Let’s face it: when you're researching toilets for your van, cabin, boat, or tiny home, the terminology can feel a bit… messy. Dry toilet? Composting toilet? Dry flush toilet? Incinerating? It’s enough to make you want to just dig a hole in the woods.
But we’ve got your back. This guide will wipe away the confusion and help you understand exactly what each type of toilet is, how they work, and why the S1 Sealing Toilet stands apart as a true dry flush toilet.
A dry flush toilet is a type of portable toilet that operates without water, chemicals, or composting. Instead of using water to flush and move contents to a holding tank, it uses a dry system like a bagging or sealing mechanism, sometimes powered by a compressed air system, to encapsulate and isolate waste immediately after use.
No water or plumbing required
No composting process
Odorless sealing system
Super portable and low maintenance
Dry flush toilets use a mechanical or battery-powered system to contain waste inside a liner or cartridge after each use. Here’s a simple breakdown:
Use – You go as normal.
Flush – Press a button. The mechanism twists or seals the bag, completely isolating waste.
Repeat – After multiple uses, the solids container is full and can be removed and replaced with a new one.
This process keeps odors at bay, hides the waste from view, and eliminates any need for water, composting, or harsh chemicals. Some systems use heat or fans; the S1 uses a low-power sealing unit to do the job automatically.
Before the S1, dry flush options were limited and often relied on sealing both liquids and solids together in plastic liners. These systems worked, but they came with drawbacks: they all sealed both liquids and solids in multiple layers of plastic—simple to use, but not the most efficient or eco-friendly.
As a separating sealing toilet S1 Sealing Toilet addresses these gaps with a smarter, more sustainable approach. It separates solids and liquids, and uses a clever sealing system to trap solids after each use—no odor, no leaks, no composting wait time. It’s the perfect mix of modern tech and off-grid simplicity.
To help put dry flush toilets in context, here's how they stack up against other waterless toilets you might encounter:
Composting Toilets: These use urine diversion and a substrate like coconut coir to start the breakdown of solids through aerobic decomposition. They require some regular maintenance and are better suited for long-term setups.
Incinerating Toilets: These high-tech systems burn waste into sterile ash using electricity or gas. Effective and odor-free—but expensive, power-hungry, and often bulky.
Chemical Toilets: Often found in RVs and porta-potties, these use water and chemical additives to mask odors. They're easy to use short-term but less pleasant over time and not particularly eco-friendly.
Dry flush toilets like the S1 offer a modern alternative: they don’t require chemicals or composting materials, and they’re far easier to manage than incinerating systems. It’s a practical, hygienic middle ground.
Want to learn more about the differences between composting and dry flush systems?
Check out: Dry Flush vs. Composting Toilets →
Do dry flush toilets smell?
Not if used properly. Because the waste is immediately sealed in an airtight liner, odors are significantly minimized or eliminated. Some users also add deodorizing inserts for extra freshness.
How many uses do you get per refill?
It depends on the brand and the size of the cartridge. Most dry flush toilets offer 12–15 flushes per liner cartridge. The number may vary slightly depending on solid vs. liquid waste.
How do you empty them?
To empty a dry flush toilet you remove and toss the sealed bags.
Can I use a dry flush toilet in a van or RV?
Absolutely! The S1 was practically made for it. It’s compact, portable, and doesn’t need hookups.
Are dry flush toilets legal?
Yes, but always check local disposal rules, especially for bagged matter.
If you’re dreaming of a bathroom setup that’s clean, odor-free, and totally independent from plumbing or power grids, a dry flush toilet like the S1 Sealing Toilet might just be your perfect throne.
It’s:
Easy to use
Totally waterless
Maintenance-light
Portable and powerful
Whether you’re hitting the road in your van, going off-grid in a cabin, or just tired of chemical-laden porta-potties, the dry flush revolution is calling.
Sierra Eberly is an avid trail runner and solopreneur who has traveled full-time in a campervan since 2020.
After traveling for over a year while working remotely full-time at a corporate job, she shifted gears and pursued her passions for writing and marketing strategy.
Boondock Consulting was formed, and she now supports like-minded small businesses with their big aspiration.
Sierra continues to travel, balancing work and play while trying her best to make a minimal impact on the planet and enjoying everything it offers. You can follow along with her travels via Instagram or Sierra’s personal website, Sierra’s Traverse.
