James wrote:
> I don't fry foods because I don't like the oily film that gets all over
> the kitchen.
>
> Cheap electric fryers are on sale as low as $30. Anyone think it's a
> good useful kitchen item?

If you don't fry foods why bother buying something just because it's
cheap? And to avoid the "oily film"...fry outside, instead. You
probably have an outlet on your patio, right? And I have a burner on
my gas barbeque that would handle a 2 quart pan with a basket, that's
definitely cheaper than an electric gizmo. My "current" deep fryer is
an ancient Sunbeam electric saucepan (complete with the requisite years
of glaze inside) that someone gave me while clearing out their garage.
Works fine...but I do take it outside to use it..mostly because I like
to deep fry shrimp and the smell lingers forever.