. The end product that Lomi produces is great for your plants, and easy to use. These simple do’s and don’ts will make sure you get the result you want from your Lomi every single time.
Even more great news? Our customer service team is online 24/7 and always here to help. If you ever have questions or concerns about your Lomi, shoot us a message! But if you follow this guide, you should be set for life.
Written by: Cassia Attard