Any ideas? Thanks

-- seraphima (seraphima@aol.com), July 29, 1999

Answers

How about those training potty seats for toddlers that sit on top of the real toliet? They look like they might just fit a bucket.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), July 29, 1999.

Carol, those potty seats don't fit the average adult bottom! :)

-- Helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), July 29, 1999.

Several places (including CampMor) sell a unit called "Luggable Loo". I think this is exactly what you need and it sells for about $20.00.

-- T. Harris (bet90278@earthlink.net), July 29, 1999.

I was wondering the same thing the other day but realized it would be easy to build a "box" out of 2x4 scraps and plywood, cut a hole, mount a seat and leave a side open to remove/replace the bucket. We used one like that while camping years ago.

-- Kristi (securx@succeed.net), July 29, 1999.

I used to cruise the Chesapeake Bay in my 16 foot sail boat, sometimes staying on the boat for a month at a time. Needless to say, there was not much space for extra stuff. My 5 gal. anchor bucket did double duty when the anchor was out. For years, I used nothing on top. Then I met this lady whom I later married, and in order to make it a little easier for her, I took a half inch sheet of plywood and cut a round hole in it, left about a four inch rim on it and took my wood rasp and rounded out the edge. She still jokes about it sometimes still, many years later.

-- chicken farmer (chicken-farmer@ y2k.farm), July 29, 1999.

When I tested the plastic bucket idea, I simply took the seat from my flush toilet and put it on top of the bucket, and it worked fine.

Robert Waldrop

-- robert waldrop (rmwj@soonernet.com), July 29, 1999.

A couple of major sewer back ups in my appartment building over the last year gave me some "field tested" experiences I'll share.

First, recognize that if the sewer backs up in your dwelling, it will become unlivable very fast. Most of the post here are talking about "outhouse scenarios". For those in buildings where you have a toilet, but can't flush it due to the water or sewer being out, here is my solution -- take a large, 30 plus gallon sized plastic bag, open it, and put it inside the toilet bowl like you would put it in a garbage can. Put the lid down. Use the toilet, putting all paper, ect "down the hole/thru the seat/into the bag". When done, Raise lid, squeeze out air (while holding your breath), tie a knot in the garbage bag (and get the good kind, not one that will bust!), and take the garbage bag outside and dump it into some recepticle you're using for this purpose (hopefully downwind and closed against bugs, flies, ect.). This works for appartments and could also be used instead of a "bucket" in a home made outhouse or "box with a seat".

One VERY IMPORTANT thing I learned when the water was out -- STRONGLY SUGGEST you stock up on DISPOSABLE rubber/latex GLOVES for whipping your rear end. This way you keep your hands clean, which reduces the risk of getting you or someone you touch sick!! Just throw the gloves into the plastic garbage bag before tying it up, then put on another pair to take the garbage bag to your "dumpster". Not trying to be funny here. I think cleanliness and disease prevention is CRUCIAL. Think the garbage bag and disposable gloves are a very good approach. I would STILL wash my hands good with soap, but this way there is much less in the way of germs, ECT :( to wash off!!!

-- Anon (Anon@Anon.now), July 29, 1999.

They are available from Emergency Essentials - 1-800-999-1863 www.BePrepared.com The problem is, apparently you also have to buy a 5-gallon bucket. The ensemble is $19 plus $10 shipping and handling. I would very much hearing if anyone finds a place that sells only the lids.

The Humanure Handbook (J.C. Jenkins) has good pictures of how a regular toilet seat could be built around a bucket, much in the way someone has described above.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), July 29, 1999.

I guess I wasn't thinking about big butts! I just thought the potty seats would fit a 5 gal bucket. That's all that seraphima asked about. It would be a good idea for the children.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), July 29, 1999.

I bought a Bedside potty at the thrift store for ten bucks. Has pot, seat , lid and it's a chair, too.

-- cel (2gkr14@usa.net), July 29, 1999.

A drill, jigsaw and 3/4 inch plywood will do. Draw a 2 - 2 1/2 ft diameter circle on the plywood cut it out then draw a smaller oval or circle shape in the center of the 2 - 2 1/2 ft circle, drill a hole so your jigsaw can cut out the inner oval or circular hole. The set it on the bucket. Look around for scrap plywood or it will cost + or - 12 dollars for a half sheet of 3/4"plywood.

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), July 30, 1999.

Brooke, Lids to fit 5 gallon buckets can be purchased at Walmart.

TIP: If using plastic bags in the toilet, don't urinate at the same time or you will have a mess. Use a separate pail with some water and clorox for urine and empty at the end of the day. To cut down on odor for solid waste sprinkle with a scoop of cat litter after use. I guess if it works for my cats it can work for humans too. :) :)

-- FOX (ardrinc@aol.com), July 30, 1999.

Foldable camp toilet $9.95 at Sportmart (metal frame with seat) uses garbage bags.

-- mabel (mabel_louise@yahoo.com), July 30, 1999.

DO NOT mix urine and bleach. It makes a very toxic gas called chlorine that is greenish & can/will kill you. This is the stuff that has caused several whole town evacuations when a train derails. My husband was cleaning the wood floor of our just purchased home with bleach to get the cat urine stains out and if the windows hadn't been open with a good breeze, he'd been in the hospital or dead.

Dusty

-- Dusty griff (dustyg@indy.net), August 01, 1999.

West Marine has plastic rings that fits 5 gallon buckets. they have a web site where you can order thier catalog. I seen them listed in thier catalog--I was looking for something portable for our pontoon-I ended up buying a portable from walmart, which turned out to be a bucket with a plastic ring sitting in a container with a lid.Having limited space on the boat we discarded the case to a shelf in the garage, using just the bucket and ring-- conclusion--should have bought the ring listed in the catalog

-- mikermac (cmchenry@seidata.com), August 01, 1999.