Fans seem like overkill for most setups. If it smells, I just add more sawdust or dump sooner. Simple usually works best.
Couldn’t agree more—sometimes the “fancier” solutions just mean more stuff to break. I’ve had better luck with a scoop of coffee grounds now and then (smell’s not bad, plus it feels like recycling). Tried pine needles once too, but that was... pokier than expected. Wood shavings are my go-to now, way easier to store and less drama when winter hits.
Wood shavings are my go-to now, way easier to store and less drama when winter hits.
I hear you on the wood shavings—less mess, and they don’t freeze into a brick like some stuff does. I’ve wondered about coffee grounds though. Do they ever get too wet or clump up? I’m always a bit cautious about anything that might mess with airflow or cause mold, especially in colder months. Anyone ever had issues with that?
Coffee grounds seemed like a good idea at first, but they held onto moisture way more than I expected. Ended up with a dense, almost mud-like layer in the bin after a week—didn’t love that. I noticed airflow dropped off and there was a funky smell, probably from things not drying out enough. Wood shavings just work better for me, especially when it’s damp or cold outside. They’re lighter and don’t clump up. If you’ve got a reliable dry source for grounds, maybe it’s different... but I’ll stick with shavings for now.
Ever try mixing the coffee grounds with something drier, like sawdust or even shredded cardboard? I had a similar issue with moisture when I first started out—everything just turned into this heavy, wet mess that was a pain to deal with. I figured maybe blending materials would help balance things out, but honestly, it was more hassle than it was worth for me. Curious if anyone’s found a combo that actually works without turning into sludge.
Also, do you notice any difference in odor control between shavings and other stuff you’ve tried? I keep hearing people swear by peat moss, but I’m not sure if it’s really better or just pricier.
Title: Finally ditched the black tank: my dry loo journey
I keep seeing peat moss hyped up too, but honestly, I’m not convinced it’s worth the extra cost unless you’re really struggling with odor. I tried it for a couple months and didn’t notice a huge difference compared to plain old pine shavings. Maybe a little less smell, but not enough to justify hauling around those heavy bags or paying double. Plus, peat’s not exactly the most sustainable option out there.
Mixing coffee grounds with sawdust sounds clever in theory, but I ran into the same sludge problem you mentioned. The grounds just seem to hold onto moisture like crazy. Shredded cardboard helped a bit with texture, but then you’ve got to make sure it’s not coated or full of ink—otherwise you’re just adding more weird stuff to the mix. Ever try dried leaves? They break down fast and are easy to come by in the fall, though they don’t do much for odor if you’re sensitive.
One thing I’m still skeptical about is whether any of these combos actually make maintenance easier in the long run. Every time I try to “optimize” my mix, it ends up being more work—either tracking down materials or dealing with clumps that don’t break down right. Sometimes I wonder if keeping it simple with just shavings is actually better, even if it’s not perfect.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with something totally different—like biochar or even sand? I’ve heard rumors but never met anyone who stuck with those for more than a week or two.