An incinerator toilet uses no water, no holding tank, and no plumbing connection. After each use, an electric heating element (or in some models, a propane burner) raises the contents of a removable bowl liner to 1,200–1,400°F over a 60–90 minute cycle, reducing everything to a small amount of sterile ash that's emptied into the trash. Two brands — Incinolet (US, electric) and Cinderella (Norwegian, propane) — dominate the segment.
The two brands you can buy in the US
- Incinolet (Research Products / Blankenship Mfg., Dallas, TX). Electric — runs on a dedicated 120V or 240V circuit. Models RD, TR, and CF for different waste-volume requirements. Made in the USA since 1962. ~$2,000–$2,500.
- Cinderella (Cinderella Eco Group, Norway). Available in propane (Cinderella Gas) and electric (Cinderella Comfort) variants. Higher-end Scandinavian engineering, better cycle times, glass-faced incineration chamber, ash trays. ~$4,500–$5,500.
How the cycle works
Before sitting, you drop a paper bowl liner ("trash bag for the toilet") into the bowl. Use the toilet. Press the cycle button when done. The liner falls into the incineration chamber below. The heating element activates for ~60–90 minutes, raising the chamber to 1,200°F+. Waste is reduced to sterile ash — typically a tablespoon's worth per cycle. A catalytic converter and exhaust fan vent gases through a 4" duct outside (much like a clothes dryer). Empty the ash tray every 30–60 uses.
When this is the right answer
- Off-grid cabins with electrical or propane but no water/septic. The classic use case.
- Hunting cabins, ice-fishing shanties, remote workshops. Cold-climate properties where a composting toilet would freeze.
- Marine and houseboat installations. Eliminates the holding-tank dump problem.
- Construction site offices and outbuildings. Temporary or semi-permanent installations where running a sewer is impractical.
- Backup toilet during septic emergencies. Some homeowners keep an incinerator unit in a basement or garage as a backup when the main septic fails.
The honest downsides
- Cycle time and lockout. During the ~60–90 minute incineration cycle, the toilet is unavailable. In a single-toilet cabin, this can be inconvenient if multiple users are present.
- Power draw. Incinolet draws 1,500W during cycle (240V model is more efficient). Roughly 0.5 kWh per cycle. On grid power: cents per use. On solar/battery: a meaningful daily energy budget.
- The smell. Properly vented, the exhaust is virtually odorless. Improperly vented (clogged duct, weak fan, wind reversal at the exhaust), incineration odor can backflow into the cabin. The duct routing matters.
- Maintenance. The heating chamber and exhaust fan need annual cleaning. Catalytic converter replacement every 5–7 years. Heating element replacement every 8–12 years.
- Liner cost. ~$0.15–$0.30 per liner. Roughly $40–$100/year for a one-person cabin used 30 weekends.
Install requirements
- Electrical: dedicated 120V/15A (smaller Incinolet) or 240V/20A (larger residential model). Cinderella Gas needs only 12V DC for fan/ignition.
- Propane (Cinderella Gas): standard 20-lb tank lasts ~3 months for moderate cabin use.
- Exhaust duct: 4" rigid, routed up through wall or roof, terminated with a rain cap. Don't route through unconditioned attic space without insulation — condensation will be a problem.
- Floor reinforcement: not required — unit is ~90 lbs.
- Code: some US jurisdictions classify incinerator toilets under their building electrical/ventilation code; permitting requirements vary. RV, cabin, and accessory-structure use rarely triggers inspection.
Composting vs incinerator: when to choose which
If your cabin freezes in winter and sits unused for months, choose incinerator (composting needs above-freezing temps and active management). If you have moderate use and want zero ongoing fuel cost, choose composting (see composting facet). If you have grid power year-round, incinerator is more convenient day-to-day. If you're off-grid solar-only, composting is the lighter electrical load.