Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

If you read the instruction booklet - you will love this item! It is well designed. I am not easily impressed with tools or appliances that are not created to make life easier. This cool item is perfect for small portions of deep fried foods. Here are some points to remember: I suggest you not use the basket if you plan to do a thickly battered item. Simply remove the food with tongs when ready. If the batter is thick like tempura, your food will initially drop to the bottom of the basket and the batter will become imbedded in the grid. At that point, you have lost half your batter and grease will get to whatever you're cooking. Plus it has to be cleaned afterwards. If you are making french fries (they are gorgeous!), make sure to cook them according to the recipe booklet. They will be softer on the inside (unless you like them al dente'). As you are cooking, allow the 'ready' light on the front to come back on before adding more foods. It only takes a moment, but it ensures the oil has recovered to optimum frying temp. The ready light comes on before the highest temp is reached. I used a deep fry thermometer to check this. Although the oil is not quite to the thermostat level, it is hot enough for your food to start cooking rather than absorbing a lot of oil. Better to give it another minute after the light comes on initially. I love how the cover fits right over the basket and filters the steam as your food is cooking. I had no smoking at all at the high temp with peanut oil, but I didn't let it sit there on high with nothing in it either... READ THE BOOKLET! And I don't mean skim it. It explains how to correctly assemble the basket (doesn't come fitted for use). It explains why the plug is magnetic and the fryer should not be moved when plugged it - duh, think about it! It explains about not keeping it next to the sink where water could splash into it which is very dangerous. So many things I read in the reviews that were negative would never have been an issue if people would just read the book. It has a small footprint. It takes up less room than my toaster and when not it use, it's so compact and clean! I used peanut oil and had great results with it. I have made - french fries, zucchini and catfish. So far, I love it. My biggest problem is that I want to use it more often than I should. It makes french fries as good or better than in and out. Forget extruded fries from McD's. I look forward to using this nice appliance for many years.