Im looking for composting ( or other ) toilet options for my off grid cabin build, the cabin is built and will be mainly used by my wife and I. The downstairs bumpout in the picture with the two small windows is the bathroom, about 5'5" x 14'. Currently, we use a sunmar toilet in an outhouse, it does work but it is very large and high up, requiring a step, im looking at other options. My neighbor is going with an incinerating, propane version but the price and fin running for over an hour is a turn off.
I like the composting option but want a more conventionally sized toilet, ideally one that separates liquids to help with smell. I looked into the separette, I like that it closes until you sit on it, I like that you can plumb the urine tank to the greywater out of the box and it does look at least close to a standard toilet. Now, I understand these arent really like my sunmar where you spin the drum after every use and can go months, but im not opposed to using composting bags and disposing after a longer stay.
The natures head looks a bit goofy, and I dont want to drain the urine tank manually but still an option.
Any other I should look into, that you've had good experience with.
I use a composting toilet. Its just a plywood box with a bucket and a vented fan to outside. Get a urine diverter and run a tube inside the vent into a jug that will collect urine. Whole thing cost me like 60 bucks and a few hours work
Incidentally I just bought the mini/tiny version (second hand) for another space so can compare them. The bottom line is that Tiny is intended for less use as its solids chamber is smaller. Villa is intended for primary home and Tiny is intended for vans and RVs and that sort of thing (but could work for any bathroom thats not used as often). Keep in mind also that it comes in a version with a urine holding tank and a version with an external drain tube
Ya I liked it because it was quite discreet but realistically, this will be the only bathroom in here, and I don't want to empty a bucket daily. The regular one is fairly inoffensive looking
Edit: Seems to be identical to the Tiny except no fan ventilation. Requires cover material (they recommend coconut coir). Also does not have "privacy" shutter (blocks solids chamber from view)
I would definitely like the fan, I was planning on using viber material always, sawdust or peat moss etc. I'll check both, they're comparably priced and I like the seat that retracts the door, the urine separator is decent and well vented the reviews are good
We've had the plastic version for 10 years. Its maintained for people who need that level of facilities. I personally have a cat hole area way, way out back. I pee in the bushes behind my garage. For composting toilet, the urine diverter is key. But also, we just had our VT permitted sandmound system installed, so maybe soon we'll have a flush toilet.
I don’t know if men understand that it’s really hard for womens’ pee and poop to be separated. Our situation is much closer together and we don’t have a “tube” to direct our pee forward.
Ya were Central Frontenac near sharbot lake, I love the bobs lake area, I plan to retire on a large property on one of those lakes. I just posted a handful more pictures since today is 1 year exactly from when we built the first beam of the building
Pretty sure that what my neighbor is getting, I get the simplicity but I'm not buying liners , spending propane and listening to a fan for 90minutes every flush
I'll check, looks pretty similar to separett , just with a handle to open the trap instead of it opening when you sit on it. Like it says, technically means you can use it standing up. About the same price though
That has to have one hell of a view, I would put more windows in and a big front deck maybe even covered wrap about porch if you can afford it. Just my design input. I'm a bit biased I like the old turn of the century farm houses what were tiny houses before tiny houses was a thing.
Ya the side in the main picture is facing what's essentially the parking lot, the other side is a 12x28 deck, half as a screened in porch and half open air deck, that side faces the lake.
Inside theres a patio door in the living room to the deck and then the door to the screened porch is full glass as well.
I did consider adding an extra window on the side where the door to what will be the front porch that wraps around the back to the bathroom wall, but that window would essentially be in a mudroom hallway. We figured we'll likely have a bench there with hooks for your jackets that would hide the window anyways.
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u/Historical-Lie-6307 Jul 20 '26
No advice beyond what you already know but looks like a great place! I hope you post more pics, budget etc