Vicky Peterson

Ok, here is my update.
I decided to try a nature's head and have also decided it's pretty good.
Specific details to follow...be warned.
The urine jug gets emptied every 2 days. It smells like asparagus pee to me. I've been pouring it on a compost pile, then washing the jug with a bit of soap and water and pouring that on the pile, too (safe soap).
I've had some difficulty getting the moisture level right on the solids bin. I've emptied it twice over the past month. First time was after only 9 days because of was too dry and too hard to turn. Next time was about the same. Now,  I need to empty it soon, it's been 16 days and I think maybe it's starting to have a very faint odor. I've added some liquid this time (urine-but not much) and it's very easy to turn. Adding water is suggested if it's dry but that brings me to the next point... aiming is not a given. I have to perch towards the front of the seat to get the urine to the front holes and then sit way back for proper positioning over the hole.
As for venting, I ran the provided flexible tube to my crawlspace and hooked that to a large pipe that runs to a vent in the wall away from window and doors. But even the odor coming out isn't bad. It smells sort of earthy but not like poop but then again, I didn't want it under a window.
Where emptying the solids, I would like to have a handle of some sort to make carrying the awkwardly shaped bin easier but it's not a deal breaker and it's not heavier than the full 5 gallon sawdust bucket.
Advice on how wet the peat going in should be would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Sorry for the repost...slow phone.

Jimmy Mountaineer wrote:

use fine pine shavings from Tractor Supply as cover material.

 There was a period where the exhaust fan wasn't operating (during the experimental engineering phase) and the gnats were a much worse problem than the smell.  All in all, we're quite happy with how it's all working out.

So, 2 gallons of pine shavings instead of the peat? And just filling at the beginning, not covering at each deposit?


Are gnats a problem when the fan is working? We have lots of fruit flies if I'm not diligent with the kitchen compost bucket.
If I get one, I'll be venting it into a large crawl space. The company suggested this as getting the vent outside would be difficult but the crawl space would be easy. They said to screen the end of the hose to keep bugs out.

Daniel Ray wrote:I don't think the sawdust can be beat by the nature's head. The emptying issue is really just a state of mind issue, how you feel about emptying buckets full of waste.

Too true! Emptying is not a big deal to me but, like everything, there's issues.
People in my house are sensitive to dust and mold and I wonder about the sawdust dust. Even with a dedicated dry place to store it and  trying to limit the mess inside, there is certainly some mess/dust. Also, using the urine separately would be a plus.
The nature's head toilets seem to hold their value pretty well based on what the used ones go for on eBay. I just need to catch a deal if I want to experiment.

Mark Mstevens wrote:it's not exactly what you asked, but have you looked at Separett? We were considering natures head and ended up with Separett. it is the most like a "regular" toilet. rather than collecting urine, it has a pipe that goes outside to an evaporation pit (a simple 3x3 hole with rocks sized gravel to medium). paper goes in it, no real issue on what kind or how much. Solar fan eliminates all stink. composting happens inside provided bucket.

I had not looked at the Separrett. The fan issue looks about the same as the nature's head and not too much of a draw.
I might have an issue finding a good, close spot for the evaporation pit and want to use the urine anyway. The videos I watched all talked about a compostable bag (I'm guessing you buy it from the company?) but you mentioned a bucket? And no added peat or coir?

Thanks!

I think the bags are just a suggestion on how to store and measure out the peat or coir.

Hi,
I'm wondering about the logistics of using a nature's head composting toilet versus a Jenkin's model sawdust toilet.
I have concerns about specific details like aiming the solids versus liquids/how much toilet paper is ok/where does menstrual blood go/ does the urine jug smell/ why do people put sugar packets in the urine jug/what to do with the toilet paper when you pee and so on.
Except for the emptying, the sawdust toilet seems to be super easy compared to using the nature's head. At almost $1,000, the nature's head needs to be pretty awesome versus the frequency of bucket emptying.
Thanks!

Hey! Thanks for the helpful replies. The only reason I would want a straight sided bucket is so I wouldn't have to rebuild my wooden base. It fits perfectly in its current spot but that doesn't mean something else could work. I agree that a metal bucket will weigh more but if I switch to a 5gallon size it's going to, probably, be lighter than the 6 gallon... especially when way too full. And true, plastic buckets are easy to come by but, and maybe I am doing something wrong, the plastic buckets get stinky in a few months. I scrub mine out each time after emptying with  a toilet bowl brush and some soapy water but there is definitely an odor, especially the bottom few inches of the bucket. I have to add several inches of sawdust when I bring it back in. So, the idea of a shiny stainless bucket I could scrub out every few times I empty is appealing. Thanks again. I'm going to follow up on the shopping leads.

Hi!
I've been happily using my Jenkins style toilet for over 10 years but I'm on my third plastic bucket and wondering if there is a better bucket. Stainless? Galvanized?
When I originally built the toilet, I made it to fit a 6-gallon, standard type bucket with handle (it's what I had on hand). The bucket I'm using now is my last 6-galloner. I could cut down the legs to fit a 5-gallon height bucket. Would galvanized stand up to the moisture? We leave the urine in with everything else. Stainless would be good to clean but I haven't found on that has straight sides (the ones I've seen to buy flare out).
Just hoping someone else has tried a non-plastic bucket and can give me some advice.
Thanks!
Vickycp