Hi Mate - welcome topp the site, you'll find plenty of good advice and methods, recipes and tips here.
I recently got one of those bad-boy burners myself, lol - quite the NASA experience!

Just DO NOT lean over the pan - ever!
As to oils, I just use plain old sunflower, mate. The oil I use to start the curry off is always spiced/flavoured oil from the bhaji, samosa and so on sessions in the deep frying pan, so I use ALL the oil I buy, there's no waste!
Please wait for more experienced members advice though - they are the biz...
Bests,
Pete