Composting Toilet EXPLAINED

[@veeemit9719]

You guys can I just say, the bottles look fabulous! Like jewels and light all wrapped in one

[@Mary-go8xc]

Best composting instruction I have seen.

[@yiayia100]

Feel better soon Ashley, rest that throat! Thanks for your explanation, amazing what folks have come up with to substitute for a flushing toilet and bring waste materials full circle again and again!

[@jfrodgers7858]

A farmer has been doing a one bucket system for over 10 years. He empties the bucket every day into a barrel. The liquid helps move the solid out of the bucket. His barrel has holes near the bottom and sides. The pee helps break down the solids. So it all goes in the barrel, then the liquid leaks out. He has several barrels so he can fill one, then move on to the next. By the time he completes 3rd barrel, barrel 1 has composted. It's not just the liquid parts, but the enzymes and acids and such in the pee, that micro digests the poo.

[@SPFOconee]

Every creature on earth shits outside, except for us. Our government literally regulates how we shit... That is a load of crap

[@Lee-mmg]

I've had composting toilet! For several years. It works really good. There was not a problem with odor either. which was great. As it composts it smells just like a composting pile outside. Like healthy dirt. Do a chicken tractor. That lets them have a fresh area each day or even several times a day. Ashley get better! Elderberry syrup is good for a cold, and probably a sore throat. Natural remedy!

[@misstweetypie1]

Yeah, if you use honey as a sweetener for the elderberry syrup, it does help with sore throat. Also, when I’m sick I’ve taken to drinking warm water slightly sweetened with honey, it helps soothe the raspy feeling.

[@Zincchromeshema]

Thanks for the explanations. I was also wondering some of those things. Love your ingenuity and creativity! I love that you are so respectful of mother earth!❤

[@randybutler4772]

Interior really does look complete. Composting is more complicating than I knew. Thank you for sharing.

[@SJC49]

Thanks for the explanation! It’s great to learn the science behind (🥴) the build. Ashley, hope you are feeling better really soon. Honey and lemon tea with a shot of whiskey will help!

[@belindachappell9875]

I just love that big clear bottle window it’s so stunning🌅 ❤ hope you get better soon Ashley 🙏🏻

[@alshirley3444]

As always your explanations are concise and to the point which is great. I personally like composting toilets and think it’s better for the environment Ashley please Rest voice and get some rest yourself you’re allowed to be sick but we want you to be healthy and happy and beautiful as ever

[@janellevoigt5481]

Sorry you are sick Ashley, get well soon, from what I can see, the the Casa de you know what looks good! The house build if it looks anything like the Casa de ykw, it is going to be beautiful, you folks do great work~~~love the videos!!

[@benitaguinn1636]

You guys are so awesome. I had no clue what composting is and you’ve explained it very well.

[@elizabeththomas8746]

Thank you for the explanation of composting toilets. Had no idea that the build was meant for one. I have to say thats a pretty nice casa de caca to use and enjoy the glass scenery. I commend both your talents. Feel better Ashley!

[@sassyh154]

Great explanation, hope Ashley feels well soon... thank you for sharing what you guys are doing...

[@StoneKathryn]

I had an appointment and missed your LIVE! Thanks for explaining how this system works. Sorry you're under the weather Ashley! I hope you feel much better soon. I was wondering what the upside bottle was about but having it as a bug trap is a great idea. Thanks for this LIVE!

[@jamesheidema]

Sorry you are not well! I really enjoy your channel. Your family dynamics are impressive. Love you all of you from Canada.

[@BrokenArrow685]

Great to see it all together now! Seems like a perpetual learning experience with accommodating the County requirements. Daunting!

[@garycarlton1891]

We lived off-grid in a tiny cabin (240 sq ft) in NE Washington state. We used sawdust toilets, similar to, but simpler than yours. No urine diverters. Folks were amazed that there was no odor in our buckets when everything was covered with wood shavings. We emptied the buckets when full into a compost bin (4' x 4') to a depth of 3 feet. Every time we added more bucket contents, the top was then covered with ~6 inches of rotted grass hay. The bin was expanded over time to a final size of 8' x 12'. There was definitely a urine smell in the outdoor compost bin whenever we added more bucket contents, but it lasted for only a couple of days. Passive composting took ~2 years, even when the bin was covered with snow for 5 months each year, with no turning of the pile and only occasional watering during summer months. Your process should be faster in your climate, especially as you'll be mixing and monitoring the moisture content. Weeds and food scraps were added at times. We had little access to real sawdust, and so bought large bags of wood shavings meant for pet bedding. If we had used the finer sawdust, I'm certain the composting process would have been speedier. For folks that are interested, 'The Humanure Handbook' by Joseph Jenkins is a wonderful resource. Nice job y'all on your planning and building!

[@StoneKathryn]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Your system sounds a lot like Doug and Stacy of the YT channel Off Grid with Doug and Stacy. They use about 16 buckets over the winter months. His mom is also using buckets for her home. They have a 4x4 covered compost pile behind their cabin and use the compost on their garden. Doug uses sawdust because he also has a woodlot he sells firewood out of so lots of homemade sawdust. Thanks for sharing!

[@tegannottelling]

finer sawdust results in an Anaerobic system, not as good as an Aerobic system for compost that you get with the larger wood shavings.

[@StoneKathryn]

@@tegannottelling I think they will be aeriating it with the stir stick. That could help it get composted faster too?

[@Maggie-eo3rd]

Just an idea/thought…I’m a camper host so I live in my camper April-November. To eliminate possible clogs I purchased a diaper pail that seals and uses regular trash bags. I put the tp in it. Not sure it would work for so many but a thought. You guys are amazing. I hope you feel better soon too. 👍❤️🙏

[@TinyShinyHome]

We do that for the composter in the airstream. The 55 gallon drums are so big I don’t think we’ll need to keep them separate

[@abcvdfa]

Ashley, I hope you feel better. You are truly an amazing woman.

[@andreaarndt3139]

This is so awesome guys!! It looks so beatuiful inside too! Can't wait to see the finished building. 😀

[@lonniejacobs551]

when i was raising rabbits i just used shredded junk mail and red worms to compost the rabbit poo and urine. also we just use a bucket for the family and empty it into a concreat block box (cover with used straw) over a years time and then empty the dirt onto the garden in the spring. that garden is used to raise animal feed its has worked well for 20-+ years. hope your system works for you too. i admire your work and how it works with the earth.

[@colleenmccowan5083]

Looking forward to a video update of the berm and swale. Maybe some drone shots? You guys worked so hard on it last year! Thanks for the explanations of the Casa da Caca.. Hope you feel better soon Ashley!

[@karenfleet2287]

My favourite couple get well Ashley and Congratulations on your final build of the Cas de CaCA🇨🇦🐝😀🕉

[@MimiMcWil]

Hope you feel better Ashley!!

[@janalavtizar4426]

And good afternoon/night/whatever from other corners of the globe! love you guys from Slovenia

[@kerieagle2441]

Thanks for explaining......I truly just hope that Ashley feels better!!! She was def not herself!! Love ya'll!

[@sharvo6]

Ashley, I hope you're feeling better soon!!

[@SamsLiberty]

Seems like a solid plan for solids 😃 Hope you get feeling better!

[@alysiachristensen5475]

Wonderful!!! Hope you feel better soon Ashley!

[@christinewilcox121]

Ashley get some rest and hope you feel better soon, the explanation how your composeing was great.

[@susandiddle3842]

Praying you feel better. Sweetie. I love watching you all. GOD BLESS YOU ALL

[@OrionStar1]

Im so excited for you guys!!! Soon house building time!! WOO HOO!!!! You guys work so hard and I (all of us) feel so blessed that you are sharing your lives with us!! Thank you again for the wonderful videos!

[@trashdog88]

Thats a beautiful room, love the polished plaster.

[@juanitakauffman6336]

Hope you feel better soon Ashley. Interesting info, but explains everything.

[@sshaw4429]

Awesome video. Feel better Ashley. ❤❤❤❤

[@JCJC650]

I went to a commercial place that used a composting toilet and they had an extractor hooked up to all the composters so that when you were in the room air was constantly being pulled into the toilet and it didn't smell. You could reduce a 4" vent pipe to 6 x 1.5" pipe and vent them all at the same time from the top of the barrel. You might be able to substitute an extractor for a usb powered pc fan if you need to conserve power :). Hopefully it won't smell with all the wood shavings :) You guys have done an amazing job with lots of hard work and effort.

[@TinyShinyHome]

No power in this building, but the warm air should rise naturally

[@vickiwalker3486]

Feel better, Ashley! I’m imagining all your fabulous family members supporting you, maybe a few making sure you have tea, fresh water and kisses on the forehead. Or slobbery kisses on your arms as you fend them off, assuring them you are grateful and you love them too?

[@kathrynrodlun8514]

Sending hugs Ashley. Get better soon!

[@pattibrown1809]

Congrats on finishing the Casa de Caca!! Nice job, thanks for sharing all your work! Can't wait to see what's next!❤✌

[@leonmurphey3968]

The power companies have special shovels used to get dirt out of a hole for the poles that would be useful to remove the compost from the barrel😊

[@theappliancequeen9207]

I'm amazed how everyone is so interested in how you poop for ga sakes I mean just look at your place it's so nice and you guy's are so smart, but some don't think you took in account the pooping situation, I love you guy's channel you have a beautiful place☺

[@staciamartin923]

I hope you get well soon! Great Job!

[@williej3831]

Nice job! I really admire you guys. I could not deal with this kind of potty at my age which is older than dirt 😂

[@brendalongenecker8169]

thanks for the video hoping you feel better ashley

[@tegannottelling]

Really cool system. I love the number of barrels and the urine diverter etc. The only issue I think you are going to have with it is trying to empty the barrels after they are fully composted. Not because it wont be lovely soil and nothing else by then but trying to dig down to physically remove the contents in a barrel is going to be hard work. In my composting toilet you actually swap out the barrel, (the barrels have wheels and the toilet is higher on a platform) So once the full barrel is fully composted its then a simple matter of moving the barrel over to the prepared hole, empty it in, plant your tree, cover it over and its all done. Im sure you guys will work it out. Nice going

[@ginasmitasin479]

Maybe use a shop vac to pull it out instead of shoveling or make some sort of a hoist that sets in the bottom and can be pulled up so the night soil can be more easily accessible.

[@PabloP169]

The need for eventual emptying and how you manage that process was the main area that I was a bit uncertain about, as there have a been a couple of different approaches that I have noted/used in the last 80 years. I would have though that the venting may be required on the full barrels while they are sitting there composting as offgassing will be occurring for a long while after the barrel was taken out of use.

[@johnbornschein5525]

What a fun place to lay a log looks great guys!

[@ShawntayThomasina]

I've been waiting for this video! Very cool. Thank you. 😊

[@SanIgnacioBCS]

Well, that's really nice, to understand all the details. It was a lot of work but seems like it might function well. And lovely compost at the finale.

[@julicanizalesboller1078]

Feel better Ashley!😊

[@raybanister2418]

Hi from Illinois. Love your family!!!

[@CarrieMtn]

Ah now I see. It looks like a perfect solution! Well done 👍🏼

[@krisr8011]

The Casa looks great.

[@janetdiaz8916]

I hate sore throats. Try to rest. Get well soon. This compost system is very interesting. Maybe you should have a clipboard on the wall to mark the date, as to WHEN you switched to a new barrel, and to remind you WHEN to add to what barrel, the things to help composting process. Maybe number the barrels, and use those numbers to differentiate each on the clipboard. I wish you had an auger system so you did not have to shovel. But I know part of living off grid is the extra time needed to maintain everything. Still if you lived like the rest of us, you would have little spare time. Best to spend it getting excercise on daily projects like you do. I hope that this is a success and this video will be watched by many for years to come!

[@donnafarley3274]

Ashley it’s time for you to rest. Take some time to relax and let your body heal.❤️ Awesome job on the outhouse guy’s!

[@deedawson6074]

Cool, about the only thing I didn’t guess about was the stirrer. I use wood chips in my chicken coops and only change them once a year before winter. There is no smell and it’s so dry. I have to wear a mask as it’s so dusty. Well done guys. 🇳🇿

[@karenmartin3650]

Thanks for sharing this info, I was wondering how this would all work.

[@PeggyStentzCasey]

I am thinking it might be difficult to hit the urine divertor if you are a woman. Wonder if they might need to be larger?? You two have done a fabulous job with building it and explaining it. Feel better Ashley!!!

[@denslatt]

Explosive diarrhea will definitely make cleaning the diverter necessary also.

[@deecooper1567]

Thanks for the full explanation 😊. Ashley, hope you feel better soon 🥴. 👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

[@noeraldinkabam]

About the chickens: I saw a guy that made chicken ‘lanes’. It’s a system of tunnels of about 10 feet, you can make as may as you like and the chickens can roam freeish wherever you want them toand you can easely get them to the new patch and back in to their house. If you are interested I’m willing to find you the video. Its been a few years since i’ve seen it.

[@-sstevens5444]

Having lived in southern Arizona, night critters seem to get everywhere. They especially like cool, dark areas. How do you protect " butts and feet" from spiders, snakes and scorpians??? Asking for a friend. 😍

[@godsgreenacreshomestead708]

Hope you feel better soon Ashley! Lemon and honey and elderberry syrup may help. Thanks for the explanation of your system. Texas Deb ❤️

[@wadeprior5203]

Hey good morning guys how you guys doing today sorry I missed you guys but hey I like what you guys know keep up the good work

[@paulineesmaewilliamson5754]

Lemon juice, tumeric and honey made like a cough mixer. One teaspoon of each. Have this three times a day. Sore throat should feel better by day two. Hope you feel better soon.😁👍💞

[@christiannemayer6062]

Better late than never. Love the look. Get better Ashley

[@jo-ellenbass2261]

I'd wondered about what cover medium you would use. This is a far improved model when compared to the one managed by an aunt and uncle when I was a kid. Theirs' was a two-holer with an opening at the back where the chickens could wander in and out. It had a Sears and Roebuck catalog to use as toilet paper, and a bucket of ashes for cover up.

[@merindahthornton5080]

I hope Ashley feels better soon!

[@jo-ellenbass2261]

Ashley, hope you feel better soon.

[@judithdobbins742]

Ashley you need to rest as you’ve been working hard. Your wonderful family can fill in for you.

[@floydgraves3997]

Adding Red Wiggler worms to the barrels when they a full will help break it down faster and the worm castings are excellent in the garden. Red Wiggler worms double in numbers every 3 months so given the barrels are kept damp your composting time would speed us as well.

[@MyBearhugger]

Have you tried it with red wrigglers yourself and know it won't kill the worms? Or is this simply theory? If you tried it yourself, can you give more specifics? I'm concerned if urine gets mixed in with it the breakdown and ammonia produced will poison the worms.

[@laruedouglas7972]

Hopefully you get to feeling better soon Ashley 😢. I love your casa for pooo.

[@billrulla4684]

How much heat do you expect when all barrels are full? I’ve composted normal organic material, leaf’s, grass food waste, etc. I have seen it as high as 180 degrees.

[@poetmaggie1]

My father used a product called Sludge, he got from the the sewage processing plant for our garden.Every couple of years a dump truck load was dumped in the garden and mixed into the dirt.

[@dreadedscotslass]

We call it slurry in the UK and the farmers spray the field with it for crops

[@fuzielectron5172]

The slurry used in the UK is primarily a cattle waste farm product. In saying that there has been several trials with human waste where there is a mobile unit 40' trailer that processes human waste. My next door neighbour fifty years ago had a composting toilet in his house and used it on the garden, we all thought he was nuts, nope he was just ahead of time.

[@resurrectionsunday4164]

Hey there Tiny Shiny Home family ❤ do you ever add worms to the compost pile? Would that work for a faster compost time?

[@tammisink9872]

Feel better soon

[@kimvanvallis8961]

Feel better Ashley 😌

[@ericjohnson1008]

Great explanation y'all.

[@DD47N1]

Feel better beautiful, I've heard that plenty of slobbery puppy kisses can cure any ailments! LOL Also, I know you guys usually have plenty of your own woodchips with all of your trees but should you run out, it's my understanding that horse bedding pellets works awesome as well. Not sure which would be cheaper to buy if necessary, but it's an option should you need one! Take care of yourselves!

[@AlexiaChamberlain]

Get well soon Ashley!

[@tlc1718]

❤ beautiful outhouse good job (:

[@scott_simmonz]

Great job, y'all! 👍👍

[@evelinharmannfan7191]

The compost toilets I knew were using a handful of earth to cover the shit, or wood ash, straw, or charcoal. Worked fine.

[@karenw8481]

Get well Ashley! It looks like the corner barrels will not have enough leg room when you are using them. Isn't the rippled metal lids going to let gasses out into the room once they are topped up with poo?

[@noeraldinkabam]

I missed the live…. Diner time in the Netherlands. I can see how uneasy this made you feel so I admire the fact you did anyway. Even the questions that were (I imagine) irritating. (“Do you go to the toilet all together?” 😮)

[@SJC49]

Yes, irritating and not well thought out before asking! 🥴

[@MimiMcWil]

Have you thought about using one of those movable electric net fences for the chickens to allow them out more? I can’t think of the name.

[@nataliestephens9909]

Thank you I understand it now :)

[@Ningozis18]

Very interesting.

[@poetmaggie1]

You might build some out side perches for the chickens that they can get up on but dogs can't. Sooner or later coyotes are likely to show up,, I noticed that they show up in some very strange places they will be a harder problem..

[@MJ-wz6jo]

One seat is a good idea keeps people from using the wrong barrel toilet.

[@dreadedscotslass]

Human pee is healthier for plants than animal pee so 🤷‍♀️ pee away! 😂😂😂

[@sannamagranna6552]

Yes, I brought my lemon tree back to health with pee and lots of loving conversation. 😊

[@The-Good-Life-Off-Grid]

Most definitely 💯 😊.

[@The-Good-Life-Off-Grid]

@@sannamagranna6552 well dun you 😊

[@jessicasoss1586]

Oohh you shovel it out. That's makes way more sense. I thought you were going to dig it up every time you needed to dump it. THAT would have been a pain in the ass. Goos job guys looks great!! Can't wait to watch the house videos!!!❤

[@arthurroy3571]

Good morning

[@sextondj]

Just able to watch this now-I hope you’re feeling better, Ashley. Do you have to prepare the wood chips like you do coco coir? And do you buy the chips or are you making them?

[@TinyShinyHome]

Just plain old wood shavings are fine. We’ll get them from the tractor supply store most likely.

[@louiswakeman4738]

Are you using enny lime two decompose the 💩💩💩 or a yeast enzyme?🥺🧐

[@chriswarren274]

I suck on vit C natural lozenges and that really helps make my throat feel better helps get over soar throat much quicker!!😀

[@cheryllewis-battles7664]

Thank you .... now I get it!

[@leonmurphey3968]

Will you be adding lime as well, when I was young my Grand parents had an out house and every so often they put lime in the basin😮

[@Marie-yx5ie]

That's a pity guy's about having to divert the urine, it's a load of nonsense. Rule's 🙈 That as you said Jonaton could be used on trees. What is the name of the mixing tool? The off gas, I think that's a great idea too.. Would you have to get that belly machine, if you changed your mind.. I could use that mixing tool, in my normal compost because I usually have to get my Son or Son In Laws to mix it with the garden fork. Brilliant idea with the composting set up.. Love you guy's. Ashley I hope you are feeling better soon 👍😉🇮🇪☘️Eire

[@fuzielectron5172]

Familiar with composting toilet, basically a twenty five litre pail emptied regularly onto a designated compost pile every few days, works well, little smell easy to maintain etc. Crucial as pointed out that liquid and solid is kept separate by operators or lol you will know it! Two years after final dump on the pile fit to be thrown on the garden, pity local ordinance doest allow liquid to be used on garden after dilution. Edit to add: you can buy toilet seats preformed with the separators built in in Europe about £25 Euro's iirc

[@catgynt9148]

Do you add a yeast product to facilitate the compost process.? Watching this and thinking about trips to our hardware store I have seen products for composting toilets. Great acoustics in this recording. Wishing you and your family a blessed week, gentle seasonally appropriate weather and restful evenings together. Cheers

[@Deck1ngUK]

Always a hard subject to talk about no doubt. But won’t the solids form in peaks? I can’t see it levelling out over the base area of the barrel without some help. Tricky subject 😊