FirstBuild Mella Owner's manual

USE & CARE REV. 18
SCAN ME
PRODUCT
INFO
SCAN ME
COMMUNITY
GROUP

2
3
Product safety information
6
How the thing works
9
How to clean the thing when
it inevitably gets covered in
mushroom goop
11
Legal, warranty stuff, and help
information
5
Unboxing the thing
7
How to use the thing
10
Where to keep the thing and
where absolutely NOT to keep
the thing
12
FAQ
&
Troubleshooting
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS

3
To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury, follow these safety precautions:
• A 115 V AC (60 Hz) grounded electrical supply is required. DO NOT use with an extension cord.
• To reduce the risk associated with choking, don’t allow children under 3 years of age access to this appliance or its
components while unpacking, installing, or while in operation.
• When moving the appliance, be careful not to roll over or damage the power cord.
• For household, indoor use only. DO NOT use this product outdoors.
• To protect against fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, do not immerse cord, plug or power supply
enclosure in water or other liquid. DO NOT keep power supply enclosure near water tank.
• Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used near children. DO NOT allow children to operate this
appliance.
• DO NOT operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug. DO NOT operate any appliance that has been damaged or
malfunctioned. Return appliance to an authorized service facility for examination or repair.
• Place appliance on a flat surface or table and do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter.
• DO NOT allow the appliance or power cable near or to contact any hot surfaces.
• DO NOT use a power supply other than the one that has been supplied with this appliance.
• Contact [email protected] in the event that a repair is required.
• Growing mushrooms indoors means taking great care to make sure you are growing only mushrooms and not
something else. If you are in doubt about the quality of your harvest, DO NOT CONSUME YOUR MUSHROOMS.
• Mushrooms grow best in very clean environments. Make sure to follow the steps on page 9 to properly clean your
mushroom grower.
• If you suspect that your mushroom grower is not operating correctly or is malfunctioning, please contact Mushroom@
FirstBuild.com immediately.
IMPORTANT MUSHROOM
INFORMATION
• Mushrooms release spores as they grow. This is a normal part of the fungus life cycle. Spores usually appear as a fine
dust around fruiting mushrooms.
• Exposure to constant or high spore loads can cause respiratory irritation for certain people. Only
grow mushrooms away from where you sleep or spend extended amounts of time and keep this appliance in a well-
ventilated area while fruiting.
• Immunocompromised individuals or those with respiratory illnesses or sensitivities should consult a doctor or
healthcare professional before growing mushrooms indoors.
• Harvesting mushrooms while still in their younger growth stages can help reduce the overall amount of spores
released by the mushrooms.
PRODUCT
SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING
!
WARNING
!
CAUTION
!

4
Pour réduire les risques d’incendie, d’électrocution ou de blessure, suivez ces consignes de sécurité :
• Une alimentation électrique mise à la terre de 115 V CA (60 Hz) est requise. NE PAS utiliser avec une rallonge.
• Pour réduire le risque d’étouffement, ne laissez pas les enfants de moins de 3 ans accéder à cet appareil ou à ses
composants pendant le déballage, l’installation ou le fonctionnement.
• Lorsque vous déplacez l’appareil, veillez à ne pas renverser ou endommager le cordon d’alimentation.
• Pour usage domestique, intérieur uniquement. NE PAS utiliser ce produit à l’extérieur.
• Pour vous protéger contre les incendies, les chocs électriques et les blessures corporelles, ne plongez
pas le cordon, la fiche ou le boîtier d’alimentation dans l’eau ou tout autre liquide. NE PAS garder le boîtier d’alimentation
près du réservoir d’eau.
• Une surveillance étroite est nécessaire lorsqu’un appareil est utilisé à proximité d’enfants. NE PAS laisser les enfants
utiliser cet appareil.
• NE PAS faire fonctionner un appareil avec un cordon ou une prise endommagés. NE PAS faire fonctionner un appareil qui
a été endommagé ou défectueux. Retournez l’appareil à un centre de service autorisé pour examen ou réparation.
• Placez l’appareil sur une surface plane ou une table et ne laissez pas le cordon pendre du bord de la table ou du
comptoir.
• NE laissez PAS l’appareil ou le câble d’alimentation à proximité ou en contact avec des surfaces chaudes.
• N’UTILISEZ PAS une alimentation électrique autre que celle qui a été fournie avec cet appareil.
• Contactez Mushr[email protected] dans le cas où une réparation est nécessaire.
• Cultiver des champignons à l’intérieur signifie prendre grand soin de s’assurer que vous ne cultivez que des
champignons et pas autre chose. Si vous avez un doute sur la qualité de votre récolte, NE CONSOMMEZ PAS VOS
CHAMPIGNONS.
• Les champignons poussent mieux dans des environnements très propres. Assurez-vous de suivre les étapes de la page 9
pour bien nettoyer votre champignonnière.
• Si vous soupçonnez que votre champignonnière ne fonctionne pas correctement ou fonctionne mal, veuillez contacter
[email protected] immédiatement.
INFORMATIONS IMPORTANTES
SUR LES CHAMPIGNONS
• Les champignons libèrent des spores à mesure qu’ils poussent. C’est une partie normale du cycle de vie du champignon.
Les spores apparaissent généralement sous forme de fine poussière autour des champignons en fruits.
• L’exposition à des charges constantes ou élevées de spores peut provoquer une irritation respiratoire
chez certaines personnes. Ne cultivez les champignons que loin de l’endroit où vous dormez ou passez beaucoup de
temps et gardez cet appareil dans un endroit bien ventilé pendant la fructification.
• Les personnes immunodéprimées ou celles souffrant de maladies ou de sensibilités respiratoires devraient consulter un
médecin ou un professionnel de la santé avant de cultiver des champignons à l’intérieur.
• La récolte des champignons alors qu’ils sont encore à leurs stades de croissance les plus jeunes peut aider à réduire la
quantité globale de spores libérées par les champignons.
INFORMATIONS SUR LA
SECURITE DU PRODUIT
ATTENTION
!
ATTENTION
!
ATTENTION
!

5
UNBOXING
1. Mella comes packed in two separate boxes - a Chamber box and an Accessories box. Make
sure you have received both boxes.
2. Inside the Accessories box will be the power supply, side tank, water tray, and two (2)
humidity filters.
3. Make sure you have recieved all of the components. If any components are missing or
damaged, please contact us at [email protected].
1X SIDE TANK
1X HUMIDITY
FILTER
(2X INCLUDED)
1X POWER
SUPPLY
WITH 2PRONG CLIP
1X WATER TRAY
1X FRUITING CHAMBER

6
THE SYSTEM
Notes:
• Fresh air is delivered through the back of the appliance on a regular schedule. Make sure to
keep a 3” gap around Mella during use.
HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM
THE CHAMBER FAN MOVES AIR
THROUGH THE HUMIDIFICATION
FILTER AND AROUND THE
CHAMBER TO ENSURE EVEN
HUMIDITY.
SIDE TANK
EASY ACCESS WATER
TANK PROVIDING
UP TO 7 DAYS OF
HUMIDIFICATION
DYNAMIC LED ARRAY
A POWERFUL LED ARRAY ENSURES YOUR
MUSHROOMS GET ENOUGH LIGHT TO GROW
PROPERLY.
CONTROL PANEL
EASILY ADJUST FRESH AIR, HUMIDITY, AND
LIGHT INTENSITY USING THE CONTROL
KNOBS.

7
HOW TO USE IT
1 2
Place Mella on a flat, level surface, like a
countertop or tabletop and plug in the power supply.
Slide the water tray into the unit through the
opening on the left-side wall.
3 4
Twist off cap from the side tank, fill with water, and
secure the cap back on the tank.
5 6 Use the back side of this quick start guide to help
set the right environmental conditions.
Open the chamber door, slide the fan bracket up,
and place one (1) humidity filter inside the water tray.
Lower the fan bracket over the filter.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
preparation, then set fruiting blocks inside
chamber.
Make sure the
filter sits all the
way down into
the water tray with
felt facing forward.

8
HOW TO USE IT (CONT.)
How to adjust Mella’s settings:
The basics
Mushrooms need four things to thrive: light, humidity, fresh air and proper temperature.
Expect to tweak your settings based on mushroom variety and location. Keep an eye on your
mushrooms, and don’t hesitate to adjust the settings as your mushrooms grow. The humidity,
fresh air, and light intensity can all be individually controlled through the knobs on the top of
the unit. This guide will help you get started.
Lights
Starting point: Setting 4-6
Mushrooms need at least a small amount of light for proper growth and color development.
We recommend that you have your lights on for at least 12 hours each day. Pick a light level
that suits the space—but turn up the lights if you notice pale mushrooms.
Humidity
Starting point: Setting 7-9
Mushrooms like humidity levels between 70-90%, though the specific level depends on the
mushroom variety. Mella can maintain relative humidity levels between approximately 60%
(setting 1) to approximately 90% (setting 10). Refer to the instructions from your fruiting block
supplier for specific guidance. If your mushrooms are dry or cracking, increase the humidity.
Fresh air
Starting point: Setting 4-6
Mella’s fan will automatically cycle on to bring fresh air into the chamber. This decreases
the CO2 concentration that naturally rises as mushrooms grow. If your mushrooms have
skinny stems or fruiting bodies, or their growth resembles coral, increase the fresh air. If
Mella’s fresh air is already set to 10, then you may want to decrease the amount of mushroom
substrate you have inside Mella. Try and keep the fresh air to the minimum amount that allows
your mushrooms to grow properly - too much fresh air can dry out your mushrooms.
Temperature
Mella’s temperature is dependent on the room where it’s located. Refer to your fruiting block
supplier for guidance on the temperature you should maintain.
Share your settings!
Join the community of Mella and mushroom enthusiasts on Facebook (search “Mella
Mushroom Fruiting Chamber Owners Group”), and share your pics and settings!
MAX
10
9
8
7
6
3
2
1
MAX
10
9
8
7
6
3
2
1
MAX
10
9
8
7
6
3
2
1
55 F
85 F

9
KEEPIN’ IT CLEAN
About cleaning:
• Since mushrooms can (and will) release spores that can support mold growth, it’s important
to clean your fruiting chamber after each fruiting cycle.
• Keeping Mella clean and sterile is critical to making sure your growing environment is as
effective and healthy as possible.
• To make cleaning easier, harvest your mushrooms early. Prolonged growth will dramatically
increase the amount of spores that are released.
• Avoid cleaning the chamber with solvents or other organic compounds - these can
irreversibly damage your humidity sensor. Only use warm, soapy water.
Cleaning procedure:
1. Remove humidification filter. Rinse under running water until clean. Replace humidification
filter as needed. Do not continue using if contaminated.
2. Remove the side tank and water tray.
3. Empty out the water tray and wash with warm, soapy water until clean.
4. Rinse water tray with cool, clean water.
5. Unplug the humidity fan and lift the fan bracket to remove.
6. Wash fan and fan bracket under cool, running water until clean. The fan is water resistant
but do not submerge plug.
7. Set fan bracket aside. In the chamber, plug the dust cover into the fan plug before cleaning.
8. Wash chamber with warm, soapy water until clean. Do not use chemical cleaners.

10
WHERE TO KEEP IT
WHERE NOT TO KEEP IT
• Most mushrooms like to keep it cool (65-75F). Some varieties of mushrooms like it a bit
warmer (looking at you Pink Oysters), so make sure to research what your mushrooms
like.
• Examples of where to keep Mella include:
• A countertop, away from windows or heat sources.
• Basements are a great place for mushroom growing.
• On a desk or table top, at least 6 inches away from computers or lamps.
• If you do not have an area available with cool, stable temperatures you can use ice
water in the side tank to help cool things down. Be aware of condensation!
• Near windows. Mella can act as a small greenhouse. Keep it out of direct sunlight. Don’t
let it overheat!
• In a bathroom. You want stable temperatures and hot, steamy water can cause big swings.
• This unit is not designed to operate in outdoor environments. Do not use in a garage or
patio.

11
LIMITED WARRANTY
• FirstBuild warrants Mella against manufacturing defects for ninety (90) days.
• Abuse and/or misuse, or issues related to installation, software or mushroom quality are
not covered.
• In the event of a valid warranty claim within the warranty period, FirstBuild will send you a
return label and reserves the right to provide you with a new or refurbished replacement
of equal or lesser value or a refund, at its sole discretion.
• FirstBuild does not guarantee the quality of your mushroom harvest.
• If you are dissatisfied or have any questions about your appliance or you have a warranty
claim to make, please immediately contact [email protected] so we can make it
right.

12
FAQ
My mushrooms look dark and dried out, what’s going on?
• Fruiting mushrooms typically requires a little bit of trial and error to ensure great results. If your mushrooms are
drying out, try increasing the humidity level and decreasing the fresh air. If that still doesn’t work, check to make
sure no sunlight is hitting Mella during the day. This can warm up the chamber and cause drying.
My oyster mushrooms are long and spindly, what’s going on?
• Oyster mushrooms are notorious for growing long and spindly when they are starved for fresh air. Try fruiting
these mushrooms at higher humidity and at a higher fresh air level.
Why do Mella’s lights keep flashing?
• Mella’s lights flash whenever there is an issue. Most of the time, it’s because Mella is out of water and the tank
needs to be refilled.
• If Mella’s tank is filled and the lights are still flashing after 2 hours, contact [email protected] so we can
help resolve the issue.
Spores fell all over Mella, what do I do?
• Mushroom spores are a normal part of fruiting mushrooms. Mella is designed to be easy to clean. Check out the
cleaning section of this Use & Care guide for more information on how to clean Mella.
FirstBuild co-creates what’s next for the home with you, our community.
A special thanks to these Mella co-creators:
Tony Shields, FreshCap Mushrooms
Eliah Thanhauser, North Spore
Jill Sherman, North Spore
Havard Johansen, from Norway
Gordon Walker, @FascinatedbyFungi
Kyle Gabriel, Mycodo
Zach Papaleoni, @SporetoFork
Pete and Emalee, Rich Life Farms
Brad Leone, Bon Appétit
A THANK YOU!