Similar to any other field, the toilet industry is also always on the lookout for new technologies that will make its products more efficient and more eco-friendly. Given the public’s increasing awareness about the need to protect the environment, it is indeed about time that household products and fixtures are made with the environment in mind. Nature’s Head, the maker of high-quality composting toilets, is one of the leading brands in the industry.
The user-friendly, innovative design of Nature’s Head’s composting toilet makes it a top choice for those who are looking for a toilet that’s portable and self-contained. Their toilets don’t use water, so it can be very useful in places where there’s no steady water supply, or while camping, road-tripping, or sailing.
If you’re intrigued about the idea of bringing a composting toilet with you on your travels, read our Nature’s Head composting toilet review to guide you in purchasing one.
Technical Features
| Item Model Number: | NH-SPH |
| Product Dimensions: | 22 x 20.5 x 21.7 inches |
| Toilet: | Composting |
| Color: | Granite |
| Shape: | Elongated |
| Item Weight: | 28 pounds |
| Installation Method: | Floor-Mounted |
| Voltage: | 12 volts |
| Wattage: | 0.72 watts |
| Certification: | N/A |
Key Features of Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
Material and Design
Made of stainless hardware, this toilet was initially designed for use in the harsh marine environment and is extremely durable and sturdy. It can stand any extreme weather and any bad conditions. Its full-size seat is elongated, making it comfortable to use. It is easy to clean, too.
While it was originally meant for use in ships, you can also use this composting toilet in your home. The air circulation fan built into it recycles the air in your bathroom, keeping it smelling fresh and clean. The vent hose and fan are included in the package, so there’s no need to purchase it separately. It has a wall adapter, too, if you want to mount it to your electric home receptacle.
People love the Nature’s Head toilet because it separates liquid from solid waste. To help with your solid composting process, though, you need to put some coconut fiber, peat moss, or sawdust in the lower chamber.
Flushing Technology
A composting toilet is also known as a dry toilet; hence, there is no flushing needed. It works by using a composting handle to mix/stir the solid waste after each deposit. There are 2 kinds of handles that may be mounted on either side of your toilet.
1. Spider handle – neat and space-saving because it never extends on the outer side of the toilet unit. It’s actually narrower than the crack handle.
2. Crack handle – a bit on the wider side but it is easier to use.
After you stir the solid waste, you need to leave it there for some time to compost before disposing of it. Your liquid tank fills up faster, though, so you need to check it frequently and empty it to avoid overflow.
Water Consumption
With the exception of cleaning the toilet, you don’t need water to flush out the human waste in a composting toilet. Even cleaning it will not require a lot of water. Between uses, you only need to spray some white vinegar or other natural cleansers and a bit of water, and it will be clean again.
When it comes to more intense cleaning, use a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water. You should never use strong commercial cleaning compounds as they may interfere with the solid composting process. You can use them on the exterior of the toilet, though.
Overall Quality
The toilet is self-contained, portable, and doesn’t need water. You can bring it camping, which means you won’t need to go into the bushes to relieve yourself, even where there’s no water and electricity, the composting toilet works. It just looks like a traditional toilet, except it is eco-friendly and portable. It has a sturdy and compact construction yet light in weight.
For further assurance, the internal mechanism is designed to keep the moisture within the basin. This hastens the decomposition of solid waste. And since it separates the liquid from the solid wastes, you will never get the biohazard and sewage odor.
Things We Like
There are many things we like about this composting toilet. Here are some of them:
- The toilet is very handy and portable. You can take it anywhere with you since it doesn’t need electricity or water.
- It is very easy to install, no need to call in a professional plumber.
- You don’t need the back-sewage tank. Unlike a traditional toilet, this one uses the compost bin. Say goodbye to clogging and other maintenance problems!
- A composting toilet is a dry toilet and doesn’t use water. It means huge savings in water bills if you decide to use this at home. The only time you use a bit of water is during the cleaning process.
- Contrary to most beliefs, it doesn’t smell. If you use it right, there will be no odor. It has a fan that aids in ventilation. Moreover, the exhaust tube is used to remove any unpleasant odors.
- Disposing of the waste is easy because the liquid can be dumped into any toilet. The solid waste can be put in a dumpster or on your non-ingestible plants.
Things We Don’t Like
No toilet is perfect. The composting toilet has a few things we don’t like as well, including the following:
- Your solid waste is dumped after a couple of deposits. However, the most recent waste won’t be decomposed, although it’s mixed with the decomposed one.
- Shorter people and children may find it hard to separate the liquid from the solid wastes. When urine gets into the solid hole and mixes with the solid waste, a biohazard is formed.
- It’s exhausting to dump the liquid waste frequently. Unfortunately, if you fail to dispose of it in a timely manner, the tank will overflow and consequently smell.
- For some people, the disposal process is cumbersome. Unlike conventional toilets where the disposal is automatically taken care of, users of the composting toilets must consciously remind themselves to remember regularly disposing of the waste.
- This is not the best toilet to use every day if you have a big family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How to install Nature’s Head composting toilet?
A. The installation process is pretty easy, especially because the toilet comes will all the installation materials.
Leave some space on the side and behind the toilet. The side is where you will have the handle while you will put the solid bin tilting behind it. Next, bolt the toilet on the floor and make the ventilation route. To run the fan, you need about 12 volts of your wall electric receptacle. Some people may decide to use a solar vent.
Take the lower chamber and put some coconut fiber or peat moss and hydrate it using water. Once you have assembled the toilet, it can be used already.
2. How many times can it be used before dumping?
A. Dumping is done after about 60-80 uses for solid waste. This means that two people may use the toilet for a month before dumping. It’s designed for not more than 4 people.
For liquid wastes, the tank holds about 2.2 gallons of urine, which means that you may dump it after 2-4 days. However, it’s advisable to dispose of it on a daily basis, especially if there are more than two people using it.
3. What are the dimension and rough-in requirements of Nature’s Head composting toilet?
A. The product has a dimension of 22 × 20.5 × 21.7 inches. This item needs no plumbing technology; therefore, no rough-in dimension is needed.
4. Problems with Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
A. Most states have not yet fully embraced the use of the compost toilet. You need to find out what the regulations are in yours and acquire permission before installing it in a residential home.
Some states believe that waste is ultimately hazardous. To counter this, it’s best to decompose the solid wastefully. Alternatively, abide by the state’s hygiene codes of dumping.
5. What is its smell like?
A. When properly used, the toilet doesn’t smell at all. There might be an earthy smell because of the materials used for decomposition. Always remember to cover your toilet after use and frequently dispose of the urine.
Conclusion
This toilet is perfect for people living in places where there is a limited water supply. Those who love camping, hiking, road-tripping, and other outdoor activities would also appreciate this toilet. It’s not only portable but also easy to use even without water and electricity. It is eco-friendly and non-toxic, too.
There are a number of composting toilets on the market today, but given its durability, ease of use, and portability, nothing can beat Nature’s Head composting toilet.
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