In this post, I’ll walk you through various aspects of an incinerating toilet so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
Moreover, I’ll also be responding to queries related to an incinerator toilet in order to help you make an informed purchase decision.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin…
What is an Incinerating Toilet?
An incinerating toilet is a type of toilet that falls in the “dry toilet” category and it involves the burning of human feces instead of flushing them away with water as done by a flush toilet.
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An important thing that you must be aware of in an incinerating toilet is that it is mainly used for niche applications such as those mentioned below.
- An incinerating toilet can be a viable option for those apartments which has limited or difficult access to waste plumbing.
- Houses that don’t have access to drains, and where building a septic tank would be difficult or uneconomical.
- Incinerating toilets can also be used as an alternative for a blackwater holding tank on Yatch as the latter needs to be pumped out occasionally.
- You can use incinerating toilets on mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and caravans as well.
You can power an incinerating toilet with electricity, gas, dried feces, etc.
In simple words, an incinerating toilet is a type of system that is capable of burning biological waste at high temperatures.
The process involves converting human waste into small amounts of ashes.
One of the many reasons for the popularity of incinerating toilets is that it enables you to eliminate waste without worrying about storage, transportation, or disposal.
And, the best part is, an incinerating toilet works without water and doesn’t need a drainage solution.
In layman’s terms, an incinerating toilet burns human waste.
The most popular incinerating toilets are standalone but at the same time, systems are also available that connect multiple toilets to a central incinerating unit.
Mostly, standalone units are fueled by electricity, propane, natural gas, or even diesel.
Such toilets incinerate waste after every use.
On the other hand, multiple-unit incinerating systems will switch on only after reaching the threshold amount of waste so the working style of standalone and multiple-unit systems differs in terms of disposing of waste.
Most incinerating toilets are capable of handling liquid and solid waste. The odor gases are exhausted through a vent pipe which is generally fitted with a catalytic converter in order to scrub the gases so that they can’t harm anyone in any form.
In general, incinerating toilets doesn’t need much cleaning.
In the name of maintenance, all you need to do is periodically empty the ash reservoirs.
Installation of these toilets is easy, quick, and less time-consuming as they don’t need to be connected to a sewer and may not need a water supply either.
All you need to do is to drop an incinerating toilet in place, connect a vent pipe and hook it up to a power source.
It’s up to you whether you plug it in, hard-wire it, or connect it to a fuel line.
How Does an Incinerating Toilet Work?
In terms of shape and size, you’ll not find many differences between an incinerating toilet and a regular one.
However, at the bottom of the cone-shaped bowl, a trap door opens to a waste reservoir that houses the incinerator.
Different incinerating toilets have different methods of working.
For example, some incinerating toilet models make you first insert a cone-shaped paper liner into the bowl while other features a small water reservoir for cleaning your bowl.
As soon as you flush, the content will fall down into the reservoir or be delivered by a screw gear.
Lastly, the content is reduced to ashes once the burn cycle begins.
Many of our readers would be astonished to know that a single-use produces a teaspoon of ashes which amounts to about a cup of ashes per person per week.
However, the ash is collected in a reservoir that is located at the base of the incinerating toilet under the incineration chamber which needs to be emptied periodically.
For emptying the chamber, all you need to do is to remove the drawer.
The good thing about the ashes is that it is free from bacteria and pathogens and contains an adequate amount of sodium and potassium which makes it a viable option as a fertilizer.
As soon as you’ll lift the lid the burn cycle will stop and can be reactivated by pushing the button making it possible for two or more people to use the incinerating toilet in succession.
In simple words, an incinerator toilet consists of a sealed incinerator chamber where the waste is treated at a very high temperature so that organic matter can be dried first and remains can be burnt later.
During the burning process, vapors and combustion gases are vented through a ventilation pipe, and as a result, the system becomes odorless and acts as a highly hygienic waste management system suitable for off-grid houses as well.
An incineration toilet system needs a power source such as an electric power source, natural, or even propane gas in order to produce sterile ashes.
The temperature needed to expedite the process in an incinerating toilet is between 970 and 1400°F (500-750°C).
Moreover, in some countries, you might be needing a certified venting system that protects you and your property, as well as the people who live in your vicinity or the ones who visit you.
How Does an Electric Incineration Toilet Work?
In general, an electric incinerator toilet is made of stainless steel and usually looks like a traditional toilet.
Before using an electric incineration toilet, make sure you coat it with a liner or waste paper so that bowl can be kept clean.
Also, you need to ensure that the waste is moved quickly down to the incineration chamber.
We at izzysmarthomeguide.com recommends burning the waste every two to four flushes.
An electric incineration toilet does its work in an epigrammatic span of time and will not take more than a couple of hours.
Furthermore, you need to discard the remains into the fields and use them as an organic fertilizer.
For managing odor, these toilets come with filters.
And, for eliminating combustion gases and controlling the chamber’s high temperature, an exhaust vent as well as an electric fan is right in place.
In simple words, an electric incineration toilet energizes a radiant heat element in the incinerating chamber.
In fact, each burn cycle consumes 1-1/2- to two kilowatt-hours of electricity, which at the national rate of around $0.15 per kWh amounts to $0.22 to $0.30 per flush.
On the downside, an electric incineration toilet will not work at all during an outage.
How a Gas-Powered Incineration Toilet Works?
Frankly speaking, gas-powered incineration toilets are less practical as they require a natural gas or a propane source.
On top of it, you might need to put the system through regular inspections for safety reasons.
A gas-powered incineration toilet can vary in size.
For example, a small system will look like an electric toilet and a large one can take the form of a commercial unit similar to a portable outhouse.
The burn chamber on an incinerating toilet fueled by propane, natural gas, or even diesel is mounted behind the unit and the waste is fed in by a screw gear.
In layman’s terms, gas units only burn waste when the reservoir is full, which takes 40 to 60 uses.
The amount of fuel used equals a five-gallon bottle of propane for approximately 1,000 uses which amounts to $0.08 to $0.10 per flush.
Units must be plugged into a 12- or 120-volt electrical circuit depending on the model to power the gears and burner.
Most importantly, depending on the size of the system and how large the incineration chamber is, the process can last up to 3 to 4 hours.
Benefits of an Incinerating Toilet
The most important benefit of using an incinerating toilet is its ability to provide a viable waste disposal method for cabins, construction sites, off-grid homes, and remote camping sites.
In simple words, it provides sanitary waste disposal using no water or a small amount.
Moreover, no plumbing is required for the installation of this toilet, and the installation process is also quick, easy, and less time-consuming.
It goes without saying that an incinerating toilet is both clean and odorless.
American households flush 24 percent of the water they consume every day. Incineration toilets can save water as well as a resource that would go into recycling wastewater.
It’s a low-maintenance toilet as you don’t have to deal with pipes, leakage, or even composters.
Also, you can consider an incinerating toilet environment-friendly especially when you use green energy to power it.
The toilet is easy and convenient to use as everything happens automatically, and you only need to manage ash disposal which is definitely more accessible than handling compost.
Drawbacks of an Incinerating Toilet
Frankly speaking, I don’t find lots of drawbacks for an incinerating toilet still there are few for sure.
If you’re planning to opt for an electric Incinerating toilet then it will definitely increase your power bill.
Most importantly, if you’re on a shoestring budget then affording an incinerating toilet can be a big issue as it is not only expensive but may also add extra cost for installation.
It can potentially release pollutants into the atmosphere.
Also, ash produced by burning has far fewer nutrients than compost.
Are Incinerating Toilets Legal Everywhere?
I’m not sure whether it’s legal everywhere or not but at least eight states (Massachusetts, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Washington, Texas, and Montana) allow composting toilets, but offer no guidance on incinerating toilets.
However, that doesn’t mean that you can install one.
My advice would be to consult the local plumbing authorities who are the decision-makers on such matters.
Types of Incinerating Toilets
As mentioned earlier, standalone incinerating toilets differ mainly by fuel type.
Electric
An electric incinerating toilet is one that energizes a radiant heat element in the incinerating chamber.
If I’m not wrong then each burn cycle consumes 1-1/2- to two kilowatt-hours of electricity, which at the national rate of around $0.15 per kWh amounts to $0.22 to $0.30 per flush.
On the other hand, according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates, water for a single flush of a conventional toilet costs around $0.015 to $0.03 which depicts that conventional toilets are still cheaper as compared to electric incinerating counterparts.
Also, the upfront cost of an incinerating toilet is way more than its conventional counterpart.
Diesel & Gas
An incinerating toilet can also use diesel, gas, and propane as fuel.
For such fuels, the burn chamber is mounted behind the unit, and the waste is fed in by a screw gear.
The unique thing about a gas-incinerating toilet is that the unit burns waste only when the reservoir is full which takes 40 to 60 uses.
Furthermore, the amount of fuel used equals a five-gallon bottle of propane for approximately 1,000 uses, which amounts to $0.08 to $0.10 per flush.
At the same time, you must understand that the units must be plugged into a 12- or 120-volt electrical circuit depending on the model to power the gears and burner.
Waste Combustion System
A waste combustion system is unique in its own sense as it consists of multiple toilets with internal grinders connected to a central reservoir next to the incinerating unit.
Each toilet uses a small amount of water to flush waste with the help of a grinder that turns it into a slurry and transfers it to the reservoir.
Furthermore, when the reservoir reaches a predetermined or threshold level, a pump transfers the waste to the incinerator for burning which isn’t the case with a standalone incinerating toilet unit.
Installing a waste combustion system needs a professional plumber.
Best Composite Toilets | An Unbiased Review
Let’s have a quick look at some value-for-money composite toilets so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
The shortlisting and reviewing of products at izzysmarthomeguide.com involve some complex steps that help in picking up the best products in the market.
First and foremost, our core team does the brainstorming and comes up with a set of evaluation parameters.
Each parameter is assigned a certain weightage depending upon its ability to influence a buyer’s decision.
During the evaluation process, our core team gives a score to the products across the evaluation parameters.
Note: The scores are RELATIVE and NOT ABSOLUTE.
Finally, we sum up the scores and shortlists the top performers for reviewing purpose.
I hope our readers are clear with our evaluation process.
In case of any doubts or queries, feel free to contact us so that our core team can help you in the best possible way they could.
Does it make sense?
Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet
The Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet is definitely one of the best on our list, and trust me, for all the good reasons.
In simple words, it consists of almost all the essential features that you might be looking for in your favorite composite toilet.
Not only did it perform extremely well in our evaluation process but also received positive and promising feedback from our clientele which encouraged us to review this little beast for a wider range of audience.
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The brand Nature is known for providing superlative customer service as well as individual support which put it in a different league altogether.
Irrespective of whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned professional, installing Nature’s composite toilet will be a cakewalk for you.
In the name of maintenance, you don’t have to really rub your ass off. It’s simple, and will not consume much of your time.
Of course, the toilet is odorless and can be emptied in an epigrammatic span of time.
The capacity is huge and two people using this toilet will empty every 4 to 6 weeks, interesting, isn’t it?
We at izzysmarthomeguide.com have been recommending composite toilets for years and we can affirm that this toilet has got an improved design.
Last but not least, Nature’s composite toilet is backed by 5 years limited warranty which clearly depicts the trust and confidence of the manufacturer in its offering.
Thinktank Composting Toilet
The Thinktank Composting Toilet is offered by the brand Generic which doesn’t need any introduction.
Moreover, the Thinktank toilet is unique in the sense that it solves major problems with your existing compost toilet.
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It consists of airtight separate air intake and exhaust pipes.
No loss of heated or cooled air makes Thinktank composting toilet a preferred choice among our clients.
Since the toilet doesn’t consist of a bowl so cleaning shouldn’t be an issue for anyone.
Waste is contained in compostable bag which is easy to dump.
Using this toilet is quite easy and hardly needs any effort on your end as you never need to add peat moss or turn a handle, interesting, isn’t it?
EUROTO’s Newest Luxury Smart Toilet
The EUROTO Newest Luxury Smart Toilet is yet another great product on our list that you’ll never regret investing in.
In order to enhance the aesthetic appeal of this unique smart toilet, the manufacturer has added an open/close lid feature
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It also consists of an automatic flush system that not only will save you time but also will ensure proper sanitation.
On top of it, the unit will also activate the self-cleaning bidet wand followed by a powerful flush on your departure for hands-free operation.
This composite toilet will give you a unique experience as it eliminates the need for touching your toilet surface, thanks to the foot kick sensor feature.
It allows you to adjust settings with ease as the remote control provides you with a user-friendly interface.
However, you need a professional installation for this unit in order to prevent any last-minute debacle.
Make sure, you consult a licensed plumber.
In simple words, the smart toilet is equipped with advanced features and functions that make using your bathroom more convenient, hygienic, and most importantly, enjoyable.
ZAHEES Smart Bidet Toilet
The ZAHEES automatic flush toilet is an intelligent modern toilet that will activate the self-cleaning nozzle which is followed by a powerful flush on your departure for hands-free operation along with button control flushing, foot sensing flushing, and most importantly, remote control flushing in order to enhance the convenience and usability for the end users.
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Without any doubt or second thought, I can affirm that it is a high-tech bathroom appliance and comes with a unique feature, that is, a radar-powered automatic lid that opens and closes seamlessly at the user’s approach.
On top of it, the toilet also includes a deodorizing function in order to keep the bathroom smelling fresh.
This 18-inch high bidet toilet is equipped with almost all the essential ingredients that you might be looking for in your favorite composite or incinerator toilet.
The product is also backed by a limited one-year warranty.
The brand ZAHEES is a smart sanitary brand that prioritizes scientific and technological innovation specifically in the bathroom industry, with a strong focus on energy conservation and healthy life.
ELLAI Smart Toilet
The ELLAI Smart Toilet can be a viable option for someone who is on a tight budget or looking for affordable smart toilets.
Not only does it supports one time flush when the power goes away but also does an automatic flush when the power goes out.
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It provides you with multifunctional washing such as rear washing, feminine washing, moving washing, etc so that your comfort and convenience level can be elevated.
On top of it, you get a heated seat that comes with a temperature adjustment feature.
Also, you get a convenient night-light function so that in the absence of daylight you don’t have to suffer.
A feature that is very helpful for senior citizens.
Not only does it keep your toilet clean and hygienic but also prevents the accumulation of waste, thanks to its strong flushing power, and siphoning before jetting feature.
The toilet comes with an anion deodorization feature that keeps the air around your toilet clean using powerful air filters.
Last but not least, the toilet is backed by a 4-year quality guarantee which clearly depicts the trust and confidence of the manufacturer in its offering.
LEIVI Smart Bidet Toilet
The LEIVI Smart Bidet Toilet is one of its kind and possesses almost all the essential ingredients that a smart toilet must have.
I’ve been recommending this little beast for quite some time, and the feedback that I’ve received is quite promising and encouraging.
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In order to open the lid of this toilet, you simply need to lightly touch the sensing area with your foot.
Once you’re done and as soon as you’ll leave the toilet seat, this smart toilet will activate auto lid closing and flushing.
In order to keep your toilet hygienic and clean, the motion-activated functions eliminate the high-touch areas such as toilet lids and handles.
Also, its powerful flush reduces waste build-up and keeps your toilet bowl cleaner for a longer duration of time.
On top of it, the toilet also comes with various spraying settings and ambient lighting so that you can easily adjust the water pressure as per your requirement.
In order to help you conserve energy, it features an auto shut-off feature.
The LEIVI Smart Bidet Toilet is backed by a 3-year limited warranty which clearly depicts the trust and confidence of the brand in its offering.
EPLO Smart Toilet
The EPLO Smart Toilet has seen a surge in its demand in recent times among our clientele.
Most of our clients have been quite vocal about its idiosyncratic features and durability.
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The EPLO Smart Toilet gives you multiple options for flushing including off-seat auto flush, button control flushing, foot kick flushing, and most importantly, remote control flushing in order to enhance the convenience and usability for the end users.
It also gives you the option to adjust the temperature for the heated seat, warm, dryer, warm nozzle water, etc.
Not only is the flushing very powerful but also features such as siphonic jet flushing, auto pre-wet, etc prevent the waste from getting accumulated.
In the absence of adequate light, features such as night light, and LED lighting can be of great help.
Also, you get an LED digital display that is very helpful in indicating the real-time water & seat temperature, interesting, isn’t it?
The product is also backed by a one-year limited warranty.
FAQs
In this section, I’ll be responding to the queries related to incinerator toilets in order to help you make an informed purchase decision.
Feel free to contact us in case, I’ve not answered your question.
Does an incinerating toilet smell?
In general, an incinerating toilet doesn’t smell.
However, they may produce a slight burning odor as soon as the incinerator starts up.
The good news is, it will dissipate quickly and even though the burning odor is present it will be less than the odor from a composite toilet.
Furthermore, depending on the wind conditions in your area, you may notice some odor outdoors from the exhaust vent.
Don’t worry, the odor will dissipate quickly.
What does an incinerator toilet do?
Unlike a flush toilet which flushes waste away with water, an incinerator toilet is a type of dry toilet that will burn human feces instead of flushing them away with water.
Do incinerator toilets use a lot of electricity?
Yes, an incinerator toilet uses a good amount of electricity.
In fact, it requires consistent power for each use.
In simple words, one complete cycle uses about 1½–2-kilowatt hours of electricity.
What is the cost of an incinerating toilet?
On average, the cost of an incinerating toilet will fall in the range of 2000 to 3000 dollars.
For example, a four-user electric incinerating toilet costs $2,300; an eight-user toilet costs $2,700.
On the other hand, the cost of a propane-burning Storburn is $2,550; a natural gas-burning unit costs $2,590.
Are incinerating toilets loud?
The noise they produce is equivalent to a regular dishwasher or 54 dB, one meter above the toilet.
What are the disadvantages of incinerating toilets?
- Higher upfront cost
- Professional assistance is needed for the installation
- Electric power is required for each burning cycle
Can you urinate in an incinerating toilet?
Yes, you can urinate in an incinerating toilet.
An incinerating toilet reduces human excreta and urine to sterile ash and vapor by incineration.
Do incinerator toilets need water?
An incinerator toilet doesn’t require a water supply or a costly drainage solution.
How long do incinerator toilets last?
In general, an incinerator toilet can last for up to 6 years with regular use but may vary in accordance with the surrounding environment as well as usage of the toilet.
How often do you empty an incinerator toilet?
We at izzysmarthomeguide.com recommends emptying the ash container on a frequent basis to ensure optimum incineration.
In simple words, you should empty your incinerator toilet at least once a week or after 50 cycles.
Can you use toilet paper in an incinerator toilet?
Only waste urine, feces, and toilet tissue should be emptied into an incinerating toilet.
How much gas does an incinerator toilet use?
The fuel consumption on average is 0.45 lb/hr (0.2 kg/hr) or up to 180 grams per use and the power consumption is around 1.3A per incineration.
It’s A Wrap
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Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information on the topic, Incinerator toilet.
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We at izzysmarthomeguide.com firmly believe that the information provided in this post on the topic of incinerator toilets will help you in making an informed purchase decision.
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