The Big and Dirty Questions about Composting Toilets
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- If you’re interested in buying our same composting toilet, the best place to purchase is directly from Nature's Head. There is a discount code on our site here: www.gonewiththe...
We polled our friends, family and all our subscribers to get the biggest, most common and the dirtiest questions about the composting toilet. Granted they're not all dirty, but it's just fun to say! Here Nikki and I sit down with a cup o joe and hash out the details of our lives with the composting toilet inside our RV.
Most of these questions about the toilet all transfer for use in a Tiny House, Sailboat, Trailer, Off-Grid Cabin and power boats.
If you have more questions about our composting toilet please visit our website as we'll be updating the article as we continue to use the toilet in the RV: www.gonewiththe...
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This video made me a lot more comfortable with the idea of a composting toilet.
Yes. I agree. Very interesting indeed.
Ditto.
To anyone considering this kind of lifestyle this is an amazing video. Tons of relevant information put forth in a professional and entertaining manner. Bloody well done.
Thank you very much. This was the biggest problem i was facing with my tiny home and you have made me comfortable enough to go ahead with my project. Thank you again.
YES! It is a great solution and worked like a champ for us in the RV.
I'm sold! My husband and I will be living in a Class A RV by the end of the year and you guys have us both totally convinced that this toilet is the way to go. It will definitely be one of our first upgrades! THANK YOU for your channel it has been immensely helpful in preparation!
thanks. I am slowly trying to introduce the idea of composting toilets in my local community. I am a structural engineer that works with several "green" contractors. They have done composting toilets, solar lights, solar swamp coolers, entire off-grid homes. the composting toilet offers one of the most useful infrastructure benefits as it reduces load to existing sewer treatment.
...you folks are delightful... you took an icky subject and made it informative, and entertaining... you've given a new meaning to "GO PROS"...
Made it through the whole thing and I don't even have a composting toilet. Any time a couple gets together to talk poo, I'm listening. Can't wait to see what you'll turn the crank on next. Thanks!
Dude, I was totally thinking that same thing, a couple taking about poo is worth the watch! :-)
Thank you for your quick reply *\{^_~}/*
RVwithTito YEAH IT FEELS GOOD TALKING SHIT LOL
Chris Beeler YEAH YOU GIVE A SHIT THEN YOU TAKE A SHIT TO THE TRASH LOL
A few personal thoughts: COCOA COIR is expensive, and do you really want a bale of it in a vehicle? Buy it in a smaller bale, and it gets even more expensive. I’ve seen it cheaper at pet places than at plant places. PEAT MOSS Is expensive, and when you break it up or stir it, it covers everything with brown dust. Also, dry peat moss doesn’t absorb moisture very well. SAWDUST: Around here, bulk sawdust costs $13 per cubic yard (27 cubic feet). That is equal to 35 5-gallon buckets. Stop at a landscape materials place that sells it, and offer to pay “a buck a bucket” (which would be the equivalent of them selling the cubic yard for $35 rather than the usual $13-15. If any of these businesses are near camping areas, and they put out a sign saying they sell a 5-gal bucket of sawdust for a dollar, they might pick up some extra business. PETSMART or PETCO carry several types of suitable bagged stuff; check out their cat/rabbit/chinchilla/hamster bedding. COMPOSTING BAGS only decompose in hot commercial facilities, not in your backyard compost pile. Most towns have a solid waste facility - the place where people dispose of garbage and dirty diapers. Find a local one on your phone and go there. Some are free, some aren’t. BACTERIA: “All of the harmful bacteria is dead in 6 hrs” - that's not true. NO, YOU CAN’T DRINK URINE. Urine is a waste product - that’s why your body is getting rid of it! Diluted, it can be used as a
fertilizer, and you want to drink it full-strength? NO. It’s like drinking sea water: It has salts in it that make you even thirstier and more dehydrated, until you die. If you dispose of it near your campsite, your campsite will start to stink. If you pour it on the ground,
put it in an open area, NOT at the base of trees or shrubs (unless you’ve diluted it 1:10 with water -- grey water is okay).
"Composters" have truly improved since we installed one in our first camp in the woods. I thank you both for your video and the humor you shared to present the information. I am looking at a marine application now in my new home in the Republic of the Philippine Islands as I plan to cruse the many rivers. You folks have helped calm the nerves of my "first officer" who was not so sure about this technology.
Best toilet video I have ever seen. I'm going to start saying, "I have to go take a solid."
Luke Capasso i
Hi Mr. & Mrs. "Wynns", just wanted to thank you for your great video about this "socially sensitive" subject. I was impressed by your honesty and by answering every issues/questions that I may have about composting toilets and then some. Your video productions are excellent and your credit/signs/written summary excellent for engineered-minds like mine that cannot help to take notes and data. Thank you again for the all the research, time, and effort you are sharing for the success of the RV community, Ciao, L (QC, CAN and ME, USA)
I've had one of these for about 7 years now. I saved alot of money by not installing a conventional septic system. These are selling on Amazon now for about $910 versus $4-5000 for a septic system. I have a separate compost bin for the toilet, then empty that on ornamentals.
Thanks guys! Now, I have to figure out how I can adapt it to our little Casita trailer, out boat, and as guest bathroom in the lower floor of our house.
The composting toilet is a game changer. Your presentation is a great way to help people understand the workings and benefits of an often avoided but necessary subject (and equipment). I learned more from your presentation than from dozens of other sites that seem to skirt around the more awkward questions that everyone wants and needs to know.
Again, Many thanks
THANK YOU! This information really helps me solve a problem in a house with only one bathroom, on a slab. Whew! Off I go to look at toilets.
Just found you two. First, you guys are way to funny and easy to listen to. Second, you answered every question about composting toliets and sold me. I'm in the market for a retirement RV. Decided to retire early so I can play catchup with you two. Best of luck to you both and look forward to learning more from you.
Love your vid and way of making the idea attractive. Learned from that! We have been living in a yurt for years and my husband and son made a wooden composting toilet, and I wouldn't change it for a "normal"toilet for anything! And the humanure it produces is of great quality! Never managed to explain that to anyone, though....... Thx for showing!
One of the best rv info videos on the web. Thank you two very much for taking the time to put this video together.
UA-cam folks... It really does not matter what the Wynns say one way or the other.. It's what works for them and that's great. Very informative video and I can see the advantages of it and now understand how they work, but I also see the disadvantages of it for MY STYLE OF CAMPING.. ;) They are full time and I'm only a long weekend camper and reserve State Park sites that usually have full hookups and the ones that don't, will have a dump station on the way out. My black tank does not have actual 'poo' in it, as we just use the local facilities for that... Again, that's just works for US.. ;)
I have found that my grey tank smells a lot WORSE than my black tank.. Just my experience, so flame on!
Very rarely will I camp "off the grid" at this time in my RVing life. Once I retire and we decide what we are going to do after that... Well, we "dream" of going full time in an RV, but who knows?? Anyway, great vid and I'm catching up on your adventures and very entertained by them. Keep them coming and enjoy Wynns! :)
Mitch
Great information! I've been thinking about installing a composting toilet in my detached garage/workroom. This video answers a lot of questions I had about them. Many thanks.
I’ve recently been watching videos of tiny houses and I genuinely was wondering how these toilets worked. You answered all the questions I had!
you taught me more than i knew about composting toilets. i've decided it would be great to have one handy. i live in earthquake country and having a place to pee and poop when the sewerage system is inoperable for any given period of time, would be ideal.
I didn't wade through al of the comments so I don't know if it was addressed, but it's a common misconception that urine is "sterile". That's part of the reason it's a last ditch option to drink it unprocessed.
I know that this is 4 years old, but it's been proven time and time again, urine IS sterile (unless you have a UTI). A simple google search will easily tell you this. However, sterile and non-toxic are NOT the same thing. You still shouldn't drink pee.
Good info. Thanks. But I just wondered the perspective of a women during her menstrual cycle?
A Wynn Wynn video. Very informative. Tactfully done. Thanks for posting!
Great information.... Not sure I'm ready to rip out the current RV Toilet but at least now I feel informed... One thing I have to say does appear attractive is using the black water tank as another grey... Seems we could avoid the campground hookups for a longer period.. Anyway, love your videos... Follow you often...
I'm obviously bouncing around a bit viewing your vids....always have a great time but this one made my wife and I laugh out loud on several occasions. Especially throwing in a good ole' "That's what she said" joke, wuuuuuuuut!?!?!? lmao.....
As always, love everything you guys do...keep it up the great work; keep being you.
+ChiTownRaider75 Thanks for all the kind comments, we LOVE reading each one
I've been watching a lot of Tiny House vids and been hearing a lot about these toilets. I didn't really know what they were so I did a search and this video came up first. Thank you for the in depth info!
+Skyhijinx Thanks for letting us know! Be sure to head to the blog and check out the rest of the series.
The information shared and the presentation are so greatly appreciated. Can't imagine why, if cost and installation are not deal breakers, would anyone choose to continue the black tank hassles? Speaking as a couple preparing for fulltime RVing you guys have been a great resource! Thank you so very much for deciding to become advocates both living the life and assisting others in their planning and application. Highest blessings to you both and looking forward to sitting around a fire with you one day!
Just wanted to thank you! I was looking all over for certain answers about the composting toilet, and you were the only ones so far that had helped answer every one of them. Happy New Years!
Chris Sigars Thank *you* for the feedback & keep it coming!
I've spent a lot of time on boats, big and small. To answer the motion sickness question... Do NOT throw up in the toilet. If you are at sea, find a railing down wind and chum the waters. If you are on land, use a trash can or bag or anything except your toilet. The acids, extra fluids will completely screw up your composting process.
Thanks for this video, guys! I'm starting my "tiny home" journey, and research like this is sooooooo important! Good luck, best wishes, safe travels and I hope to see you on the road some day!
I Cannot tell you how much i appreciate your candor, honesty, and how thoroughly you guys explained this topic. I have to admit when you guys first started doing these videos, I thought you were very Salesmen-like ( not a good thing)
However you shown that you are willing to answer the less glamorous questions in an honest way.
I appreciate you very much, Keep up the integrity:)
This is one of the most comprehensive videos on composting toilets I’ve seen. I’m about to embark on full-time RV living. This was very helpful!!
Yay! We love this kind of feedback!
I'm really glad that I found this video, as I have had many questions about composting toilets and the two of you answered every one. I am now sold :)
Hey, you guys are hella cute! I just wanted to let you know you both are doing a great social service by so delicately answering all these curious questions! Thank you for inspiring so many people.
This was by far the most informative video I've ever seen on this subject!
Lots of good info for someone interested in getting into an RV either as a rental or eventually as a purchase. Thanks!
"brings a whole new meaning to the word outhouse. you don't even need the house" LOL!!
Thank you guys for all this information, it has been VERY HELPFUL in deciding to purchase a natures head toilet today. And an extra thank you for the discount we received on our toilet on your behalf!😊
Yay! We love it when people send us this kind of feedback.
Thank you, I am looking at full time RVing within the next few months. Your informative videos and those of Technomadia have saved me a lot of potential grief and a lot of good ideas for what I will really need. They also have made my girlfriend more comfortable with the whole idea. Keep up the great work.
"Nice Save Nikki" LMAO I am dying! ALso, this was very helpful! Thanks!
Awesome channel! Very educational/informative! Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your adventures and mishaps!
+Richard Folgado Well, thanks for watching!!! -nikki
Where are you taking the urine. You talked about the poo but not the urine
This was a extremely helpful video all the questions I had were answered so thank you
Crappiest coffee table I have ever seen...
HAHA, totally.
I always go down and read gold comments :)
😆 lol
A single 5 gallon toilet for two people uses 9,000 gallons of water in one year. I'm definitely going composting toilet when I build my house.
Hey Wynns. Thanks for all your great videos. Im half way through this one and wanted to say that peat moss is not environmentally sustainable. They have to drain precious beat bogs that can't be revived once they are gone. Coconut coir is better for the environment as far as I know
Thank you both so much! This was extremely helpful!
Moorlands play an often underestimated role in the water balance of the landscape. They delay the runoff due to their enormous storage capacity and thus act preventively against flooding. Moorlands are particularly threatened habitats. No 10% of the original bogs are still there. Their destruction also destroys the habitat of many highly specialized species. so take better coco coir and safe the peat moss :-)
One of your best vids. Long enough and better info than previous.
I have been thinking about doing the compost toilet adventure for sometime, and now thanks to you two and the information and answered questions you have provided, I think I am ready to take the journey into compost pottying in my RV...I have enjoyed all of your videos and explanations on the do's and don'ts of RV'ing they have helped alot..Thank you for sharing them with us...
Its our pleasure to answer your questions, we are getting a lot of flack from people about being 'sell outs' but the reason we make these videos is to help, not to profit. Thank you for affirming we are indeed helping answer real questions.
Gone with the Wynns where are people giving you crap? on your website or on here? i wouldnt worry too much about the nay-sayers, but i was curious what their gripes are. keep at it!!
great job, you two! You have reignited my interest in composting toilets!
Thank you for this awesome video. I'm excited about getting my composting toilet. Question...as a women, if the #2 compartment is open for a donation how bad is it if #1 gets in there? It's often hard to hold back one when the other is ready!
I know this is 2yrs old, but you can actually mix 1 and 2, you just need to add more composting medium to absorb the moisture.
Just curious why you opted for a second grey tank (in place of the uneeded black), instead of adding a second water tank? Thanks for your informative and fun vids!
Most informative video on composting toilet I've seen! Thanks guys! Answered alot of my questions!!
Hi, just bought an Airhead composting toilet for my sailingyacht. It will be great to get rid of all hoses, tank, valves and so.
Very good video!👍
Delicately, well done Wynns!
Proper installation prevents insects, mold, and odor. Install it correctly- no issues
Hi, I just want to thank you. You guys are funny, entertaining and informative. AWESOME video. Thank you.
Very nice and informative. As for peeing standing, medical studies prove that peeing seated is actually better for the prostate and reduces significantly the risks of prostate cancer for men. It's also cleaner...
I am now potty trained. Informative and fun vid. Thanks.
LOLOL!
Great information. I like the way you set it up in nature and drink coffee :)
I love it. I am thinking of installing one in our home. California is in a very serious drought. Why are we pooping and peeing in our drinking water?
John Puccetti did u install in your home? Considering here..
during a horrible drought here in N GA I switched to a humanure toilet so I could guiltlessly use the wasted water on my garden and I have never gone back to the porcelain throne and hopefully never will. No splash back, no swirling vapors at the wasteful flush and yes returning my veggie rich produce back to the soil over a couple years were all bonuses. I have developed more convenient and less offensive ways to handle it and WOW once you lose the worry about what people think it becomes second nature to just be a responsible crapper. Going on 11 years now. With this knowledge you can easily make a storm cellar potty, camping potty etc. or buy the pricey one that is shown here.
Thanks for answering the questions I may give it a try in my RV.
Thank you for this. So informative and really flipped a switch about me making the choice to go compost :)
Here's a question for Nikki. I use a moon cup. Is it ok to dump the moon cup in the composting toilet and would it go with the liquids or the solids?
This is an excellent question and I look forward to an answer as well please! :-)
What's a moon cup?
@@sherylbawa408 menstrual cup. It's a bit like atampon, instead of it being made of fiber like cotton however, it is a silicone "cup", that you insert and it is designed to fit around the cervix, and catch flow that is later "dumped" when full. So, like a reusable tampon made of silicone. :)
Thank you guys, i'm planning on living on a sailboat and i'm designing it as I'm writing this. This video helped me making a choice witch will be time, and cost efficient as well as I believe make my life easier on a regular basis in the futur. Thanks
+Capt Beautiful Thanks for letting us know. We love it when we hear that all this effort is worth it.
I know this is quite dated, but still relevant. I expected this to be a pretty dry video, but you guys made it great!
Thanks so much for your video. We are planning on using a composting toilet over the summer. You've made me much more confident about the whole process.
+11 Acres Homestead Aw we love hearing that! A big part of why we do this is to share what we've learned and it makes us happy that it's helpful. Thanks for letting us know.
you guys are on the other side of the world now! and still i find myself referencing your library of videos. GWTW FTW!
That part of the toilet paper reminded me how in Puerto Rico it's tradition to not put toilet paper on the toilet due to septic tank issues.
We’re looking into one of these for our new RV. This was incredibly helpful.
Why is it the RV industry have not moved to composting toilets?
Good question.
Thank you for the information.....I've been thinking for awhile now about getting a compost toilet.....very helpful info ......from Eddie's wife in South Carolina❤
Thank you for making this video. It was very informative.
Awesome video, very well done. I got no questions at all.
How do you clean the poo smear on the poo chute door and does that residue smell?
Great info, I feel more confident about installing one now. The idea of emptying a black tank is repulsive enough to me that going to potty in the woods like a bear seemed like the only option before hearing about the dry toilets.
how about cleaning the bowl? after each #2? if so, what's the best way?
Thanks for taking the time and energy to help us understand composting poo - seems like a good solution. Imagine another RVer trying to help us understand black water - ouch! I'm getting the Separett system - hope that is a good choice. Happy travels!
The Separaett system is great for a home, I hope you're not going to install it in an RV application as the footprint of this toilet is rather large for small spaces.
Yes, thanks, I've given it lots of thought and your comment now clinches it ---- definitely going for the Nature's Head. By the way, I appreciate the quality of your filming & editing & timing - really love this one particularly set in the way out back. Continued luck and love to you both on your big adventures!
Wow guys thank you very much! You have answered all my questions. Super funny, but still very helpful video! Perfect!
I just bought mine, can't wait to install it!
Thank you for a awesome video, I was on the fence about getting a composting toilet now I’m 💯 YES 🌞
Entertaining and fun. Well done, well made and well presented. Thank you. Please keep up the quality shows
I have watched your helpful & fun composting toilet videos with interest as we are planning to install one. Natures Head gets good reviews and obviously you two seem happy with it, curious if you are aware of and considered the Airhead compost toilet and if so, why you decided on the Natures Head? Thanks. Peace & happy travels.
I sometimes think of getting a composing toilet so I can get rid of my black water tank and standard toilet for my RV. Expensive though. But I guess in the end worth it! GREAT VID!
Finally a video I can comment on. While I have commented on your video's before but I tend not to. Don't get me wrong. They are always very well done and extremely informative. However, I'm (personally) not looking for the same travel activitie$ and dining $uggestions other vacationing RV'ers are looking for, ones that could parallel promotional material from the local chamber of commerce. I understand there is that market, it's not my speed. For RV'ers on "vacation" you do a good job promoting specific locations for those not on a budget, imo. That was not the nature of this one.
As far as with this video, you've both produced another quality production, as always and gave great information to everyone seeking information on composting toilets. Thank you from me and from them I'm sure. While I would never thought I would want to give up the black tank (standard) approach. You both convinced me as much as possible that it is superior. I suppose the acid test is when Nikki said, even with stick and brick living she would prefer a composting toilet. That right there speaks volumes and was an impressive comment for me. Good for you and thanks from the environment.
Correct me if I'm wrong, you both are in agreement that it's the way to go vs black tank and wouldn't want to go that route in any RV again, having done both long term?
Does the black tank still get to hold the pee now?
We 100% feel a composting toilet is better than the black tank. Hands down. If you want more info, or if you want to order the toilet the owner has given us a discount code you'll find inside the articles on our website: www.gonewiththewynns.com/all-composting-toilet
periods??!!! what about periods!!??
Hey! :) She probably uses a menstrual cup or reusable cotton pads.
Natalie Rodrigues I want to know too, such a tmi subject but important to know for those that are seriously considering it
Nothing non-biological goes in the solids tank except single-ply TP. We address heavy periods in this blog post: www.gonewiththewynns.com/composting-toilet-tips-tricks-solving-problems
This is on their blog, along with plenty solid Q&As "The composting toilet can handle heavy menstruation according to the manufacturer. If it affects the humidity of your solids base I would recommend adding an extra scoop of compost medium to counteract the moisture"
Ever heard of a garbage bag? What do you do at home? Please tell me you don't flush them!
Peat moss can usually be had in smaller bags at the same stores listed where the indoor plants are sold.
+KayZee1957 Peat moss works wonderful in a "normal" composting toilet ywt am unsure with one of these "diverter" toilets. A large bag of peat moss can last for a year or two or even more in a true composting toilet yet it is well known that peat moss is barely considered renewable. I still use it yet am searching for an affordable alternative but don't feel too guilty yet.
I want to thank you for going out of your way to answer our questions about doing number 2 in a composting toilet.
I'm trying to convince my husband to go with one, too.😁😉
my question is about cleaning the bowl. if it gets splattered or dirty as most normal toilets do, how do you clean it when no water can be used??
+joe833a we use seventh generation cleaning wipes but you could use any cleaner you wanted.
+Gone with the Wynns Booooring. Keep a Super Soaker Water Gun in the washroom!
FOOL. When camping, water is often unavailable. How long do you think that 40 gallons in the RV would last you?
Me, the fool? There's this thing called a lake lol
You can also add a hydrophobic coating to prevent anything from sticking and ensure that everything slides down.
Great informative video. very well done. will be watching more and thinking that we might be able to be a little more adventurous and eco-friendly. thanks again.
Great video! I have been looking for an answer to the toilet paper question. Years ago I had a converted bus that had a black water tank; but, in this build I don't want to go that route. This really helps. Thanks!
You guys are amazing- in sharing the joy you are sharing such a better more sustainable way to "go" I am still working on my husband....some day....
I wasn't interested in composting toilettes until this video. I never heard of them until one of your other videos. Thanks for teaching me so much about poo. :)
This was actually a really good video!
Thanks Gordon, it's the first casual sorta video we've done like this. Hoping to do more.
Gone with the Wynns
I do believe you've done a "casual sorta video" before. Specifically, The bathroom sink faucet upgrade/change out. The one you showed all the learning mistakes you made so possibly your viewers could learn too. That was great thing to do. I been there and done that and you got it done through persistence.
Very informative & thorough video. I'm now more excited about the idea of eventually living in a tiny house!
I watched another video where the presenter said that various kinds of wood shavings, hamster bedding or even kitty litter could be used in the composting toilet. You make it sound like only peat moss or coco coir can be used in this particular toilet. Is that true or is it just your preference? It seems to me that if you used wood shavings you could burn them in your camp fire after drying.
Coco coir can be bought at pet store for hermit crabs
+Deedee Jordan Thats interesting, I'll have to look next time we're in a pet store.
+Deedee Jordan They sell it on Amazon too.
I got it for my rats in the lizard section!
Great job on the video, there were lots of questions I had that you answered as well. I'd like to consider it for my little RV... off to watch your next video. Thanks !!
You can find coconut fiber at your local PETLAND or PETCO. They sell them in bricks, it is used as substrate for pet Tarantulas. So if you ever had an emergency and could not find it, remember a PETCO or PETLAND.