Content
- 1 How does it work
- 2 Design, installation and operation
- 3 Popular models of peat toilets
- 4 Continuous composting toilets
- 5 What is a thermal toilet
- 6 The simplest version of a peat toilet is a powder closet
- 7 Homemade peat toilet
- 8 Choosing a peat toilet for installation in the country
- 9 What users say
Peat dry closets are no different in purpose from traditional structures installed in public places, in the country, etc. Their work is aimed at recycling human waste products. The dry closet differs only in functionality. Peat is used here to process waste, which is why this toilet has a second name – composting. Before choosing a peat toilet for your dacha, you need to know that there are several types of design, which we will now try to understand.
How does it work
Liquid and solid human waste products end up in the lower storage tank of the toilet. The top container contains peat. After each person visits the dry closet, the mechanism takes a certain portion of peat to cover the waste. The process of processing sewage occurs in portions. Some of the liquid waste evaporates through the ventilation pipe. Remains of feces are absorbed by peat. The remaining excess liquid is filtered and drained in a clean state through the outlet hose.After filling the lower container, the contents are dumped into a compost pit. After rotting, the resulting fertilizer is used to fertilize the garden at the dacha.
Design, installation and operation
All peat toilets are designed almost identically, as can be seen from the diagram in the photo:
- The upper container serves as peat storage. A distribution mechanism for powdering waste is also installed here. Peat serves as the main component that processes sewage. Its loose structure absorbs moisture, its bactericidal properties eliminate bad odors, and waste decomposes to the level of organic fertilizer. Peat consumption is small. One bag can be enough for the summer season.
- The lower container serves as the main waste storage area. This is where the peat composts the fecal matter. We always select the volume of the lower toilet tank according to the number of people living in the dacha. The most popular are tanks designed for 100–140 liters. In general, peat toilets are produced with storage tanks ranging from 44 to 230 liters.
- The body of the peat toilet is plastic. The toilet seat is equipped with a seat and a tightly closing lid.
- A drainage pipe is connected to the bottom of the storage tank. A certain percentage of the filtered liquid is discharged through the hose.
- A ventilation pipe extends upward from the same storage tank. Its height can reach 4 m.
The composting toilet can be placed anywhere. There are no fundamental requirements here, since there is no need for a sewerage system, a cesspool and a water supply system. Even if the peat toilet is installed not inside the house, but outside in a cubicle, it will not shrink in winter due to the lack of water.When using a toilet seasonally in a country house, it is preserved for the winter. In this case, all containers are completely emptied.
Before you start using the compost toilet for your dacha, pour peat from a bag into the upper container. Fill the tank approximately 2/3 full.
Backfilling of peat must be done carefully. Rash actions will disable the toilet mechanism, after which the peat will have to be scattered manually with a spatula.
Having visited any forum on peat toilets, you can always come across reviews about poor distribution of peat even with a working mechanism. The only problem is the incorrectly applied force to the handle of the mechanism.
It is important to pay attention to ventilation. The air duct must rise above the roof of the building where the toilet is installed. The fewer turns there are in the pipe, the better the ventilation will work.
Popular models of peat toilets
Today, the Finnish peat toilet for a summer residence is considered the most reliable and comfortable, which is why it is in great demand. The plumbing market offers the consumer many models. According to reviews from summer residents, the following peat dry closets are considered the most popular:
- Finnish peat toilets for summer cottages of the Piteko brand equipped with drainage with a special filter. The models have an ergonomic design.
The stylish case is made of high quality plastic.Compact dimensions and special connections on the rear side without protrusions allow you to install a peat toilet flush against the wall of a building. The plastic can withstand negative temperatures and does not crack in winter when installed in an outdoor cabin at the dacha. The body of the dry closet is designed for a load of up to 150 kg. The toilet for the Piteco cottage is equipped with direct-flow ventilation, which eliminates bad odors.
Among many models, the Piteco 505 dry closet is especially popular due to the partition built into the storage tank. It prevents solids from faeces from blocking the drain. In addition, there is additional protection from a mechanical filter. The peat spreader mechanism is rotated 180 by the handleO, which allows for high-quality powdering of waste.
The video shows an overview of the Piteco 505 model:
- Peat toilets for composting from the manufacturer Biolan made using thermal insulation material. All models are resistant to sudden temperature changes.
Most Biolan models have a large capacity. This is a good option for a summer house with a large number of people living or a country cottage. Usually the volume of the storage tank is enough for the whole summer season. One emptying of the tank allows you to create finished compost inside the tank. At the request of the owners, the dry closet is equipped with a thermal seat, allowing you to comfortably use the product in winter.
Models with a separator have increased ease of use. This dry closet is made of two chambers designed to collect liquid and solid waste.
The storage chamber for solid waste is located inside the body of the peat toilet.The container for liquid waste is located outside and connected to the general system with a hose. The filtered liquid is used to fertilize flowers or as a compost activator. All storage containers are equipped with dispensers that have an odor absorption function. - Ecomatic peat toilet models The market is presented from Finnish and domestic manufacturers. All of them are made using the same technology. You can find out which manufacturer’s model is better by visiting any thematic forum. Many users still prefer Ecomatic from Finnish manufacturers.
Domestic models are made of durable, high-quality plastic. The body is not afraid of severe frosts. A dry toilet can be installed in an outdoor cabin in the country. The design feature is an air regulator for seasonal use. In warm weather, the regulator is switched to the summer/autumn position. With the onset of frost, the regulator of the peat toilet is switched to the winter position. This allows the composting process to continue. In the spring, there will be ready-made compost inside the dry closet storage tank.
The video shows the Ecomatic model:
Continuous composting toilets
While most models of peat toilets can be moved to another location if necessary, continuous-action designs are intended only for permanent installation. Installing a stationary toilet at your dacha is initially expensive, but over time it pays off.
A design feature of the continuous peat toilet is the composting tank. The bottom of the container is made at a slope of 300. Inside the tank there is a grid of pipes cut lengthwise.This design prevents contamination of the air duct, which ensures oxygen access to the lower chamber. While using the toilet, a new portion of peat is periodically added to the inside of the compost tank. A loading hatch is installed for this purpose. The finished compost is raked out through the bottom hatch.
What is a thermal toilet
Now on the market you can find such a design as a thermal toilet from the manufacturer Kekkila. The design functions due to the insulated body. Peat waste is processed inside a large chamber with a capacity of 230 liters. The output is finished compost. The thermal toilet does not require connection to water supply, sewerage, or electricity.
The manufacturer of the thermal toilet guarantees that even food waste will be recycled, but bones and other solid objects should not be thrown. It is important to monitor the tightness of the lid, otherwise bad odors may appear in the room and the composting process will be disrupted. The thermal toilet is able to function in the country even in winter. However, with the onset of frost, the drainage hose is disconnected from the lower container to prevent the liquid from freezing.
The simplest version of a peat toilet is a powder closet
The peat toilet of the powder-closet system has a simple design. The product consists of a toilet seat with a storage container for waste. A second container is installed separately for peat. After visiting the powder closet, a person turns the handle of the mechanism, as a result of which the feces are powdered with peat.
Depending on the size of the powder storage unit, the powder closet can be stationary or portable. Small toilets can be moved wherever needed at any time. As the container is filled with waste, the container is pulled out from under the toilet seat, and the contents are thrown onto the compost heap, where further rotting of the waste occurs.
Homemade peat toilet
Making a peat toilet for your dacha with your own hands is quite simple. The most affordable option is powder closet. Such homemade structures are made from a simple toilet seat with a bucket placed inside. Powdering of waste is done manually. To do this, install a bucket of peat and a scoop in the toilet stall.
A more complex model of a homemade peat toilet is shown in the drawing. In terms of dimensions, the design will be larger than the factory one, otherwise it will not be possible to ensure the tightness of the chambers.
The bottom of the lower chamber is made at a slope of 30O, and small holes are drilled all over the surface. They play the role of a filter. Liquid waste leaks through the holes. Peat is poured into the chamber through the loading window. The finished compost is unloaded through the bottom door.
Choosing a peat toilet for installation in the country
In principle, all peat models from any manufacturer are suitable for use in the country. If we specifically approach the question of which peat toilet is best for a summer residence, then we must be guided by the technical characteristics. For example, for a family of three it is enough to buy a product with a storage capacity of up to 14 liters. For a large family, it is reasonable to purchase a dry closet with a storage tank with a capacity of about 20 liters.
When choosing a peat dry closet, it is important to avoid fakes in pursuit of a low price. Low-quality plastic will begin to burst over time and the chambers will depressurize. In any case, all Finnish products are of high quality. The consumer can only decide on the model based on personal preferences.
What users say
Forums and user reviews always help you choose the right model of peat toilet for your dacha. Let's find out what summer residents say about this.
