We bought several other pails for our farm at local stores that cost more and were not the quality of these pails. Stainless is the only way to go to keep your animals healthy. The only exception is when you are adding apple cider in the water for goats, as apple cider will create a chemical reaction with any metal pail. These pails have stayed out in the weather all winter long and they still look like new. I would recommend them to anyone.