Camco toilet bucket review

What you get

Camco's catalog lists it as the Toilet Bucket Kit (item 41549): a five-gallon bucket with a seat and lid attachment that snaps securely onto the rim. Camco says the lid and seat are made of a durable, UV-resistant polymer, the bucket has a smooth interior so it is easy to empty and clean, and it is lightweight with an attached carry handle.

Bags are a separate purchase: Camco sells liners for its 5-gallon bucket in three-packs and ten-packs. Camco also sells the seat and lid alone, with three bags, to fit a bucket you already own, and a 5.3-gallon portable toilet with a flushing holding tank, a different product.

Why a bucket toilet belongs in a home kit

Most people think of food and water first, but a flood, a broken water main or a long outage that stops a well pump or sewage lift station can leave toilets unusable. Ready.gov's basic kit list includes moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation, plus soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. A bucket with a proper seat makes that plan far more comfortable, especially for older family members.

CDC's archived guidance on emergency sanitation describes the same idea at larger scale: a container lined with a replaceable plastic bag, which suits places where flooding occurs, with the caution that bags must be disposed of properly and containers sanitized.

Using it hygienically

Line the bucket with a bag before use, tie each bag off when it is time to change it, and keep the lid on between uses. Many people add an absorbent gel or powder sold for this purpose; Camco does not include one with the bucket. Ask your local officials how to dispose of waste bags after a disaster, since rules vary.

Handwashing matters as much as the toilet. CDC says washing with soap and clean water is the best way to remove germs; if you have no soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, though sanitizer is less effective on visibly dirty hands and against some germs. Store water for washing as well as drinking: Ready.gov's gallon per person per day covers both. Our emergency kit checklist lists the rest.

How it compares, and the verdict

On our emergency toilet comparison, the Reliance Luggable Loo is the best-known bucket toilet and the Cleanwaste WAG Bags are self-contained waste bags with no bucket at all, light enough for a car or go-bag. Camco's own 5.3-gallon portable toilet has a flushing holding tank, more like a real toilet but with tank emptying to deal with. The Camco bucket sits with the Luggable Loo as a simple, sturdy seat on a bucket, and you can stash bags and supplies inside it when it is not in use.

Verdict: an inexpensive, no-fuss backup toilet that will sit in a closet for years until needed. Skip it if you would rather have a flushing tank, need something to carry in a car (WAG bags pack smaller), or will not also stock bags, absorbent and handwashing supplies.

Does the Camco toilet bucket come with bags?

Camco lists bags separately, in three-packs and ten-packs sized for its 5-gallon bucket. Buy a supply with the bucket, plus ties, an absorbent and disinfecting wipes.

How do I dispose of waste from a bucket toilet?

Seal each bag and follow your local officials' instructions, which can vary after a disaster. CDC's emergency sanitation guidance stresses that bags must be disposed of properly and containers sanitized.

What should I keep with an emergency toilet?

Ready.gov's kit list includes moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation, plus soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. CDC recommends soap and clean water for handwashing first, with a 60% alcohol sanitizer as a backup.

Can I use the seat on my own bucket?

Camco sells the seat and lid separately, with three bags, to fit a 5-gallon bucket you already own. The kit reviewed here includes the bucket.