Stout Tanks and Kettles – Conical Fermenters

What are the trade-offs of plastic verses stainless steel conical fermenters?  There are several key differences:

1. Durability.  Plastic is not as durable as stainless steel.
2. Sanitary.  I don’t know about you, but early on in my brewing I switched from a large plastic tub to a glass fermenter, because I was concerned about the inevitable scratches that will occur in plastic.  If you purchase a plastic conical, consider that you will have to be extremely careful about causing bacteria-harboring scratches in it.  Also, a plastic fermenter will only have threaded fittings (that I know of);  there is no option for sanitary tri-clamp fittings like the kind made by Stout Tanks and Kettles.
3. Light Exposure.  Plastic conicals are somewhat opaque, but if I had one I would still wrap a towel around it to prevent harmful UV light from reaching my beer.  With stainless, you have no worries about that.
4. Cost.  Plastic conicals will almost always cost less – in the short term.  However, because they are more susceptible to scratches, you could spend more in the long term because you would have to replace it sooner.

I’m sure there are many home brewers who are happy with their plastic conicals.  But for my money, I would spend a little extra for a stainless steel vessel that will last for years and years.