Having an electric fryer allows you to free up your cooktop and oven for other meal prep tasks. In fact, this is a perk of many small kitchen appliances, such as pressure cookers, rice cookers and slow cookers. All of these handy appliances allow you to make better use of your stovetop or oven—or cook in places where there is simply no stove available.

For bigger quantities of food or the option to have a fryer with removable baskets in one appliance, opt for a large fryer that can hold up to 12 cups of oil. If you like the taste of fried foods but want to focus on healthy eating from time to time, buy a 2-in-1 electric fryer that has both air and deep-frying functionality.

Additionally, there are now alternatives to deep frying to consider. For example, air fryers radiate heat while circulating air and sometimes misting the food with a light coating of oil. If you’ve never used an air fryer, the oil-less fryer uses rapid and even heat to mimic the effects of frying. Going oil-less can both reduce fire and burn risks and increase certain nutritional qualities in the food.

Electric deep fryers lower the risks of working with hot oil by making the heating process more measured and predictable. An electric deep fryer can help track and control the exact oil temperature, which is hard to do if you are simply heating oil in a frying pan on the stovetop. So, if you regularly make fried chicken, French fries and other classic fried foods, you will certainly benefit from having a dedicated deep fryer with basket.

A home deep fryer makes a great gift for foodies who host frequent cookouts or barbecues or those who like to experiment with various ways to prepare meals. Cultures on nearly every continent have relied on deep frying for some of the most well-loved dishes: samosas, egg rolls, fish and chips, falafels, chimichangas and so much more. Having a deep frier can help you make your personal favorite treats or try out new recipes.

Finally, no matter what you cook, if your kitchen has limited ventilation, you might benefit from having an air purifier in or near the kitchen to clean the air of any lingering cooking odors.