Nature's Head Composting Toilet - Honest Review
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- After using our Nature's Head Composting Toilet for the last 3 years while traveling full-time, we decided it's about time for a proper review. Everything we love and hate about this composting toilet and what we should have done different.
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We used one of these living full time on a boat. We found that putting about 1 inch of vinegar into the urine bottle after we emptied it and before using it again almost eliminated the smell.
Yeah, we’ve heard that! We’ll give it a shot!
@My Name Is Blue Canary After you dump the bottle and rinse with water, add the vinegar and leave it. That, plus using the spray bottle with 50-50 water /vinegar after you pee will keep odours in check.
Also boric acid powder - a few spoonfuls
I have done this. I now use a product called 'urine digester' which is better IMO, a few sprays after each pee.
Did you ever try hydrogen peroxide?
NOBODY else has mentioned the filters. And you're the second person to mention mold. Good on you.
I have used a composting toilet for years but just use five gallon buckets under the seat. I used wood shavings that I buy really cheap at a pets store. They are less than five dollars for a compressed bail. It usually last me over a year. The last one lasted a year and four months and was used everyday. It doesn’t smell. After I go I just cover it up with the shavings and that’s it. When it’s half full. I put the lid on tight and take it outside and bring a clean bucket back in and start all over. The toilet lid is fastened just like on a toilet but it it screwed down to the wood box that covers it. No fan, no cranking and no taking it apart and cleaning. When I have time I dump the bucket and use a power washer to clean it out when it’s empty. I just add it to my stack of buckets and lids land I’m done. Later
Composting toilets are easy if you have a house or land. This is built for traveling in RV’s.
How do you separate the pee?
I’m a mechanical engineer and am thinking about installing one in a third floor residential space (upper unit of a two family) for a second bathroom that will get much less use than the the second floor bathroom with conventional plumbing. It’s a viable option because the pee bucket just needs to be dumped downstairs. This video is a must see video for understanding the actual use and maintenance requirements. Very informative.
How do you know when there is an engineer in the room?…..
Just wait 10 seconds and they will announce it.
@@5222k OMG. It's _so_ true.
Best review of this I have seen. Learned the most!
I know this video is 3 years old but it just resurfaced on my feed. I am so grateful you did this video. It answered all my questions on how they worked. Thank you Jonathan, excellent explaintion.
You are welcome!
The ONLY comprehensive NH toilet video on the interwonk. Thanks Jonathan! And that's why my friend, you ROCK!
The interwonk 😂.
Honestly the best review I’ve seen on this! Really appreciated the filters!
I wish I had watched this before living full time for 8 months with my Nature’s Head! Very informative illustration and oops guess I need to look at those filters 😬. The one thing that I didn’t hear you mention, which drove my decision, was saving fresh water especially when boondocking.
Great review! The level of detail and handy tips is phenomenal. Way to review!
Yes!! Totally agree!
first off what great humor!! cheers! second what great advice and experiance you just shared! the wife and I have just purchased a piece of property in the country and have decided to build aweekend get-a-way A Frame Cabin, 24'X40' totally off grid, no electricity other than solar/battery just for the essintal toilet fan and our 12v tankless hotwater heater for our shower, our children are now on their own! atlast! yeah!!! part of our decision was to opt out of an outhouse, those are just a mess and fly catcher, not saying building a outhouse just for show isnt out of the question! they are cool looking! half moon cut in the door and all! our biggest challange was what make, model and company to use as a composing toilet the Nature's Head seams to be the best construction and overall thought out! your video offered so much advice in the cleaning process that it was the final dicision of ours to purchase the NH toilet! thanks and Cheers from The Big Sky State Montana!
Congratulations on your weekend get-a-way! We live off grid full time and this video has really helped in deciding if this toilet was worth it. I’m actually kind of excited about it now.
Rocking intro! This episode adds new meaning to The Daily Grind 😂😎
Haha haha. 😂
I've watched a number of composting toilet videos including some outhouse and 5 gal bucket solutions. We were never sure on what was the best way forward but after watching your video on this, we feel much more confident with this Nature's Head solution. We would also only be 2 people and I also agree that plumbing in the urine separator to a fixed drain makes more sense. Using on a homestead situation I can also plumb in a separate urinal which takes pressure off the Nature's Head not to mention on our remote property I can pick and choose certain trees to visit and share the love. LOL! Good stuff. Thanks.
Lol. Great intro. I was eager to ask this things but wasn't sure this is appropriate and polite. And you posted this video. Never knew these devices were so convenient.
Well done. I was thinking about a lavro dry flush for my off grid cabin, but after watching your video, I'm buying a nature's head composted. Great video and thanks for the tips/tricks!
Very helpful! I’m considering my options for a tiny house and don’t want to pay for a septic system. So this was very informative
We own 2 Nature's Heads toilets, one in a tiny house we built and the other in a trailer that we remodeled, changing out the flush toilet. Together they have over 8 years of use. The biggest problem we've experienced is the constant infiltration of those tiny fruit flies, which makes using it very unpleasant. We also did not like having to either remove the whole base unit and carry it outside... or do the change-out of the solids inside. We have just recently decided to change the process. We have now removed the agitator from the unit (very easy) and instead placed an 8-gallon compost bag inside. We also added caulking all the way around under the molded lip of the base unit, which has been the prime breeding ground for these fly eggs. Then we added a slightly stronger fan with about 50% more airflow (40x40x20 vs 40x40x10 mm). The replacement fan draws 0.11 amps instead of the 0.07 standard. It's not much more, and we are on shore power anyway. And the fan fits the existing housing. The drawback is that we aren't agitating (mixing) the coconut coir with the solids. The huge benefit is we just lift out the composting bag (and the base unit stays clean) and we don't have to remove the base unit... much faster and cleaner.
Agreed, now that we're more stationary it is kind of a pain. Where'd you get the fan that fits? Seems like a quick easy upgrade for better airflow.
First time viewing the ups and downs of compost toilets. I’m buying a canned ham. I’m building a nice wet bath area. Mostly going to be bedroom and a couple of small chairs, plus tiny cooking area. Most of our cooking is outside. I really enjoyed your review. Well done. I’m 74 and have spent most of my life in the backcountry of Montana. I’m slowin down. Moved to Northern California. Good place I think. I’m getting prepared to go follow my nose to the NE corner of the state to check out hunting and fishing. I feel pretty secure as to how to live well in the tow along now that I have a more concise understanding of the major concern, composting toilets. Thanks again amigo. Joe
California from Montana? I'm moving from California to Montana in 2 months. Won't throw water on your parade so I'll just say good luck and wish you well.
We’ll Keith, I’ve lived in both places. I wouldn’t move back to what Montana had become. It used to be a great place. There’s more wild lands in California than in Montana. Too many people from California, Texas, Florida etc, fell for the “ last best place” advertising. Montana has been too exploited. Land and housing prices are nearly as high as California’s. Fortunately, my place in N. California is nearly paid off plus I own another one outright.
@@keithwebb1926 you probably won't throw water because there isn't any to waste! Good luck to both you and Joe in your endeavors.
The one problem that I have with this toilet is the fact that the seat is the size of a postage stamp for larger people. I just wish they would make the seat bigger like a standard size long gated seat.
You know what i appreciate? The TRUTH! And basically...you're the first/only to do that in regards to the "Natures Head". Everyone else says..."I was a little concerned about it but it's fine...no smell." Yeah...right. lol Thanks for the best vid on composting toilets.
I've gotta tell you, I thought, "this sounds AWESOME!" Until I saw this video. No. Freaking. Way. No way am I pulling the toilet out and doing all that, even if it's only once a month. I know me, and I will hate my life. Black tank is looking a lot better. *hangs head* So...THANK YOU SO MUCH @Tiny Shiny Home for telling the TRUTH! That's a thousand dollars I won't spend.
Im so impressed how clean your natures head is. Our door especially the holes get so dirty from the urine. We have ours for 5 years and replaced the door 3 times. We also found aqua chem works to keep the pee tanks clean and not smelly. Not sure how safe for the environment it is but we live in a marina so they have a place to dump tanks
Jonathan cleans it real well. :)
(Jonathan here) - wait you can replace the trap door?!?? We totally need to do this. Ours is gross, too.
From the research I have done, this is the grand poobah of composting toilets. Pricey yeah but this is the one I will be buying when time comes! This is a great review!
We used this system in Mexico during several mission trips. Part of the mission work was dissemination and instruction of bowls and use. Awesome system
Helped me make a decision for my RV remodel. I think I am going for the compost toilet. Thanks for sharing.
Mate if you get this I hope it may help. With the vent if you use a vertical black pipe in the sun it with draw air up. Just place a filter at the top that’s large enough . Thanks so much for showing this.
Thank you for the info on the peat moss I just recently started using my natures head and am suffering from a terrible smell from what I presume is because I’m using peat instead of coconut
Great review! Thank you for mentioning the filters. No one else talked about that and it feels like that might be a big deal. LOL! Thanks for all the details!
Been using this composter for about three years. I have the urine section plumbed into my rv black tank along with my bath sink. It is the perfect setup for my wife and I.
How did you plumb the urine section to the gray tank? Thanks.
Thank you. Looks perfect for little old me in my tiny home. 👏👏👏🌼🌼🌼
Hello from Prince Albert Saskatchewan Canada 🇨🇦
Thank you so much for explaining how a composting toilet works. With six of you using it you sure have to clean it a lot more frequently. Maybe you could consider putting in a second one so you don’t have to clean every week.
I’m sure it’s not one of your favourite jobs.
Anyway. I enjoy watching your progress. Keep them coming! Not just about the toilet but all the rest. Best wishes!
Best video i have found on explaining.I like the fact that you guys are 6 people using it explains so Much better, I was looking at the Laveo dry flush, but now you sold me a natures head 😊
Thank you so much for this. Your comment that it really depends on the ratio of campground to Boondocking that you do should drive the decision as to whether you truly need a composting toilet. After reviewing my situation, I realized that a composting toilet would not be necessary for me. Thanks again! You rule!!
Glad to hear it!
Thank you for a great instruction video. We are putting a Nature’s Head toilet into a container house. Having this toilet will allow us to have a grey water only septic system, which is much less money than a black and grey water combo system. 👍
Thank you for the tips!
I'm just using a bucket like a compost toilet and I'm powering used coffee powder every time I use the bucket. I don't know if it's good, apparently yes, but I had fly problem, because before I left the coffee powder opened in the kitchen and the flies put eggs on it. Sorry for my bad English, I hope I got understood.
Yeah you have to us a composting agent like coco coir or something similar :)
Thanks ... first mention I've seen about removing and cleaning the fan inlet and outlet screens/filters
Very important step!
Great overview! The filters need a redesign for longer service interval and ease of cleaning. These changes would be easy for the manufacturer to implement. At this price point, it's reasonable to expect.
We ordered some new ones recently and they are a now a harder mesh that just wipes off. Much easier to clean for sure.
Brilliant comments about when to actually wash the main solids tank! ...Keeping some of the working composting bacteria in, and when to do a full clean. Thanks
I like the intro part, funny.
Thanks, you've just convinced me to invest in a septic system haha
Watching this while in a bathroom really makes it a 4D experience
Your one of the first honest folks telling the truth being that it only begins the process of composting.
Ive been using compost toilet for 20 years...a sunmar n.e.
We are researching the nature’s head right now and your review was absolutely fantastic! Really loved the intro, I was laughing my ass off! Good job sir! I was really skeptical. We currently use buckets and didn’t want to buy something that was harder to dump. Your review has me leaning towards the natures head now.
I saw someone commented on using vinegar in the pee side, this does work. I do this in my pee bucket, hardly any smell. Without vinegar it’s almost unbearable...🤮.
Absolutely fantastic video! Thank you for sharing!
We’ve heard a lot of people add vinegar to the spray bottle of water. It probably does help but we don’t ever remember to do it.
@@TinyShinyHome I would just add the vinegar right into the container after emptying it. About an inch on the bottom. That’s what I do for my bucket. You’ll be amazed!
We’ll try it!
@@TinyShinyHome would like to know what you think. 😀
I've use vinegar before but what I've found works even better is baking soda. Three or four tablespoons in the container will do and no vinegar smell.
You are AMAZING for doing this! Thank you
I truly appreciate your review on this. It will definitely help me to make a now BETTER informed decision. I can't believe that you're doing it wiht a family of 6
Thank you for sharing and walking thru each step of the process. Very informative, very helpful!!
@TinyShinyHome: appreciate the concise, through and common sense approach in your content. Considering purchasing a Winnebago Type A RV (after 2019) and full-time. This helped out in decision making on off-grid/boon docking. Thank you!.
I might get one of these to sit and watch soccer on tv at home with a beer they look so comfortable .
Best intro I've seen on a composting toilet review! 😂👏🏽👏🏽
I ABSOLUTLY LOVE THIS VIDEO!! Funny and informative. I'm adding a small bunk house for guests and don't want to add a septic tank...more to come
oh! and yeah, great intro. The editing and creativity are absolutely pro, better than actually. Love love it.
Thanks:) I’ll ask Courtney about it!
This is the BEST composting toilet video out there! Many, many thanks!
Hey thanks!
Thank you for this segment. Feel as though you've covered all the issues, components and questions I had. This content was the sh*t !!
Thank you so much !!! My septic is clogged 😳and I live in the middle of nowhere 😁so I’m a nature freak and this is truly the best thing I can do right now. I do want to add a 2nd floor loft toilet so this is a great choice! Thanks for your great review and demo of how this works! Plus it’s only myself so this should really be the answer!!❤🎉❤
Urine is also great to get rid of ant beds. They may only move 10 feet but eventually you can pee em off your property or camp site.
I'm very glad you addressed that this doesn't produce compost. That's a huge health concern for people who hear the name and think that. I'd personally like to see regulation on what a company can call a toilet
You mentioned plumbing the urine to grey tank. How would this be done to work on this product? Is there already products to do this procedure on the market? Any videos on this?
I'd love to know this also.
Having used composting toilets for over 30 years I can tell you that filters serve no purpose whatsoever. Of course bug screening is needed but I've never even cleaned any bug screens has the intake screen stays clean and the exhaust screen is only exposed to high humidity. I have recently purchased a Nature's head toilet and should I find filters are still used I will certainly be tossing them in favor of quality bug screens. Your video is spot on and all aspects of a small composting toilet, especially when used by more than one or two people. Thank you so much for the video
Their new screens are way better high quality plastic and much easier to clean. Also, its usually material not bugs that need to be cleaned off.
great review.
finally i found somebody to tell a honest opinion. sometimes i got: i would not do it again without really explaining why.
or: yes its a great thing,sometimes a litzle bit smelly also without explaining.
okay our climate is totally diffetent to yours, i would worry about mold. but.... using it with 6 people is certainly a real test.
debating on going from a porta potty to composting toilet thank you for the tips!
Excellent video! I'm thinking about getting one and learned so much from you. I feel like I can do this!
This is one of the best off grid toilet systems reviews I have ever seen. The only thing I would have done differently is put on gloves up to my elbows. Lol. But that's just me.🤪😉
Hah. You get over it pretty quick 🤷🏻♂️
I was thinking that as well!
Thank you for that great review. I'm definitely going to go ahead and get a Nature's Head now.
Fantastic video. Thank you so much for all the details.
This is the best information on this product I have ever seen. Thank you so much!
Glad you found it useful.
This was excellent! Funny and informative. I really appreciate the honest and direct approach. That is quite a chore to remove it and clean it on the truck bed every 1-2 weeks. I'm assuming the urine container is easy to remove and dump. Also, how heavy is this thing when full?
Haha thanks :) Yes, the urine container can be easily removed - just undo the latches, partially lift up the lid, and pull it out. With both liquids and solids full, I'd say it's 30-40lbs. Empty 10-15lbs. With our 5th wheel, I had to spend about the same amount of time flushing the black tank each week so all in all it's not too bad. The cleaning is definitely the worst part.
I just ordered one of this. Your video has been very helpful to us. Thanks!
This was such an informative video thanks! I do have a question though...without getting too graphic sometimes women do #1 And # 2 at the same time. How does this work in a composting toilet? Thanks!
You just have to concentrate really hard. Ha. Takes some practice:)
SUSAN JO S : THAT WAS A GREAT QUESTION TO CONCIDER...MUCH EASIER FOR A MALE TO USE THIS TOILETING SYSTEM SINCE THEIR STREAMING MALE PARTS HAVE A BETTER AIM...BUT FEMALE PARTS WORK DIFFERENT ESPECIALLY ADULT/OLDER WOMEN &/ OR MALE OR FEMALES WITH IRRITABLE BOWL SYNDROME... ITS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY BUCKET LID TOILET FOR RVING/ OUTDOOR CAMPING/ WORKSHOP/ IN HOME...YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE " SHTF " EMERGENCIES COME UP LIKE COVID-19...HOPE THIS HELPS
After seeing all the cleaning steps, I would totally just use a bucket system with kitty litter and just bag up each... deposit.
@@khm2128 Hahaha - deposit 😂
Exactly what I needed to make an important decision.👍 Thanks!
Great, informative video, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks
You’re welcome:)
Thanks for sharing how this compose toliet thing works. Very interesting and informative.
Great video! Answered a lot of my questions about it. ✌️
Great video. Thanks for being so responsive 👏🏻🥰
Lots of coco core contains high salt content that's why it molds way less.
Very cool information!!! Thank you I didn’t even know these existed
Best intro ever for a composting toilet review 🤣🤣
I’m not gonna lie. That looks like a major pain compared to the Joe Jenkins way. All you need are some pallets and zip ties to make a bin for the compost. Perhaps a second bucket toilet so that one gets a little break? Great video! Hilarious intro!👌🏽😄
We’ll eventually switch to buckets but not until we get our hacienda built.
Sensitive and informative, thank you. Nice video 👍🏻
Great video! Not an RVer, but curious, what is this toilet like for people who have periods? Also, this may seem like a silly question, but how does the toilet divert pee from poo if they happen at the same time?
Yes! I’d love to know these answers as well.
Excellent review. Best review on the subject!
Excellent review, has convinced me I'm not the guy for one, though I too don't use the black water and have removed my head. Would be good to get the dudes/dudettes perspective on the pee separation. Looks like a somewhat elongated toilet? at a cost of a grand, I think I'm better of with a few buckets and a shovel in most situations, Thanks.
Lol, I couldn't help but picture someone dumping the solids container on their garden bed and then *cue foghorn* LOL
Eww. Haha. Gross.
We bought this composting toilet and found it very cumbersome to clean out. 1) The underside of the seat section has so many nooks and crannies that even emersing it in water completely you are unable to get it effectively clean. 2) While the coconut core should help to compost the B.M.s it also attracts insects like gnats, or may have insect eggs already in it, so we have resorted to having to put a contractors plastic bag with kitty litter. 3) The weight of the toilet to carry and clean out is too heavy for most people to manage, even the urine collector need to be emptied sooner than later, because it can be too heavy and the handles come loose. Over all I could have built a septic on our property ( like Green Dream Project) with a regular toilet for less money, or bought the $600 dollar Sun Mar that is easier to manage for the RV while on the road.
While it is heavy and a pain to clean (which are part of the compromises you'll make with a mobile composting toilet), if you have gnats and insects then you're not doing it right. Get better quality coco coir, vent properly, and make sure there's not too much moisture. Kitty litter is definitely not the way to go, and defeats the whole point of composting. If you're stationary then build invest in a larger, fixed composting system like you mentioned (though I'm not sure Green Dream's setup is permitted anymore).
Points appreciated. For our homestead I did make a composting toilet that uses pine chips. However, for the road, the Sun Mar or a cassette toilet may suit me better since I have a bad back and my heavy lifting days are over.
Thanks for the demo... this is my top option for my off grid cabin in Northern Az 👌🏼
You're welcome! Glad we could help :)
Well done review! Super informative thank you!!
Thanks for sharing the information, priceless info
Great video! Wondering if people put the compost bag in first for ease of removal, or will it be degraded by the time it needs changed? 🤔
You have to give the compost a turn after use, so you would likely rip the compost bag in the process. Would be a great idea though for people with a DIY composting toilet that doesn't have the spindle built-in.
Great video. 2 questions.
1) Even in the cramped quarters of an Airstream bathroom, would you be able to go through that cleaning process without carrying the whole caboodle outside where the wind and the flies are?
2) Since one has to provide an electrical source for the fan, do you know of any manufacturer that motorizes the "few turns of the agitator handle" say every time the seat is lifted? Thanks for your patient response to all these questions and comments.
It would be pretty tight (and messy) to do it inside. Dumping the solids out alone never goes like you plan it :) The agitator handle can be incredibly hard to turn once there's some material in it - you won't be able to power that.
@@TinyShinyHome Thanks for your super quick reply. Much appreciated.
Where do you get your coconut core? And what would be a good size to buy? I will be receiving our natures head next week and wanting to be prepared. Thx. Really liked the honesty and advice in you video.
Check out the blog to go with the video. It has links for the coco coir we use:) we like to have a lot on hand and we order on Amazon. tinyshinyhome.com/natures-head-composting-toilet
The intro gives me that intense cooking show kind of vibe tbh 😂😂
Lol 😂
Thank you for sharing. God’s Grace.
Best review to date.
Hey thanks!
Haha that intro is 🔥🔥
Makes me laugh every time:)
How heavy is this thing by itself?
Empty? Maybe 10lbs. Full? A solid 20-30lbs depending on what’s in it 😂
Excellent presentation!! Kudos 👏
Very informative. Thank you.
Thanks for the video homie. I just got one.
Looks like more hassle then I'm willing to do. I have a bucket toilet, with a urine separator. And, for times when I don't need to poop, I created a standing urinal. I use sawdust for the poop and there's no smell at all.
Thanks, that was so helpful :)
Compost toliet not as bad as I thought it woud be. I mean poop is not pleasant, but I really thought I would have to turn off. But didn't. I watch all the boondockers and adobe homebuilders. I enjoy it so much.
Can you use sawdust if you can’t get coconut husk
thanks. was thinking of getting one