Is stainless steel worth it? Lets look over the reasons...

[kingsnake]

Let’s look over some of the facts that some of the cage dealers post on their website about stainless steel and in the end you can decide for yourself if stainless steel is right for you.

 

http://birdcages4less.com/FAQ/index.html

 

Stainless steel cages are ideal because they last so incredibly long- you might not have to buy another cage again! Stainless steel is a more expensive metal than wrought iron (powdercoated) cages are made of. Stainless steel cages are resistant to rust and there is also no paint to peel off, or for your bird to chip away at (but be careful of cheaper imitations, which are plated in SS- rather than our stainless options, which are all full stainless steel throughout!- nothing to peel). Stainless steel also has no texture like paint that holds poop and dander, which makes it easier to keep your new stainless steel shiny and beautiful for years!

 

http://www.bird-supplies.net/stainless-steel-facts.htm

 

Stainless steel cages are much better looking. This is important if you're getting a large cage that will become the focal point of a room in your house or apartment.

 

Stainless steel cages are a lot easier to clean. They can be pressure washed or cleaned with strong non-toxic cleaners. After time powder-coating wears off, stainless steel doesn't.

Even the safe powder-coated cages have small levels of toxic components in them. Stainless steel bird cages expose your parrot to none of these components.

 

Stainless steel cages generally last 4 to 5 times longer than powder-coated cages. Plus they look good their entire lifetime, rather than looking less & less attractive the longer you have them.

 

Stainless steel parrot cages rust & deteriorate at a much slower rate than powder-coated cages. Once a powder-coated cage gets nicks & dings, it's only a matter of time until the rusting begins.

 

So let’s look at these claims.

 

So is stainless steel really better looking? This is not a fact but a matter of opinion. I prefer an all-black bird cage to match my furniture and style of the room I am putting the cage in.

 

Is Stainless steel easier to keep shiny and clean? If everything is equal and you clean the whole cage down it is true, you can use a high pressure hose on stainless steel and make the job of cleaning the cage a little shorter. But you can also keep powder coated cages looking nice for years too but as time goes by the paint breaks down and rust will take over.

 

Is stainless steel better because it doesn’t have toxic components like powder coat paint? Stainless steel does contain Chromium, if someone claims their cages don’t have Chromium in it than it’s not stainless steel!

 

Does stainless steel last 4 or 5 times longer? Depending on how you take care of it, it could. However if you like the look of a new cage every now and then, then stainless is not for you. Also the price is higher, around 4 or 5 times higher. So in the end you are not saving any money buying a stainless steel cage if the facts are correct that Stainless steel last 4 or 5 times longer because you are paying 4 or 5 times more for it unless you get a cage on sale or one is given to you.

 

In the end you will have to decide what is right for you and your bird. With that being said, I bought my first bird cage in stainless steel. I prefer quality metal (IMO, Stainless steel is better than wrought iron) and the fact that paint will, over time chip and the cage will begin to rust and it’s not like I will waste my money on a new cage at the first sign of these issues and I don’t want an eyesore as my cage starts to break down over the years (Granted this may take years to happen).

Edited June 21, 2011 by kingsnake

[Ray P]

What ever you buy may depend on how large a cage you need and how much money you have to spend and what size will fit in the space you have at that time.

All so years down the road you may want a larger cage because you moved to a larger home or may be a smaller home.

We have owned three homes and each one larger than the last so we have done cage up grades as we had more room for the birds.

I have herd of some people that did not like stainless because it stuck out like a big silver sore thumb in there home. Not that it was a bad cage.

It`s up to you if you have the extra money to buy stainless or if you want colore go with the other.

[DinoUndies]

Stainless steel contains chromium? Is it bad for Greys? Now I'm worried ._.

[kingsnake]

Chromium was the issue in the Julia Roberts movie, Erin Brockovich however I believe it was the waste soaking into the ground water in very large amounts. It's not much of an issue in stainless steel and is considered safe for birds. Remember that many people use stainless steel pots and pans to cook with.

 

Powder coat isn't 100% perfect either but is considered safe for birds too...

Edited June 21, 2011 by kingsnake

[DinoUndies]

Okidoki then ^^ Thanks for the comment and the reassurance. I'm thinking of getting a stainless steel cage myself :3

[Eshana]

As someone with all black furniture and a mostly black wardrobe I've been dying to get black cages for my fids. The cages available to me at the time of purchase were all white, and they will stick out like a sore thumb when I move to my apartment in September.

 

However, I think stainless steel is an option that sometimes can't be skipped. I'm considering getting a stainless steal cage for my future grey, and I've read that some birds, like the hyacinth macaw, can rip other cages to shreds!

[Keywe]

we went through 3 cages before I went to a SS and it looks as good as the day I got it 5 years ago.. def worth it even though they are pricey.

[Greywings]

Stainless steel is the way to go if you can save those pennies to buy one. That was a good question Eshana glad to see you posting again!