3 Best Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle Design

nature's head self contained composting toilet with close quarters spider handle design

A composting toilet is a waterless version of an independent toilet, using organic materials to process human waste through composting or decay. It actually offers the best alternative to flush toilets with huge septic tanks. So, we have this review on the 3 best Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle Design, explaining its importance.

Top 3 Composting Toilet Reviews

Product Name Quality Price Our Rating
Nature’s Head Composting Toilet with Spider Handle A
Nature’s Head Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle A+
Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet with Spider Handle A

Nature’s Head Composting Toilet with Spider Handle

Nature’s Head Composting Toilet with Spider Handle

nature's head composting toilet reviewsAmong the best composting toilets on the market, our first choice for this review article is the Nature’s Head Composting Toilet with Spider Handle.

If you are in need of a compost toilet for your cottage or small house, then this product is a good option. It is simple and easy to install.

This composting toilet has a capacity for 2 people. You can even use it full-time, up to 60 to 80 times without emptying. But no matter how much you use it, it still doesn’t emit a bad smell.

You should empty the container every 4 to 6 weeks and this takes only a few minutes to do.

Pros of the product

  • Easy and handy installation, usage and maintenance.
  • It is odor-free.
  • Capacity is good for 2 full-time users, for about 60 to 80 uses.
  • It allows a 4-6 week period before emptying the containers.
  • Emptying is done in 5 minutes.
  • It requires a 12-Volt wire for a 40-mm vent fan.

Cons of the product

  • It is not certified by NSF, but is US Coast Guard approved.
  • Even guys must sit to pee, in order to avoid excess liquid going to the solid chamber.

rv toilet reviews

Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle

Nature’s Head Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle

composting toilet reviewAs our second option in this composting toilet review, we’ve chosen the Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle Design. If you need a toilet, especially when you are outdoors, then this might be a good option for you.

It is specifically designed for marine use. Therefore, stainless steel proves an excellent choice of material. The hardware material is durable in any conditions.

The unit works in low power areas. The fan runs on a 12V battery. So, I recommend using solar panels to charge your battery.

Emptying the solid waste container is done after every 80 uses. However, for the liquid container, I suggest you empty it every day.

Pros of the product

  • It is designed with stainless steel.
  • Has a comfortable and extended seat.
  • Easy to disassemble when emptying the container.
  • It comes with a fan and 5ft. hose for venting.
  • It is odor-free.
  • Has 5 years warranty

Cons of the product

  • The fan runs 24/7. So, if you have a low power supply, then make sure you keep your battery charged.
  • You have to empty the liquid container every day.

best composting toilet for rv

what is a composting toilet

Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet with Spider Handle

Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet with Spider Handle

nature's head dry composting toilet reviewFor our last product in the list, we present the Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet with Spider Handle.

If you are looking for a self-contained and user-friendly composting toilet, then this is a good choice for you.

You can install this composting toilet in all environments, such as at home, RV, boat or cabin.

The material used is plastic. Therefore, it is durable and long-lasting. It can last up to 5-7 years with proper maintenance.

The Spider Handle Design makes it easy to use, which is great for kids or elderly people. Its design also aids in the efficient composting of human waste without any foul odor.

The material used is stainless steel. Therefore, it is suitable to withstand any conditions.

I suggest you empty the urine bottle every 2 days, and every 3 weeks for the solid waste container.

Pros of the product

  • Easy to install.
  • Has a lightweight, compact and molded design.
  • It is odor-free.
  • It comes with a 12-Volt power plug.

Cons of the product

  • Emptying the liquid bottle every 2 days might be a hassle, but not for the solid waste container.

Information for Beginners

Types of Composting Toilet

  • Slow Composting

This type of composting toilet is often referred to as cold composting. With this type of composting toilet, the compost load slowly builds up over time. Therefore, processing of the end product also takes time.

  • Active Composters

A Self-contained composting toilet processes the end product, using a container that is also in the composting toilet unit. It uses a minimal amount of natural materials, or bulking agents such as sawdust, to aid aerial processing, absorb liquid and odor. This type of composting toilet is ideal for small houses or cottages.

A Remote composting toilet collects excreta through the stool that a composter drains. So, the compost is separated from the toilet. It is usually located under the ground floor or outside the house. This is ideal for high volume usage.

Functions of Composting Toilets

  • Fast and odorless composting of waste, including toilet paper.
  • Easy management.
  • Safe Composting.
  • Liquid vaporization.

What are the Advantages of Composting Toilets?

what are the advantages of composting toilets

  • Eliminate bad odor and aerobic bacteria

Composting toilets are designed to oxygenate the compost. Oxygen is infused by rotating the drum. The oxygen supply is essential to the composting process because it allows a fast breakdown of aerobic bacteria, eliminating bad odor.

  • Control Moisture

Moisture is controlled by slowing down or driving out the moisture, liquid and oxygen content. Composting toilets optimize and drain excess moisture automatically.

  • Maintain Warmth

Composting maintains warmth through the heat produced by the microbes and the base heater.

  • Ensure an Odor-free Environment

Microbes produce unwanted odor and impede fast waste breakdown. Therefore, oxygen is roughly supplied and anaerobic bacteria flourish because of moisture. Through composting, organic materials are converted into hydrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide. The salts are left over to feed plants.

Benefits to Home Owners

Reduce Water Usage

Reduction of water consumption allows homeowners to save water and cuts down on expenses.

Reduce bad odor problems

Eliminating the bad odor that usually results from regular flush toilets comes as a big relief to homeowners. The result is a constant ventilation flow.

Lower Maintenance Costs

If you compute your expenses for annual maintenance of regular flush toilets and then compare the rate of expenses for maintaining a compost toilet, you can see that having a best composting toilet is cheap and cuts down your budget overall.

Produce Fertilizer

You can utilize the end product produced in composting toilets. This is actually an organic, recycled product and used as a fertilizer for your plants.

Ease of Installation

You can choose where you want to install your composting toilet. It is easy to install, so is ideal for off-grid living, parks, resorts and developing areas.

Save Space

Lessens the space occupied by your septic tank. Therefore, it is an ideal toilet for individuals living in a tiny house.

Read further: Composting Toilet vs Regular Toilet

How Does a Composting Toilet Work?

Now you have gone through the top 3 composting toilet review above, it would be a great idea to go over how does a composting toilet work.

Composting toilets take human waste and transform it into a compost matter. Following this, decomposition or composting occurs. Liquid waste evaporates and sterile urine is stored in containers. The process of dilution takes place and later on, this is used as fertilizers.

You can notice that the process throughout this composting procedure is entirely natural. This prevents the destruction of precious natural resources.

It is indeed a great way of protecting the community because no hazardous material is required during installation and use of a composting toilet works.

It might seem confusing that human waste turns out to be of good use as a growing plant fertilizer. But when this human waste is properly composted, it dries out resulting in the destruction of most viruses and bacteria.

Of course, there is no assurance that viruses and pathogens are 100% eliminated, so this type of fertilizer is not advisable for use on ornamental plants or crops.

how does a composting toilet work
Via: Wikipedia

Chamber Systems used in Waterless Composting Toilets

  • Rotating Drum

This is a standard system that the United States and Canada started using in 1970. It runs via a simple, fast operation.

A rotating drum is mounted horizontally and placed inside a container. Fast and dynamic composting of waste occurs in this rotating drum. Of course, this needs certain conditions, where the waste is airy and moist but not to the extent that it is wet.

For urine, it has a diversion system that separates the sterile liquid and solid wastes. This will be stored in a soak pit filled with rock holes, maintaining an optimal level of moisture to store the waste. Ventilation helps ensure an odor-free system.

Advantages:

  • Easy to empty. Just pull the metal drum’s locker, rotate the handle and it empties the drum. The waste is left in the drawer. Just leave it there and let it cure for a month.
  • Mixing the compost is easy. Simply hold and then turn the drum’s handle.
  • Oxygen is easily supplied by simply rotating the drum.
  • Moisture is controlled without saturation. When the level of moisture is less than 40%, composting stops or works slowly. While when the moisture level reaches more than 60% content, the liquid drives out oxygen, turning the compost anaerobic. So, the drum optimizes and distributes extra liquid to dry areas.
  • Maintains warmth because the microbes produce heat held inside the drum.
  • Odor-free because the rotating drum helps aerobic bacteria to break down carbon-based material without bad odors.
  • Plastic Container

This drawer is a separate container, catching and curing the compost emptied from the rotating drum.

Advantages:

  • It completes the process of degradation without fresh waste contamination.
  • Once the compost is in the drawer, it slowly dries out and reduces odor.
  • Simply pull out the drawer and remove your end product compost. You can kill pathogens by digging the compost into the ground. Then, cover it with charcoal ash or wood and cover it once again with dirt.

Do Composting Toilets Smell?

One of the most asked questions is do composting toilets smell? Good news! You don’t need to find anywhere else, we’ve got the best answer in this composting toilet review article!

A composting toilet can be installed below or above ground level. It has a drainage system to dispose of excess liquid. After this, a certain process occurs, protecting the compost.

During the composting process, gases causing bad odor are eliminated and prevented. Hydrogen sulfide or H2S, ammonia, Volatile organic compounds or VOCs and nitrous oxide or N2O are just some of the gases emitted.

Therefore, composting toilets do not smell or leave a bad odor in the lavatory or area where the composting toilet is installed.

Decomposition takes place and the process to produce an end product is completed. Adequate oxygen, moisture, 40 to 50-degree Celsius temperature and the ratio of carbon and nitrogen are the factors which affect the decomposition process.

However, you must also do your part. The process of composting will not do the work alone. For this reason, you must also clean the containers after emptying them.

You should clean your container using a toilet brush, detergent, and water. The water used for cleaning must be deposited in your pile. I suggest you thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning the container even if you have used gloves.

How to Use a Composting Toilet

how to use a composting toilet

The next thing I want to share with you in this comprehensive composting toilet review is “How to Use a Composting Toilet“. I’m sure that you will want to know how to use it correctly after buying.

Homeowners are encouraged to recycle human waste or human manure. This includes feces and urine from human beings. Recycling is done through composting for agrarian purposes.

Human waste is one of the major causes of environmental pollution and disease in the global community. This problem occurs because of improper disposal of humanure. Therefore, it poses a threat to citizens’ health.

The suggested method of ensuring public health is the process of composting. This would improve if every homeowner started shifting from the use of bulky septic tanks to simple composting toilets. So, what’s with the composting?

In composting, organic materials are aerobically decomposed, biologically developing internal heat. These organic materials and human waste serve as foods for bacteria and other organisms. While the organisms are feeding, the humanure is slowly converted into fertilizers.

After the installation of your composting toilet, it’s important to feel comfortable about using it. Do the usual thing when you are in a lavatory. The only thing that will change is how you are going to keep it clean because it is important to have an odorless toilet.

Before using your composting toilet, organic compost material, such as peat moss or even coconut fiber must be added to the base of your unit. Make sure that the agitator bar is covered with damp compost material.

So, when you want to urinate, simply take a seat (or stand!). But, when you need to dispose of your solid waste, remember to open the door for the solid waste removal. You will find a lever beside your seat to open it and then close after disposing of your solid waste.

Composting toilets have 2 chambers. One chamber goes to the solid human waste, including your toilet paper. The other chamber goes to the liquid waste. Of course, this case is far different if you opt for RV toilet with water consumption.

After closing the solid waste chamber, you have to stir the solid waste deposited. You will find a crank at the side to do the stirring. The waste is then mixed with peat moss placed in your toilet.

Now, the next thing you need to do is to keep it free from bad odors by emptying the chambers. The reason why the solid and the liquid waste are separated is to eliminate the smell. A fan is used in the solid waste chamber to keep it constantly aerated.

I suggest you empty the liquid chamber at least every 3 or 4 days. And then, for the solid waste, empty the chamber at least every 12 or 16 weeks. Most chambers for solid waste are rated for 90-use, so emptying it will depend on your individual situation.

Simply disassemble the unit and unmount the brackets connecting the seat and the base. Use a garbage bag that can hold up to 13 gallons, then simply place and fit the garbage on the opening of your base. This allows you to invert the contents of the base without spilling the waste.

After emptying the chambers, you must dispose of the waste properly. So, you should use biodegradable trash bags and dump them in your compost tumbler. From there, the waste decomposes fully without odor.

How to Choose a Good Composting Toilet

Before buying a quality composting toilet, you have to consider a few things. These are the type of unit, installation requirements and of course, regulations regarding the installation in your state or country. Know the advantages of using this unit and how it benefits you or the community.

The next thing is to plan for your own compost toilet. Careful planning is a must. After that, follow your plan until everything is ready and set.

  • Choose the type of composting toilet you prefer

Are you going to install a Self-Contained or Remote type of composting toilet? Remember that if it is for a small or minimal use, then you might opt for a Self-Contained Compost Toilet. But if use is high, then I suggest you go for a Remote Composting Toilet.

  • List down the requirements for installation of the composting toilet.
  • Installation

You need to know if an electricity or water connection is necessary to install the compost toilet. What other materials do you need aside from the unit that you are about to purchase?

Can you install it yourself? Is the installation service free? Do you need to hire an expert for the installation job?

  • Cost

Your expenses will depend on the type of your composting toilet, where you are going to install it and of course, the laborer’s fee, if applicable. What materials do you need to buy for your compost toilet? Is everything you need already in the package?

  • Space

The area occupied depends on the size of your composting toilet and the space that the unit occupies. Know the measurements, including the distance from your composting toilet to the electrical panel and the water line.

  • Capacity

How many people will use the compost toilet? How often is it used? Consider also your future usage to help you determine the capacity of the compost toilet.

It is always best to take a unit that can store more. You can never tell how useful it will be until you learn to use it.

  • Maintenance

How much time do you need for the maintenance? Will you choose a daily, weekly or monthly maintenance basis? Will there be money involved and how much will it normally cost?

How many times do you need to empty and clean your chambers and containers? How much time is needed for these tasks? Is it safe to do it alone or does it need some expertise to do it?

  • Explore Composting Toilets from various companies for options

Many companies are available on the market, from the United States, Europe, and Canada. They do worldwide deliveries, so it would be nice to check different products.

  • You should also check the government officials in your area regarding the installation and disposal of the waste. Is it allowed? Do you have any restrictions?

Here are some examples and information you may wanna check out:

Conclusion

To sum up, our topic of Nature’s Head composting toilet review, choosing the right one takes time. Nature’s Head Composting Toilet with Spider Handle, Close Quarters Spider Handle Design and Standard Crank Handle are all good products.

You can find an RV toilet for sale or other types of toilet, but all three products are easy to install, odor-free and easy to maintain. However, the number of times you need to empty the container varies because it depends on your usage. How often do you use the composting toilet, every day or occasionally?

When it comes to the location or place where you will set up and install the composting toilet, then that would be a big factor in choosing one. You are all set to purchase a composting toilet if you can get it to and assemble it at your destination.

Now you have read and understood the review above, and in our opinion, Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle Design is the winner and our first choice.


Top 3 Best Composting Toilet Review: Waterless Comparisons

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons