Info on self-contained composting toilets

December 9, 2005 4:30 PM

Recommendations for composting toilets, please.

We need a self-contained unit (no space for a separate tank), with low to medium capacity (used 30 hours a week by two to three people). Electricity is available.

We are looking at the Envirolet, Biolet, and Sun-Mar.

What kind did you install? How do you like yours? What do you wish you had known beforehand? Any other brands we should consider? How about online information resources?

Thank you, o wise and eco-sustainable Mefites!

posted by ottereroticist to home & garden (3 comments total)

It will be used 30 hours a week by 2 or 3 people? Good lord, man- what are you eating?

(sorry, I know that didn't contribute much, but I couldn't help it.)

My brother-in-law had a homebuilt outdoor unit, but that involved shoveling, which does not make for a pretty picture. I'm not sure if commercial units are better, but if not, be prepared for a rough experience on the nose.
posted by JMOZ at 4:43 PM on December 9, 2005

I am only familiar with the sun-mar units. The drum design makes more sense to me than the rakes and flappers those other two use to churn the compost. One advantage with the sun-mar that i did not see on the others is the drain for liquids, use it because evaporating all the liquid with the electric heater can ramp up your power bill.
Also get the vent stack fan, with the the tankless units it can get umm a little close to the nose if you know what i mean. I sell a few Excel NE every year to my off grid customers who use solar/12volt to run the optional vent stack fan.
posted by blink_left at 6:51 PM on December 9, 2005

I have over 2 years experience with the Biolet Deluxe and am less than delighted. Before the Biolet, I used a Clivus Multrum for over 15 years, and before that, I enjoyed a delightfuly breezy outhouse. The Biolet is the best of the 3, but I must admit that if ever I can afford the installation of a septic system, I am probably going to sell out and start flushing. Anyway, I do not think that the Biolet actually composts, it seems to me that everything just gets stored until emptied, which in my case is needed every 2 or 3 months (and I'm the only person using it!)rather than the twice yearly suggested by the owner's manual and advertizing. Regulating the amount of liquid is also beyond my comprehension. I've had to change the shear pin twice: a very unpleasant job. That may be my fault for not maintaining a perfect liquid/solid balance, but Gods know I've been trying. My suggestion is to do just as you are here: get user comments and research a lot more thoroughly than I did. My Biolet is serving it's purpose, but I wish it was living up to it's advertizing.
posted by Hobgoblin at 5:22 AM on December 10, 2005