DOH!

I just killed the deep fryer.  Plugged it in to make supper, forgot to take off the polyethylene splash lid, and melted the lid into the oil.  I didn't even realize I'd done it until cymrullewes spotted it.

The fryer is sitting outside the front door now in case polyethylene releases toxic fumes when dumped in 450°F oil.  Ah well ... we needed to replace it with a bigger one anyway, really.