On occasion, my husband and I enjoy fried onion rings or French Fries, but I hate the mess that oil in a fry pan creates. This little gem is small, yet large enough to make several servings of food quickly, with little clean up. You actually use a smaller amount of oil than you would in a fry pan, and the oil heats faster than a fry pan. Food fries evenly with no scorch/burn spots, and any free particles sink to the bottom. Now I really enjoy making good tasting fries quickly and easily, with no mess.