Composting head performance in cold weather

[gallatin1988]

Hi All,

I know there are several thousand post on CF about composting toilets.

Maybe my google-** isn't up to snuff but I can't find the answer I'm looking for.

I have used them in warmer climates and seasons so I'm familiar with their basic operation.

I know that generally as temperatures decrease the composting process slows and eventually stops. I am hoping that some of you can comment on the how cold effects the heads.

Can anyone here comment on the performance of composting heads in temps <= 55F?
How quickly does the composting process degrade?
At what point does the composting process effective halt?

Thanks

[Mike OReilly]

I've spent most of my cruising life in cooler areas (Lake Superior and now Newfoundland) with a composting head. I've not had any issues using it. But you're absolutely correct that lower temperatures reduces composting activity.

The thing is though, these heads are more rightly considered desiccating heads. Their main action is to dry and dilute the feces. Unless you're only using the head very occasionally, with long gaps in between, the composting action is relatively small.

So in my experience, they work just fine. But again, you're not getting fully composted material out of them.

[Dsanduril]

CF's mrwakefield is based up here in Wrangell, AK. They have a discussion about their Nature's Head on their blog. No real discussion about cold weather other than they've been using it up here (happily) for 5 years.