If you’ve ever had to explain composting toilet protocols to weekend guests, or if you’ve been handed an eye-watering septic-replacement bill, you know that waste management can be one of the less romantic aspects of cottage life. Maybe your composting toilet has become more high-maintenance than you bargained for, or perhaps your aging septic system is failing and the replacement cost has you questioning everything. The Cinderella incinerating toilet from Incinerating Toilets Canada eliminates these headaches, transforming cottage waste management from a source of stress into something you’ll barely think about.
How the Cinderella Incineration Toilet works
The concept is straightforward: waste goes in, sterile ash comes out. “An incineration toilet burns all waste using a very high temperature. It can be used for either #1 or #2, or both, as well as toilet paper and any other paper products, including feminine products,” explains Daniel Roberts, Sales Manager at Incinerating Toilets Inc. “It’s a complete waste solution.”
The Cinderella system operates through a closed incineration chamber located below the bowl, with no exposed flame. Available in both electric and propane models, these toilets are ideal for off-grid locations throughout Canada. “They’re made in Norway, so they’re designed to handle the cold,” Roberts says. “We even have a customer near the North Pole.”
The waterless alternative to composting toilets
Many cottagers who’ve tried composting toilets find themselves disappointed with the reality versus the promise. “A lot of customers tell us how they felt misguided after buying a composting toilet, because it doesn’t actually compost in the way we’re led to believe,” Roberts notes. Composting systems require bulking agents, waste separation, and constant attention to work properly. “One customer described it as more complicated than balancing the levels in a hot tub, and another said it was like owning a pet,” he adds.
Temperature limitations present another challenge. Composting toilets often fail in cold weather, preventing winter cottage use. The Cinderella, however, works in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius in unheated bathrooms. “So many people have told us that having a Cinderella has made it possible for their families to go to the cottage in the winter for an ice fishing weekend, because now they have a nice, sanitary toilet to use instead of a bucket,” Roberts says.
Using a Cinderella is remarkably similar to a regular toilet. Users place a liner in the bowl, use the toilet normally, then press a start button that drops waste into the incineration chamber. “A family of four using the toilet for a week will produce about one teacup of sterile, odourless ash,” Roberts explains. The ash can be disposed of like fireplace ash, and it’s even beneficial for soil.
The best solution to expensive septic system replacements
For cottagers facing septic reinspection, the Cinderella presents an attractive option. “We’ve heard so many unfortunate stories from cottagers who are facing upwards of $40,000 because they need to replace their septic,” Roberts says. Since the Cinderella incinerates all waste, it eliminates the need for a septic system entirely.
Many customers use the toilet to reduce impact on existing septic systems and extend their lifespan, or to eliminate septic entirely by using the Cinderella for all black water (toilet waste) and finding alternative disposal methods for grey water from sinks and showers. “It’s a lot easier to dispose of grey water than black water,” Roberts notes. In some Ontario regions where septic reinspections have revealed code violations, inspectors have even recommended the Cinderella as an alternative when traditional septic replacement would be cost-prohibitive or impossible due to property constraints.
The simple installation and low maintenance of a Cinderella Incinerating Toilet
Setting up a Cinderella is straightforward enough that many customers handle it themselves, though you’ll need an electrician or gas fitter for a portion of the install. “It can be done in an afternoon, and we make sure to provide detailed instructions to walk you through each step so you can ensure it’s done properly,” says Roberts. The process involves installing the toilet and venting system, then connecting the power source, which is either a 240V 10 amp outlet for the electric model or a propane connection for the gas version. Professional installers are available across Ontario for those who prefer expert help.
Currently, no permits are required to install a Cinderella in Ontario cottages or bunkies, though new construction projects will need to address waste management in building permit applications.
Maintenance is also minimal. The ash container needs emptying every 120 flushes or once weekly, followed by a simple steam-clean cycle. Every 500 flushes or once per season, users pour hot water through the unit. “Like any kind of appliance, there might be minor parts that need replacing over its lifespan, but they are typically minor and can be done easily,” Roberts says. “There are some customers who’ve had their Cinderella for more than 15 years.”
What most people get wrong about the Cinderella
Several misconceptions prevent people from considering a Cinderella Incineration Toilet. The most notable? That they smell bad. “A Cinderella is completely odourless. It’s one of the biggest surprises for people,” Roberts emphasizes. A catalytic converter and external venting system ensure there’s no burning waste smell, even outside.
Other myths include the belief that the toilet is only for solid waste (it handles liquids, too), that electric is the only option (there’s also a propane model), that it can’t be used during incineration (it can accommodate three to four visits per hour), and that it requires daily emptying. “A family of four will produce about one teacup of ash after a week of regular use, and 120 flushes is the max before you’re forced to empty the ash tray,” Roberts clarifies.
As for safety concerns, Cinderella toilets are UL and CSA approved, with multiple built-in safety features, including a closed-off incineration chamber, automatic shut-offs if the lid is opened or the ash tray is removed or not inserted properly, and safeguards against overheating.
The environmental upside to an incinerating toilet
Beyond convenience, the Cinderella offers environmental advantages. Being completely waterless, it conserves significant resources. “This year, for example, within just 10 months, our customers saved 3,702,000 liters of water by using a Cinderella. That’s a lot of water saved,” Roberts notes.
Installation doesn’t require heavy equipment, reducing emissions. The system also burns clean, well below acceptable environmental quality standards for emission levels, with no smell and no leachate risk, which is a concern with some composting systems if not properly managed.
The electric model consumes approximately 0.8 to 2 kilowatt-hours per incineration, comparable to many household appliances. The propane version delivers 75 to 100 incinerations per standard barbecue-sized tank while requiring minimal power for the fan.
What cottagers are saying about the Cinderella
Customer feedback consistently highlights ease of use and cleanliness. “A lot of people tell us they wish they’d done it sooner,” Roberts says. “They can’t believe how easy it is to use, and how much simpler and cleaner it’s made their life at the cottage.”
He notes another unexpected benefit: increased cottage visits. “It’s common for people to feel uncomfortable using a composting toilet, or even an outhouse, so when they can have the luxury of a clean, simple toilet that doesn’t smell, they feel more comfortable going to the cottage,” Roberts explains. “More family time at the cottage is a fringe benefit we didn’t expect when we started selling in Canada, but we’re glad that it’s helping bring more families together to enjoy the cottage for longer.”
With a service interval of four to six years and a three-year residential warranty, the Cinderella represents a long-term solution backed by over 25 years of engineering excellence from Norway.
Is a Cinderella Incineration Toilet right for you?
For cottagers seeking a waterless toilet that’s low maintenance, clean, and easy to use, the decision is straightforward. “There aren’t a lot of cases where a Cinderella toilet doesn’t fit,” Roberts says. “If you need a waterless toilet and want something that’s low maintenance, clean, and easy to use, there’s no question that Cinderella is the perfect option for you.”
Ready to upgrade your cottage waste solution? Visit incineratingtoilets.com to learn more about how the Cinderella Incinerating Toilet can transform your cottage experience. You can also stop by the Cottage Life Show to see the system in action, or visit their showroom in Minden, Ont., just east of Muskoka.