If you have an oil or a jam-making thermometer, a specialist deep-fryer is uneccesary. You just dump a few bottles of oil into a big, heavy pot and throw it on a high flame, watching the temperature slowly climb. The trouble with this is that you need lots of oil, and it’s messy filtering it back into the bottles (when cold, of course).

So we actually like this mini-fryer from Deni, which sits on the countertop or can be stowed full, and best of all can fry with just a quart of oil (around one liter) thanks to it’s compact form and tall, narrow shape, meaning you don’t need a huge investment in grease just to get started.

There’s also a frying basket, a magnetic safety cable (like the MacBook Mag Safe connectors) and a thermometer, which should on no account be trusted: use your own to double-check it. The fryer maxes out at a French-fry-browning 375ºF (190ºC) and costs a reasonable $45. Buy it now and enjoy the health benefits of quick-sealed, deep-fried, low-fat food. Can anyone say “Mmmmm. Donuts”?

Product page [Chefs Catalog via Oh Gizmo!]