These tips and tricks will teach you how to clean an air fryer. Find out how to remove grease that has gotten stuck to your air fryer and maintain it quickly.

A small oven-safe dish filled with equal parts lemon juice and white vinegar (one ounce of each is sufficient) should be placed in the basket of your air fryer and used as a deodorizer if it begins to smell a little funky.

You’ll be able to use and enjoy your air fryer every day if you stick to the advice and tricks in this guide.

How to Clean the Air Fryer

Each time you use your air fryer, you should clean it. If you don’t, the cooked food that is still in the basket will burn and affect the flavor of the subsequent dish you prepare. The good news is that cleaning it up is really simple.

No matter what kind of air fryer you own—whether an upright model or one that also functions as a toaster oven—follow these tips and tricks to learn how to quickly clean the appliance so that it lasts the longest.

Clean the Air Fryer Basket

The basket for your air fryer is the most crucial item to clean. Before you start cleaning your air fryer, make sure to read the user manual. Based on how it was made, it will advise you on the most effective cleaning techniques.

The more general suggestions and ideas that follow could be used with the majority of air fryers.

Cut the air fryer’s power before you begin. Allow it to completely cool. The air fryer basket can be taken out and placed on the counter or in the sink. It will cool down even more quickly as a result.

The typical air fryer basket consists of a frying basket and a crumb basket. The crumb basket rests on top and is detachable and dishwasher-safe.

Clean the Crumb Basket

Remove any remaining loose food pieces from the crumb basket and discard them. Use a damp cloth to wipe it away.

Now, you can either hand wash it with dish soap or wash it in your dishwasher. Please avoid using steel wool or other abrasive cleaners on the crumb basket because it has a non-stick coating that could be damaged.

Make sure to thoroughly clean the outside and inside of the basket as well as all the crevices if you decide to hand wash it. A dish brush or toothbrush could be useful for cleaning all the slats.

Before putting it back in the air fryer, make sure it is completely dry.

Clean the Frying Basket

The bottom frying basket of most air fryers is dishwasher safe. As always, make sure it’s okay to put it in the dishwasher by checking the instructions before doing so.

Most of the grease and gunk falls into the bottom frying basket. Before cleaning it with a sponge or soft brush, you might need to soak it in some hot water and dish soap. Cleaning the frying basket after each use is a good idea because if you don’t, the grease and leftover food will begin to smell.

Wipe Down the Outside of the Air Fryer

The air fryer’s exterior shouldn’t become very dirty. Even though your air fryer’s exterior doesn’t actually get cooked in at all—all of the cooking takes place inside—it’s still a good idea to dust and clean it once a week at the very least. This will prevent bacteria and other things from growing on it and keep your air fryer looking brand-new.

A damp cloth is all that is required for this step. You might need a little dish soap or all-purpose cleaner if the outside is covered in grease or food.

Deep Clean Inside the Air Fryer

You should give your air fryer a thorough cleaning once a month or whenever you notice a strange smell coming from it. You only need water and baking soda for this step.

1. Before even attempting this step, unplug the air fryer and let it completely cool.

2. Then, combine just enough water with the baking soda to create a paste.

3. To thoroughly clean the inside of the air fryer, dunk a toothbrush into the baking soda paste.

4. After that, use the toothbrush to rinse the baking soda paste from the area you just scrubbed.

5. Your air fryer is fully clean once the interior has been rinsed and dried.

Tips & Tricks

• Allow the element to completely cool for quick cleanup after cooking. Remove the pan, tray, and basket from the air fryer, soak them in hot, soapy water, and then scrub them.
• With a sponge and some dish soap, clean the air fryer’s interior and exterior (of course after unplugging).
• If the air fryer basket doesn’t have any grease baked on, you can also just throw it in the dishwasher.
• To soak baked-on grease from an air fryer for 30 minutes, use a solution of baking soda and vinegar at a 1:1 ratio.

Final Thoughts

Unexpectedly, cleaning an air fryer is simple. The majority of air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe, but always consult your user manual before doing so.

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