Air fryers have revolutionized what it means to cook a home cooked meal by offering an alternative to deep frying and traditional oven methods. But, in order for your air fryer to keep making delicious treats, you need to clean it.
In this complete guide, UK Cleaning Supplies takes you through all the best practices when it comes to how to clean an air fryer, from getting rid of grease to deep cleaning the heating element.
How I Tested the Ways to Clean a Dirty Air Fryer Basket
For the ways to clean an air fryer basket, I had culled it down to five different things, mainly using the same ingredients: Dawn dish soap, Dawn Powerwash, baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice in varying combinations with each other. For the techniques that called for steam, I chose an oven-safe ceramic ramekin.
To effectively assess the efficacy of each method, I committed to trying the cleaning methods over the course of a week-and-a-half; through this process, my air fryer would handle heating all sorts of tasty dishes — such as a garlic-soaked slice of pizza, my favorite baked goods, greasy bacon and an everything bagel.
The ratings: I scored each method from 1 (terrible) to 5 (excellent). I factored in the simplicity (how simple it was to use the method), time (and how long it took) and its ability to remove stuck-on food, grease and grime from the basket with and without scrubbing.
Note: Make sure to double-check the instruction manual before you clean your air fryer. Spot test if you are unsure.
Cleaning the Air Fryer: Baking Soda + Lemon Paste
Cleaning time: 3 minutes
Rating: 3/5
Method: I mixed baking soda, lemon juice, and a little hot water into a paste, then gently scrubbed the air fryer basket with a soft brush.
Result: It removed surface grease and stuck-on food but didn’t fully lift old, dark grime. The lemon scent helped freshen the basket, though. Suitable for a quick refresh, not a deep clean.
Air Fryer Cleaning Process: The Vinegar + Lemon Juice Steam Trick
Cleaning time: 42 minutes
Rating: 3/5
Method: I microwaved 1/4 cup of white vinegar and lemon juice in a ramekin in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F, then let it sit, steamy and closed up, for another 30 minutes to let the steam work its loosening magic.
Result: The steam uncaked grease and oil pretty well, but didn’t fully clear off stuck-on food. It seemed to take forever, but the fresh lemon fragrance was a welcome bonus.
Air Fryer Cleaning Method: Dawn Steam
Cleaning time: 5 minutes
Rating: 4/5
The tip: Fill the basket with water, add some splashes of Dawn dish soap and run for 2 minutes before rinsing.
Result: I was skeptical that an easy hack would do the trick, but Dawn’s grease-cutting power really did a number on it with just a light scrub. The cleaning was excellent, but a few other methods cleaned just slightly better.
Is Any of the Air Fryer Dishwasher Safe?
Although many air fryers have dishwasher-safe components, we advise hand-washing them instead. Dishwashers can subject your air fryer to higher temperatures and harsher chemicals, which could eventually wear the nonstick coating down.
If you would like to use a dishwasher, be sure to avoid the heat and chemicals by placing parts on the top rack. When in doubt, consult your air fryer’s owner manual for a list of dishwasher-safe parts.
How Often to Clean an Air Fryer?
You want to clean your air fryer on a regular basis so that it maintains peak performance, saves time and money, and keeps unhealthy food bacteria away from your meals. As a simple rule, proper air fryer cleaning should be done after each use. Once the appliance has cooled, wipe down the heating element of compact air fryers with a damp cloth. For slide-out basket models, rinse the basket and drawer in warm soapy water.
A quick daily clean involves removing crumbs to prevent burning, wiping the inside and outside with a damp cloth to reduce surface grease, and occasionally soaking and hand-washing the basket. These small air fryer cleaning hacks make regular maintenance easy and prevent buildup.
Once a month, give the accessories and the inside of the appliance a deeper clean to remove burnt-on food, grease, and odours. Following the proper air fryer cleaning routine keeps your appliance fresh, hygienic, and ready to use
Air Fryer Cleaning Warning: Important Safety Tips
Keeping your air fryer clean will help keep it safe and working correctly — but doing so improperly can damage your machine. Always use safe cleaning methods to prevent electrical hazards, scratched surfaces, or diminish performance. These easy air fryer cleaning tips will help you clean your air fryer properly and make it last longer.
- Never attempt to clean a plugged-in or hot air fryer.
- Do not pour water into the appliance.
- Don’t go heavy on chemicals or scrubby pads
- When you are cleaning the heating element, be gentle
- Do not place the central unit in water
- Dry all parts thoroughly before reassembly.
Bonus Tip: Clean after every use to avoid gunk, and deep clean monthly to keep your air fryer friendly and odorless, and functioning in top condition.
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