I use ceramic, plastic and SS, I just use it because that's what I have on hand though. If I had thought about it while buying dishes, I'd probably have gotten SS just since it's more durable, I've had a few plastic dishes crack if/when they're dropped over the years. I don't like ceramic that much just because it can't be dropped, at all, ever. But then I also use a ceramic garden pot tray for feeding my aviary birds, since it's the only 'feeder' large enough for the number of birds I have. So I personally don't have a strong preference, but SS is probably my favourite.