re: Onion ring help

Use Vidalia onions. Slice them as thick rings by hand or 1/4" thick on a mandolin slicer. Depends on what you want. I switch it up.
Pour a quart of buttermilk into a large mixing bowl. Add about 1/4 cup of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce and stir completely.
Dip your onion rings into buttermilk mixture (you can soak them in mixture if you have the time or just dip them) and then dredge in seasoned self rising flour (salt and pepper). Shake off excess flour. If you want a thicker batter, you can repeat the process, but I like them battered only one time.
Fry at 365 degrees making sure to flip them during cooking. Remove when golden brown. Add more salt at this time after tasting if desired.
I do this all the time in an electric fryer outside.