I read a lot of reviews then was stopped in my tracks at the $300 price tag.

Hubby heard some reviews on the radio about something like that, but couldn't remember the brand. I'm sure this is the same thing. He has been bugging me to get one since before Christmas, but couldn't figure out what it was or where to get one.

I had no idea they were so expensive. If it's $300 in the States, it will certainly be more up here in Canada.

Same thought here - I am totally coveting one, but that price point is just too high for me.

AM

We were talking about it on the appliance forum. It's basically a countertop convection oven that stirs the julienne potatoes while it cooks them. They're really more for tiny European kitchens where they don't have oven space for the french fries.

It doesn't actually fry anything, and its alternative uses are more crockpotish. No fried chicken or fried eggplant here (unless it's rewarming premade), though it claims to "stir fry". I wouldn't think that it could move the meat fast enough fo that, but it depends on how picky you are about such things.

I've had one for about 2 years.
Hey, Plllog, we do actually have big ovens here ;)
It does fry. The advantage is that instead of deep-frying chips (French fries to you all!) by stirring the potatoes, it coats each one with a thin layer of oil which means that you can cook 1 kg of chips with only 1 tablespoon of oil.
You can cook other things in it but I don't really see the point. It's primary function is healthier chips!

islay, it seems expensive for a one function item. I love the idea of it but in order to justify the cost, I'd need to use it for a lot more than just french fries. What else have you used it for successfully?

AM

They're not as expensive here. The recipe book has
chicken and pineapple
Chicken tempura
Oriental chicken (!!!)
Turkey filets with 3 peppers
Rabbit with lemon and thyme
Veal marsala
Lamb with red endives
etc.
I'm sure you can cook all these things but I'd prefer my usual pans for things other than chips but we really have appreciated "light" chips.

The down side is that it makes a noise like a jet aircraft taking off!
Up side - no oily smell like you get from an electric chip pan.

Thanks islay, good to know about the noise. I really want one, but I may wait a bit to see if the price drops.

Thanks to all for the info!

Islay, I meant no offense. I know that there are people on that side of the Atlantic who have goodly kitchens. It's just that I've known folks in France, Belgium and Germany who had very expensive flats that weren't much bigger than my front porch (which isn't enormous). Some didn't have ovens at all. One had a regular range (cooker) with a small, but adequate, single oven. Another had an under counter built in that's the size of a large toaster oven.

Point taken about the chips (fries). I guess I don't know enough people who make a lot french fries at home. The reviews Ive read of the machine say they come out just like oven fries, but I have no personal experience. I was just disappointed when I found out what it did because I would have loved some magical Star Trek device that made flash fried fresh eggplant, rice noodles, tempura, and good ol' fried chicken.

If only - aren't we all dreaming of the ideal gadget! LOL