Tiny House Toilet OptionsKevinOphoff2025-04-11T16:44:50-06:00

Tiny House Toilet Options

When considering the design and functionality of your tiny house bathroom some think the composting toilet is the only option. It’s a good option, but here are some other tiny house toilet options that might work better for you.

Here are some options for a tiny house toilet

Here are some alternatives to composting toilets.

Incinerating Toilets

Incinerating toilets are just what you expect from their name. They fry the waste to ash, usually by heating electrically, but now there are gas models too.

The TinyJohn Gas – Waterless Incinerator Toilet by Ecojohn. Specifically designed for RVs, trailers, van conversions, and other compact spaces with limited power, this innovative toilet eliminates the need for composting or managing a black water tank. Say goodbye to the mess and inconvenience of traditional waste disposal methods and enjoy a cleaner, more efficient solution that fits seamlessly into your off-grid lifestyle.

High Elevation Compatible

The TinyJohn is the perfect waterless incinerator toilet if you are in a location with higher elevation too. It will work even with elevations up to 8,000 feet. Paired with its compact and sleek design, this waterless incinerator toilet has grown very popular for off-grid cabins for the perfect toilet solution.

There are several models of the Ecojohn Incinerator Toilet available in either gas or electric. The electric model uses only 1.5 amps of power when running.

The burn cycle for the TinyJohn varies depending on the type of flush. For a liquid flush, the cycle takes approximately 25 minutes. For a waste flush, the cycle lasts between 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you need to use the TinyJohn during a burn cycle just lift the lid. It will turn off then continue the burn cycle when the lid is closed.

These are pricey, $3,635.00.* Bowl Liners $42.95* for a pack of 100.

Incinolet is the most notable brand of Incinerating Toilets

These are popular in Europe and are gaining popularity in the US. They are especially good for cabins with electricity, but ground too rocky for an outhouse or septic system. They have three models, all electric but are working on a gas model. Cost about $2,899.00* depending on model.

Cinderella makes a propane incinerating toilet. Cost starts at $4,399.00* plus installation kit. It requires 12 volts for the fan. Like the Incinolet you must also buy bowl liners, approx. $64.00* for a pack of 500. They also have electric versions.

The pros of incinerating toilets

No septic system is needed.
Waste is converted into about a tablespoon of clean ash that is emptied into the garbage.
Depending on the model up to six people can use one and empty just once a week.
No disposing of a urine bottle or a bag of partially composted waste.
You’ll always need to buy replacement bowl liners.

The cons of incinerating toilets

Very expensive. Incinolet incinerating toilets cost more than $2,899.00* plus installation parts.
Use a lot of power. Originally they required 220 volts and 3500 watts. Incinolet now makes a 120 volt version, but it needs a dedicated 20 amp circuit.
Needs “makeup air vents” for proper combustion that makes the bathroom cold. If not properly vented, there is a weird fried poop smell.
Users report that they vibrate the tiny house for over an hour after use. Not sure what that’s all about.

Dry Flush

Laveo portable toilet from DryFlush is a lightweight, waterless, odorless and chemical-free commode that supplies the comforts of home in any locale, no matter how remote. This unit is easily transportable at just 26 lbs. and has a full-size toilet seat with a hearty weight capacity of 500 lbs., but its best feature is a revolutionary method for disposing of waste. A double-layered bagging system goes to work each time the toilet is flushed, effectively compartmentalizing anything in the bowl with a twist-and-seal action. Refill cartridges hold 15-17 flushes (and odors) and are easily replaced without users coming into contact with waste. Simply extract the liner bag and throw it in the trash.

Shop Tiny Houses has a great package on the Laveo Dry Flush toilet including 2 refill cartridges, and a bottle of Pee Powder. Pee Powder extends cartridge life by up to 40%. Just $995.00 for all. You can click on image to learn more.

The image on the right show the Laveo Dry Flush toilet in a bamboo Lift Top Cabinet built by Weekender Vans. Crafted from high-quality 3/4″ Amber Bamboo, this cabinet is both durable and lightweight, with the integrated handles making it easy to move around as needed. The cabinets folding design allows you to quickly and easily use the cabinet as a bench seat or have access to the toilet.

RV Toilets

Toilets in RVs are far less expensive than composting toilets and use very little water to flush. These are great when your freshwater is stored in a holding tank, and may be limited. They usually fit directly over the black water holding tank and require a specific drain valve.

An RV toilet will require the addition of a black water holding tank.

Cassette Toilets

See our page on cassette toilets: Cassette Toilets Alternative to Composting Toilets Cassette toilets do not require a black water holding tank.

A cassette toilet also uses water but is self contained. The “black tank” portion is removed out the side of the vehicle. It can be dumped in a toilet or outhouse.

Shop Tiny Houses is a great source for composting toilets.

DIY Toilet Basics

Composting (or dry) toilets can be very expensive. You might need to build your own if cash strapped and willing. Before deciding on a composting toilet check with the zoning and code enforcement officer for the county your tiny home will be in to see if they are allowed.

A professional engineered toilet has a flap that covers the solids container which limits odors and keeps you from viewing the poo. When you sit on the toilet sit the flap slips out of the way. This intricate bit of functionality might be way too hard to DIY but the rest of it is pretty straight forward.

Urine Diversion

Diverting the urine away from the solids greatly reduces the smell and keeps the solids mixture dry enough to be disposed of or composted.

This foam toilet seat from Separett is a great privy seat. It seals between uses to keep odors down. There is a urine diverter tube too. A Styrofoam toilet seat does not get cold and warms the minute you sit on it.

The urine needs to be collected in a container that you can neatly remove and empty into a proper location like an outhouse or regular bathroom facility. This Separett urine canister is durable and easy to use.

This larger container can be plumbed in just outside the bathroom. By attaching a garden hose to the Separett Ejectortank, urine is automatically diluted to the correct mixture of eight parts water to one part urine, allowing plants to absorb the nutrients without harm. This way, the urine, which contains most of our beneficial waste, can be easily spread in flower beds, gardens, lawns, or shrubs.

The 13.2 gallon volume is sufficient for vacation homes with spreading every other week or every third week. A float indicates when the tank is full. The Separett Ejectortank is easy to install and has no moving parts.

For more details about DIY outhouses visit this page of the Tiny Life Consulting website: Outhouse For Your Off-Grid Homestead

Bulking Material

A bulking material like Sunmar, Compost Sure, should be scooped into the solid waste to help dry it. Compost Sure is 100% chopped hemp stalk offering porosity and carbon to the compost material. Hemp stalk has proven to decompose in situations where peat moss, and wood shaving do not. This reduces your compost residency time.

A natural enzyme solution assists aerobic decomposition of waste and actually begins the composting process. Sunmar is the only composting toilet that actually does compost the solid waste.

For more details about composting visit this page: Composting Toilets

Traditional Flushing Toilets

A traditional flushing toilet is a viable option for a tiny house if you have permanent access to water and plumbing infrastructure like a sewer or septic system. Standard flush toilets require less hands-on maintenance that composting toilets.