Nature's Head vs Airhead | How To Pick The Best Composting Toilet
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2019
- A composting toilet is a must have for off grid living whether it's a van, skoolie, RV or tiny house. In this video, we compared to top two composting toilets - the Nature's Head and the Airhead - and find some very surprising differences!
Nature's Head Toilet amzn.to/2Itm7My
Airhead Toilet airheadtoilet.com/
We're Ginger & Greg, full-time digital nomads traveling in a flatbed truck camper full time! Join us on our journey by subscribing here and check out our instagram for more on our day-to-day life on the road: / driventoadventures
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We have a nature’s head. We bought a extra liquids container and never had to go into a gas station or a Starbucks, hahaha. We empty/pour it into our campsite sewer connection. When boon docking we dig a hole 6-8 inches deep to empty. “Never near a water source”. We always start a clean liquids container with a half cup of white vinegar. The solids section has never smelled and it just looks like the dried peat moss when emptying because of the 12v fan drying it out. It is changed around every 3 to 6 weeks/or as needed. The toilet paper is always put into a trash container lined with a used shopping bag/changed every other day or so. We had never used a composting toilet before. It is so easy and great for boon docking! Have fun camping everyone!
Thank you for the comparison!
We're a family of 4 full time living in a tiny house on wheels and are using the Nature's Head. Lately I was considering to change for the Air Head, but this video convinced me to stick to the NH.
Yes, some of the downsides you mentioned are there.
Here are the ones that made me considering changing.
- Having to slide out the top which is somehow heavy and big for me (I'm the size of a 12 - 14 years old kid)
- The inside of the top is hard to get clean
- The seat doesn't feel comfortable
- It's heavy for me to carry it out to empty and clean it (every week as we are 4 full-time and it gets very humid)
Now that I've seen the differences I'll keep it mainly for
- The size of the containers (I don't want to get to empty and clean more often)
- The overflow tray for the liquid container (yes it happens, especially in the morning if we forgot to look at the level of it before night...)
And here are few comments on things said in the video.
- For both toilets men should sit to pee, otherwise it might splatters all around
- No, you don't have to aim at the front part of the bowl to pee in the NH.
- The agitator handle can be installed on either side
- To quickly have a look at your solid container while you take out the liquid one is not that bad as it is a compost. Unless the last person that used it forgot to agitate its content....(with kids, this happens 😄)
- White vinegar cuts efficiently the urine odors
So that's it and, once again, thank you for making this video
DO use unbleached coffee basket filters in either toilet, otherwise you will get solids on the closing flap. Then open the flap to let it drop after you are done. Do NOT use toilet tissue. Instead use biodegradable toilet wipes and have a sanitary trash can for them (plus any female 'products'). To avoid pee smells, empty very frequently. My recommendation is after breakfast and before you retire for the night. It smells way less that way. Use some 1:4 white vinegar/water to wash it out after emptying, then pour some neat white vinegar in (it will neutralize some of the ammonia smell) before you fit it back in place. Use a similar spray to keep the seat and pan area clean. Do not fully empty the solids, always leave some coco crumb behind. When expanding the brick to fill the bucket, use only as much water as you need to expand it, kneading and separating it with your fingers in a bucket, to make sure it still feels dry, but almost moist. Always keep some in a sealed plastic box to top up the bucket every few days (so don't use the whole brick in one go). DO take the mixing handle off the Air Head (it has a quick release pin) before taking it outside to empty. Try not to empty it (into a compostable plastic bag) inside the RV (spillage will happen). Do NOT try to stand and pee into the Air Head. You will get splash back and some will go in to the solids container. If you are in a damp/humid environment, empty the solids much more frequently, or you will get fly infestation. Do use anti bacterial spray to clean the whole toilet inside and out when you empty the solids.
Great tips! We do use unbleached coffee filters and they indeed make things much cleaner :)
I thought the idea was to open the flap before making a “deposit” are you suggesting laying a coffee filter on it instead and if so why? Also why can’t you use toilet paper on the flap?
@@thechumpsbeendumped.7797
That's a good question. I watched another review for the same toilet, and they said to open the flap before you defacate. This way it goes directly into the hole. As long as you regularly empty the compost and keep urine out of that section, there aren't any odors, nor flies, you would have to deal with.
You use it without opening the flap first? Why? 1:4 water/Pinesol spray bottle better cleaning option, it kills insects too
Trevor Nelmes p
You forgot this option. Simple is beautiful.
We just returned from our two week trip using the newly installed Seperette, cost $160. We have a class A motorhome and always disliked the standard toilet for a few reasons. The direct hole to the black tank when flushing, the water waste when flushing and knowing there was a tank of crap and urine we were dragging around with us until we found a dump station. I built the very simple box for the Seperette seat product and saw dust compartment. The Seperette simply seperates the urine as a compost toilet does. You supply a 5 gallon bucket for poop and a container for urine, a gallon jug usually. I was able to find a rubber cap for the 3 inch black tank opening and cut a hole in it the size of the included hose for the urine. I didn’t want to deal with the urine bottle, because I heard that stinks much worse after a couple of days than poop. So the hose for urine drains into the black tank which I now share with the gray tank, almost doubling my gray water storage. The urine mixes with gray water, by the way urine is sterile, and that gray water is actually safe to drain in into the environment. Just be cool and use biodegradable soaps for washing yourself and dishes. The poop simply goes into the bucket lined with a plastic bag. You put sawdust, peat moss or coconut husks in the bottom of the new bag and on top of poop. I drilled a 2 inch hole in the floor for a small computer fan which vents consistently and draws a very minor amount if power and cost less than 2 dollars. When the poop bag is full it is leagel and safe to simply toss in any trash can. The smell that does exist post pooping is venting out and once poop dries the odor diminishes almost to nothing anyway. The urine hose in my set up naturally forms a “P” trap which eliminates any smell coming from the tanks, we all know gray water still stinks. After urinating we spray a few spritzes of 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water in the urine area of the Seperette to neutralise the urine odor from the trap. I don’t need to visit a stinky dump station ever because my gray water and urine is actually bennificial to plants so I drain it in a convenient spot when I find one. I now have 100 gallons of waste water storage and use much less due to no flushing. We experienced zero smell from the bucket or the p trap urine tube on our two week trip. We don’t have remove anything other than a plastic bag of poop and sawdust from the rv, poop not even visible through a clear bag . We don’t have to clean the toilet as with expensive compost or cassette toilets. We save water, nurish the planet with our gray water, save dump station money, eliminate the need for sewer trucks running around transporting waste to another facility to process it and…I’ll never go back. If you would like photos of my project let me know where I can send them
This is so inspiring.. I live in an rv and looking at the prices for these things, I could use my bathroom space so much more adequately and save so much money just doing it myself. I know this is an old comment but I’d love to see pictures of your work
th-cam.com/video/8IMtKuhsVKg/w-d-xo.html
Please share some pics of the build and rough design process Please
th-cam.com/video/8IMtKuhsVKg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=3VdbL2FUxGN_1UXi
I have news for you...whether you can see through the jug or not, bringing a large jug into a Starbucks or wherever and heading for the bathroom is going to be fairly obvious. I'm just saying, that to me, that would not sway my decision one way or the other. I appreciate you doing the "dirty" work by pointing out the pros and cons for our benefit.
Great video! After watching this I have decided to build my own. Nothing beats a 5 gallon bucket. The pee will go into a grey tank. $100.00 vs $1,000.00 no brainer.
Bad idea to put pee into a grey tank!
if you have enough air suction, it hardly matters whether you flap (requiring the hole to be small). the flap is just to prevent poor urine aim.
@@KirbyZhang the flap helps seal the ventilation
this is by far one the most informative videos I've seen when it comes to RV'ing and RV related content, thank you so much for uploading this !
Thanks for a great "head to head" comparison!
Removing the head from our sailboat and putting in a composting toilet this year This video addressed many practical considerations and was very helpful in deciding which composting toilet to buy. Thank you for making this video.
Thank you! This is the most useful comparison video I've watched about these two composting toilets. I'm actually planning to build my own composting toilet, and your points have given me a lot to consider for my design.
This is an excellent comparison video. Just doing this without any waste in them is cumbersome as far as getting things nasty. You have helped me make an informed decision.
A couple of comments. We have had the Natures Head for 3 years. Not sure what happens if the Air head gets a over flow of urine in the night but the Natures Head will catch some in the over flow basin. We can go on average 2.5 days on one urine bucket in the Natures Head for 2 people. It takes about 8 seconds to lift the Natures head top, put a lid on the liquids and lift the liquid bucket out. You only have to lift the top about 4 inches to get the liquid bucket out, then you lower it down until you replace the liquid bucket. We always take the whole toilet outside to empty and clean the solids. We do take the liquid bucket out before carrying the whole toilet out side for emptying and cleaning. After 35 or more days we like to give the whole toilet a good cleaning. We average 35 days before each dumping of the solids container. We do this on our boat and our travel trailer. Men can stand and pee because if the solids lid is closed the liquid can flow from the back to the liquid tank. The problem with men standing is tiny droplets splashing onto the toilet seat from a vigorous stream. If this happens just wipe the seat with a wipe. Both of these toilets are just fine and will work for most people. We like the larger liquid tank, the built in toilet seat, one lid with no seals to be replaced and the look of the air head. We have also had no problems with the nylon handle on the liquids bucket. No smells and it is a solid handle.
Richard Spurlock sealed well it can flow into the compost or out
I find a part of your comment confusing. You refer to the features you like on the Air Head, but aren't those Nature's Head features?
Kenneth Dean ya think he mixed up the name and details. As he described Nature’s head and typed Air.. lol. AIr head
I'm agreeing with the airhead choice. My trailer has a smaller bathroom footprint...thanks for the great video.
Great comparison of these two composting toilets. Informative and very helpful - thank you and greetings from Sweden!
THANKS, THIS HELPS A LOT
Great comparison. That helped make up our minds.
We are happy with the airhead for all the reasons you described!
Best review in composting toilets!!! Great practical thinking and insight!!!
Subscribed!
Thank you so much!
Don't slide the top off while in bathroom... Take out the urine bottle first then carry the toilet outside and then slide the top off. From what you said you're taking it outside anyway. This reduces chance of spilling poop while waking down the hallway and steps.
Very helpful. Thank you so much for your time.
Great comparisons thank you :) I’ve seen other people with the Nature Head empty their composte by unhooking the vent and carrying the whole toilet outdoors (after independently having emptied the urine container) to avoid “staring at the poop” and provide more room to remove the sliding cover.
Moo Sang Norwex Sales Consultant yep. And they FIRST cover opening with the bag they will then dump into!
Very informative and helpful. Thank you.
Seems like there was bias towards the airhead from the beginning of the video!.
Apart from that, alls good and good luck to you two👍
Good video! Thanks so much. It helped a lot in the decision making process!
Great video, super informative and one of the most in depth comparisons out there. Thank you so much 😊
Love this video! Thank you!
You helped me make up my mind.
Great video, thanks! Yup...this nailed down my decision.
just what I was looking for thanks!!
this video was great! answered all my questions i have about both of them!
Thank you very much! Very informative with the units side by side!
awesome vid I just learned alot thank you guys!
Excellent review! You totally sold me on the Airhead!
Super helpful. Thank you!
Many thanks. That helped a lot.👍
Thank you so much, this was so valuable!
I like the airhead looks like something I can manage my self in my tiny house.
Sounds like an infomercial for Airhead. Many of the criticisms of the Nature's Head appear contrived. The Amazon reviews are heavily in favour of the Nature's Head over the Airhead and none of the major issues mentioned in these reviews were addressed in this video, so, unfortunately, I didn't find it helpful at all.
Thank you for your Service To Others !
Thank you this was very helpful
Very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks for this. I just bought a truck camper and I think I'm going to upgrade to a composter. Looks like air head is the way to go. Love the idea of plumbing the urine to the tanks.the tiny bit of urine would be irrelevant compared to the volume in the gray tank.
+VentionMGTOW awesome, glad it helped! We should have the video showing how we plumbed it right into the grey tank up towards the end of next week. It was not too hard
Thank you so much for this excellent video. I installed a Nature's Head on my boat and used it with excellent results for 7 years. Only issue I had was the muffin fan died after a couple of years but I replaced it with a good quality one and never again had a problem. Never used a coffee filter (I guess everyone aboard had good aim). I'm now in the process of acquiring a composting toilet for my new boat and decided to do a bit of shopping rather than just ordering another NH. The head's footprint is an issue in the new boat since the compartment is smaller and have no room for the pivoting top when emptying the container. Anyway, thanks again.
Hi, Carlos! Did it work without the fan? Thanks!
great job guys!
Thanks for the Tipps!
Great comparison!
Thanks...I like the smaller one little more money but better build design and features easier to handle
WoW Awesome Video - Ordered The Airhead
Thank you for this thorough review. I prefer the Air Head for the reasons you do. I need a toilet installed in a caravan in a very very tight spot. The Natures Head won't fit - with the head having to be tilted back and slide off so you can take the poop bucket outside. Air Head seems to have a slightly better design according to my taste. Really appreciate you showing how each works. I would have regretted, sorely, buying the Natures Head if I wasn't able to see how each is different in how you have to empty the poop container and the space each takes up.
THANKS! i so appreciate. Since i am a gal i really agree with this gal about the Airhead. The guy was also charming and very informative.
Very good comparison, I hope you do a 6 mos or year follow up
Great detail! Merci Beaucoup to both of you. 👏🏻🤗😊🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
Great video, I was always curious about these
We used airhead again in the ambulance and couldn’t imagine using anything else
I just learned of Air head. Came into TH-cam to learn more in depth. THANKS for sharing. I am team Airhead.
Thank you so very very much💕💕
I was about to buy the nature's head and your video made me change my mind. I think air head is the one.
Making the comparison of the two is useful. This will be my first time purchase, youve taken alot of the guess work out. Jennifer Decatur GA USA
Nice comparison, very informative.
We prefer the C-Head.
I just got a Natures Head and I can't believe anybody has been unable to do a knock off for less than a grand. It's a big piece of molded plastic.
Agreed!
Plenty of videos showing how to put one together for about $100 for almost the same exact thing. That includes a fan, seat, liquid bottle etc.
@@ericyoung772 I'd like to see one. You got a link?
@@roy.mclean Try this one, there's quite a few out there. (Can't understand people spending so much for such a simple device.) th-cam.com/video/fca_cbK_GpU/w-d-xo.html
We went with the Separett villa 9215 that use bio bags and run the liquid into the gray tank. The 2 of us can go over a week per bag.
Shes sounds like a joy to travel with.
Very helpful video 👍🏻
I have a Nature's Head and enjoy it very much. As to the seeing of the compost...in a flushing toilet...don't you see your #1, #2 and water all together...so no big deal on seeing the compost a tiny bit when dumping the #1 jug. I do like the seat design on the air head.. so, my husband put a weather strip in a strategic position on the NH's lid so it seals better. If I had to do it all over again.. my husband is very hands on so.. might of created a homemade one that also has air flow like both of these toilets do, separates the #1, #2, & things like that.
great review of these 2 composting toilets. I really don't get the hangup blokes have with sitting to pee. It is so much more hygienic and cleaner all round especially in confined space and the limited zone inside these bowls. Yes its good to stand and pee on a tree but not necessary all the time. Hmm a tough choice which one to go with???
Thanks for this video!! I was set on the Nature's Head but now I'm definitely reconsidering. I didn't realize how much space I'll need behind the Nature's Head!
See comment above: it can be altered to be lifted straight up, or you just take the whole thing outside. I appreciate this video, but there’s also a less biased, more experienced comparison in the comments above…
Just installed a natures head and the installation manual says they recommend 1.5 inches from the back to the wall.
Good review
If you plumb the air head in you will need a vertical 90 degree support otherwise the toilet tilts forward and a lot of pressure is put on the two locking pins.
I also suggest a valve between black tank and urine outlet so when your driving around the black tank sloshes around causing an air pumping type action. I did put a water trap on it but this only helps if stationary.
Ventilation can be tricky. Ideal is one pipe to air inlet via floor second outlet on the roof with a muller vent. Otherwise you turn on your max vent van negative air pressure will suck in air via the outlet though the toilet and inside your van. It will be funky smelling. Same can happen driving with windows open negative air pressure.
Best comparison of these 2 options on TH-cam! I’m getting the AH with a C-Head as plan B. I can’t understand the drive for a NH at all.
Glad we could help! 2 years later we still love our airhead
We use the Natures Head full time. Two people for over 4 years. We have two urine containers and switch them out so that we can empty them at our leisure. We empty the container once every 1 to 1 1/2 days. This gets old after a while and I can not imagine having a smaller container. Also, you really need to pay attention that you do not overflow. It happened once and it will NEVER happen again. Seeing the urine level long before it is full is very important. The tiny window of Airhead would not be good for a heads up. (no pun intended) I would like to see someone do a video on how well the mixers work on the solids in each toilet. Toilet paper will grab the mixer "tongs" and make it very difficult to turn as it starts to full. We have tried many experiments with paper and moisture content to remedy this issue with little success. We finally gave up, removed the mixer and inserted a square bucket and a compostable bag. We complete the composting outside in a barrel composter. Also we added a nice stainless steel knob about 5 inches off center on the rim of the lid to make it easier to open.
Omg great video! Thank you ps I'll take the nature's head off your hands 😉🤩 I have loved nature's head for years plans to purchase it very soon now that you have showed me airhead I'm intrigued! Thank you.
Good idea of going to Starbucks to dump your pee. Then go next door to Dunkin Donuts for coffee.
I like Starbucks coffee... but that is funny!
haha right. I was listening until they suggested Starbucks - NO ONE would do that!
We prefer the Airhead and have made it portable for use in the shower tent at the back of our camper trailer Jamie and Jo - Australia
Hi guys, I have a pickup camper and would also like to make one these "portable". How did you guys set it up? Is it still working well for you?
Hi Mrs Ginnger and Mr Greg I love your intro its awesome Love you guys keep up your vids (lts me Reagan) I miss you guys so lunch
Miss you too!
Cheers for the vid. Just on the Airhead site now, and there's an option to have the crank handle on either the left or the right. Also, a double-sized urine tank.... and also a choice on where the extractor pipe & fan are housed on the unit (side or back)... (also, the seat option, as well as the fan set up (it's an extractor fan, so it should be housed at the extraction point?).
It looks like they're designing in some necessary options into their system in the span of a couple of years, .... This fact alone made me change the colour of the Airhead cell in my spreadsheet from white to deep green.
Can always screw handles to the nature’s head, (I might just do that ) and can spray paint the pee bottle or carry it in a bag to a bathroom!
The NH fan is easy. The only neg of the NH that any easily overcome is the seat comfort but I don’t want to spend forever in the bathroom! Again, no too hard to swap out but agree for $1000 could be better. The NH trap door opens all the way too ! The NH fan can be swapped to either side really easily and also the turn handle can be swapped to either side.
the mixing handle can go on either side of the natures head... although now i think i want the airhead! good vid!!
Check out diy c-head toilet
I like your shirt dude!
Great comparison review, well done! I prefer the Natures Head, but there is a deal breaker... the space required to swing the upper unit for removal. Too bad because I like the larger format.
Just installed my Natures head toilet and the official installation manual says to only leave 1.5 inches from the back of the unit to the wall, that is adequate room to remove the urine jug without completely removing the top, or enough to open the top and slide it off. This video was very exaggerated.
This video appears to me to be an infomercial for Airhead. Comparisons usually have pros and cons.You certainly “dump” on NH. As a NH user of 9 years, I’m biased. All I can fairly comment on is real usage which appears to be not what you have done. Capacity: Nature’s Head Two adults pee bottle fills in approx 2 days of constant use on a sailboat . The solid part fills in about 17-18 days without putting any toilet paper in it. As for “looking” at the compost when R&R the pee container. Two quick clasps undone, Tilt the top enough to allow pee container to come up. One hand to tilt the top the other to remove the pee bottle reverse the process when you’re done and I don’t think I’ve ever seen the compost. I’ve talked online with Airhead users and they are happy with theirs as are NH users. Both are well made. Measure your space and govern yourself accordingly.
Thank you for the informative video! I am about to order an airhead now. I am undecided on which size to get though "residential" vs "marine". The marine, which you show in the video does offer more space saving. How has it been for you to use? Have you had any regrets about not buying the slightly larger seat size with the residential airhead?
Thank you kindly,
Nick
Excellent Review!! One question, however: At 9:52 it looks like the trap door for the "solids" is the lowest point in the bowl and it looks like urine would puddle up there, then fall in when opened for solids disposal, thereby mixing some urine with solids. This seems like a design flaw and a potential problem. Any thoughts on this? Thank you.
A bucket and sawdust works just fine.
Are either one suitable to be used in an RV that is also a shower room? (entire loo gets wet) Seems the remote fan of the AirHead would make it safer electrically.
Nice shirt Greg 👍🏽
For marine use, AIrHead all the way. The smaller size urine container is a non-issue because the urine goes over the side (urine is mostly water anyway).
Hello nice video. Did you also used it?
I se3 that the opening of the airhead doesn’t open totally.
How does this work with the number 2.
Kind greetings ruud from the netherlands
Oh boy. NH is due for a MAJOR redesign. I was to consider the Airhead but I’m going with the OGO. So much simpler for my tiny 13’ Scamp.
Good video, I am an owner of the Natures head and you surely can pee (male) standing up anywhere in the bowl. The urine will collect on the trap door and it will slide forward towards the urine compartment.
The Airhead looks a lot more compact and has a more sleek design! Thank you for the review.
Hey Guys! Wondering if you have any updated comments on these comparisons! We just posted an unboxing of the OGO Composting Toilet.. pretty impressed!
How is this working out for you? Its cool that you are using it in a small space. We just bought a Scout Kenai puckup camper and I'm skipping the option Thetform Cassette toilet for a composting one. Any issues with using it in a tight space? We are just doing long weekend boondocking trips (two of us + 2 boys). We'll do some 2 week trips etc I'm sure as well, which makes the Airhead with its larger capacity (than Thetford) a nice option...unless you tell me otherwise. Are these a good option for our use-case? I also noticed that when you open the handle...that the flap cover doesn't fully retract for solid waste. Has that been an issue? Thanks!
The sliding latch on the Naturehead can be removed so you can save space and just lift it straight up to remove the top.
Also the pee catching area is the whole area. It seems like they are very biased to me.
don't think they're intending to be biased. they just have a kind of incomplete opinion.
Good to see both of the toilets side by side. However, the “comparison” reeked of bias and some of your points were exaggerated, such as how much space is needed to remove the urine container.
Hey guys, thanks for the review... do you have a link to plumbing the urine tank into your black tank?!? might be just me but I couldn't find it on your channel. thanks again - great vid 👍
I think they said it will be in the next vid they do.
감사합니다. 한국에서는 얻기 힘든 정보였는데
덕분에 composting toilet를 구입하는데 큰 도움이 되었습니다.
정말 감사합니다.
Thank you. Very important differences! The Airhead urine container looks very much smaller than the Natures head…what are the capacities?
Yeah,, make compost and fill the flower beds!
I there a way to put biodegradable bag inside solids container?When time to empty simply lift up and dispose instead of walking outside with large toilets in hands?
Your WHOLE day will depend on how good an experience you had on the toilet, its that IMPORTANT...daytradingwiththelight.
How would either of these systems deal with IBS?
How long do you go before emptying the compost? How long for one person? I like the airhead. ty