Building an outhouse at a remote off-grid wilderness camp

My wife Brooke and I build an out house at our remote wilderness camp in the back country of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We are completely off grid here at camp. So, we have to use a generator and do all the digging by hand.
Every camp, cabin, farm and homestead needs to have an outhouse. Its been the best "way to go" for thousands of years. In this video we'll show you ONE way to go about building an old-school outhouse.
Dave Whipple

[@bobg1685]

I just sat through an outhouse tutorial. For no reason at all. And I enjoyed it.

[@Bushradical]

LOL< Thanks Bob

[@reneefranklin4758]

How did I find this video? LOL!! Very enjoyable now...mmmm I know how to build one😂

[@hopewolfe7911]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 I just told my boyfriend two days ago that we need to do this in case something should happen to the grid and we can't flush the toilet.....something to think about

[@loseyourlife4042]

Never know💯🙏🏻

[@cjane0589]

Hahaha I'm doing the same

[@ruthiewrangler9864]

That was the first out house build video I've ever seen....And enjoyed every minute of it. Good fun info Dave. Thanks

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Ruthie

[@guynorth3277]

It could be first!

[@dirtbros5937]

Get outdoor plumbing

[@debrasilver6217]

EXCELLENT, THOUGHTFUL, GREAT PRODUCTION! LOTS OF COMMON SENSE AND FRIENDLY ADVICE ALONG THE WAY, WITH A GREAT SYNOPSIS REVIEW AT THE END. I SO THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT THAT I SENT IT TO A PASTOR FRIEND IN UGANDA WHO RUNS AN ORPHANAGE AND HAS TO BORROW HIS NEIGHBOR'S LATRINE FOR HIS 110 ORPHANS AND FAMILY! THEY DESPERATELY NEED DONOR SPONSORS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THEY ARE A FULLY VETTED, LEGITIMATE MINISTRY APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT. IF YOUR HEART GOT A JOLT TO HELP THEM, I CAN TELL YOU HOW. LOOK FOR NEW CREATION LIGHTHOUSE CO. ON FACEBOOK AND CONTACT ME THERE. THANK YOU KINDLY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

[@stevenr8606]

🙄 or you could just send me the $'s.

[@thorson7842]

We did the clear roof on one we did for the family pow-wow grownds. I also added solar rope light for night usage.

[@johnsmith-vz3vr]

In Russia. You only need two sticks. One stick into the ground and hang a jacket on it. The second you chase away the wolves.

[@raysova7666]

@ John Smith,u full of shit.

[@guynorth3277]

A Boy Scout, Eh?

[@hazysday]

Hahahahahaha , that's how magic is truly made real

[@hazysday]

7:37 you did it just for the zoom in shot

[@Khamomil]

@@hazysday I liked that shot!

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

* Every time you use the outhouse, cover your business with a bit of wood ashes, or sand if you have no ashes. That way your outhouse will not smell... * When the outhouse hole is full.... plant a tree on top. Perfectly fertilized, will grow beautifully.

[@heru-deshet359]

Sawdust works great too.

[@Freeknickers24]

A peecan tree. Lol.

[@lawrencesteger5574]

Bigger and depper=better! Use a bucket on a rope to lift the dirt out! If you hit water it's a well! Thanks to DAVE WHIPPLE good video like to meet you.

[@hahern242]

@@lawrencesteger5574 "if you hit water it's a well" made my day 🤣

[@onjofilms]

Thanks, the missing points of info missing from an otherwise complete outhouse video.

[@rysaj1]

at our camp My dad always dumped a 10 pd bag of lime in ours at the beginning of spring. helped with freshness and the break down of the waste.

[@Bushradical]

Right on

[@jasonmorehouse3756]

alway kept our ashes from stove in a plastic pail and sprinkle in the hole when you are done #2. kill smell and aids in break down of waste and paper. never an issue with paper build up. make sure ash is cold and use plastic pail, they eat through steel over time

[@tnwhitley]

TheAggromonster you can use ash to make lye soap.

[@pederstrand8349]

@Michele: I saw what you did there.;)

[@utubeape]

also helps breakdown corpses. (should you ever need to)

[@gayle525]

Where we have our outhouse is just full of rocks so a mini backhoe was used. We went over 6 feet deep. Also we are in northern Wisconsin. If I can make a suggestion, buy yourself a piece of pvc pipe to vent the smell past the inside. Place it in the corner and vent it out the sidewall. Make sure it’s covered by a chimney cap so you keep out birdnests and bees. You will find this a much better improvement.

[@musstakrakish]

I live I Green Bay and am looking to buy land for off grid cabin. Any advice on finding land? been looking on a few websites but I feel like I'm missing a lot of whats out there So far thats my biggest hurdle

[@GM-xb6hy]

I think the PVC vent pipe is a great idea. With the PVC addition, did you add a toilet seat to cover the seat hole, otherwise the vent pipe serve no purpose?

[@Icutmetal]

Seems like a good random comment to attach your question to...@@musstakrakish

[@awakened5574]

In our old outhouse, we always kept a citronella candle to light when we went in. It gave us light and a great smell...kept the bugs away too. Used a coffee can to put the toilet paper in and it never got wet even if moisture in the air!

[@pattijack]

I grew up with my grandfather having a no electric home and no plumbing. He raised nine kids and had a two seater outhouse. I will always remember that. It’s since long gone but I remember it well, along with his massive gardens and animals he raised. Good memories!

[@tkitty4ever]

I’m not an ‘outdoors’ person...I don’t even go camping but I must say that I really enjoyed watching your video!

[@garyreams8123]

The comedian Joan Rivers once said that her idea of camping was staying in a hotel that didn't have room service.

[@juliemaddux9833]

Hey Dave, I never thought I would be so intrigued on watching you build an outhouse! I've never seen one built before and I really did find it interesting. Thanks for the video. As always, be safe and take care.

[@Bushradical]

Thanks

[@mikesliva4134]

It’s obvious, you’ve built more than three of these!

[@johncourtneidge]

Yes

[@raisagorbachov]

A lid over the hole is a good idea. Also an outside vent pipe.

[@telocities]

My thoughts as well. Pipe to divert the urine as well, since that slows decomp of the solids. Bucket with sawdust and a scoop to toss in over fresh deposits helps as well.

[@patriot4258]

I keep a bag if lime and scoop in the outhouse. Reduces the smell when you cover the #2

[@mandyleeson1]

Thumbs up for a lid. Going to be full of flies otherwise, when in use.

[@masada2828]

Mandy Leeson - agree but decomposes and leaves no smell if not over used.

[@BlindDesertPete]

@@mandyleeson1 Yes! fly tight is a must! even the rainbows know how to build a shitter.

[@karenriggle5435]

Put some used motor oil on the exterior to treat your wood from the elements

[@guynorth3277]

Yes, no .... it does dry out, but not the nicest smell. No need to "double-down" like some fool I've heard of.

[@NoNORADon911]

Whats wrong with stain or paint?

[@karenriggle5435]

@@NoNORADon911 nothing but more money used oil is already paid for it does the same thing as the expensive stuff this is an outhouse

[@campaspe810]

@@karenriggle5435 also gives you cancer

[@alanhoughton3252]

@@campaspe810 Only if you drink it.

[@kenklaus9997]

What about the big opening at the back of the house? Big enough for a wolf to climb in and who knows what else. And whatever goes in that opening in the back then comes up through the seat if it wants. Flies, mosquitos, elephant trunks.... Wouldn't want to be sitting there and getting surprised.

[@bobcarn]

This was so enjoyable that even though I live in the city, I want to dig up my concrete patio and build an outhouse.

[@bethanyniedjalski748]

HHaha!

[@stevenr8606]

Bart, same in China town Honolulu.

[@18twilliams]

You missed #4 the vent! Run a piece of 3"pvc from the pit to the roof and out, makes a much less smelly john!

[@augustreil]

Good idea, Gramma always had some lime in a bucket, said it helped with the smell, IDK.

[@mo0seboy]

A PVC vent plus a whirly bird at the top takes out 98% of the smell. Well worth the investment!

[@michaelsim3332]

What if u have Explosive Diarrhea...won't the board at the back be saturated??

[@PabloP169]

It is open at the back and under the front steps, so it will likely provide cross-flow vents service.

[@dadawesome784]

I was about to comment the same until I read yours. Exactly! No lid and no vent pipe?! Yikes.

[@sjlmorgan]

Never would I ever have expected to contentedly watch an ENTIRE video about building an out house 👀...soooo....um...what about the gaping hole in the back that creatures can crawl through?! My whole focus when you were done was "What about the open pet door in the back?!"

[@NorthlandSLC]

Did some brush removal and found a random piece of 6” pvc sticking out of the ground behind my back lawn along the edge of my wooded back yard. A neighbor said the original owner parked his rv and thought he used it for the septic. I had a plumber come and inspect and sure enough I have a small septic tank/system there. I’m seriously considering putting an outhouse there now. Great video.

[@cherylb82]

My Mother had this idea to make a outhouse that looked like a barn silo, next to her storage aka "barn" shed. It has now been nicknamed the sh@t rocket. :)

[@alanhoughton3252]

A tip that might be worth mentioning is, if you've access to saw dust use that on top of your shit each time the toilet is used, eventually it will all break down into excellent compost and it soaks up liquids too. So when the outhouse is moved you a great hole to put in an interesting tree.

[@Mightymerc1]

Thanks for another entertaining video, Dave. I like those steel toed work slippers. 😉👍

[@Bushradical]

Glad you like them!

[@randybeard6040]

Growing up we had a Outhouse, just remember to keep a Container of Lime inside --pour a little over Poop to keep smell down. My grandparents used this application for many years. They had a He Side and She Side because their Family was Large...

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Scott. I appreciate it.

[@meehd01]

I saw one one time that was a two hole outhouse with no divider. Guess they didn't mind having company while doing their business. When nature calls you gotta go so just do it and don't worry about the guy sitting next to you.....lol.

[@loseyourlife4042]

Ashes work well for smell as well, monks used ash for generations 💯🙏🏻

[@cjane0589]

Sawdust works well too and helps with the composting process

[@grizzly22485]

Posh pooper purposely prefabricated and perfectly placed.

[@feartheduck6664]

Very alliterative!

[@MichaelBrown-kk6ck]

More alliteration... Alice, a lass. Alas, all ass.

[@GiggyBob]

I always knew you were alliterate.

[@tonymahony2282]

there is a lot of..um "P" in that sentence

[@robertheathman6906]

Needs a closure strip for the corrugated roofing, where flies get in and ventilation with bug screens. Flies can get in, hang out on your poops then land on your food. It's a main inspection point for a privy.

[@louisegreenauthor]

Awesome video thanks! we just followed your plan and finished our own outhouse, in a weekend. Had to modify the plans a little to fit the recycled wood we had to hand, but turned out better than we could have hoped. Ended up building the door out of pallet boards which has a nice aged look. Wish we could share pictures here. Thanks, Dave and Brooke, you guys are such an inspiration. We just took possession of our 5 acre of remote woods and cant wait to start the next project.

[@joeljones4080]

Thanks Dave. Reminds me of my father and his father. Never helped them build an outhouse, but I did help put the first flusher into my grandparent’s house. Granddaddy said “No way I’m ever going to do that inside my house.” My dad quietly said to me, “Come January, he’ll change his mind.” Your lifestyle often brings back good memories for me.

[@Bushradical]

LOL, I love that story. That foam seat is for winter.

[@marieleopold1625]

WELL DONE DAVE! WELL DONE! I'm an ol' widow watchin' and though it probably is something I will never have 2 do...perhaps someday I will B in a position 2 pass on your good advice. I really enjoy watchin' hard-workin' youngins' making good practical use of their energies. This is the 1st time I have caught a glimpse of your lovely 'Brooke'. She appears 2 B a hard-worker herself and well suited 2 your lifestyle = Wonderful relationship = don't stop counting your blessings young Dave/Brooke. I shall pray U get that cabin 4 yourself built...it would B lovely 2 have a place of your own in UM. You have made several wise choices with your life and here I will put some of the credit 2 being 'well-raised'. Thank-you 4 your time/patience/expertise/talents shared with your subs. Health and God's blessing on you n' yours! Gotta ask...What kind of feet do U have 2 shovel with moccasins on? = YIKES = Tough! (LOL)

[@Bushradical]

Thanks for the kind words Marie. As for my feet.....ive spent lots of my life doing concrete work and diggin holes is 50% of it

[@susannepatriot6264]

Hi Marie. Brooke has her own channel. It's called "Girl in the Woods." You'd love it!

[@joefisher4630]

Well said Marie couldn't agree more.

[@heatherclayton-callaghan4270]

@Marie Leopold .... another oldie here agreeing 100% with your comments . I remember our outhouse 65 yrs ago .... no luxury there but it was a very solid build (by my Dad). Hated all those spiders tho. And we used newspaper no toilet rolls back then for us. Ours was also a large metal bucket type. When full dad emptied it into the garden and dug it in. Mother grew amazing rhubarb !!!!!LOL

[@lucky9lives4me]

I've been a framing my whole life I can usually Pick-A-Part something in any video specially off grid. I watched a lot of your videos and I can't complain about very much you do a great job and very entertaining when you do it. 👍👍🤠

[@Bushradical]

Thanks. I appreciate that. Ive been building most of my life .....I dont consider myself a proper framer though.....I'm a cement finisher by trade.

[@elizabethbowen8656]

Dave you are so awsome!!!! I love your videos and guitar music!! You are such a special and heartwarming person.By watching your videos my dreams of living off grid come true. Looking forward to move videos. Elizabeth Bowen

[@Bushradical]

Wow, thank you!

[@carlvondrunker7855]

The tips and tricks I've gotten from watching these videos are priceless. Especially since they really accentuate how to do things solo. You could grab your wife for the 1 minute to hang that door, but shes doing her thing and the axe as a wedge is simple and easy . That's the "professional" stuff I don't know that you've learned by making many many projects. Thanks for passing them along!

[@charlesvincett84]

Great video..very practical!

[@Bushradical]

Glad you liked it

[@kevinharding2099]

Putting in vent pipe helps with odor, and using sawdust to cover the poo.

[@rosew8122]

It's vented under the plywood at the back and under the platform in front of the door. See 13:15 in the video.

[@falatoronto]

This video explains the whole build really well. Even with composting toilets becoming more common in offgrid cabins, there's still a place for the outdoor toilet.

[@mrspof]

I'll probably never build an outhouse. I now know how to do it if the zombies come. And that, friends, is useful info. Thanks!

[@woodsmn8047]

you forgot the mouse proof container for the paper roll...mice will be around and if they can they will use more paper than you do...to insulate their nests of course...I don't know maybe they eat it to...also in heavy rain the paper can get wet...uck...a 2 lb empty coffee can works pretty well

[@tvojslauf]

Use a large Rubbermaid bin and cut out the bottom. Attach that as a four sided splash guard

[@reneenewfrock9131]

Good idea!

[@grapplergirl10]

Good idea. We used two cut off Home Depot buckets, one hole for urine one for other.

[@EgbertWilliams]

Me: I'm having a lot of trouble with this Chinese algebra. This guy: Relax, take a breath, now let's just get started and ease into this. One step at a time , easy does it, and before you know, it'll all just click into place.

[@rosieeiler6314]

Sometimes a snake would get in grandpa’s.I would always look in the hole to make sure it was clear of snakes before sitting down.

[@NoNORADon911]

Indiana Jones does not like snakes either. Or Samauel Jackson for that matter, at least on a plane.

[@joeandsueoffgrid]

Yikes!

[@jayshepard3051]

Sometimes snakes are needed to clear out the pipes.

[@bobbates6642]

I have rattle snakes in the hole of the outhouse.

[@joeandsueoffgrid]

@@bobbates6642 why we live where it’s cold lol🥶

[@aeroglide]

With just a little more effort, you could've made a compost toilet with zero impact on your groundwater and environment, simply separating urine from the solids and providing aeration.

[@rhymeandreasoning]

I just discovered you channel. I am hooked. You are an awesome guy. My best to ya, from Canada

[@Bushradical]

Thanks and welcome

[@petergambino2129]

Build on skids, and just drag to next location.

[@mrfury17]

Could be hard to pull a structure like that in one piece through the woods

[@corazonreyesmamucod1591]

Love to see you both together happily working. Admire you both. So inspiring. Enjoying watching you. Take care. God bless you dears!

[@CaroLine-xj3dw]

I am surprised about how much i enjoyed this and how informative this was.

[@jeanmcbride5629]

Never in my 70+ years would I ever have thought I'd watch how an outhouse is built! Not that I'd be able to do it myself, but I like to know HOW to do things. So I can supervise!!! :) Good to know.

[@ignaciosola]

I'm pretty sure you would be able to make one yourself, it only takes time. Use very cheap materials because you might mess up a thing or two.

[@beckyelliott2871]

Use some cedar shavings (doggie bedding) to absorb and kill odor! At least cedar shavings will compost after time. Wish cedar shavings were provided for port-a-potties!

[@finpainter1]

Back to being yoopers again. PS you forgot the moon cut out on the door. lol

[@Bushradical]

You dont really need the moon with the clear roof

[@DanoLXF]

@@Bushradical They'll be a moon in there everytime the door closes anyhow.

[@MegaLivingIt]

@Mike Hagarty How else do we know what the building is for? Thanks great tips, and I would have used longer hinges like on a barn, just for looks, I suppose. Also drilled peep holes on side walls to see anything coming.

[@kittonsmitton]

@@Bushradical Good for ventilation with a bit of fly screen keeps the wasps out.

[@riverratrvr9225]

@@MegaLivingIt you'll hear them before you see em

[@TimpTim]

Now THAT'S a practical video!! Also shows the value of a good chainsaw and rechargeable drill. Finally, #3 is ingenious and will make #1 and#2 a lot better experience!!

[@RobertoDonatti]

What could be more practical than the knowledge to build an outhouse in th XXIst. century. This channel is appallingly stupid.

[@Bushradical]

Thank you very much!

[@susanlester1]

RobertoDonatti when the world falls down around your ears you will understand. Your normalcy bias is definitely showing.

[@bryanbsa8927]

@@RobertoDonatti Then don't watch it. I find it incredibly stupid you did... and then "wasted" more of you time to comment on it. You are a city slicker that would be among the first to die if the power goes out for 2 weeks. Your appallingly stupid.

[@Bianchi8000]

@@susanlester1 That Robert sounds like a tool. He's obviously never actually camped in a cabin with not electricity. I think Dave and Brooke are totally awesome people!

[@rosieeiler6314]

I wish my grandparents would have known that 70 years ago.

[@karendodder281]

Hey Dave, fellow Michigander from Cheboygan living the good life off grid out in Central Idaho for the last 25 years. Good info on the outhouse build, was wondering we have a very high water table and can't do a normal septic at one of our cabins, do you have any experience in using a 55 gallon drum underneath an outhouse privy? Thought I would check with the outhouse master. My wife KD and I are hooked on watching you and Brooke. Thanks, Bob

[@Bushradical]

Yes I do. I did a 55 gallon drum for a couple years north of fairbanks. We needed to pump it once a year at least...and you NEED to throw your paper in the hole with that setup. I was in permafrost and couldnt puncture the bottom to let the liquid out....so it gets pretty full of liquid and without the paper thrown in you run a VERY real risk of a terrible splash-up. NOT COOL

[@No_one1776]

Digging a hole, the only job where you start at the top and work your way down. ;)

[@sergiovalenti7255]

I would have never thought about the pee guard. 👍

[@cdmanaholmes3305]

It's funny as a kid growing up my uncle in fiddle town had no electricity or running water, but he did have double Holer in the back

[@n11lo_]

in finland we call double holer "kaksipaikkainen" :D

[@tropicallivingoverseas5202]

Can't watch this without smelling the wood chips and chainsaw.

[@AlexR2648]

Better than smelling the alternative 😂

[@HowlingProductions1]

What can you do to keep wasps and other critters from making a home out of it as you use it?

[@the_Texas_Bandit]

Having experience with my great grands , as a child, they had no indoor plumbing. So, we moved the outhouse about once a year. It was on runners that faced sideways along the hill. No pushy up the hill, no slidey down the hill. Every piece of solid went in the hole, paper included. Corn shucks included. Men p'd in a privy off to the side, and ladies had a smooth board nailed between two trees behind a privy. We kept the dirt in a pile downwind of the house, when we slid the house, the dirt went into the hole. Then they would plant tomatoes on the new ground. Had the biggest tomatoes you've ever seen come August. Used newspaper to cushion the sitting. Kept your butt from getting a splinter.

[@Allen-eq5uf]

For a decade or so of my youth I grew up having to use an outhouse. Keep a bucket of lime sitting in the corner with a small cup in it. Sprinkle a little bit of lime over what you’ve just deposited before you leave. It will not smell, and you’ll never have to clean it out. Bonus tip: keep the seat inside by the wood burning stove until you need it for a toasty experience when it’s cold outside.

[@noragrets5553]

We had a family hunting cabin that used high the lime too

[@spiritwings4592]

Lol that's funny. By the time you got out there the seat would be cold

[@Crustymarine]

Some powder lime. A scope of lime down the hole daily will help. Also a PVC piss tube would be a good upgrade for the guys.

[@janicelane8979]

I thought most guys just pee in the wood if they are in the wood. lol.

[@Crustymarine]

@@janicelane8979 True Janice very true. However, most civilized guys don't pee randomly where they camp. Speaking from long term field sanitation considerations. And don't forget "flies spread deceases, keep yours closed" quote accredited to General Maxwell Taylor

[@MicheIIePucca]

Nice!! beats hangin' the butt over a log!

[@charliemartin5482]

When i was young my brother and i went fishing . i had to go and sat on a log .when i got up my foot hit something under the log . i found a small tackle box full of trout sized flatfish !

[@anniford5215]

I have to admit, this was very informative. The plastic “pee shield” is a great idea!

[@Bushradical]

Thanks

[@lelandhawk6392]

When I build mine I used a 5 gallon bucket as a shield and boxed it in. That way I could use the sides for storage.

[@rodshop5897]

Yep, that's what I'm thinking of too. That way even explosive ejections won't wet down the wood. LOL

[@tinam5330]

When it started to stink my Mom would pour lye liquid down in the hole.

[@alfredsuhrbier4166]

Do you like sitting on a hole like this ???

[@Bianchi8000]

Great Video Dave! You made it look totally simple to do. I love when you and Brooke are on each others Channels, makes me happy. You're my favorite You Tube couple ❤

[@Bushradical]

Thanks , we appreciate that

[@cillaloves2fish688]

I 3rd that!!

[@claireellis4509]

I 4th that. I've been watching Brooks channel and she makes me feel so empowered and capable but recently heard about yours via her and now I'm happy. Both of you together is the best.

[@STP_RIDGELINE]

Ha lol I found the out house build SWEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!👍💯🇺🇸

[@alberttylermccain8614]

The Pee guard is brilliant 🙏 that was awesomeness 👏 Thank You

[@Bushradical]

thanks

[@bradwatters9287]

You have inspired me dave! Im gonna build an outhouse. We only have 1 bathroom, and i find myself waiting on my wife for it often. I spend a good majority of my time outside so this will work great for me. Thanks a bunch.

[@Bushradical]

That is awesome! We have two kids and I put on in at our place downstate. I dont even check if someones in the bathroom anymore.....I know the outhouse is free!

[@lindsaylittle6535]

GREAT job Dave! Never thought of the Pee shield. I see you got that knife you sharpened last video and putting it to work. I took your lead and cleaned up an old Kamp King knife my Dad had and it really looks nice thanks to you. Also cleaned 4 others so I am really thankful for your lesson. Great tutorial on ye old outhouse. Greetings from the Arrowhead of MN. Hi to Brooke.

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Lindsay. That knife is actually a different on......its flea market season and ive bought a few latley

[@lindsaylittle6535]

@@Bushradical Good for you!! I got a real deal on chain saw chains. $5 for 5 of them with a lot of life left at a flea market.

[@valeriesmith9639]

Why not put a shield on the back as well, for the black coffee and bean burrito eaters? 🤔 IDK JS

[@rebeccapettifer6553]

@@valeriesmith9639 LOL!

[@freckles3705]

@@valeriesmith9639 my thoughts too. To me pee shields on both walls because men pee toward the back wall, women toward the front.

[@meehd01]

I built an outhouse several years ago and still use it daily.

[@Bushradical]

right on

[@sheraleethomas]

How long would it take to fill up one of these that you’d actually have to move to another spot?

[@meehd01]

@@sheraleethomas I have only moved it once. Been using it for 5-6 years. Just depends on how big and deep the hole is.

[@yesyup3453]

Oh I am not collecting used TP in a paper bag, when the hole is full I'll move on.

[@beckycrump8831]

I live in a camper. Not bad putting the #1 to in a bag but I draw the line at the #2 to. I would willingly dig another hole sooner too.

[@CaroleeLaGrone]

Dave, My Dad had a sign over the door way leading to the bathroom at his shop. It read; I AM TO PLEASE! YOU AIM TO, PLEASE!

[@patrickodonovan5066]

This was another ringer. Very funny, very informative. You and Brooke are the absolute masters of our time in terms of bushcraft and homesteading. Thank you for putting this together.

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Patrick. I appreciate the vote of confidence.

[@suezaple4950]

I love the outhouse looks simple enough, and i remember sitting on a foam seat in the winter i didnt want to get off it , warmed me right up lol. wonderful work

[@Bushradical]

Foam seats are standard gear in Alaska

[@scottcummings8074]

Hey Dave, thanks for the advice you gave me on log screws building my stockade cabin. Wrapping up my pier and beam foundation and cutting out floor joist now. I got a beam cutter and realized it works faster for slabs than my Alaskan sawmill. Only problem is setup is longer moving the 2x4 guide so I tried something I didn't think would work, I took the beam cutter off and switched to using a chalk line. I can't believe it but my end results after a little practice is a more accurate prettier cut. It's easy to keep the cuts parallel to each other just by holding the saw naturally. My first pass is only 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch so I can make any correction if needed. Just wanted to pass that along to you seeing that your beam cutter is a few miles up the road, lol.

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Scott!!!

[@abrakaprogroup9077]

yup - diggin' holes is fun times! Ya never know what you will find! But, it's kinda a boring job....:) - What did the man say after digging three holes in the yard? “Well, well, well”...:)

[@ladyofthemasque]

**Additionally, if anyone in your household has IBS, Crohn's disease, chronic Montezuma's revenge, or any other form of diarrhea-based digestive issues (or what my friends like to call "assplosions"...yes I have weird friends)...you might want to put more of that polycarbonate at the back of the outhouse chute, too. As for how to USE an outhouse, most people don't know the steps. Here's the quick list: 1. Upon entering, make sure the toilet has a lid, and that it is SHUT. 2. Get inside, secure/lock the door. 3. At this point adjust your clothes FIRST. 4. Lift the lid and THEN use the facilities. 5. Once done, stand up and CLOSE THE LID FIRST AND FOREMOST. 6. THEN adjust your clothes. 7. Exit the outhouse. There are three BIG reasons you want a lid, and you want to keep it shut at all possible times: A. It's gonna draw flies like nobody's business, and you want to keep those out of the outhouse interior. B. Keeping the lid shut also forces the venting gasses to do so outside the outhouse. C. The LAST thing you want to do is lose ANYTHING down there. Cellphone, flashlight, wallet, watch, multitool, car keys, etc. Having a lid on the outhouse seat and keeping it shut except when you're actually ready to do your business MINIMIZES the chance of dropping anything down that hole. I've been in and out of the SCA (medieval society) for much of my life, and there was one event where we were at a dry site (no on-site water, it all had to be brought in with you) in the middle of a hot summer...and a woman with a squirmy toddler tucked under her arm failed to follow this rule of making sure the lid was closed before locking the door and adjusting her clothes. Before she could put him down next to her, the tyke squirmed free and ended up IN the port-a-potty, in the blue chemical goo up to his little waist. Thankfully the port-a-john had just been cleaned and refreshed...but she still had to beg for enough water from others on site to get her kid cleaned up. And THAT was just a honeybucket outhouse, with just a couple feet at most of tank depth. Something like THIS is an outhouse that's dug roughly 5 feet into the ground, plus an additional foot and a half of seat height. Unless that thing is so full, you need to relocated it pronto...there is no way you're going to be able to reach down inside to fetch out your only flashlight...or cellphone...or car keys, etc. Trust me on this. I've been to events where yes, there were people who lost those things and more in the portable facilities. It's only hilaroius to everyone ELSE to see a flashlight shining its beam up out of the tank of one of those things...and it's not at all amusing to realize you have to get your wallet and your keys out of that muck. So get that outhouse seat a lid, and follow the steps above to ensure the most successful uses with the least risk of abuses.

[@scottt8424]

Hey Dave by the way I just wanted to wish you an early happy Father's Day and hopefully many more to come

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Scott. I appreciate that

[@janinafisher101]

When you gotta go, you gotta go - and you gotta have a place to go! Great video. Can't wait to build one!

[@sharicampbell9068]

Yup, i want one of these too! A hand dug well & an outhouse would get me more self reliant for power outages & emergencies! Thank you for sharing how you did this!

[@Bushradical]

Right on

[@picklesgherkin]

oh, should I ? 🤔me thinks yes😋 please don't squeeze the Charmin🙄😋 living on Wixom lake for 10yrs you gotta have a lil humor. it helps with the craziness. good vid !

[@derffurwood4820]

Depending on where you live that could contaminate your drinking water. BE CAREFUL

[@ravenlorans]

It just needs to be a Minimum of 75ft away from any Fresh Water Source or Well.

[@josiahhenson4550]

Not too bright are we huh?

[@Icutmetal]

I’m sure this is his first time…

[@juneosborne421]

This is awesome. Thank you. 😊Only different thing I'd do is put a toilet lid on it.

[@wew7884]

I really love your videos, you have a really great way of explaining everything you're doing in a really easy-to-understand way. Thats so hard to find nowadays when everyone wants to show their results but none of the "how" or a really rushed "how". Reminds me of This Old House in that your videos are for teaching first and it really shows. Thanks a lot for the really solid content, truly a pleasure to watch.

[@usmcscout0311]

Looks good. Cut the excess log and put under center of deck boards so they don't sag.

[@carolmurray5794]

"HEY MR. WHIPPLE!" 😂 Don't squeeze the Charmin! 😂 Sorry, I had a high school professor named Mr. Whipple, we gave him a good-natured hard time because of his name and those commercials. The topic at hand combined with your name.....well...I just couldn't resist! Great topic, very informative subject matter and overall a well done video!

[@Rorr59]

Nice work Dave, I'm glad i found you guys. never would have thought about the pee shield, and your right about the foam seat.

[@UltimateForceMarketing]

Becareful with any bigfoot or werewolf activities in and around your area, my friend!!

[@Sheepdog1314]

in my state -if you live close to neighbors and wells, you need to be at least 4 feet above the water table for the hole...check your localities' laws...

[@Lazydaisy646]

I was just wondering about that

[@rockhensley6080]

Naw. Put a 55gal. Drum down there. Drilled with holes in the right places. Place a tolit on top. Bucket of water. Easy. Works great.

[@headphone307]

Ever consider a solar solution? Poop is only 3-5% solids. Remove the moisture and there's not much left. A heat source such as the sun, and/or solar fan could dry out the product and make it less bulky, and reduce smells as well.

[@leslieabell1320]

The only thing I didn't like about an out house were the spiders that came into ours. This was at a cottage in Eastern Ontario, Canada back in the sixties.

[@metamud8686]

I sooo remember the first video Brooke made when she was on this land. "Oh, I have made cabins together with my husband, but THIS TIME I WILL DO IT ALL BY MYSELF! THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME! ALL BY MY SELF". Good to see you 'guys' are doing it all together after all. :-)

[@Bushradical]

Brooke has done 90% of the work on this piece of land so far..... I didnt even think of that ....I just went into auto pilot when it came to the outhouse.

[@cillaloves2fish688]

@@Bushradical Ur a good man Dave!!

[@jennifersinclair6044]

It's an outhouse on skids, that's awesome! When the hole fills up, you can just drag it to your next outhouse location.

[@jennifersinclair6044]

@Christigoth I'd say that's a problem for all outhouses. Lol! But there is rarely high winds in a forest great enough to tip a outhouse with what has basically a 100lb base. So, I don't think that's a big enough concern for them.

[@hahern242]

My question is how do you keep the foam clean? Like if a kid accidentally misses or something. Also how long would something like this last before having to move it?

[@carolpenn8455]

The splash guard, what a smart idea ! Dave, you rock 😁!

[@Bushradical]

Thanks 👍

[@bettinah.7429]

We had an old outhouse at our cottage when I was a kid. I really like the clear roof and urine guard. I think if I ever had to build an outhouse I would add a window or two(homemade or reclaimed). Also as to the toilet paper issue,I have read that you can use lime,wood ash and wood shavings to help the poop compost and to keep the smell down . So I guess there are options. I think your outhouse is very nice and it’ll get the job done ,pun intended. 🙂😉

[@robingarmon3258]

We used to have a bucket of ashes and a hand spade in the outhouse, to sprinkle over your #2 Helps keep down the smell and breaks down the waste.

[@Bushradical]

Ashes work good

[@moth.monster]

The branch handle is hilarious. I love it.

[@imladrisfarm2902]

Much prefer my homemade sawdust toilet. No smell, no mess. Never have to worry about moving it when the hole fills, and there's no pit of stuff for me to fall into when the floor rots through.

[@lindahather7933]

I love watching you because you explain things plus you know what your doing thank you for the video on outhouses

[@cheryldahl9192]

The wood seat area under the foam might get messy too

[@Icutmetal]

From what?

[@xMogek]

The part where he tilted the logs up to support the walls, that was genius.