How to Use and Maintain a Composting Toilet Barrel System

[@gcbranco3220]

One of the best dry composting toilet videos I've seen, thank you

[@exbioman]

Unbelievable! Your design and website. And that you live in Az. Have reviewed your barrel design on your website and it seems very thorough. Thank you so much for posting this as soon I'll be leaving to settle in NE Az.

[@lyndagruen2047]

As long as you're within the right zone range, it should work.

[@o00oZu1o00o]

thanks for these 2 vids, very clear explanations and thought-out design

[@Reciprocity_Soils]

great design. Are you removing the compost at some time? Could there be an additional step or two to move the compost on down the line out of the barrel at regular intervals?

[@campbellmorrison8540]

Yes my question too, there must be a point where you have to empty the spare barrel because the active barrel needs replacing. How do you clear the old compost out. I cant really imagine transferring it with a trowel etc?

[@joshuahouston97]

From the looks of it the aging barrel stays there while it compost. And you said no new substance is introduced once it is no longer an active barrel. My made question is being that is there the whole time how is the smell? Ive read peat moss and wood chips do a good job of covering odor..but im just curious as what your personal opinion based on experience is?

[@KnightsTemplarChurch]

Can you use the methane gases that are exiting the units for energy?

[@RubendeHaascoloruben]

what do you do with the barrels afterwards ?

[@terrykloeffler8018]

When do know when to empty the barrels and would this work in a cold state such as Wisconsin Thank you

[@pkerit308]

"HOW" do you empty the barrels?

[@2361erik]

Can one use ashes for the carbon part of the C/N balance?

[@jstefoni]

Could you use worms to facilitate composting?

[@BosqueVillage]

You can. I use worms in my toilets. The chambers are larger than described in this video. I also have dung beetles in the toilets. These organisms take care of churning the compost. -Brian Fey.

[@jstefoni]

***** Thanks! I'll check out dung beetles.

[@smoothskin46]

How much carbon material you put in ?

[@pkerit308]

I dont think I want to sit down next to an open stinky barrel of waste every day. How do you empty the barrels?

[@3Sphere]

A lot of details were not covered like saying that it's not a very good idea to use human compost on vegetables that will be eaten because obviously pathogens may remain and make you sick. In fact in China they have used human compost on edible crops for thousands of years and some would argue that it is one of those hidden but important factors which made their civilization successful and so long lived. BUT they also have a VERY high rate of intestinal disorders there..... I would use it on fruit trees though- all the way out to the edge of the drip ring. Also, how do you clean that aerating screw? If you hose it off, then the system is not exactly zero discharge... You gotta clean it because it wouldn't be so very nice to have a shit covered stick laying around all the time. :) Great video!

[@sheepseven7588]

YOUR CORRECT GOD SAID BURY IT NOT USE IT FOR FERTILIZER.

[@dog_biter]

@@sheepseven7588 god is dead, his Palestinian son has risen

[@NotSoDumb]

Can a composting toilet be practical in a states like Oregon? We get hot summers and extremely cold winters.

[@lyndagruen2047]

I think I remember reading once about a study done on composting the waste of an outhouse system in a national park in Alaska. As I recall, they found that freezing winters stops the composting process, so it takes longer in colder climates. But, they also found adding worms (in warmer months?) to help speed up the process at least some.

[@sheepseven7588]

HI if it stays in the barrel then how is it used for composting??

[@haroldthomas2933]

Hi Sherry, great question. We eventually switch the barrels out. Come to one of our free composting classes and learn more. www.watershedmg.org check our calendar of events for the next composting class date

[@justinparker7795]

Sturing the Shit!

[@andrewandrew4302]

no good, when fluid and solid mixed.. usually is more fluid than solid.. hence it is always like muddy water. anaerobic. take forever to evaporated dry to be able to achieve aerobic composting. physical toilet design wise is very good. but operational wise is no good. i done mix composting before.. too watery.

[@SimonJBergerActor]

I'm using a bucket to barrel system with the same barrel he uses here, and with non-separated fluids. Works fine, even in a cold are like northern Sweden. Sometimes it's a bit wet and smelly, especially when thawing after winter, but then you just aerate a bit more and add more wood chips.

[@jamesrodriquez2863]

There is absolutely no way--NO WAY--I would have a barrel of shit, composting or not, in my house! I don't have a problem with composting toilets. There are several good ones available to purchase. I also think DIY stuff is cool! But I draw the line at a barrel of shit, composting or not, sitting in my house. I do not care what anyone says, claims, or documents---It's gonna stink, stink, stink!