i have a similar thing... they dont clean themselves really! but you can put the big bowl part in the dishwasher.

and it is good to put on a roast in the middle of summer. We just put it out on the verandah. House stays cool. Also take it when we go away in a caravan etc.

but i would go for the ebay option if you can, it could just end up as another one of those fabulous appliances that you have to have ... which end up stuck in the back of a cupboard taking up space... (pie maker )