Anyone tried a kildwick compost loo?

[Bargebuilder]

21 minutes ago, Robbo said:

When I’m looking at a new product for something that I’ve not familiar with I research all reviews.  Usually the 5 stars and 1 stars are bollock reviews.

That is an excellent point and I do exactly the same. I do check though, that the little box is ticked confirming that the reviewer is a confirmed buyer of the product.

[Jerra]

10 hours ago, frahkn said:

No, it's not.

If you do not believe something which you have genuinely experienced for yourself, but instead chose to believe something contrary to that experience, on the grounds that you have been told it is the case, you are sufficiently detached from reality to reasonably be described as insane.

So if every dog you have seen has 4 legs but you are told by somebody they have seen a dog with 3 you consider them insane?

[Bargebuilder]

8 minutes ago, Jerra said:

10 hours ago, frahkn said:

No, it's not.

If you do not believe something which you have genuinely experienced for yourself, but instead chose to believe something contrary to that experience, on the grounds that you have been told it is the case, you are sufficiently detached from reality to reasonably be described as insane.

So if every dog you have seen has 4 legs but you are told by somebody they have seen a dog with 3 you consider them insane?

To use your analogy, what I think frahkn said was:

If every dog you have seen has 4 legs and someone tells you that dogs have 3 legs and you believe them, you could be described as insane. 

 

[Jerra]

2 hours ago, Bargebuilder said:

To use your analogy, what I think frahkn said was:

If every dog you have seen has 4 legs and someone tells you that dogs have 3 legs and you believe them, you could be described as insane. 

 

No that might be what he has said but it isn't a correct description of the situation.  He has a sort of toilet which he thinks is great others have pointed him to a place where he can see that it isn't always as fantastic as he is finding it.  He is in effect sticking his fingers in his ears and singing La la la la.

To come to my analogy, dogs have 4 legs of course they have but some dogs have accidents and end up with three.  Nobody with a couple of brain cells to rub together would suggest dogs never have 3 legs.  Frankn is in effect saying because his dog has 4 legs so no dog ever has only 3.  Worse still the fingers are still in the ears and the eyes tight shut in case anyone can show him one with 3 legs.

 

[frahkn]

1 minute ago, Jerra said:

No that might be what he has said but it isn't a correct description of the situation.  He has a sort of toilet which he thinks is great others have pointed him to a place where he can see that it isn't always as fantastic as he is finding it.  He is in effect sticking his fingers in his ears and singing La la la la.

To come to my analogy, dogs have 4 legs of course they have but some dogs have accidents and end up with three.  Nobody with a couple of brain cells to rub together would suggest dogs never have 3 legs.  Frankn is in effect saying because his dog has 4 legs so no dog ever has only 3.  Worse still the fingers are still in the ears and the eyes tight shut in case anyone can show him one with 3 legs.

 

Hi Jerra,

You might read the thread. Otherwise people will think you are just sticking your fingers in your eyes and singing la la la la!

I currently have a macerator pump-out and I certainly don't 'think it is great'. That is why I am contemplating a change.

But if I had a composting toilet and found, from personal experience, that it was great I would be insane to be influenced by others saying that it was not. Doubly so if the person saying this has no experience of the toilet he is denigrating but is simply repeating something which he has heard.

[Jerra]

2 minutes ago, frahkn said:

Hi Jerra,

You might read the thread. Otherwise people will think you are just sticking your fingers in your eyes and singing la la la la!

I currently have a macerator pump-out and I certainly don't 'think it is great'. That is why I am contemplating a change.

But if I had a composting toilet and found, from personal experience, that it was great I would be insane to be influenced by others saying that it was not. Doubly so if the person saying this has no experience of the toilet he is denigrating but is simply repeating something which he has heard.

I have read the thread thank you!  It is just that reading it in dribs and drabs over 6 pages (and 11 days) I may not have followed it as well as possible.

So I don't suppose you read reviews of things when you need to replace a new appliance.  No need you have had one before so you know that they are alright.

The person with no experience was in effect pointing you to where you could find evidence of other users to back up their assertion.  However if you don't need wider experience from others who know the item and have used it fair enough.

[frahkn]

2 minutes ago, Jerra said:

I have read the thread thank you!  It is just that reading it in dribs and drabs over 6 pages (and 11 days) I may not have followed it as well as possible.

So I don't suppose you read reviews of things when you need to replace a new appliance.  No need you have had one before so you know that they are alright.

The person with no experience was in effect pointing you to where you could find evidence of other users to back up their assertion.  However if you don't need wider experience from others who know the item and have used it fair enough.

Sorry, I should have said "comprehend" the thread.

I do read reviews (by the way I have not had a composting toilet previously) but I take a balanced view of what is said and would ignore any "review" by someone who had no experience of the product in question.

There is a tendency to think that your own item is the bee's knees (particularly if you have spent a lot acquiring it) and I am taking this into account but what can I take into account when evaluating the opinion of someone with no experience of the item?

I need advice about how efficient these toilets are - I don't need speculation about how others may dispose of the 'product' - I know that I will dispose of it responsibly. Of course I am not attempting to dictate what is said rather what I find useful and why.

 

[MtB]

Rendered down to its most basic, a composting bog looks to me like a smokescreen for not using the sewage disposal facilities on the cut.

Pour the wee into a hedgerow or into the cut and the solids in the domestic waste disposal bins after a token attempt at composting it.

Not a major problem while only a tiny minority are dumping 'partially composted' excrement in the CRT waste bins, but imagine the state of the waste bins if all boats had composting bogs. 

Actually, probably better not to before breakfast.

Edited August 28, 2017 by Mike the Boilerman

[Robbo]

20 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

Rendered down to its most basic, a composting bog looks to me like a smokescreen for not using the sewage disposal facilities on the cut.

Pour the wee into a hedgerow or into the cut and the solids in the domestic waste disposal bins after a token attempt at composting it.

Reading all the reviews on how boaters use them (with the decent composters keeping boxes on the roof to compost), this is how I would use it as in poo until full n dump in nearest bins.  Pee emptied in bush/canal.   You may thank the ashetic department on why I don’t have one.

[frahkn]

1 hour ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

Rendered down to its most basic, a composting bog looks to me like a smokescreen for not using the sewage disposal facilities on the cut.

Pour the wee into a hedgerow or into the cut and the solids in the domestic waste disposal bins after a token attempt at composting it.

I am considering a composting loo but I would not want one if the material is not composted or if I had to have more than two or three containers to ensure full composting.

Despite 6 pages of dialog, I am not a lot further forward. This is mainly because posters seem obsessed with how others deal with non composted waste rather than how to compost it.

I'm not complaining - it's a free forum - but it's not dealing with this topic in a way that is useful to me (or anyone in my situation).

 

[AllanC]

1 hour ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

Pour the wee into a hedgerow or into the cut and the solids in the domestic waste disposal bins after a token attempt at composting it.

Possibly done by the same folks who dump oil and boat rubbish in the hedgerows or by bridges for someone else to clear up. Possibly the same folks who might empty a cassette in the bushes to save a trip to the elsan.

There are bad apples in every barrel Mike. Your view is blinkered.

I see no cons with using a compost toilet system as it is intended to be used. Obviously a slightly blinkered view as well, as I don't have one yet.

[Robbo]

10 minutes ago, frahkn said:

I am considering a composting loo but I would not want one if the material is not composted or if I had to have more than two or three containers to ensure full composting.

Despite 6 pages of dialog, I am not a lot further forward. This is mainly because posters seem obsessed with how others deal with non composted waste rather than how to compost it.

I'm not complaining - it's a free forum - but it's not dealing with this topic in a way that is useful to me (or anyone in my situation).

 

You will be looking at something like Sun Mar as it has separate chambers for composting.  Unfor if you are not able to have the heater going it prob a poor choice on the boating version and it has mixed reviews.  The toilets that separate the pee and poo at source prob better for boaters even tho non of the models do pure composting.

[Steilsteven]

On 22/08/2017 at 20:23, Ayesha walker said:

Thinking about buying a compost loo and came across Kildwick at Crick this year who seem to do some good ones, has anyone bought one and have any feedback on good how they are? 

Many thanx!

 

PM sent.

[adam1uk]

21 hours ago, BlueStringPudding said:

In fact I've just read a warning on one of the composting loo sites saying that marinas are complaining because rubbish disposal companies are getting bags of poo in skips that are designed for household waste.

You're mis-representing the warning.  It was about people dumping it without even bagging it.  It doesn't take a genius to work out that's wrong.

[Bargebuilder]

3 hours ago, frahkn said:

I am considering a composting loo but I would not want one if the material is not composted or if I had to have more than two or three containers to ensure full composting.

Despite 6 pages of dialog, I am not a lot further forward. This is mainly because posters seem obsessed with how others deal with non composted waste rather than how to compost it.

How right you are.

When done properly, there are so many advantages with composting and yes, a few disadvantages as well.  

Composting ones toilet is like any other composting, with poo being but one component. The moisture content needs to be controlled and there has to be a mix of fibrous organic additives such as sawdust, peat, straw, dry leaves or similar. The whole lot needs to be aerated by occasional mixing and temperature has a dramatic effect on production time.

Having said all that, it is very easy to do if you obey the rules, and done properly any smell is insignificant. 

I don't bother with stirring during the collection stage, but I do ensure that no liquids enter the solids chamber and I do regularly add fairly generous layers of pet bedding (sawdust etc) after 'deposits' have been made. 

With two of us, after about two months the bucket is about half full because the contents shrink through drying out as you are adding to it. Then you empty this 'collection bucket' into a maturing container that is rainproof but still has good ventilation. Build a box that fits your boats roof without inhibiting navigation.

Once in the maturing box, just ensure that it remains moist enough to keep the composting flora happy and give it a good mix every week or two.

In the Summer, three or four months in the maturing bin will produce a sweet smelling crumbly compost that is beneficial to the growth of plants, but it may need more than that in a cold winter.

You will have two maturing containers on deck from Spring to Autumn but when things slow down in the Winter, you will need a third. These only need to be about 50cm square and 15cm high and need look no more unsightly than a top box.

A separating composting toilet can be made, including separator, wooden seat, bucket, fan, ducting and a basic box to put it all in for around £100, so don't listen to either the enthusiasts or the doubters, try it for yourself.

[rusty69]

2 minutes ago, Bargebuilder said:

don't bother with stirring during the collection stage, but I do ensure that no liquids enter the solids chamber

Is this done through accurate aiming, or is it more scientific than that, particularly for the lady composters? 

Edited August 27, 2017 by rusty69

[Bargebuilder]

3 minutes ago, rusty69 said:

Is this done through accurate aiming, or is it more scientific than that, particularly for the lady composters? 

You have hit on one of the disadvantages. These toilets ensure sex equality, in that the gents have to sit down to use them, just like the ladies.

I understand that ladies have no problem with the design.

[rusty69]

1 minute ago, Bargebuilder said:

You have hit on one of the disadvantages. These toilets ensure sex equality, in that the gents have to sit down to use them, just like the ladies.

I understand that ladies have no problem with the design.

I suppose it could be seen as an advantage, depending on who normally cleans the bog. I guess a bloke would get used to it. 

[Bargebuilder]

Having a poor aim certainly would no longer be an issue!

[Bargebuilder]

19 minutes ago, adam1uk said:

22 hours ago, BlueStringPudding said:

In fact I've just read a warning on one of the composting loo sites saying that marinas are complaining because rubbish disposal companies are getting bags of poo in skips that are designed for household waste.

You're mis-representing the warning.  It was about people dumping it without even bagging it.  It doesn't take a genius to work out that's wrong.

Surprisingly and distastefully,  local authorities insist that such waste is put in with the general waste collection, double bagged of course, and it has been suggested that the PLA seem to be encouraging liveaboards on the tidal Thames to use composting loos and do that very thing. The following is a direct and unaltered quote:

Offensive waste is not hazardous and does not require specialist treatment or disposal. You can dispose of household offensive waste in your regular refuse waste collection.

Offensive waste can include:

human waste (faeces)

incontinence pads

catheter and stoma bags

nappies

sanitary waste

plasters (minor first aid or self-care) generated by personal use

animal hygiene wastes (animal bedding, dog faeces etc).

[Jerra]

2 hours ago, Bargebuilder said:

Offensive waste is not hazardous and does not require specialist treatment or disposal. You can dispose of household offensive waste in your regular refuse waste collection.

Offensive waste can include:

human waste (faeces)

I know councils do say this but I find it amazing that they do.  When we had babies (back in the terry nappy days) I was told in no uncertain terms by the doc that the faeces were hazardous.  This is backed up by a quick google of all the health risks of untreated human faeces. 

[BruceinSanity]

11 hours ago, Bargebuilder said:

 

You will have two maturing containers on deck from Spring to Autumn but when things slow down in the Winter, you will need a third. These only need to be about 50cm square and 15cm high and need look no more unsightly than a top box.

That for me is the killer, others might be happy with that but I have better things to do with my roof, thank you.

I see no evidence whatsoever of people emptying cassettes into hedges or the cut, by the way. No doubt it happens occasionally, but I suspect nor as often as people putting inadequately composted waste into general waste skips.

[Up-Side-Down]

11 hours ago, Bargebuilder said:

You have hit on one of the disadvantages. These toilets ensure sex equality, in that the gents have to sit down to use them, just like the ladies.

I understand that ladies have no problem with the design.

I can only comment in relation to the Airhead (being a satisfied user for the past two years) but that is used in the 'normal' way in that gents pee into it standing up – which is how it was designed. (the instructions even identify the ideal aiming point!)

[Bargebuilder]

Am I reading from the Airhead website incorrectly, or is yours a slightly different model?

It states "Request that men sit for every use, and point out the lever for making solid deposits disappear."

[rusty69]

6 minutes ago, Bargebuilder said:

Am I reading from the Airhead website incorrectly, or is yours a slightly different model?

 

They're all the same model for blokes, its only the size that differs