I finally installed my toilet - what a relief! ha!

I wrote awhile back about recieving my first composting toilet and being dissappoined in it. Well I returned it and exchanged it for one with more bells and whistles and I'm quite impressed with this model. It's the Biolet 10 Standard. It has a built in fan and heater and a hand crank stirring device - making it's operation pretty darned complete. It does take power though - a fair amount of electricity - so going with this model will up my costs in solar panels down the road. But I think it's worth it.

Installation was a snap. It's really just a matter of putting up the ventilation pipe, adding the supplied mulch and then plugging her in. Now I'll just have to use it and watch to see and adjust the thermostat and any ventilation issues with the house itself. The makers suggest that it takes about a month to get everything dialed in just right.

Things to watch out for are too much liquid, smells and the consistancy and moisture content in the hummus. If there is too much liquid then the thermostat needs to be turned up. If it's too dry then turned down. If there are oders it means the pipe is not drawing properly and air is backdrafting. That can be an issue of closing windows in other parts of the house or bathroom - or making sure the vent pipes are air tight and placed properly.