Farm Innovators SB-60 Signature Series 5.5 Quart Electric Heated Pet Water Bowl with Stainless Steel Insert, Thermostatic Control, 60 Watt

I bought two of these heated bowls to replace the heated bowls I already have. The bowls I originally had are a one piece design which made it very hard to keep clean. I was looking for a heated bowl with a stainless steel insert that could be washed in the sink or dishwasher. This one seemed to be exactly what I was looking for, so I promptly purchased two of them. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box and saw that the stainless steel bowls are permanently attached to the plastic housing! If it didn't cost so much for return shipping, I would be sending them back.

I had to replace my finally broken heated water bowl and hate shopping- hence Amazon Queen. 3 things I dislike about this bowl- it's too big to fit nicely on a step, bc it's healthier for your dogs to eat and drink about 10-12 inches off the floor. But at least it will stay, not tilt enough to fall off, on your step. Second and poor design flaw in not having a hole to thread your cord through, so you have to set the bowl on top of the thick coil cord, thus will never get this bowl to sit flat. Thirdly, it's a bit weildy, so the handles help, but the bowl is too shallow, so it's best you leave it where you keep it, dump old water out, then BRING water to fill the bowl rather than bringing bowl to water source and it slipping all over on your way back to its spot. The other one I had lasted 9 years! And it still worked but was discolored from the sun, so I like the silver bowl, I cannot comment on durability of this one.

Tested the bowl during bitter below zero weather and it works fine. I have a lot of confidence in this company's products based on several years of use. I have left reviews for the larger bowl which may be helpful to the reader.Update: We recently experienced several days and nights of below zero temps. This 40 watt bowl had trouble keeping the water thawed. My 60 watt bowl was fine though. I had a rock in the small bowl and two rocks in the big bowl. I put an insulated collar around the small bowl but it still struggled. I added a second rock to the small bowl and that helped a bit. I clean the bowls daily by just throwing the water out and wiping them down. I don't carry the bowls at all, I carry water to them in a milk jug. Despite this experience, I think these bowls are great. The bowls I am using are bowls 3 and 4 with 5 in reserve. If you don't drop them from 6 feet off the ground they last a long time. (My pets knocked one off the shelf last summer and it didn't work after that.) They are a good size for the birds and for the wandering critters that pass by during the winter.Update: I purchased the 40W bowl in 2016 and in has been in use every winter since. The past few days (approx. 48 hours) we have had bitter temps and high winds. Temps between 5 above and 10 below with winds ranging from 20mph to 40mph with 50mph gusts. I have the water pan sitting unprotected on a birdbath under a tree. I have a piece of insulated foam underneath and a rock in the bowl to hold heat. In the bowl is ring of ice around the open water. The birds have been visiting all day. I think this is wonderful. I have a 60W in the backyard sitting on the ground with a cement paver underneath. I have two flat rocks in the bowl to hold the heat. This morning there was a small amount of ice but the 60W rarely has ice. I had to go out earlier to fill with clean water because leaves are still flying around. I just refilled it again because the wind is diminishing. All the living things in the area come to drink. Sometimes I get up at night just to see who is there. I love these bowls and so do the critters.

I have lots of critters that pass through our property. I keep a large tub of water at a pathway that leads to the woods... but unfortunately it freezes in the Winter. Last Winter I saw a Fox and his mate attempting to get some water that wasn't frozen out of the tub. The female crouched down and was crying. The male was on top of the frozen water jumping on it trying to get some water to come to the top that wasn't yet frozen. Unfortunately, it was frozen solid... and they went on their way. I felt terrible... and afterwards filled it with hot water (not too hot) before I retired every evening). So, this year I purchased this 5 1/2 quart heated pet bowl. So far it has exceeded my expectations. Mr. and Mrs. Fox love it, as do the raccoons, possums, squirrels, and birds. I put a narrow rock just inside the bowl, but not over the heating elements, so that the birds would have something to sit on while drinking. Every day I flood the dish with fresh water. Sometimes I dump out the old water, do a quick rinse, and wipe with paper towels before adding new fresh water. Unfortunately, the raccoons like to wash some of their food in the water, as well as taking a quick bath. The crows also like to put food in the water too. It is worth the effort though. The only thing that would improve this pet bowl and make it a five star rating is if there were a removable bowl... because then it would be a lot easier to clean with hot water and soap when needed. I will be purchasing another one (smaller) for my feral cat that lives outside. She is too old to hunt anymore, so I feed her every day. I want her to have water available 24/7 ... next to her new insulated house. (Yes, she has been spayed.)