Andy,
I have a frydaddy, I don't think it cost more than $20 new. I would
probably suggest returning a frybaby for the daddy. As far as what to
fry, I have to watch out because when I put oil in the fryer my
imagination starts to run wild. I walk down the grocery aisles looking
for stuff to fry. Some of the things that I've made, fried oysters,
chicken, sweet potatoes, potatos, biscuits(they are like fried donuts
and I serve them with honey or powdered sugar), onions, mushrooms,
catfish, pickles(i don't like them),......... I have to restrict how
often I have oil in there so that I don't eat too much fried food. For
the oysters and chicken I covered them in cajun spice and then used a
50/50 flour and corn meal breading(the dry flour mix sticks to the wet
oysters and chicken), they turned out delicious.
Have fun,
James