I use the plastic 3 gallon heated waterer from Farm Innovations. First the positives: it is cheap enough, works well in the Maine winter, uses little electricity and holds enough water for my few birds that I only have to refill it every 4 or five days.
The design, however, can only be rated between poor and fair. The plastic water container locks to the molded base with the heating element by means of 4 small tabs. (It more wedges together than locks. A means of locking would have made this a very good product.) Filling the container requires inverting it, filling, attaching the base while upside down and then flipping the whole unit over. Filled, the unit weighs around 25 lbs and even the slightist twist to the top will almost certainly separate the top from the base. Words can not express the excitement of having 3 gallons of water pour down you while standing in the snow at -10 degrees F. (Actually, there were a string of words that came close to expressing the feeling.)
Going into the second year with this, I feel I've about mastered the art of turning the fully loaded waterer to its upright position. I have not drenched myself even once this year. I suggest buying this item early enough in the summer that you can practice your waterer flipping in between swimming at the beach and working on your tan.
Wayne
