Last Updated on January 11, 2023 by acechapman
Many people confuse cassette toilets with portable camping toilets. Although they work in the same way, they are slightly different. What is a cassette toilet and how does it differ from a portable camping toilet?
A cassette toilet is an RV toilet with a portable holding tank that can be detached and moved around like a suitcase. The holding tank is placed closer to the RV’s or boat’s wall to make it easy to remove and reattach through an outside door.
Cassette toilets require frequent emptying and dumping because they have smaller holding tanks than traditional RV black tanks. Thetford is the most prominent manufacturer of cassette toilets. They have a holding tank that holds between 4.75 and 5.9 gallons.
Advantage
A cassette toilet has the advantage over traditional RV black tanks because you can dispose of your waste anywhere there is a toilet. However, you will need a station to empty your black tank.
Disadvantage
A cassette toilet has a disadvantage over traditional RV toilets in that it is easy to dump. Some people may find the waste tank a bit heavy. You may also be in close proximity to the waste tank, which can make it less than ideal for some people.
Cassette toilets are becoming more popular in North America. They have been used extensively in Europe, but they are just now being adopted by North Americans. They are loved by some people, while others may not be interested in them. There is no fence-sitter.
What is a Cassette Toilet?
- A cassette toilet system consists of the toilet and holding tank, as well as the water source. The toilet’s holding tank is usually located underneath the toilet to allow waste to flow down with gravity.
- A sliding valve is located between the bowl and the tank. This prevents waste from leaking during transport and helps to control the smell.
- A cassette toilet can rotate around the bowl due to limited space. This is especially useful for those with long legs as you can turn it towards the shower.
- The flushing button is usually mounted on the wall, almost directly next to the level indicator. You can empty the tank by using the level indicator.
How to Empty a Cassette Toilet
- Make sure the toilet bowl and sliding valve are empty.
- Pull the latch open and slide the tank out.
- After the holding tank has been emptied, you can either carry it or move it. It comes with wheels and an extendable handle.
- Go to the bathroom or dump station.
- Point the pour-out spray downwards onto the dumping hole, and then start emptying.
- Rinse the tank with clean water a few times.
- Place the holding tank into the back.
- If you suspect that the cassette toilet holding tank is being stolen, you can lock it.
Cassette Toilets vs Composting Toilets
Cassette toilets and composting toilets are both types of portable toilets that are commonly used in situations where traditional flush toilets are not available or feasible, such as in recreational vehicles, boats, or remote cabins.
A cassette toilet is a type of portable toilet that uses a removable waste container, called a cassette, which can be easily removed and emptied when full. Cassette toilets typically use a chemical treatment solution to break down the waste and reduce odors.
A composting toilet, on the other hand, uses a process of natural decomposition to break down human waste. Composting toilets typically separate liquid and solid waste and use a combination of aerobic bacteria and evaporation to break down the waste. The end result of this process is a nutrient-rich compost that can be safely used as fertilizer in a garden.
Both cassette toilets and composting toilets have their own advantages and disadvantages. Cassette toilets tend to be more convenient, but they require regular emptying and cleaning, and the waste is typically considered to be more of an environmental hazard than that of composting toilets. Composting toilets are considered to be more environmentally friendly, but they require more maintenance and have more specific requirements for temperature and moisture levels.
Cassette Toilets vs Portable Camping Toilets
Cassette toilets are typically smaller and more compact than other types of portable toilets, making them a good option for use in RVs and other small spaces.
A portable camping toilet is a type of portable toilet that is designed for use in outdoor settings, such as campgrounds and other recreational areas. These toilets typically have a larger waste holding tank than cassette toilets and do not have a removable cassette. They may also have features such as a built-in flush or a level indicator to show when the tank is full.
These portable toilets are also known as flush-type portable camping toilets. There are also collapsible camping portable toilets and bucket camping toilets.
Both types of toilets are easy to use and can be easily transported, making them ideal for use when camping, RVing, or in any other situation where a regular toilet is not available.
Components Of A Portable Camping Toilet and How It Works
Bowl
It is usually located at the top of your toilet. It is smaller than a flush toilet bowl but it is still very useful.
Freshwater tank
The freshwater tank is usually located between the bowl & the holding tank. It stores the water needed to flush the toilet. To add water to your freshwater tank, you can remove the cap.
Sliding valve
This valve is located between the fresh water tank & the waste tank. This valve prevents the toilet from leaking and traps an odor in the waste tank. To connect the bowl to your holding tank, pull the valve handle inwards.
Wastewater tank
The freshwater tank is larger than the wastewater tank, and it is located at the bottom. Side latches join it to the rest of the toilet. The holding tank is filled with a chemical that kills the waste and eliminates the odor. The holding tank should be filled to the top. Once it is full, the waste must be emptied via a spout.
After disposing of the waste, the chemical is added to the holding tank. This is then reattached back to the other side of the toilet.
These portable toilets can be used in RVs as toilets. They are not for everyone. Some people just prefer the standard black tank cassette toilets.
Portable camping toilets don’t have to be installed in an RV permanently like cassette toilets.
Cassette Toilet vs Black Tank
A cassette toilet holding tank is different from a traditional RV black tank. These are portability as well as the tank’s capacity.
As we’ve seen, Cassette toilet holding tanks are portable and can be moved around while an RV black tank stays permanently on the RV.
Cassette toilets holding tanks are limited in capacity or volume. They can hold approximately 5 gallons of water. Black tanks, on the other hand, have a larger volume at 25 gallons.
A cassette toilet waste tank will need to be emptied more often than a black one. People who have used traditional RV toilets for years are reluctant to install a cassette toilet.
People don’t think they can empty a toilet every two or three days. This is because you have to transport the waste, dump it, and clean out the holding tank.
Not everyone however dislikes cassette toilets. It is a great way to camp with your family.
A cassette toilet has the advantage that you can dump your waste quickly and almost anywhere there is a bathroom. For black tanks, however, you will need to locate a designated dumping station to dispose of the waste.
It’s unlikely that many people would feel comfortable emptying their black tanks in their homes. A cassette toilet, on the other side, allows you to easily empty your black tank in your home toilet.
The main benefit of dumping waste in a black tank is its cleanliness and the fact that you can leave it empty for long periods without having to empty it again.
It doesn’t seem to me that any one system is superior. People have different preferences and tastes, especially when it is camping. It is important to choose the system that best suits your preferences.
Conclusion
Although Cassette toilets took a while to make it onto the North American market, they are now here. They were well received by some people, while others have not yet considered them. They won’t make traditional RV toilets obsolete, and that is why I believe they are a good choice.
However, it will be interesting to see how much of the market share they take up over the next 20 years.
Pick A Toilet may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
