How To Clean Air Fryer

WRITER BYJessica

POSTEDFebruary 29, 2024

Air fryers are my all-time favorite kitchen appliance. And how could they not be, since they make cooking much faster, healthier, and straightforward? I've shared hundreds of delicious air fryer recipes in my blog, but it's now time to shed some light on how to clean your trusty air fryer.

That being said, air fryer cleaning is vital after every use. Although air frying requires minimal or no oil, food particles and grease might still get stuck. To avoid odors and smoke, you must thoroughly clean an air fryer. Here's everything you need to know!

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF AIR FRYER?

Before we jump into our cleaning tips, let's break down the different types of air fryers:

Basket air fryer: the most common and affordable type in the market. It consists of a removable basket, heats food fast, and leaves a small footprint. However, it has a limited capacity and usually requires shaking well for even cooking.
Oven air fryer: also known as a toaster, it looks like a small oven and is multi-functional. It can handle a large food capacity from toasting and roasting to baking and dehydrating. However, it's pricier and occupies lots of space on the kitchen counter.
Paddle air fryer: quite similar to basket air fryers, with the only difference being that it has a center paddle that moves food around. So there's no need to shake the basket or flip food mid-cooking. However, it has limited capacity.
Rotisserie air fryer: ideal for meats that must be speared and rotated while cooking. It has a basket that rotates food and a large viewing window. Although it cooks food evenly, it requires more space on the kitchen counter and is usually more expensive.
Pressure Cooker air fryer: it combines a pressure cooker and an air fryer. Its perk is that it's dual-purpose. But similar to oven air fryers, it takes lots of vertical space and heats slowly.

AIR FRYER ANATOMY

Depending on the type of your air fryer, its anatomy might be different. A typical basket air fryer consists of:

An air fryer basket: this is where food is cooked
A lid: it covers the basket and contains the hot air
A heating element: an electric system that generates heat
A fan: it helps circulate hot air rapidly through the basket
A temperature control: a user-friendly digital display to let you control temperatures
A timer: to control cooking time
The power cord: to power the air fryer

Oven-style air fryers usually have a rectangular shape, a large viewing window, and cooking racks.

Pressure air fryers are pretty similar to basket air fryers, plus the pressure cooking lid. They come with a condensation collector, an anti-block shield, a sealing ring, a steam release valve, a float valve, and a silicone cap.

WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDED TO CLEAN THE AIR FRYER?

Small Brush

Utilize a small brush to reach tricky spots in your air fryer. Dip it in soapy water and gently scrub away residue from crevices and corners. The bristles effectively dislodge stubborn grime without scratching surfaces. It's a simple yet efficient way to ensure your air fryer stays sparkling clean.

Sponge Daddy

I just love a good sponge to remove food buildup. Use it with dish soap to air fryer clean, but avoid scrubbing the interior cooking surface to prevent scratches.

Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Just when you think the air fryer is clean, you see the inner unit full of grease. Use a microfiber cleaning cloth instead of a paper towel to wipe down all corners. Simply rinse it with water and clean. The microfiber cloth on the base is absorbent and can be reused without leaving moisture inside the air fryer.

Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray

If you want to save time and effort cutting through grease, this powerwash will be your life savior. Simply spritz soapy water and scrub with a soft sponge.

Baking soda

You can also make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide at home. Use a toothbrush or a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the metal parts of the air fryer.

Vinegar

For a simple and effective clean, vinegar is your go-to solution. Mix vinegar with water, then wipe down your air fryer inside and out. Its acidity cuts through grease and leaves no lingering odors. For tougher spots, let a vinegar-soaked cloth sit before wiping. It's a natural, budget-friendly way to keep your air fryer spotless.

HOW TO CLEAN AN AIR FRYER BASKET?

1. Unplug the air fryer

It goes without saying, but first, you must unplug your air fryer and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.

2. Clean and dry removable parts

Once the air fryer is cool, remove the tray and basket and place them in the dishwasher. Alternatively, hand-wash with warm, soapy water or the dawn powerwash dish spray.

If you just air-fried and there's baked-on grease in the basket, fill it with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap. Allow it to soak for 15-20 minutes, and then use a small brush to scrub the remnants away.

Once the removable parts are all washed up, dry them with a microfiber cloth. Never put them damp back to the air fryer.

3. Wash the basic unit

Damp a sponge daddy with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Wipe out the whole air fryer interior and use a microfiber cloth to dry the area thoroughly.

You can use the same sponge to clean the air fryer's exterior as well as the control panel.

4. Wipe the heating system

Although you don't need to clean the heating element every time you clean an air fryer, grease may start forming after several uses. Use a damp, non-abrasive sponge to wipe that area.

5. Remove any odors

If air fryer smells are still lingering, food's probably stuck somewhere in its components. Grab an oven-safe dish and fill it with vinegar and lemon juice to remove them. Pop it inside the air fryer basket and run it at 400°F/200°C for 10-20 minutes. The odors should disappear.

HOW TO CLEAN AN OVEN-STYLE AIR FRYER?

Similar to basket air fryers, oven air fryers should be cleaned after every use to avoid grease building up. After unplugging them and letting them cool down, wash the basket either in the dishwasher or by hand with dawn powerwash dish spray.

Since it's non-sticky, avoid using abrasive brushes or cleaners. Repeat the process for the cooking inserts, the crumb tray, and other accessories. Then, dry them thoroughly with a microfiber cloth before placing them back in the air fryer.

Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the oven air fryer interior. Make sure to turn the air fryer upside down to wipe splatters in the top cooking area. Alternatively, you can use a similar baking soda paste and a small brush to clean harder areas. Dry with cloth.

Finally, use a wet towel to wipe the exterior to keep your air fryer looking brand new. Although the outside doesn't get too filthy, if there is oil or food, use a sponge and a few drops of all-purpose cleaning to remove stains.

HOW TO CLEAN A PRESSURE COOKER-STYLE AIR FRYER?

Place all accessories (multi-functional rack, protective pad, tray, basket) in the dishwasher or clean them with a damp cloth after disassembling. Dry well before placing them back in the air fryer. To clean the cooker base, use a damp cloth with a few drops of dish soapy water. Don't place it in the dishwasher.

Remove all the parts from the lid and place it in the dishwasher. For stubborn stains, use baking soda paste and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Let it air dry, or turn it 360 degrees vertically on the sink to drain all water.

Once you remove the steam release valve and the anti-block shield from the lid, clean the steam release pipe's interior with a damp cloth to prevent clogging. I recommend checking the condensation collector after each use to ensure no moisture or food is stagnant.

To eliminate odors, mix one cup of vinegar oil with one cup of water and pressure cook for 5-10 minutes. Finally, use a wet towel or a sponge to eliminate oils or food from the air fryer exterior.

HOW TO DEEP CLEAN AIR FRYER

Although I recommend maintaining a clean air fryer after every use to avoid grease building up, a deep clean once a month is highly recommended.

To deep clean an air fryer, squirt some dish soap around the basket and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Pour warm water until it's close to the brim. Let it sit for about a minute, and then go ahead and add two tablespoons of white vinegar.

Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, pour out the solution and rinse the basket. You might need to use a soft sponge to remove any food buildup. However, this method is easy, effective, and will save you some elbow work.

I also recommend using a damp microfiber cloth for deep cleaning to remove build-up grime from air fryer grooves.

FAQs

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RECIPE

How to Clean Air Fryer

Prep Time

1 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Total Time

11 minutes

Cleaning an air fryer is fast and easy! Find out about the different types of air fryers and the proper hygiene tips.

0 Stars (0 Reviews)

servings

1

Scale

Ingredients

Power Wash Dish Spray

Baking Soda

Vinegar

Instructions

Unplug the Air Fryer: It goes without saying, but first, you must unplug your air fryer and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.

<strong>Unplug the Air Fryer</strong>: It goes without saying, but first, you must unplug your air fryer and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.<br/>

Clean and dry removable parts: Once the air fryer is cool, remove the tray and basket and place them in the dishwasher. Alternatively, hand-wash with warm, soapy water or the dawn powerwash dish spray. If you just air-fried and there's baked-on grease in the basket, fill it with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap. Allow it to soak for 15-20 minutes, and then use a small brush to scrub the remnants away. Once the removable parts are all washed up, dry them with a microfiber cloth. Never put them damp back to the air fryer.

<strong>Clean and dry removable parts</strong>: Once the air fryer is cool, remove the tray and basket and place them in the dishwasher. Alternatively, hand-wash with warm, soapy water or the <a href="https://amzn.to/3OQ7S6o">dawn powerwash dish spray. </a>If you just air-fried and there's baked-on grease in the basket, fill it with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap. Allow it to soak for 15-20 minutes, and then use a <a href="https://amzn.to/3URCOak">small brush</a> to scrub the remnants away. Once the removable parts are all washed up, dry them with a <a href="https://amzn.to/48Bgbdg">microfiber cloth</a>. Never put them damp back to the air fryer.<br/>

Wash the basic unit: Damp a sponge daddy with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Wipe out the whole air fryer interior and use a microfiber cloth to dry the area thoroughly. You can use the same sponge to clean the air fryer's exterior as well as the control panel.

<strong>Wash the basic unit</strong>: Damp a <a href="https://amzn.to/3SY28Zy">sponge daddy</a> with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Wipe out the whole air fryer interior and use a <a href="https://amzn.to/48Bgbdg">microfiber cloth</a> to dry the area thoroughly. You can use the same sponge to clean the air fryer's exterior as well as the control panel.<br/>

Wipe the heating element: Although you don't need to clean the heating element every time you clean an air fryer, grease may start forming after several uses. Use a damp, non-abrasive sponge to wipe that area.

<strong>Wipe the heating element</strong>: Although you don't need to clean the heating element every time you clean an air fryer, grease may start forming after several uses. Use a damp, non-abrasive sponge to wipe that area.<br/>

Remove any odors: If air fryer smells are still lingering, food's probably stuck somewhere in its components. Grab an oven-safe dish and fill it with vinegar and lemon juice to remove them. Pop it inside the air fryer basket and run it at 400°F/200°C for 10-20 minutes. The odors should disappear.