When we had our old Golden Retriever, we never had to really worry about the trash cans - unless something tasty was actually sticking out of the garbage, he left it alone. But when we got our new Golden, Oakley, that changed. A master of getting into things he wasn't supposed to, he quickly discovered how to open the lid of the garbage can and grab whatever interested him. We went through a variety of different styles and designs and he foiled them all. And then we saw the SimpleHuman Butterfly can - and knew we had him beat.

However, we paused for a second when we saw the price tag - a hefty $79 at Bed, Bath and Beyond. We were troubled at spending almost $80 for a trash can but then realized that our sanity was worth so much more. In the end, the $79 was worth it, too.

[ • what makes a $80 GARBAGE CAN • ]
Some of the price of this can is attributable simply to the modern look/feel of the can. Clad in stainless steel, it would fit into any modern kitchen with a stainless fridge. It is quite attractive. But lots of things are attractive without function - this isn't one of them.

The design of this trash can is a "butterfly" opening - meaning that when you step on the foot pedal, two flaps open along the top in an outward motion, allowing you access to the can. When closed, those doors lay flush against the frame - key to keeping prying noses OUT of the garbage.

The mechanism is quiet and controlled, too - no flipping open and making a lot of noise. Pressing the pedal opens the spring-loaded mechanism gently, and then eases it back down into place without the *clang* of other metal trash cans.

We bought the 30L version which fit best under our kitchen counter by the door - close enough to reach it from the dining room or kitchen but small enough not to get in the way of the door. It holds a decent amount of garbage, if a little less than our old can - but more than enough for our needs. The metal frame contains an inner plastic can that can be pulled out and washed if needed - a nice feature if you get a leaky bag. It also fits into the frame in a way that allows the bag to remain hidden within the frame - keeping your trashcan stylish to all viewers.

If there is a downside, it would be the stainless steel finish. It's easy enough to clean, but as anyone with stainless steel ANYTHING and kids can tell you, it shows prints and smudges easily (you know, like those from dog noses). However, it's also very easily cleaned so that's a minor issue.

Best of all, when we purchased ours, it came with a lifetime warranty - part of what made us finally decide on it. Our previous cheap plastic trashcans only cost $13 but we were replacing them yearly. This was obviously more solid and would last longer - and the warranty made it even more attractive. HOWEVER, the newer models are only showing a 10-year warranty, which should still be more than adequate for most homes.

One thing that they won't tell you on the packaging - skip the pricey SimpleHuman bags. They may fit slightly better but you can use regular Hefty or Glad kitchen trash bags with no problems, and they are a lot cheaper.

In the end, we bought this trash can to foil a dog more than for the stylish component, but we've been sold on the solid construction and durability - as well as the looks - of this can, and have recommended it to several friends and relatives. If you can get past the price, this is a heck of a trashcan: attractive, well-built and best of all - dog-proof.

Recommended: Yes