How to choose a dry closet for a summer residence: an overview and comparison of 3 different options

1 Separett Villa 9011

A high-quality electric dry closet is produced by the Swedish company Separett. Model Villa 9011 is equipped with a separate waste collection system. Liquid waste is removed into a special container, and solid waste, along with toilet paper, is dried to a state of flour.

This is an anhydrous composting dry closet that does not need to be connected to water supply and sewerage. The main thing is the availability of electricity. The best solution for cottages, recreation centers, camps and country cottages.Unlike chemical toilets, this device does not require liquids, granules or powders. The accumulated waste requires cleaning no more than after 2 months, with the constant use of a family of two.

Which one is better to buy?

How to choose a dry closet? The answer depends on the purpose of the application. If you plan to live in the country for a long time, then you should think about a stationary peat toilet. Here you can "kill two birds with one stone" at once: and comfortably relieve yourself and generate fertilizer for the site. If you are interested in inexpensive but comfortable latrines for the whole family, the disabled or elderly relatives, then liquid structures are suitable

The budget is unlimited and you want the very best? Then you should pay attention to eco-friendly electric models.

It is important to choose a unit that will please with its appearance and ease of use.

Dry closet for giving odorless and pumping installation process

The process of installing a dry closet does not cause much trouble

The installation of a dry closet depends on its design. The installation of some models will take some time and physical effort. If the owner does not plan to install a dry closet in the residential area, and there is no suitable room (garage, barn) in the summer cottage, it will have to be built.

If it is not possible to install a dry closet in the house, then a special building should be built

Installation activities are divided into two groups according to the degree of complexity. The easiest way is with mobile devices, they do not require the connection of communications. Such models are installed in any suitable premises, and, if necessary, transferred to another location. However, for a large family, mobile toilets are inconvenient.

Assembling a peat dry closet

Stationary toilets include:

• peat;
• electrical;
• septic tanks.

Stationary (left) and portable (right) dry closet

These models require summing up various communications. For the installation of a septic tank, two tanks or more are installed

Such toilets do not have mobility, but their advantages lie in the possibility of intensive use, which is very important for a large family. or for peoplein whose house there are often guests

1 Bioforce Compact WC 12-10

Biofors chemical dry closet is an affordable product. A distinctive feature is the maximum load of 120 kg. Users make a choice in favor of this model, based not only on cost, but also on mobility - the design is portable. This means that the dry closet can be taken with you on picnics and trips with tents, while with the usual comfort to relieve large and small needs.

A brand that is gaining popularity demonstrates high demand. The volume of the upper tank is 12, and the removable lower tank is 10 liters. The low weight of the dry closet (4.3 kg) and its compact dimensions (37 * 31.5 * 42 cm) are significant advantages that buyers enthusiastically mention in the reviews.

2 Toypek toilet cabin

Toypek is a street-type chemical dry closet. It includes all the advantages of such a solution: a capacious tank, structural stability, good equipment. The dry closet is made of durable plastic, as stated by the manufacturer and confirmed by users in the reviews. A thermal stabilizer has been added to the composition of the material, thanks to which the cabin is not afraid of frost, heat and temperature changes in general.

All parts of the dry closet are securely attached to each other, especially the door. According to the owners, a person with an average weight can hang on it without consequences.The locking structure is equipped with an external indication system, which makes it easy to recognize whether someone is in the toilet or not. The toilet seat and the opening are oversized. Toypek "Toilet Cabin" has several colors available to suit every taste.

Design features

The device of such sanitary systems is quite simple. Peat dry closet, for example, Compact Elite, has a principle of operation based on the absorption of liquid by the filler. Below is a container for waste, and on top - for a disinfectant composition. The peat dry closet of the Compact Premium brand has the same device. For its operation, a ventilation and drainage system will also be required.

The main feature that distinguishes the compact peat mobile dry closet is the property of the mixture filled into it to absorb 10 times more liquid than its own weight. The Piteco 505 peat-type toilet is especially good in this regard.

The main parameters for choosing a dry closet

The principles of operation for the three types of devices listed above are different, but when choosing a dry closet for a summer residence, there are a number of general parameters that should be considered. To begin with, you can compare the types of dry closets with each other according to the key parameters that are important to you.

But the most important thing is to look at its dimensions and capacity, the case material and the active substance used. The presence of additional functions and devices is more related to the issue of ease of use of this type of plumbing.

When using a bio-toilet in the country in winter, it is necessary to change the filler in it more often, and it does not hurt to add non-toxic antifreeze or propylene glycol to the dissolving liquid

The eight most important parameters for choosing a dry closet model:

1. The presence or absence of a built-in drive full indicator is not a fundamental, but a convenient trifle.
2. The height of the toilet seat - 32-34 cm will be most convenient for a child, and for adults it is better to choose options with a standard height of 42-46 cm.
3. The volume of the waste tank - large takes longer to fill, but it is also heavier to carry and more difficult to empty.
4. Correspondence of the volume of the drive with the number of users - liquids and peat have a limited period of use, after which they must be changed (too large a container will not have time to fill up completely, but you still have to change the filler in it).
5. A pressure valve on the lower tank of a fluid device that closes the vent so that when the tank is moved, the contents do not splatter out of it.
6. Body material - polypropylene, polypropylene with fiberglass, polyethylene (the latter is better to exclude if the dry closet is chosen for use in the country in the winter).
7. Installation principle - portable or stationary device.
8. Permissible load - from 120 to 400 kg.

For ease of carrying and unloading the storage tank, it must have wheels and a reliable handle.

Also, before buying, you should pay attention to the specifics of maintenance and cleaning of the dry closet - it is not very pleasant to clean the drive after each use

And when choosing a specific model, you should focus on the mass of the largest family member.The plastic toilet seat and the body of the bio-toilet must be able to withstand an overweight person, if he is among relatives or guests of the dacha.

Another important point is the complexity of installing and connecting a specific model to communications (if this is assumed when using your dry closet). We discussed the features of installing various toilets in our other article.

Which toilet to choose for a summer residence: garden dry powder closet

A dry toilet (powder-closet) is a small structure in which there is an ordinary wooden toilet seat with a lid, and under it there is an easily removable container. A container with peat, sawdust or other dry material for powdering (dusting) sewage is installed next to the toilet seat after each visit to the toilet. Ash, dry peat or peat chips can also be used for such dusting of waste. With a lack of these components in this type of toilets for summer cottages, it is allowed to use a mixture of these materials with dry garden soil. This process of powdering gave rise to the name of this type of toilet.

With the help of powder, you can get rid of an unpleasant odor, prevent the reproduction of flies and get a complete fertilizer.

A properly equipped dry toilet, when used correctly, will be the most suitable low-cost option to operate. The principle of operation of the sewerage of such a toilet is the action of gravity in the presence of a natural slope.

If the toilet is used by 4-5 people or more, it is recommended to empty the container more often. It is advisable to remove the contents daily to make it easier to lift the container. Subsequently, compost can be obtained from it, suitable for fertilizing the garden.

Deciding which toilet make on cottage, keep in mind that the construction of a powder closet, along with the cost of a galvanized or enameled bucket, is considered the cheapest option. In addition, there is another advantage of this type of toilet: no approvals are required for its construction.

An important feature of the powder closet is the absence of a cesspool, so only this type of toilet is allowed to be built even at high ground level waters

Powder-closet in the country is an ideal summer option, especially if a large number of plants are grown on the site for which fertilizer is supposed to be used, because the contents of the storage tank of such a toilet can easily be moved to a compost heap.

A dry toilet for a summer residence can be located anywhere on the site; it is allowed to combine it with a bathhouse or other outbuildings. In addition, it can be located near a residential building or in an annex under the same roof with it, provided there is adequate ventilation.

Country dry toilet very convenient if there is no water supply network on the site. When using peat or peat powder to dust the waste, a kind of homemade peat biological toilet is obtained, which has its own significant advantages over the traditional pit latrine.

At the same time, you do not need to spend extra money on the purchase of a plastic peat dry closet.

Upper and lower tank

If there is a flush toilet, then this means that it has two tanks: an upper one and a lower one. The upper tank is used for filling water or other liquid that produces a flush. The lower tank collects human waste, as well as toilet paper and napkins.

The top can be filled with:

• Water.
• Special fragrance.

It is clear that in transport, other public places, they rarely pour special equipment into the upper tank: it will be too expensive. Get by with plain water. Only the most reputable firms can afford it, but it is quite possible to equip such a toilet at your own dacha.

A product is poured into the lower tank, designed to disinfect the contents and turn it into a safe substrate. From this it is clear that different products are produced for the upper and lower tank, they should in no case be confused. Bottom tank fluids are commonly referred to as splitters because they actually separate complex organic molecules into simpler ones.

Which dry closet is better to buy

For those who are looking for a product without odors and pumping, it is definitely better to buy peat portable models. If you live in a country house and have your own garden, then it is better if it is composting. But in any case, the seating chair must be high, at least 40 cm.

Here is what you can recommend to buy from this TOP, depending on the situation:

• Elderly people are advised to choose simple liquid-type models that eliminate the appearance of an unpleasant odor even with frequent use. These can be safely attributed to Bioforce Compact WC 12-20VD.
• If you need something inexpensive only for a while, for example, for the winter in a summer house, then you should buy Thetford Porta Potti Qube 165.
• For a small family of 2, Thetford Porta Potti Excellence is the perfect choice, easy to operate.
• Those looking for an alternative can be advised to choose a Toypek toilet cubicle that can also reliably serve outdoors.
• In a private house where a classic closet is not yet equipped, you can install a peat dry closet from Ukrkhimplast.

This rating was created on the basis of feedback from customers who have experienced the best dry closets offered here for a summer residence or a private house, and this already allows us to assess the real situation in this market. But, of course, they all have their advantages and disadvantages, although they have much less negative sides than other models that are not included in this TOP.

Rating of the best dry closets

It was compiled on the basis of an analysis of customer reviews who already have some experience in the application of certain designs. The selection of winners was carried out taking into account the following characteristics:

• Mobility (weight and dimensions);
• Design (color, shape);
• The quality of materials;
• Lack of smell and ways to eliminate them (peat or chemicals);
• The presence of additional functions (indication of the filling of tanks, paper holder);
• Type of washing of fractions (mechanical or automatic);
• Convenience and pumping mechanism;
• Volume of tanks for water and excrement;
• Price for reagents for chemical models;
• The cost of the products themselves;
• Seat comfort.

The main selection parameter was the type of construction - stationary or portable, since this is what largely affects the price.

The best pipe cleaners

General classification of dry closets

First of all, it is necessary to designate options for existing autonomous sanitary systems.

All types of toilets independent of sewerage can be classified according to some criteria:

• method of processing waste products;
• method of installing autonomous plumbing;
• type of power supply of the plumbing device.

Most dry closets consist of two chambers. The upper block with a seat acts as a toilet bowl, the lower part is a reservoir for collecting and processing excrement.

The containers have a detachable connection. After filling, the lower storage must be cleaned. Service frequency depends on device type

Based on the technology of waste disposal, modern dry closets can be divided into two categories:

1. Liquid. Processing is carried out with the help of special reagents that break down solid fractions. Depending on the liquid used, such toilets are divided into biological and chemical.
2. Composting. Waste products enter the storage tank, where they are dried with pressing or mixed with peat. The compost obtained as a result of such processing is buried in the ground or stored in a compost heap, in which it will have to lie for another 2-3 years until it fully “ripens”, after which it is permissible for them to fertilize the beds.

Composting dry closets are divided into two types: electric or peat. They are fundamentally different from each other in the way of processing.

Their common feature is to obtain ready-made compost at the output, suitable for further fertilizing a garden, vegetable garden or flower garden.

Based on the installation method, dry closets are divided into stationary and mobile models. The first ones involve assigning a permanent place to the unit. As a rule, this is required by the principle of operation of the bio-toilet itself. For example, the arrangement of an exhaust ventilation duct, connecting a drainage tube.

Stationary models include peat and electric sanitary systems.

Mobile modules are operational without connecting any communications. They have small dimensions that allow you to carry them from place to place, take them with you on a long trip, on a picnic, etc. Almost all liquid dry closets are portable.

According to the type of power, autonomous sanitary systems are divided into volatile and independent modules.

The first category includes all electrical models. They operate from a 220 V network, some dry closets can be connected via a car battery

Liquid and peat dry closets work without electricity. They are perfect for field use.

The best chemical dry closets

This modification of the devices involves filling the sewage storage tank with a special chemical reagent that neutralizes an unpleasant odor and turns human waste products into a homogeneous substance.

Thetford Porta Potti 365 - light and compact model

5

★★★★★
editorial score

100%
buyers recommend this product

See review

One of the most popular models, which is very popular among tourists and summer residents. Light weight and dimensions allow you to install a portable closet in almost any room.

The two-section dry closet is made of durable frost-resistant plastic with a long service life. The volume of the storage tank is enough for 50 visits. The cost is 7600 rubles.

Advantages:

• Thoughtful design.
• Simple use.
• Small weight and dimensions.
• Filling indicator.
• Economical water consumption.

Flaws:

High cost for a device with such a small tank.

Porta Potti is small and easy to transport. For travel, this is what you need.

Ecomark Standard - a complete toilet cabin

4.9

★★★★★
editorial score

95%
buyers recommend this product

Reliable toilet cubicle, made of single-layer polyethylene with stiffeners, will be an ideal solution in places where there is no sewerage system. Steel rivets are used to fasten the door.

The strength of the structure is provided by the steel frame of the front panel and the triangular roof fixed on it. The main feature of this model is a solid-cast receiving tank of increased strength, which excludes the flow of sewage. The cost is 14 thousand rubles.

Advantages:

• Ease of installation.
• Versatility of use.
• Large durable tank.
• High design reliability.
• Affordable cost.
• Good equipment.

Flaws:

In winter, the cabin is cold.

In general, the dry closet from Ecomark is a good option for a private seasonal residence or summer cottage on a site without a septic tank.

Bioforce Compact WC 12-20VD - hygienic two-chamber dry closet

4.9

★★★★★
editorial score

94%
buyers recommend this product

See review

A portable self-contained toilet consists of two communicating tanks. The upper one is used for flushing water, the lower one is accumulative and is intended for collecting and processing sewage. feature this model is the presence sliding valve, which eliminates the penetration of unpleasant odors from storage tank out.

The toilet is made of durable HDPE, which can withstand loads up to 120 kg. The cost of the model is about 5500 rubles.

Advantages:

• Compact dimensions.
• Light weight.
• No odours.
• Dosed water consumption.

Flaws:

Small storage tank.

Bioforce Compact is a good choice for autotourists and summer residents.

Enviro 10 is the most affordable model in its class

4.8

★★★★★
editorial score

87%
buyers recommend this product

Enviro is a light portable dry closet with a water flush and separate tanks of small volume. A feature of the model is the presence of handles for carrying the tank - a trifle, but nice. Also, there are no unpleasant odors. And all this can be obtained for 4 thousand rubles.

Advantages:

• Compact size and light weight.
• budget cost.
• Modern design.
• Handles for carrying the storage tank.
• Lack of smell.

Flaws:

• There is no fill indicator.
• Small storage capacity.

The minimum weight and size indicators allow using the Enviro model for family outings or organizing your own mobile closet in a campground.

Mr. Little Mini 18 - double drain

4.8

★★★★★
editorial score

85%
buyers recommend this product

Mr. Little is a modern portable dry closet with two fullness sensors that signal the water level and the amount of recycled waste. The toilet is made of high-strength polyethylene, which, together with reliable fasteners, guarantees a long service life.

The main feature of the model was the presence of a double drain system that provides maximum cleaning of the bowl after use. With this functionality cost of 6 thousand rubles doesn't seem too high.

Advantages:

• Removable piston pump and waste outlet.
• Convenient air release valve.
• Storage tank full indicator.
• Smart dual drain system.
• Good equipment.

Flaws:

Large water consumption.

Mr. Little Mini, due to its small dimensions, can be installed even in the tightest spaces.

Chemical dry closets

Chemical dry closets have a lot of advantages

Judging by the name, the reader can guess that in these models, the splitting of feces is carried out thanks to special chemicals. Chemical dry closets consist of two tanks:

• at the top there is a water tank and a flush pump;
• waste is collected in the lower tank, and a chemical reagent is placed there.

The structure of a chemical dry closet

The toilet paper compartment is a nice addition, which not every model can boast of.

Such dry closets emit a minimum of unpleasant odor, are easily transported, and work autonomously. You can place a chemical dry closet not only in a specially designated room, but also inside the home.

Between themselves, the models differ in the design of the flushing mechanism and the size of the tanks. The flushing device is of three types:

pump-action;
piston;
electrical.

Types of pumps for chemical dry closets

The electric option is the most difficult, since it cannot work autonomously, it requires a constant power supply or batteries. Chemical preparations necessary for waste processing cannot be called harmless to the human body. However, a modern manufacturer is struggling with this drawback and is trying to produce less aggressive reagents.

Pouring reagents

Types of chemicals

Biological compounds act on waste due to the presence of living microorganisms. Of all the options, this is considered the most environmentally friendly and safe for humans.Fertilizers with such combustion of waste can be used without fear, there are no problems with disposal.

Chemical dry closets are very convenient to use

Waste fluid drain

Portable dry closets are small in size and weight

Transportation of a portable dry closet

In second place in terms of safety are ammonium fillers. Fertilizers from such toilets can only be applied to the ground in small volumes. The splitting of waste in the tank of the dry closet with ammonium liquid occurs very quickly, due to which there is practically no unpleasant odor.

The most harmful to humans and animals are formaldehyde fillers. They are used only if the waste from the toilet is not used to fertilize the soil, but is immediately disposed of.

Advantages and disadvantages of dry closet

By their type, they are stationary, that is, the room with a built-in toilet (we sometimes see them on the streets of cities) and mobile (in fact, one toilet that an adult can lift and move). In addition, stationary ones usually have a larger “fillable” capacity.

I will take responsibility for the choice and description, namely the mobile version (that is, “without a house”). It is more in demand for our case. Why, I threw it in the trunk and everything ...

• — Mobility and compactness;
• - Odorless and hygienic;
• — Simple service;
• - Low cost compared to the capital cost of a fixed latrine.

• - With a large number of visitors, you have to clean the lower tank more often;
• — Functions only in positive temperature;
• - Reviews speak of inconvenience (some models) for men;
• - The cost of purchasing reagents (not for everyone).

The main common types are peat, electrical and chemical. Which dry closet is best for your needs? Medical recommendations show that all "devices" officially sold in Russia are safe. Let's take a closer look at each below in the article or you can here.