The Tefal FF1005 is compact with a 1.2kg food capacity and can be filled with 2.1 litres of oil. This should be more than sufficient for anything but the biggest of families.

The controls are incredibly simple to use with an on/off switch, a button to open the lid and a slide temperature control with little images to help you set the correct temperature. Nothing could be simpler.

Aesthetically it is not the most inspirational piece of kitchen equipment and if you have a kitchen full of chrome, like mine, then you may feel the need to hide it in the cupboard next to the emergency toaster and backup kettle. It is white and is all plastic with a little viewing window and ventilation holes on the lid, under which is a permanent filter to reduce odours and is fully machine washable.

Sadly mine came to an unfortunate end due to a chip emergency, when I had a huge demand for chips and "slightly" over filled it. The resulting mess and carnage is best left unsaid. This is probably a good time to point out that when an appliance says 1.2kg food capacity it in does in fact mean 1.2kg food capacity. Don't be caught out like me. Read the instructions and don't over fill and this will meet all your cooking demands for years to come.