You can call us toll free from anywhere in North America at 1 888 361 0014. Either myself or one of my team will personally answer the phone, and answer any questions you have. If we can’t pick up the phone, we’ll call you back as soon as we can. You will never hear “we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes….”. Nor will you get a lengthy list of menu options you don’t need. Those things drive me nuts!
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Hi Richard. Trying to decide between the Separett and the Thinktank. On the Thinktank toilet, if the intake air is coming in from the outside into the toilet, wouldn’t it make the room and doing #2 cold during the winter? If I understand it right, with the Separett, you are drawing warm out out through the exhaust in winter, but with the Thinktank, you are drawing cold air in during winter. Pretty sure the toilet isn’t insulated. Your thoughts?
Excellent question! No, the Thinktank does not make the room cold – it keeps the room warm. Firstly, the plastic shell is 3/16″ polyethylene, which is somewhat of an insulator. We tested the toilet at -39 degrees F in Winnipeg Canada, and the outside of the shell became just slightly cool to the touch. There is no significant heat loss through the toilet.
But the far more important thing is that the ventilation air is coming from outside the building – rather than inside the building as with the Separett and all other composting and waterless toilets. With other toilets you are blowing expensively heated or cooled air out the vent at about 15 to 20 cubic feet per minute! That’s very expensive, and that will make the room cold. The Thinktank solves the problem.
There is a damper valve on the intake, which can be partially closed to reduce cold airflow during extreme weather, but this is seldom necessary.
When sitting on the toilet in very cold weather, you can close the damper valve temporarily, to prevent any cold drafts on your bottom! Then you open it again after using the toilet.
During our testing at -39 degrees, the seat was slightly cool. This does not bother most people, but if it did it would be easy to use a cloth seat cover.
With the Thinktank, you also have the option of not connecting the intake pipe to the outside. Then you would be using interior air for ventilation – exactly like other toilets. But I cannot think of a good reason to do this.
That was a long winded way to say that the Thinktank is a superior choice to the Separett, in my view.
Hey Richard my wife and I love the toilet but do have one serious concern. I installed this in a camper build where all the plumbing besides the tanks are located above the floor. With that said I plumbed the toilet into the sink drain below the trap. We are now at times noticing smells which must be the gray tank venting up through the toilet as I don’t believe the toilet itself has a built in trap. The smells are only magnified if we try to run the exhaust fan in the bathroom. Any help or thoughts would be helpful
Whenever you drain into a tank, you need some kind of odor seal or P trap. This is discussed in the manual. I like the Hepvo waterless odor seal, but a P trap will work if you have the space.
Hi, I have the one of your toilets in our Airbnb. Do you have a simple instruction sheet that I can laminate and post on the wall? It seems self-explanatory but people are squimish.
Thanks
Vicki Scales
I have not created one yet. Good idea. It’s very simple. Maybe something like this? You can print it if you like.
People should not be squeamish because there is little exposure to their poops, and no odour even when using. Certainly less exposure to the sight and smell of human waste than with a flush toilet. We have both, and I always use the Thinktank.
INSTRUCTIONS
This is a Thinktank Waterless Toilet.
The trap door handle is on the right when you sit on the toilet.
The trap door stays CLOSED at all times, unless going number two.
If going number one, just use the toilet normally.
If going number two, sit on the seat and open the trap door.
Toilet paper goes into the toilet.
Close the trap door when finished.
Close the lid.
Hi there, I’m thinking of purchasing a thinktank for our rec room / guest room that’s part of our garage. I’m wondering about the toilet paper. If you’re just peeing, do you wipe and then open the trap door and drop in the toilet paper? I know the urine and solids aren’t supposed to mix. Is the urine on the toilet paper ok? Thank you so much!
You put the toilet paper down the chute into the solids container. No problem. A small amount of pee in the solids container is fine.
We are thinking about installing a thinktank Waterless Toilet in a travel trailer. One concern I have is how to prevent damage to the fan motor from rain water coming down the exhaust pipe while in tow. Are there any proven methods/hardware to prevent this from happening? Thank you.
Danny Lambert
Yes, you would need a vent cap from an RV store.
Hi there – will this unit work without the fan? We don’t have electricity in the spot we would install this – but it would be in a semi outdoor cabin…
also does this create usable compost? for fruit trees, etc?
The fan is required for a 100% odor free installation. You could try using just a vent stack, with a rotating wind turbine or small solar fan.
The toilet does not create compost directly. It is a urine diverting waterless toilet that stores the waste for composting elsewhere. Usable compost is created this way, for fruit trees of non edible plants.
Hello! I’m very interested in purchasing a composting toilet, the problem is my husband nor myself want to handle our waste. Is there someone we can pay to empty our central composting toilet system? And if so, can you point me in the right direction?
There is no one to the best of my knowledge that you can pay to empty a compost toilet system.
Centralized systems are complex, hard to empty, and expensive. I have heard of expensive system failures with this approach at UBC.
99% of waterless and composting toilets are self contained. With a urine diverting waterless toilet exposure to waste is minimal. Personally when it comes time to empty I put a few scoops of wood pellets down the chute. Then I open the toilet and tie a knot in the compostable bag, and put the lid on the bucket. The bucket is then dumped, compostable bag and all, into a rotating compost bin on the property.
This is about as little contact with waste as you will get.
Looking for a composting toilet for a small island we purchased in Northern Michigan. Usually have 2-4 adults staying over weekends. Wondering how long the Natures Head can accommodate 4 people staying there periodically?
The Nature’s Head might be too small. Also, it requires, adding peat moss, and turning a handle after use. The pee bottle would have to be emptied frequently. Men have to sit (we don’t like to do that). The Thinktank would be a better choice. Men can stand. Plus it’s much easier to empty
We are considering buying the Thinktank. What is the shipping charge to Arizona 85541?
Shipping is free!
Hello! I just recently found your website. My tiny house was set to have a Separett tiny model but they are having issues so I went back to the drawing board and I located your company.
Would you recommend the thinktank as comparable to the tiny model? Thanks for your time. I tried to locate more reviews on Ig but they aren’t there yet. Maybe we can be the first! 🙃
I am aware of the issues with the Tiny. I have been a Separett dealer for many years, but it seems like they are having some issues. I have also sold most other major brands over the years.
The Thinktank is a superb toilet. It is the same concept as the Tiny (waste is contained in a compostable bag, urine separated and drained out the back). However, there are major advantages to the Thinktank.
1) It is far better made. If you saw them side by side, you would notice this right away. The Thinktank is built, well, like a tank! I could go over the details of this if you like.
2) It has about double the capacity of the Tiny. This means you will empty much less often.
3) Men can stand, whereas with the Tiny men should sit. Men will say “yes I’ll sit” – but many don’t. This makes a mess. The pee goes in the wrong spot. It can start to stink. This is a HUGE advantage.
4) All toilets use ventilation air. They pull air in, and exhaust air out. The Thinktank is airtight, and uses outside air obtained from a vent intake. All other toilets use ventilation air from the bathroom, which means you are blowing expensively heated or cooled air outside at about 20 cubic feet a minute, It is very, very inefficient, and costly.
5) The Thinktank is less likely to have ingress by insects.
And the list goes on. And on sale!
15 reviews can be seen here. Just scroll down.
Another 16 reviews from my Canadian customers can be seen here.
And general reviews of my company can be seen by scrolling down on this page.
Call anytime if you want to discuss. I’m certain you would be very happy with the Thinktank.
Hello,
When will the villa be available?
Thanks, Scott Schiff-Slater
I cannot get a response from them. Have you considered the Thinktank? Same concept, with many advantages.
Since the Think Tank toilet vents air from the outside, will it still work efficiently in a very cold climate. I am in the northern mountains of New Hampshire and it can get well below zero in winter.
Yes! This is exactly what the Thinktank was designed for. It has been tested in Winnipeg Manitoba at -40 degrees F. Other toilets will be blowing warm, expensively heated air outside at about 20 cubic feet a minute. It’s costly. Plus the warm moist air will be more likely to freeze at the exhaust vent. And condensation may form and freeze inside the vent pipe. The Thinktank overcomes all of these problems. There is a damper valve on the air intake that you close when using during very cold weather, for comfort reasons. After using you open it up again.
Greetings
I love my compost toilet. With one exception. Sometimes the urine slows up and then completely stops. I’ve had the toilet for 4 years. Ran the gamut of reasons I thought that happened and I’ve run out of them. I pulled the air tube out on both ends and clear them and replaced it and I don’t understand why it won’t run down the tube to the septic system. After every urination I pour water and or white vinegar to follow up.
I just poured water into the tube and it backed up. I pulled the air tube and the water poured out. So now I’m thinking there’s some block Beyond where the air tube goes in
I really need to know what’s going on. It’s such a non complicated system that’s causing me agita. Help me out please. Deirdre Clarke
The tube is blocked. This can happen either from foreign debris, or a build up of salts over time. If you are pouring water and vinegar down there frequently, I would suspect debris. Either way, the solution is simple. You need to remove whatever is blocking the tube. (It’s not an air tube, it’s a drain tube, by the way). The first step is use a liquid drain cleaner. This should solve it. If that does not work, remove the tube at the back of the toilet (sounds like you already know how to do that), and use a small plumbing snake to clear out the blockage, which is apparently in the pipes after they have exited the toilet. It’s actually not a complicated system – just a drain pipe.
I have a stain from diarrhea that won’t come off with vinegar or soap & water. What do you recommend?
Try a strong liquid cleaner (not cream). Gel Gloss is also very good.
We have a natures head toilet. The urine is killing grass when we dump it. Is there something we can mix with it to bring down the PH
Dilute with water 10:1.
Thank you Richard for your help. Great customer service.
What size of composting bags do I need for the separate toilet ,where do I get them and how much are they?
7 gallon (or larger) compostable bags. Glad Tall compostable bags are good. I’ve got an entire page on the topic. Separett sells them as well.
Got my nature’s head toilet, can it be vented into directly the black tank???
No it cannot. It need s to vent directly outside.
Hi, we need a compost toilet to be used by wheelchair bound person. Need approximate height 22 inches high to potty seat, and very stable; as I am bilateral amputee. Please advice, thanks
You might need to build a platform under the toilet. 22″ is pretty high. The Nature’s Head is the closest, at 20″.
hi Richard,
can you use a solar vent on the rooftop of an RV in lieu of the electric fan in the toilet? looking at the 9210 model separette
Yes, but it would have to be a powerful enough solar vent. The smaller solar vents might be insufficient.
Hello,
What’s the best way to clean out the urine holder? Thank you
Lemi Shine works great. Any liquid cleaner should do the job.
Hello again Richard.
Thanks for the great product and customer service. 🙂
So I am thinking of switching to a solar panel to power the toilet fan. Instead of the marine battery. Do you advise this? And if so, do you have a best recommendation for a panel or company to go through? Im assuming you don’t sell any solar kits at your company.
Thanks in advance for the response.
– Travis
A solar panel will not power anything. It is used to charge a battery. Then the battery will power the toilet fan. Sorry, I don’t have suggestions on solar panels or companies. There are many.
I have a separett villa 12 volt. The fan is getting noisy and I’m worried it is going to quit. do you sell a replacement 12 volt fan for these units.
Yes.
Just got off the phone with Richard. I had a few first time user questions. He answered the phone right away and was friendly and answered all my questions. Great customer service and great product.
How are the two handle options mechanically different? Does the shift handle provide the same full rotation that the spider handle does?
The spider handle rotates and the shifter handle goes back and forth. They accomplish the same thing – rotating the contents.
Where are Natures Head toilets manufactured?
Can a Natures head toilet go in an RV wet bath that have a fan?
Yes, but you will need to protect the fan with a plastic bag when showering. The vent will still need to be installed and powered. The existing fan in you bathroom is not what you need.
Hello Richard,
My hubby and I are renovating a 5th wheel.
We are wanting to boondocks as much as we can and my hubby wants a composting toilet. I, on the other hand, are not sold on the idea as I have a super sensitive nose and smell the slightest odour!
We don’t know how they work, but he thinks we need one!! 🙂
We are TOTAL NEWBIES! So any input would be appreciated!
Can you give us the composting 101 …the Cliff Note version! Please
Many thanks for your time
Kind regards
Sara &Sylvain
The odor from a properly operating composting toilet will be zero. Regular RV toilets will stink. You always get a whiff from the tank and hoses.
Curious about shipping cost to Alaska. We’re looking at the Nature Head with Spider Handle, Vent with screen, extra bottle with cap, transformer, Everything in your Super Pack plus the PVC Vent assembly with screen.
We live near Trapper Creek Alaska 99683.
I say Near as we our off-grid, off-road and it’s 2 miles to the hwy and then a 57 mile road trip to our Post Office.
$100
Can I use a solar vent on my Hunter 37? If so what size? Do you have a brand that you prefer? Will the vent pipe fit directly to a solar vent I.e. does anyone make a ready made size or would I need an adapter?
Wayne
Nicro makes a decent solar vent. The Nature’s Head vent hose will attach to the overhead with a trim ring concealing the hole in the deck. I would choose a modest sized vent – say 4″ – and install that from above. Be sure to seal and gaps or spaces in the deck cut out if you have a hull liner.
Can this be used in a wet bath of an RV?
Own a remote cabin ,venting might be a problem,,off grid generator,solutions ?
Thx,
Tim
Being off grid is not usually a problem. You need a 12 volt deep cycle battery, and either a solar panel or generator to charge that battery. It sounds like you have a generator, so you are all set.
I currently use Nature’s head, but am unhappy with the height and the limited urine container, (with many women)…
Is there a composting toilet that can sit over and existing toilet flange and divert the urine to the “grey water” system… ? Or a toilet that could be modified to do so?
Toilets have gotten steadily higher over the years, and 17-20 inches in now pretty common. The NH is 20″. There is no composting toilet that will fit over an existing toilet flange. You need to build a small box. To drain the urine away, you can drill a hole in the urine bottle and support, and install a bulkhead fitting. then you can attach a hose and drain the urine wherever you like.
What do you do with these moss blocks…. Are you supposed to break or grind these up before putting in toilet???
I think you mean coco coir blocks? There are no moss blocks. Instructions for the coco coir blocks is shown in a video on my Nature’s Head page. It is important to do it correctly.
Can you use the Separett Toilet without the bag?
No. It would make a mess.
Hi Richard. We’ve had our Separett for 2 + years now as our main toilet and LOVE it, all 4 seasons in the southeast corner of BC, Canada. We’re about to empty the first composting box (from > 1 year ago). There are remnants of the green bag….why? Is it not compostable starch “plastic”? Thanks.
That’s amazing. Usually the problem is they break down too fast. It just means the compost was too dry. It will quickly vanish, not to worry. And yes, they are made from cornstarch. No plastic in it whatsoever.
I am planning to build a 2 story small house with a composting toilet on the first floor. I am currently looking more into the Separett. Would I be able to run the ventilation system through an outside wall (within the wall) and up to the roof?
Yes. Keep it as short as possible, and 3 90 degree bends at the maximum.
Can the toilet be vented down through the floor
Yes.
My family owns a cabin in northern Michigan we only use the cabin between April and September. Generally on the weekends and then about twice a year we have a large gathering (20 or more people). On these occasions would it be best to also have a rented outhouse?
What model would you recommend? In the Winter would we simply clean empty and turn off the fan?
20 people is far too many for one toilet. I cannot say if renting an outhouse is a good idea for you. The Villa has large capacity, because you can just empty it as often as you need to. But you don’t want to be doing that constantly. You can empty and turn off the fan, yes.
What are the dimensions of the Thinktank? Does it fit flush against the wall? The best spot in our bathroom, ventwise, would give us just 43 inches front to back.
Also, we are at our cottage for two months in the summer and a few weekends in Spring and Fall. If we put the solids in a rotating compost bin, we couldn’t of course turn it or add greens and browns for most of the year. If the solids simply dry out, that’s not true compost is it? Would it be safe to spread on flower patch after a year, even if it’s not true compost?
Please see detailed dimensions by clicking on the Thinktank on my shopping page. It sounds like you have plenty of room.
Your compost situation is ideal, actually. Add plenty of greens and browns, and make sure the contents are damp. In a few months it will be excellent compost. If it dried out (unlikely unless you are in a hot, dry area), it should still be completely fine. Add a little more water the next year. Making compost is easy and it’s hard to screw it up. Always use it on non-edible plants only, because of the very small but significant health risk if some part of the compost was not fully broken down.
How many toilets for a family of 6 would you recommend? And what about vomiting, would that affect the way the compost bin functions on break down? Trying to think of all scenarios that happen in life.
That is a hard question to answer. Growing up, we were a family of 6, and we shared one toilet without difficulty. However, everyone’s family is different. A little extra liquid is not usually a problem. But people generally do not vomit in a composting toilet. A bag or bucket would be better. Diarrhea is OK, as long as it is not chronic.
Also, can you let me know of a brand and size composting bag that seems to work best with both toilets? As I research bags that compost, it seems most of them leak as soon as a small amount of liquid enters into them.
We sell a very strong bag, but it is quite expensive. Many of my customers use any good brand of bio degradable bags with excellent results. You could always double the bag. There should be no liquid to leak out, if the Separett is working properly.