Mella makes home mushroom fruiting more contained and automates humidity, fresh-air exchange and lighting, but it is not a set-and-forget grow system. It does not control temperature or provide readout gauges, and you still need a suitable fruiting block, species-appropriate settings and some monitoring. Its countertop footprint and listed price also make it worth measuring and budgeting for before buying.
What the Mella fruiting chamber does
FirstBuild describes Mella as a countertop appliance for fruiting gourmet mushrooms at home. It controls humidity and fresh-air exchange and provides lights. It does not control temperature: FirstBuild’s product FAQ states, “Mella does not control temperature.” FirstBuild’s product listing identifies oyster, lion’s mane, shiitake, king trumpet, chestnut, nameko and pioppino among the varieties it supports.
The distinction matters because Mella automates some environmental inputs, not the whole growing process. Your room’s conditions still affect the chamber, and the grower remains responsible for choosing an appropriate block, setting the controls and watching how the crop responds.
Size, capacity and what is included
FirstBuild lists the unit at 25.25 inches wide, 16.5 inches high and 16.5 inches deep, with an empty weight of 25 pounds. It cannot be stacked. Measure the counter space and consider access to the front before choosing a location.
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- Manufactured & Custom-molded for Grower's Select by Microppose using high-density polypropylene, our lineup of 3 sizes of Monotubs promises durability and quality to fit any size grow!
- Optimized Air Exchange - It has six air holes with our signature 2.5" Monotub Filter Disks strategically placed to give mushrooms the best growth environment.
- Perfect Dimensions: 48 Quart volume measuring 18"L x 15.5"W x 12" OD, this chamber offers the ideal space for prolific bulk grows.
- Incubation Control: With the provided hole plugs, easily manage airflow during the incubation phase, guaranteeing optimal growth conditions.
- Stackable & Sturdy: Designed with a stackable base that can support up to 10 bins stacked atop one another. Each monotub can support 200 lbs
Mushroom blocks are not included. FirstBuild’s FAQ says, “Mella does not come with mushrooms.” The company lists separately sold mushroom kits fulfilled by its partner North Spore, as well as humidification filters. Check current availability and compatibility when ordering.
Capacity depends on block size. FirstBuild says multiple blocks may fit depending on their size; New Atlas reported that the chamber could hold up to three, but its reviewer tested one block at a time. Treat three as a reported maximum, not a guarantee that three blocks of any size will fit or fruit well together.
Rank #2
- This 2-Pack features high-density polypropylene durability and resilience. Includes 8 Monotub Filter Disks, 2 liners and 8 Plugs.
- Optimized Air Exchange - It has 4 air holes with our signature 2.5" Monotub Filter Disks strategically placed to give mushrooms the best growth environment.
- Small but Mighty! 28 Quart volume measuring 12" x 12" x 12" OD, this chamber offers plenty of space while keeping the size compact.
- Incubation Control: With the provided hole plugs, easily manage airflow during the incubation phase, guaranteeing optimal growth conditions.
- Stackable & Sturdy: Designed with a stackable base that can support up to 10 bins stacked atop one another. Each monotub can support 150 lbs
Controls and starting settings
FirstBuild’s Quick Start Guide R5 gives initial dial ranges for one fruiting block. They are starting points, not universal settings: the guide says to follow the block supplier’s instructions and adjust for the mushroom variety and number of blocks.
| Control | Guide’s starting point for one block | Additional guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Lights | 5–7 | At least 12 hours of light per day |
| Humidity | 7–9 | The guide says mushrooms generally need 70–90% humidity depending on variety; Mella can maintain approximately 60% at setting 1 through approximately 90% at setting 10 |
| Fresh air | 4–6 | Adjust according to the species and block supplier’s guidance |
Prepare the block according to its maker’s directions. Some blocks call for cutting an X or removing the top; do not substitute a generic preparation method if the supplier has given specific instructions. The guide includes fallback preparation advice for cases where the supplier provides none.
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- Manufactured & Custom-molded by Microppose using high-density polypropylene, our Grower's Select Lineup of Monotubs promises durability and resilience.
- Optimized Air Exchange - It has 4 air holes with our signature 2.5" Monotub Filter Disks strategically placed to give mushrooms the best growth environment.
- Small but Mighty! 28 Quart volume measuring 12" x 12" x 12" OD, this chamber offers plenty of space while keeping the size compact.
- Incubation Control: With the provided hole plugs, easily manage airflow during the incubation phase, guaranteeing optimal growth conditions.
- Stackable & Sturdy: Designed with a stackable base that can support up to 10 bins stacked atop one another. Each monotub can support 150 lbs
Monitoring, placement and upkeep
Temperature and monitoring
Mella has no temperature control, and New Atlas’s reviewer reported that the unit has no readout gauges. The reviewer bought a separate digital thermometer-hygrometer to monitor conditions inside. That is a practical addition if you want to see what the chamber is actually doing rather than relying only on dial positions.
The reviewer advised keeping Mella indoors, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and avoiding rooms with large temperature and humidity swings. These precautions are especially relevant because the appliance cannot correct temperature changes.
Rank #4
- 【Efficient Fruiting Chamber】► —— The Mushroom Grow Kit is created to be efficient and user-friendly. Each box includes six pre-installed openings for fresh air circulation (FAE). You can easily adjust the humidity by using a combination of plugs and filters.
- 【Monotub Dimensions】► ——The Mushroom Grow Box measures 12.6 x 12.6 x 6.3 inches, and it is stackable, Growers can now maximize their yield potential by stacking multiple units vertically. Perfect for small bulk grows, light and easy to move around.
- 【Versatile Design】► ——Made with thick durable plastic. Sturdy inflatable construction, easily stackable and store away when not in use. Its light-blocking design prevents mushrooms from growing on the sides, directing their growth to the most optimal areas within the monotub. Comes with a tight sealing see through lid for easy viewing.
- 【Easy To Use】► ——The mushroom growing kit ensures that the humidity levels remain at their best, eliminating the requirement for continuous misting. This attribute not only simplifies the process of growing mushrooms but also gives growers the assurance that their mushrooms are flourishing in the ideal surroundings.
- 【AFTER SALES】► —— If you're unsatisfied with our Mushroom Growing Kit for any reason, please feel free to contact us, we'll give you a satisfactory solution immediately.
Noise and cleaning
In New Atlas’s 2022 hands-on review, the fan was audible but no more distracting than an air purifier. The reviewer said pink oyster spores coated the chamber and that it was easy to clean with soap and water. The reviewer also relayed the makers’ advice to avoid disinfectant chemicals that could affect mushrooms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the hands-on review can—and cannot—tell you about yields
New Atlas’s reviewer reported close to a kilogram across three yields from one block and almost half a kilogram in a single crop from a different block. Those are observations from the reviewer’s own grows, not a typical-yield estimate, guarantee or controlled comparison. The report does not establish what a buyer should expect across different mushroom varieties, blocks or room conditions.
Best Value
- Manufactured & Custom-molded for Grower's Select by Microppose using high-density polypropylene promises durability and easy cleaning.
- Optimized Air Exchange - It has six air holes with our signature 2.5" Monotub Filter Disks strategically placed to give mushrooms the best growth environment.
- Massive 66 Quarts of usable volume measuring 22.5"L x 15.5"W x 12" OD, this chamber offers the largest pratical space for huge bulk grows.
- Incubation Control: With the provided hole plugs, easily manage airflow during the incubation phase, guaranteeing optimal growth conditions.
- Stackable & Sturdy: Designed with a stackable base that can support up to 10 bins stacked atop one another. Each monotub can support 200 lbs
A separate Fast Company article described an earlier prototype trial in which a fan stopped working; the reviewer restored its function by moving wires. That prototype-era account is not evidence that production units share the fault. The article also said its trial did not show a quantifiable yield improvement over an outside block, so it should not be read as a controlled performance comparison of current units.
Price, availability and warranty
When FirstBuild’s listing was checked on October 8, 2026, it showed a price of $479 and marked the Mella sold out and unavailable. Price and stock can change; verify the listing before making plans. The same page lists a 90-day limited warranty. Add the cost of a fruiting block or kit to your setup budget because none is included.
Quick Recap
Who should consider Mella?
- It may suit you if you want a contained countertop setup with humidity, fresh-air exchange and lighting controls, and you are willing to monitor the grow and tune settings.
- It may not suit you if you need temperature control, built-in environmental readouts, stackable storage or a low-cost way to start without buying blocks separately.
- Compare alternatives carefully. A DIY chamber or grow tent may differ in footprint, equipment cost, environmental controls and adjustment effort, but the available sources do not provide a standardized side-by-side performance or cost test against either option.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
