We know you’d probably like to get straight to the point, so we’ve provided a quick summary of our top picks in the table below. Keep reading for an in-depth review of off grid composting toilets, and the great options available on the market.
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Table of Contents
What is an Off Grid Composting Toilet? And Why?
An off-grid composting toilet is a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to a traditional toilet. They are designed to reduce water usage and manage your waste naturally. With an off-grid composting toilet, you no longer need to rely on the utility supply or worry about a sewer connection. Instead, your family’s waste is broken down with the help of organic materials like sawdust or straw, the right climate, and the bugs! Composting turns the unhealthy waste into a safe material, which can then be used as fertilizer for your garden. Not only does it save water, but it also reduces your dependence on external resources, making it an excellent choice for a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
This articles explores the important issues when selecting a composting toilet for your home, RV, or boat. And! we give you some great recommendations on what to buy and where to buy it from, depending on your situation. We are passionate about water conservation and have personal experience with these systems so we’re able to provide the best advice possible to you.
You might also want to check out our other article detailing how composting toilets work. Also, you if you’re on-board with reducing your water consumption as much as possible, have a look at our great tool, the Household Water Usage Calculator. This allows you to play with the numbers and figure out exactly where in your house you have the best opportunity for reducing water consumption.
But for now, lets focus on composting toilets. A truly great option, for those who want to reduce their water usage and dependence on the utility supply.
Types of Compost Toilets
So, let’s talk about composting toilets. There are several different types to choose from and your choice will depend on your preferences and needs. But most importantly, the type of house (or RV, or tiny home) you live in.
Batch Composting Toilet
First up, we have the batch composting toilet. This requires you to collect all your waste in a container and then let it sit and decompose for a while before you can use it as fertilizer. It is low tech, easy, and a smart option for those with the space to store full composting bins while they compost.
Continuous Composting Toilet
Then we have the continuous composting toilet. This one is all about convenience. You can just keep adding your waste to the pile and it will decompose gradually over time. No need to wait for a whole batch to decompose before you swap a bin over. You do of course need to remove the compost periodically at the end of the process. But you can do this with a shovel and bucket at your leisure.
Electric/Automated Composting Toilet
Now we have the electric/automated composting toilet. This option takes care of (most) of the hard work for you. They have electric motors to rotate material and accelerate the composting process and can make management of your composting system much simpler.
DIY Composting Toilet
And for all you DIY enthusiasts out there, there are simple designs available to build yourself. It may take a bit more effort, but hey, it’s a great project to brag about to your friends. Remember, composting toilets do not need to be complicated. You can certainly construct them yourself. But they do need to be designed and managed safely.
Urine Diverting Composting Toilet
You may also want to consider urine diverting systems in your composting toilet. These of course separate your pee from the solids, which may sound a bit strange, but it actually helps speed up a healthy composting process. Plus, it helps reduce odor.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Composting Toilet
Comfort
You, like everyone, spends a lot of time with your toilet. It must be comfortable! Not only that, for most people, a toilet needs to fit in to the aesthetic within their bathroom (or outhouse).
Don’t neglect this consideration. You will regret it later!
Tank Capacity
Composting toilets require more maintenance than traditional flush toilets. And you are dealing with human waste! You need to think carefully about this, and a larger tank capacity will reduce how often you need to dispose of that waste, and may reduce maintenance for you.
Of course, composted material is heavy. A larger tank will weigh more. And you need to have space for it.
Odor Management
Despite what many people think, with a composting toilet you can use the toilet without noticeable odor. But it must be managed. Typically, you would use a vent from the composting chamber which extracts odours. You would also plumb a urine disposal pipe to avoid any risk of that smell.
These considerations depend significantly on your situation. An RV is very different from an urban house situation.
Build Quality & Construction
Like any investment, it is always advisable to buy the best quality you can with the money you have. This is no different for composting toilets. Our advice is to buy a system from a reputable supplier, who can guarantee their products. Checkout the selection below for our recommendations.
Space & Portability
Such an important consideration! If you are in an RV you’ll need space for your composting toilet, and you can’t have a composting chamber underneath the floor. If you’re in a tiny house space will be a consideration. If you’re home is elevated, you’ll have plenty of space underneath for a large continuous system.
Maintenance & Cleaning
Composting toilets need to be emptied. Think about where you locate them so that you can easily remove the compost and relocate it conveniently. Perhaps near to your flower beds! You should consider also if you need a convenient water supply for cleaning the system.
Our Pick of the Best Composting Toilets on the Market
Our Pick for Automation: The Biolet Composting Toilet
These great devices are fully automatic, they do not require any water or chemicals and they produce no effluent that must be drained. They are fully self-contained units and are exceptional quality.
They are the hi-tech option and have an automatic levelling and raking action with a rotating mixing arm and a lower rotating arm that removes dried, solid waste. Moisture is drawn off by heated and fan circulated air flow. The system operates with a negative pressure ensuring odor cannot escape into the room. Of course, a power supply is required.
They are cost effective, easy to install and highly efficient. They come in various sizes depending on the number of people typically using them. You can expect a good warranty from a very reputable company.
Head on over to Shop Tiny Houses to check prices and pick up a Biolet Composting Toilet.
Our Pick for RVs and Camping: The Laveo Dry Flush Toilet
This thing is truly amazing. If you haven’t seen this technology before, it is certainly worth a look and might be just the solution for your RV, caravan or next camping trip.
So what is a Laveo Dry Flush Toilet? These are seriously innovative devices that use cartridges and a battery powered system to ‘bag’ your waste. Once done you can safely dispose of the sealed cartridge in a trash bin. And guess what! You get a color choice of white; retro blue; and midnight black.
The cartridges are replaced every 15 to 17 flushes and refill cartridges can be obtained as required from the manufacturer.
Head on over to Shop Tiny Houses to check prices and pick up a Laveo Dry Flush Toilet.
Our Pick for Large Capacity: The Sun-Mar Centrex Central Composting Toilet Range
Sun-Mar produces some exceptional composting toilets and their product range is extensive. We recommend the Centrex range for large families and lots of use. The Sun-Mar Centrex 3000 NE (Non-Electric) for example is capable of handling a family of five full time, or up to 8 on a part-time use basis. Even more when you go electric!
The Sun-Mar Centrex systems employ a continuous flow, rotating drum design. The pedestal typically sits in a bathroom above the unit, which is situated in the basement. It can therefore appear like a traditional toilet.
There are many options and variations to explore in the Sun-Mar range.
If you have a large family, we recommend heading on over to Shop Tiny Houses to, see the options, check prices and pick up the best Sun-Mar option for you.
Our Pick for the Best All Rounder: Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet
Having considered all of the options, and the key differences between them, we believe we’ve found the best all-rounder pick that will suit most composting toilet situations.
When it comes to composting toilets, the Nature’s Head is perfect for a wide range of applications, whether you’ve got a standard home, a tiny home, an RV, or even a boat. And, being almost entirely manufactured in the USA, the build quality of this toilet is outstanding.
Its simple design allows for easy installation, simple regular maintenance and many years of service. There is a trap door to send solids into the chamber and a clever agitator handle that allows you mix the material after use. It also has the ability to separate urine, keeping the system clean and odor free.
We know that the decision is a big one and every context is different, but if you’re in the market for a great composting toilet and don’t require anything unusual or different, we recommend you look no further than Nature’s Head. It’s an excellent choice.
Head on over to Shop Tiny Houses to check prices and pick up a Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet.
Final Thoughts on the Best Composting Toilets
Composting toilets are a fantastic option for those looking to reduce their water consumption. Traditional flush toilets can use 1.6 gallons (6 litres) or more of water per flush, whereas composting toilets require little to no water at all. Composting toilets can seriously help to conserve water in your home.
If designed and maintained correctly, composting toilets are also safe and healthy. They operate on the principle of turning human waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, which can then be used to fertilize gardens and plants. This process eliminates the need for harmful chemicals and synthetic fertilizers, making composting toilets a more eco-friendly option.
Furthermore, composting toilets can be completely odor-free. The key to achieving this is proper ventilation and the use of carbonaceous bulking materials, such as sawdust, leaf litter or coconut fiber, to absorb moisture and neutralize any odors.
Lastly, when it comes to choosing the best composting toilet, it is important to consider factors such as durability, ease of use, and maintenance requirements. The best product will vary depending on individual needs and preferences, but it is important to thoroughly research and read customer reviews to ensure a reliable and efficient composting toilet.
Overall, composting toilets are a sustainable and practical solution for those looking to conserve water, promote environmental health, and reduce their dependence on utility water supply.
As discussed above, we recommend you consider the Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet for most situations. Other choices may suit you better in particular circumstances. We recommend heading over to Shop Tiny Houses for any specific assistance you require, and to purchase your new composting toilet. Happy composting!
FAQs
How does a composting toilet work?
A composting toilet is a waterless toilet that facilitates the decomposition of waste through a composting process. If done correctly, it is safe, clean, and produces a greater fertiliser for the garden. For an in-depth discussion check out our other article How Do Composting Toilets Work.
What are the advantages of installing a composting toilet?
Composting toilets reduce water consumption and avoiding loading, and polluting downstream sewerage infrastructure and water bodies. They eliminate the need for traditional sewage systems, making them suitable for off-grid or remote areas. They reduced dependence on utility water supply and produce compost that can be used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Do composting toilets smell?
If designed well, composting toilets eliminate odors. They use ventilation systems (usually with a small fan) and a bulking material to control the decomposition process and prevent unpleasant odor.
Can I use a composting toilet like a traditional toilet?
Yes, you can use a composting toilet like a traditional toilet. However, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and maintenance.
How often will I need to empty my composting toilet?
The frequency of emptying a composting toilet depends primarily on the size of the unit and the number of users. This will vary significantly depending on the system and approach you adopt.
Can I use a composting toilet in a camp?
Yes, composting toilets are suitable for camping or outdoor activities. There are systems on the market that are portable and can be easily installed in temporary structures such as cabins or tents.
How do I ensure that my composting toilet is working properly?
You should regularly monitor the composting process; check for odor; see if anything is blocked, and ensure it is clean. Generally, if there are no odor or any sign of problems, it is working properly. Ensure that you follow the recommended maintenance procedures provided by the manufacturer.
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