Lomi vs Kalea - Home Composters Compared

 

Home composting is becoming more and more popular among the eco-conscious, but the biggest drawback for all of us getting in on the composting action is that it take a lot of time - up to two years to create usable compost the traditional way.

It can also be very time consuming getting the right amount of air through your composts and the perfect balance of organic waste versus 'brown' items. This amount of focus and work to create compost at home has convinced many people they can't do it.

However, technology innovation is seeing new smart composters that promise those of us with less time or space the chance to join the eco movement.

That's right, even those of us without garden space for a homemade compost container can have access to fresh, homemade compost thanks to these kitchen composters.

So, choosing a smart composter shouldn’t be overwhelming, and we’re here to help.

Today, we’re going to compare the Lomi and Kalea composter.

Which Is Better For The Environment?

Both the Lomi kitchen composter and Kalea appeal to people who care about the environment. Unused food is one of the biggest types of organic waste we produce in our homes.

Meaning, most of the time this waste ends up in landfill. But with a smart composter you can use your organic waste to make your very own nutrient rich compost.

The biggest difference between Lomi and Kalea when it comes to those trying to live in a more sustainable way, is that Lomi has an energy conserving mode. So you can reduce the amount of electricity to consume with the Lomi 'Grow Mode'.

Both the Kalea kitchen composter and the Lomi have attributes that will appeal to those of us looking for a convenient way to become more eco-friendly at home.

How Do They Work?

Both Kalea and Lomi use a combination of heat, abrasion and oxygen to speed up the composting process.

When you fill these home composters with your kitchen waste they compress the matter while staying in control of the heat and humidity lvels your waste needs to be exposed to for it to become usable garden compost.

These smart kitchen composters also contain a unit that continually turns your waste over.

Oxygen is one of the most vital components of creating compost and this continual turning ensures there is enough oxygen circulating through your waste.

Who Should Buy Lomi?

• Plant parents will prefer Lomi’s eco cycle because it produces nutrient-rich soil-like compost that can be applied directly to plants.

 

• The time short may find Lomi to be a great home composter. Thanks to its 'Express Mode' you can have nutrient rich compost made from your organic waste in just four hours.

 

• Families with children might prefer Lomi because it’s very accessible and kid-friendly, simplifying the composting process with the push of a single button. It also introduces the joy of eco-friendly habits into their life.

 

• People who use bioplastics. Lomi is unique among smart composters with its bioplastic mode. Many manufacturers of plastic flatware have switched to using biodegradable materials, but these do need to be broken down in a composter after use. With Lomi you can include these bioplastics to create amazing fresh compost.

 

• Apartment dwellers will prefer Lomi because of its small physical footprint. It fits easily on your countertop and doesn’t take up much space.

 

• Our energy conscious friends will also adore the Lomi thanks to its energy conserving 'Grow Mode'.

 

Who Should Buy Kalea?

• Families who produce a lot of organic waste. Kalea is a larger kitchen composter and has a big reservoir for waste. Additionally, you can add waste to Kalea while the cycle is going. Helping you to clean up your kitchen mess as you go along.

 

• People who don’t need to break down bioplastics. Like many other home composters, Kalea can only handle food waste, so if you use bioplastics, it won’t be able to turn them into fresh compost.

 

• Gardeners who grow fruits and vegetables may prefer Kalea because the concentrated compost is so strong that it should be mixed at a 10:1 ratio with plain soil, which is great for larger-scale planting.

Comparison

Ready for a side-by-side comparison?

Let’s take a look at some of the key similarities and then the key differences.

Key Similarities 

• Lomi and Kalea are both a kitchen composter designed to decompose food scraps and turn it into rich, nutritious plant fertilizer that is safe enough to use on indoor plants, and the fruits and vegetables you plan to eat.

 

• Both Lomi and Kalea can process food scraps such as meat, dairy, nutshells, small bones, and even cooked food which can’t be used in traditional composting.

 

• Both are very quiet appliances, no louder than your dishwasher. Meaning, they won't disturb you as you enjoy your day.

 

• Both are an odorless unit, featuring activated charcoal filters to keep your home free of food waste odors.

 

Key Differences 

• Kalea’s cycle is much longer than Lomi’s, at about 48 hours compared to Lomi’s 20 (or 3-4 hours for express mode). This longer cycle also means its energy usage is likely to be higher.

 

• Lomi has more cycle options than Kalea.

 

• Kalea can only process food scraps, while Lomi has a bioplastics mode that can break down many different types of approved bioplastic items, such as flatware and cups.

 

• Kalea is larger than Lomi. It is about the size of a trash can, while Lomi is meant to sit on your countertop.

Pros & Cons

Savvy consumers know to weigh out the pros and cons of any appliance before purchasing. Lomi and Kalea both have a lot of good points, but there are some aspects of each you may prefer.

What Can Be Composted?

• Both Kalea and Lomi can compost produce scraps, meat and other animal products, dairy products, eggs and shells, nutshells, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and even small bones.

 

• Lomi can compost every food item that Kalea can, as well as Lomi-approved bioplastics like compostable cutlery, packaging, Pela phone cases, and coffee cups.

 

What It’s Like to Live with Lomi vs. Kalea

• Lomi will fit seamlessly into your daily routine and your kitchen! It’s small enough to fit on top of your dishwasher or next to your sink and is a beautiful statement piece of equipment.

 

• Kalea is about the size of a trash can and will have to be stored on the floor of your kitchen.

 

• Lomi has three modes. The longest mode, eco-mode, takes about 20 hours to create compost. Bioplastic mode is variable, and the much shorter, express mode takes only 3-4 hours.

 

• Kalea only has two modes: a standard cycle that runs for about 48 hours and a “short program” that dries your waste for easier disposal (but doesn’t turn it into compost).

 

• All Lomi modes produce compost.

Price Comparison

What can you expect to pay when you buy one of these countertop compost systems?

Both the Lomi and Kalea are kitchen composters with impressive durability. However, their price points are massively different with the Lomi being far more budget friendly.

Lomi

Kalea

$49.00 down payment + $450.00

$1,055 (€899– Kalea is produced and priced in Europe)

Lomi vs. Kalea Best Qualities

• Lomi has three modes that allow incredible versatility for a home composter and can process approved bioplastics. Three simple steps is all it takes to create convenient compost perfect for peat free soil and nature.

 

• Lomi is a unique Canadian-based project, whereas Kalea (the name Kalea comes from the Hawaiian word for 'filled with joy') is a project founded in Germany.

 

• Kalea has a reservoir large enough for 3-4 days of food scraps and always produces high-quality compost. If you have a lot of produce waste every day, Kalea could be the solution to your waste problem.

 

Company Policies

Lomi is the latest in a line of innovative eco-friendly products created by Pela. Pela provides carbon-neutral, sustainable options to help protect the planet.

Pela is thrilled to be Climate Neutral Certified and committed to the hope to remove 1 billion pounds of plastic from the waste stream by 2028. 

Peal created the Lomi to help people like you who respect our environment and want to be part of its preservation, to reduce your waste.

The magic of Lomi is that it is for everyone.

Customer Service

Any questions about Lomi? We’d love to hear from you. Contact Pela’s in-house customer service team online at hello@pela.earth

Lomi is in full production. Lomi orders placed today can be expected to arrive in 12-14 weeks for North American addresses, while overseas orders will begin shipping in September 2022. Reserve your Lomi for $49 today!