Trimming the fat? This fryer spins it

We all know George Foreman. Some from his boxing days, but perhaps more of us know him from his role as pitchman for kitchen appliances that "knock out the fat." We were first introduced to this new wave of kitchen-counter gadgetry through the "Lean Mean Fat Fighting Machine," which channeled fat (and juices) away from meat as it cooked. Now, George is taking it up to a whole new level with the "Lean Mean Spin Frying Machine."

Distributed and marketed by Applica, the Lean Mean Fryer claims to "knock out" up to 55 percent of the fat absorbed when deep-frying foods. Using what the company calls Smart Spin technology, the fryer uses a basket that literally spins around after foods are deep-fried. And yes, there is a lid.

The two-stage process starts with a traditional fry in cooking oil. After the greasy bath, the cooking basket is raised above the oil and given a spin to reduce the amount of oil clinging to the food. Think of it as operating on the same principle as a salad spinner for drying greens--it's like that, just not quite as healthy.

Deep fried foods don't have to be a messy affair. The new Foreman fryer promises to reduce not only the hassle, but also the grease, with its ability to spin off the fat. At the very least, it seems up to the challenge to take on the old-fashioned way of deep frying, and meanwhile keeping the rest of us away from those heavyweight belts.