The number one job of a toilet is to flush waste from the toilet bowl. It is, in fact, its only job. The number one complaint homeowners have of toilets is clogging; of not being able to perform its number one job. The strongest flushing toilet is one that doesn’t clog, clears waste quickly and efficiently, and is quiet.
Strongest Flushing Toilet Sneak Peek:
| See More: American Standard Champion |  |
| See More: Toto UltraMax |  |
| See More: Swiss Madison SM-1T112 |  |
| See More: Kohler Santa Rosa |  |
| See More: Woodbridge T-0019 |  |
What Makes a Toilet a ‘Strong Flusher’?
Since 1992, when the Environmental Protection Agency introduced new standards for water usage in toilets, manufacturers have been producing toilets that use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF). Toilets typically use water pressure to clear the toilet bowl, so using less water resulted in less-than-stellar flushing performance.
The solution to this was for manufacturers to engineer toilet bowls to work more effectively and efficiently. Newer model toilets use a few different design elements for this:
- Enlarged Trapway. The trapway is the piping in a toilet that leads from the base of the toilet to the drain. The toilet with largest trapway will allow water and waste to leave the toilet bowl faster. It’s a balance though because, if the trapway is too large, then the siphon action of the trap is lost, which is where most of the flushing power comes from.
- Ceramic Glazing. It physics that says that less friction will mean a quicker release. Toilet manufacturers have realized that a smoother glazing on the toilet bowl and trapway can mean that waste and water flow faster and easier.
- Siphon Jet Flushing. Normal gravity-fed toilets rely on the pressure of the water released from the tank to fill the toilet bowl and push waste and water quickly into the trapway creating a siphon that then pulls the waste and water out of the bowl. Siphon jet flushing is an evolution of this process. Water is still released from the tank into the bowl, but some of it is also redirected down a siphon ‘jetway’ that directs water directly to the trap to more quickly overcome the trapway pressure and create a stronger siphon action. It’s a simple use of technology to increase flush performance while using less water resulting in toilets with strong flush while using less water.
- Pump Assisted Flushing. These toilets hold the water in the tank under pressure. When the toilet is flushed, a combination of gravity and pressure from the tank produce a very strong flushing action. These are very high performance toilets; usually seen in industrial settings but also becoming more common in households also.
- Dual Flushing. This feature allows for the release of less water (and therefore less water pressure) for liquid waste, and more water (= greater water pressure) for solid waste. It combines with the elements above to provide specific flushing performance based on the type of waste.
How Do You Measure Flush Strength?
In 2003 the University of Washington set forth to update the toilet facilities on campus. In an effort to find the strongest flushing toilet replacement that both conserved water and offered superior flushing performance, the university funded a study to determine which toilets had the best flush and could be deemed the ‘strongest toilet’.
The study authors used a variety of methods to determine flush performance:
- Increasing Lengths of Loosely Wadded Toilet Paper. One of the most common ‘cloggers’ is a giant wad of toilet paper. In this test, various wads of toilet paper were placed in the toilets and flushed to determine just how large of a wad the flush could remove.
- Tofu Cut Into Standard, Uniform Blocks. This test simulated the removal of solid waste. The researchers cut the tofu into ‘typical shapes’, placed them in the toilet and flushed. If the block was removed they flushed again to be sure it wasn’t lodged in the trap.
- Concentrated Brine Solution. To determine if the toilet bowl water was being completely replaced when flushing liquid waste, the researchers added a concentrated salt solution to the water and flushed. They then measured the conductivity of the water in the bowl to determine if the water had, indeed, been completed replaced.
While I find it super interesting that there is such a study to find the strongest flushing toilet, the results are from 2003, and are for professionally installed industrial toilets so are not valid for our use (although two of the brands below, Toto and American Standard, were among the top performers).
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5 Of the STRONGEST Flushing Toilets
Sometimes the design of a bathroom fixture outweighs its function but, when it comes to toilets it is performance that matters. Here we present some options for the strongest flushing toilet; check out our other articles to determine which is the best toilet to buy.
1. American Standard Champion 4 Toilet – Strong Performance Meets Top Brand Value
- Large flush valve and extrawide trapway
- Low Flow Flush (1.6 GPF)
- EverClean Glazed Surface
- Elongated bowl
- Comfort Height
This toilet offers the very best in clog-free performance. It has a faster, more powerful, yet quieter flush that can move a 70% larger mass than a standard toilet. It is the large 4″ flush valve that allows waste to be quickly whisked away from the bowl and into the extra wide trapway, ensuring a clog free flush every time.
EverClean glazing not only assists in flushing performance (reducing the resistance between waste and the toilet surface) but also helps to keep the toilet cleaner and fresher between bathroom cleanings.
Comfort height meets the ADA requirements for toilets for the elderly, those with disabilities, or with limited mobility. A higher seat height makes the toilet more accessible and comfortable.
PROS
- Large 4″ Flush Valve
- Extra wide Trapway
- Low water usage (1.6 gpf)
- Slow close seat
- EverClean surface
CONS
- Included toilet seat is of lower quality
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2. TOTO Ultramax Toilet – Siphon Flushing Action From A Top Name Brand
- Elegant design and Finish
- G-Max flushing system: Quiet, powerful, commercial grade flushing performance
- Fast Flush: Wide 3-Inch flush valve is 125 percent larger than conventional 2-Inch flush valves
- Wider, 2-1/8-Inch computer designed, fully glazed trapway
Toto is one of the most trusted toilet manufacturers; a Japanese design to exacting standards manufactured in the United States. They create toilets that will update and modernize any bathroom with powerful performance that will eliminate clogging forever.
G-Max siphon flushing is an industry standard. Using a larger 3″ flush valve, and an extra large siphon jet hole, the released water creates a quicker, more powerful, flushing action that removes waste quickly and efficiently but also quietly.
The one-piece design of this toilet is a modern look compared to the standard two-piece models. Its comfort height dimensions elevate the seat to a height that assists those with mobility issues, and the soft close seats will put an end to the slamming of the toilet seat in the middle of the night (or anytime, really).
PROS
- G-Max Siphon Flushing Action
- Wider, glazed, trapway
- Soft Close Seat
- Comfort Height
- Sleek, modern, design
CONS
- A little noisy when flushing
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3. Swiss Madison SM-1T112 – A Great Value With Tornado Flush
- Dual Tornado flush with high-performance gravity 0.8 / 1.28 gallon per flush (gpf).
- Fully skirted design for sleek look and easy cleaning
- Environment Friendly WaterSense toilets, meet strict EPA flushing guidelines.
- Elongated & Comfort height bowl offers added room and comfort.
- Soft Seat to close slowly and quietly.
This is not only the ‘Best Value’ for the strongest flushing toilet, it’s also the best looking! The one-piece, fully skirted design features clean, modern lines that will look great in any bathroom; plus it makes for easy cleaning too!
Tornado flushing works by utilizing two powerful nozzles to release water into the toilet bowl instead of rim holes. This fast flush toilet creates a centrifugal force in the bowl that increases flushing power and results in a powerful, and efficient flushing action. A dual-flush button allows the user to select very low flush volume of 0.8 GPF for liquid waste or a larger volume (yet still below regulated standards) 1.28 GPF for solid waste. Powerful and water conserving!
PROS
- Dual Flush
- Tornado Flushing Action
- Soft Close Seat
- Low flow flush (0.8/1.28 GPF)
CONS
- Low quality toilet seat
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4. Kohler Santa Rosa With AquaPiston Technology – Fully Engineered For Flushing Power and Efficiency
- One piece toilets integrate the tank and bowl into a seamless, easy to clean design
- Compact elongated bowl offers added comfort while occupying the same space as a round front bowl
- Comfort Height feature offers chair height seating that makes sitting down and standing up easier for most adults
- 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf)
- Single flush gravity uses the force of gravity and a precision engineered tank, bowl, and trapway to create a strong siphon during flushing
- AquaPiston canister allows water to flow into the bowl from all sides (360 degrees), increasing the power and effectiveness of the flush
- Flush valves 3:2 ratio harnesses the natural force of gravity and optimizes flush performance
Kohler has precision engineered the tank, toilet bowl, and trapway to optimize the siphon action during flushing. Add to that the AquaPiston canister to push water even more forcefully from the bowl and the flushing action is indeed powerful.
The powerful flushing action is even more remarkable in that this toilet only uses 1.28 gallons of water per flush; 20% less than regulated by the EPA.
Its contemporary, one-piece design is modern looking and easy to clean.
PROS
- AquaPiston Flushing Technology
- Powerful siphon jet flush action
- Low flow flush (1.28 GPF)
- Soft Close Seat
CONS
- Low quality toilet seat
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5. Woodbridge T-0019– Quiet and Powerful Flushing Technology
- LUXURIOUS MODERN DESIGN: Luxurious Modern Design one piece toilet , Clean, sleek look and compliment with different styles like modern , craftsman , traditional and etc.
- EASIEST TO CLEAN TOILET: WOODBRIDGE toilets are the easiest to clean on the market, with a completely smooth, easy to wipe down surface. With our fully concealed trap-way, there are no bends or corners to gather dust. Also, no large mounting holes or ugly plastic caps to be seen.
- QUIET & POWERFUL FLUSHING: Siphon Flushing one piece toilet, Fully glazed flush system , bringing a super quiet and powerful flushing - NO clogs, NO leaks, and NO problem
- COMFORT DESIGN: Comfort Height Design, Chair-height seating that makes sitting down and standing up easier for most adults
- TOP QUALITY SEAT High end Soft Closing Toilet Seat with Stainless Steel Durable Seat Hinge, Easy to get the toilet seat off to tighten or clean after years of use.
Woodbridge is an industry leader in bathroom fixtures and toilets. This dual flush, siphon actioned model is a great example of a quality product at a great price.
The dual flush allows the user to choose between a ‘water waste’ removal or a ‘sold waste’ removal and uses siphon flushing action to remove waste quietly and efficiently.
ADA compliant height means that all members of your family will be able to use it comfortably with little to no assistance.
PROS
- Dual Flushing
- Siphon Flushing Action
- Comfort Height (ADA Qualified)
- Soft Closing Seat
CONS
- Tricky installation instructions
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is the best maximum flush rate for a toilet?
Maximum flush rate determines how much solid waste a toilet can manage. It’s dependent on the weight of solid waste that a toilet can discard using specific amounts of water.
If a 1.6 GPF toilet can remove 350-600 grams of waste, it is considered to be a high flush toilet. Some toilets claim to flush 1000 grams of waste with only 1.28 GPF; this would be a powerful flush toilet!
How do I increase toilet flush power?
Even the most powerful flushing toilet can sometimes use a little bit of help to be the best it can be. There are a few ways that you can increase the toilet flush power.
- Hold the flush lever down to ensure all water from the tank is used. More water means more flow which means a more powerful flushing action.
- Ensure that the trap is not clogged. The toilet does not have to be completely clogged to cause a problem. Make sure that the trap is not partially clogged.
- Clean under the rim. Water from the tank enters the bowl under the rim. It’s important to make sure that these water entry points are clear of debris.
- Open the water valve all the way. This will ensure that the water tank contains as much water as possible. More water makes for a more powerful flushing action.
- Adjust the float to allow more water to fill the tank. The float is what controls the water valve. As soon as the float rises to the pre-determined level it closes the water valve so the tank doesn’t overflow. This is adjustable; raising the float level setting can allow the tank to fill with more water.
- Adjust the flapper. The flapper should open quickly and completely. This releases the water with as much force as possible. If the flap is not snapping open, adjust the chain length and/or angle to help with this.
What is a high pressure toilet?
A high pressure toilet holds the water in the tank under slight pressure. When the toilet is flushed, the water is released and is pushed by the pressure in the tank through to the bowl resulting in a powerful flush that quickly and easily removes waste from the bowl.
What does GPF and LPF mean on toilets?
GPF stands for ‘Gallons Per Flush’ and LPF means ‘Litres Per Flush’.
These are measurements of how much water is released during the flushing cycle of the toilet. The current EPA requirement is that a toilet use no more than 1.6 GPF (or 6 LPF) during normal operation. Some toilets use as little as 1.28 GPF.
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