Gary Pick wrote:I have heard that dry partially rotted is best as it soaks up liquid and breaks down more easily. I have only managed the dry so far.

The Humanure guy says kiln dried - i.e. wood shop white pine - is less desirable. Partially rotted is good.
Remember, though, that management at the output level is only half his concern. He is equally concerned with management all the way through the composting phase and into healthy soil input.

Jeff McFadden wrote:

Neil Tanner wrote:

Gary Pick wrote:A sprinkle of wood ash will sweeten the Ph if it gets a bit sharp.

(or a change of diet!!)  Thanks Gary, I'll give that a try.

I got the copy of The Humanure Handbook that I ordered. He's on a crusade to protect drinkable water and soil fertility. I'm less than halfway through and already feel guilty every time I flush the pot.
He doesn't advocate dividing liquid from solid. Do whatcha do and cover it up. He alsso says just put the wood ashes directly on the garden.
Great book, alternately funny, highly technical, and dead serious. Then some funny again just to lighten it up.

Hey Jeff...I had seen the online version of the Humanure and then also from other sites that mention not separating the liquid from solids.  I did put down a layer of shavings on the bottom first.  I don't know if I used enough for cover but it was covered....I may also try pine straw.  The shavings I'm using are from a friend of mines wood shop, white pine.  They are very dry.  I think it would be better if the shavings were fresh from a mill....moister, I think one of the articles I read mentions this....what do you guys think?

Couple of other things, I always put a layer of sawdust in the bottom of the bucket before the first use, it makes it easier to clean. Ensure you use enough sawdust to soak up liquids but don't overkill on covering solids.

A sprinkle of wood ash will sweeten the Ph if it gets a bit sharp.

I have read that it is important to allow the solids to dessicate as part of the odor control. I recently ordered a physical (as distinct from pdf) copy of the Humanure Handbook to study, but it has not yet arrived.
David, of course you are right re: the container and its place in the cost, but his agitator and funnel arrangement look, to have value. I also like the way he has gasketed the seat for the obvious benefit.
As much as anything, though, I thought members might enjoy a look at one more view of designing a composting head.