Composting Toilets Evaluation
Looking to purchase a non-electric composting toilet? Or, perhaps, you are thinking about purchasing the highest capacity self-contained toilet out there? If so, take a look at this incredible model. The Sun-Mar Excel NE is one of the most appreciated models available on the market, these days. With a composting capacity that could accommodate 2-3 people in a residential setting and 5-7 people in weekend or vacations, this toilet is among the best versions of toilets that converts human waste into safe fertilizing soil.
It doesn’t work with a fan or a heater. It works with a 4” PVC Thinwall vent pipe which is mounted at the top rear of the unit. For a proper operation and good air movement, it is recommended to install the vent pipe vertically. Also, keep in mind that it should be placed 2-3 feet above the peak of the roof. Overall, it is one of the best options to consider when making a purchase.
PROS
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CONS
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- 100% non-polluting
- It works great with the applications of the grid
- NSF/ANSI Certified
- Environmental-friendly
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VERDICT
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The Sun-Mar NE is a quality composting system that can efficiently convert human waste into safe fertilizing soil. It is NSF/ANSI certified and has a medium to high capacity. It has a normal size and shape that makes it fit into a tiny house with ease. However, it comes at a high price, so if you are on a limited budget, this might not be the best option.
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Nature’s Head with Standard Handle NH1
If you are thinking about purchasing a composting system, but you have some doubts about its efficiency, take a look at this model. Nature’s Head with Standard Handle NH1is made to change your lifestyle. With this system, your life will become much more enjoyable, especially if you are living in a van or a tiny house. First of all, it is very important to understand that these systems do not smell. They are odorless: the solid part is not mixed with liquids. However, if you have used a dry toilet, you know what we are trying to say.
This composting system is of the best models out there and it is specially designed to separate the liquid and the solid. So, there is no odor. The toilet comes with a solid, stainless steel construction and an easy to clean shape. It has a large capacity tank which can be filled with sphagnum peat moss or with coco coir. It is recommended to avoid the use of additives like nutrients. Also, avoid using soil from outside. That’s not a good idea as it will introduce bugs and other unpleasant tiny animals. This system is designed for small houses, RV and even boats.
PROS
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CONS
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- User-friendly
- Easy installation
- Comes with a 5′ vent hose
- Standard crank handle
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VERDICT
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This is a very popular choice among customers. This composting system with a lot of interesting features. It is odorless and user-friendly. It comes with a molded design thanks to which it is very easy to install and use. Thanks to its large-sized tank, it can be emptied every 2 weeks.
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Nature’s Head with Spider Handle NH-SPH
If you are thinking about installing a new toilet into your tiny house, maybe it’s time to try something new. With the most innovative design, Nature’s Head with Spider Handle NH-SPH represents one of the most reliable options for personal sanitation requirements. It is a self-contained model that comes with a stainless steel hardware and a solid construction. If you have tried dry toiled before, then this won’t surprise you. This eco-friendly toilet comes with a vent hose and a fan. It can be installed in seconds. Also, it can be emptied and cleaned very fast.
Most people buy this system for RVs, campers, vacations cabins or even for their tiny homes. Since it is odorless, you shouldn’t worry about installing it in your house. As mentioned above, it comes with a pretty large tank which can be emptied once a month, if it is used by one or two people. If more than 2 people use it, you must empty it often. All in all, this is a nice model to consider when shopping for this type of dry toilet.
PROS
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CONS
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- Stainless steel hardware
- It comes with a vent hose and a fan
- It disassembles in seconds for cleaning
- Odorless and eco-friendly
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VERDICT
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Looking for the best value for the money when it comes to dry toilets? Are you thinking about purchasing something eco-friendly and odorless? With this in mind, let us introduce you the NH-SPH model by Nature’s Head. It comes with a spider handle which makes it easy to use for everyone.
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The Thetford 92853 could be exactly what you are looking for: a durable, compact and easy to use a toilet that comes with an ergonomic handle for increased portability. It is specially designed for RV s, vans, tiny houses, trucks, camping and so on. Its piston flush makes it powerful and easy to use, while its detachable lid makes it easy to wash and clean. It comes with a large 5.5 gal. wastewater tank and a level indicator.
Due to the large size of the tank, the toilet can be emptied twice a month. The toilet is self-contained which means that you shouldn’t worry about leaks or splashes. In addition to this, it features a Rotating Pour-out Spout feature that ensures there are no backslashes during the cleaning process. For those people who love the detail, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, the unit measures 16 1/2” length/depth by 15″ width by 16 1/2″ height.
PROS
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CONS
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- Highly portable
- Modern design – comfortable
- Large tank
- Piston flush- quiet and powerful
- Solid construction
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- It is less powerful that the above competitor
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VERDICT
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Looking for something different? Take a look at this portable toilet. Great for RV s, tiny houses and camping, this composting system is safe and very easy to use. It is odorless like the others and comes with a large tank that will make the filling and emptying a breeze. It comes with a nice warranty and a nice price as well.
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Our 5th option is a low priced one. The Camco Standard 41541 is a portable toilet that comes equipped with a 5.3-gallon detachable tank. It is specifically designed for camping, RV s, boating and even small houses. Thanks to its robust polyethylene construction it will last for many years. This interesting system comes with a sealing slide valve. The purpose of this valve is to protect against backslashes.
The toilet is odorless, so you shouldn’t worry about bad smells or something like this. Additionally, it comes equipped with two side latches that will keep the tank secure and a handle that ensures portability. What we really like about this toilet is the fact that it is very easy to use. The emptying process should be done in minutes as well as the filling one. Another plus is the packet of Camco’s TST biodegradable toilet chemical.
PROS
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CONS
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- 5.3 gallon waste tank capacity
- 330 lb weight capacity
- Durable polyethylene construction
- Easy emptying
- Bellows-type pump
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- It lacks certain features
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VERDICT
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Overall, this toilet has a durable construction and a comfortable carrying handle. It is small and fits every small house, van, truck and more. It is affordable and can be cleaned in minutes. With all this in mind, we recommended you this model if you are on a limited budget.
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If you are interested in a much smaller toilet, the Sun-Mar Compact is a great option. Since it is smaller than the Excel version, it is recommended for up to 2 people. However, it is extremely attractive. It comes with a compact yet elegant design and it will fit into most small spaces. It is made with patented Bio-drum.
It comes equipped with an easy to use handle for processing compost. Its front operated handle makes it ideal for small bathrooms. Note that it is one of the smallest model available on the market, these days. It measures 33 x 21 1/2 x 28 1/2 inches and weighs 50 lbs. It is a bit heavy in comparison to other but it looks amazing. Aside from looking good, it is 100% non-polluting. It doesn’t use water and uses standard household current. It is an energy-efficient unit that helps you save money on energy bills.
PROS
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CONS
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- 100% non-polluting
- NSF/ANSI Certified
- Energy-efficient
- Easy emptying
- Easy to use
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VERDICT
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The Sun-Mar Compact is the smallest toilet on the market. It comes with an attractive design, but it is designed for small capacity use. It can be used by 2 people only. However, it still is a good option worth taking into consideration.
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Important Factors to Consider
There are so many types and models of composting toilets or dry toilets on the market, that finding the best one for your needs could be quite difficult. If it seems too complicated to own a dry toilet, let us introduce you to this industry. These types of toilets are great alternatives to those traditional flush toilets that most people use. They are more environmentally friendly and don’t use water. There are many factors to consider when making a purchase as all models are equipped with different features and various functions. Of these, we will mention the most important ones:
| Important Features |
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Best Choice |
| Capacity |
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a dry toilet is the capacity. Actually, it represents how much compost fits into the special bag without overflowing. This strongly depends on how many people use the toilet and how frequently they use it in a given time frame. For example, if you are thinking about installing a toilet in your van, you can go for one with a small capacity as it won’t be visited by many people. If, however, you are thinking about purchasing a toilet for your home, for residential use, then, you might need one with a larger capacity. It will be used more frequently and you will be forced to empty its container more than twice a month.
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Sun-Mar Excel NE, Camco Standard 41541 |
| Self-contained model |
Looking for a dry toilet? This is the right place to be. But, before making any purchase, make sure you know what kind of toilet you want. There are two different types of dry toilets available on the market such as self-contained and central units. The difference between these two models is that the first one composts the human waste within a tank that is usually connected to the toilet itself, while the other is connected to a larger tank in another location. As compared to the central units that are suitable for a considerable number of people, the self-contained one is a great choice for 2 or 3 people. Also, they are much more affordable and easier to install than the other ones.
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All models |
| Ease of installation |
As mentioned above there are many things to consider when purchasing a dry toilet. Of these, it is also important to mention the installation process. As compared to other home appliances and devices that are extremely easy to install, installing this type of toilet is a horrendous task. If it is a self-contained model, it is much easier to install and you shouldn’t worry so much about leaks and splashes. You just have to seal them properly and anchor them in place. Also, pay attention to their ventilation pipe. For best results and proper operation, it should be correctly installed.
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All models |
| Size |
The size of a dry toilet is extremely important to consider when installing it. Unlike standard toilets, these systems are a bit bulky and in terms of design, most of them could have a chunky appearance. This will cheat your eyes and you will buy something that will not fit into tight spaces. The most advanced models come equipped with ventilation systems and additional tanks. Both are attached right to them, which might make it difficult to install into corners and tiny spaces.
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Nature’s Head with Standard Handle NH1, Nature’s Head with Spider Handle NH-SPH, Thetford 92853 |
| Maintenance |
You might think you have to clean a dry toilet regularly which is partially true. Although it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, it still needs to be regularly emptied and cleaned. If you are using this kind of toilet, make sure you clean the bowl naturally, without chemicals and bleach. Instead, you can use vinegar and baking soda. More than that, if you are interested in electric toilets, pay attention to its connections as they can lead to a toilet malfunction.
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All models |
Debunking 4 Popular Myths About these Composting Systems
There are so many myths and fake news regarding these types of toilets that it is absolutely normal for people to have some misconceptions about such a system. If you are reading this, you might also have your own concerns and doubts about using this kind of toilet. In order to better understand how does it work and the whole idea of using it, allow us to introduce you to some of the most popular myths about dry toilets.
Dry toilet means bad smell and odors
You can control the bad smell of a dry toilet. Whether it is a standard toilet or a dry toilet, it won’t stink if you clean it. More than that, if it is properly installed and it works perfectly, you shouldn’t worry about bad smells. There are plenty of methods to control odors. All you have to do is to stick to them in order to avoid any trouble along the way.
Compost toilets are a sanitary nightmare
Stop thinking about these toilets as something nasty that will affect your health. These are just some toilets and if they are cleaned the right way, nothing’s going to happen. You won’t have sanitation problems if you empty and clean them according to your manufacturer’s specifications. Also, make sure you wash your hands properly after cleaning the toilet.
Avoid using normal toilet paper
This should be a joke! You can use any kind of paper you want. Since these toilets are made to decompose every waste that enters the composting system, there won’t be any clogging problems, especially because there are no pipes. Plus, thanks to this process the TP will disintegrate. Some people use dissolving liquids to speed up the TP decomposition.
There will be problems with the flies
What is the first thing you think about when you see a dry toilet? Odors and flies? Most people think the same thing about these systems, but this is a myth and the truth is behind the myth. Therefore, it is important to understand that if you regularly clean your toilet and you will use bulking agents, nothing’s going to happen and you won’t have this kind of problems. While some people use sawdust, others use mesh wire to keep the fly infestation away.
