Are you looking for how to clean an air fryer? Air fryers are convenient, fast, and you can cook many kinds of foods in them. And you can use them to improve your health. But no matter what you are cooking, food particles and grease will stick to the air fryer basket.
In this article, I will discuss how to clean your air fryer effectively by hand or in the dishwasher to improve its life and avoid contamination of food. Cleaning an air fryer will remove all kinds of food and bacteria that might be sticking to its surface.
Why Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?
We all know that many people use air fryers instead of deep fryers because air fryers use less oil. However, many people have reported their air fryer gets a smelly odor related to oil residue after frying or cooking.
After each use, your air fryer (see top family air fryers picks) accumulates crumbs from the food you're preparing, which can end up baking onto the appliance and can create lots of bacteria. In order to ensure that your air fryer is safe to use next time, it's important that you perform a deep clean before storing it for winter or other periods of non-use.
If you're looking to keep your air fryer longer, there's no better way than to give it a good clean. It will help prolong the life of your appliance and ensure that you'll be able to use it for years to come. Otherwise, you may have to consider these budget-friendly replacements.
What Not To Do When Cleaning an Air Fryer?
You should clean your air fryer using only a damp cloth, towel, or soft sponge. Do not use steel wool, metal scrubbers, or abrasive sponges. These can scratch the nonstick ceramic coating and damage the appliance.
Always ensure that the power cord is unplugged from the electric outlet when not in use. The hot metal or air stream in an air fryer can be very dangerous when it is in use.
Many people still think they can clean an air fryer by using harsh chemicals, bleach, or detergent. This is not the right way to clean an air fryer. The chemicals will corrode the metal parts that make the cooking appliance.
Do You Have to Clean an Air Fryer After Every Use?
Yes, cleaning your air fryer after every use is very important in order to keep it in good condition before your next cooking. It is not practical to cook another meal when it is dirty or has grease from your previous cooking.
The better you take care of it, the more you’ll be able to use it. That means more delicious food and less time spent in the kitchen. Cleaning a fryer isn’t hard, but it does take a bit of time.
How Do You Clean the Inside of An Air Fryer?
The best air fryers have a non-stick coating basket that takes little effort to scrub, wash, or clean. A lot of air fryers have dishwasher-safe parts, making them the perfect choice for the home chef who likes to keep his or her cooking equipment clean using little energy.
Most manufacturers recommend using dish soap, warm water, damp cloth, or sponge to clean the interior of the air fryer. This will remove dirt, food particles, oil, elbow grease, and other dirt from the machine.
First, you need to unplug its power cord and let it cool. Carefully pull the frying basket, and using warm soapy water and a clean cloth, clean the removable parts.
Clean all the places where oil or grease has built up. You will also need a soft bristle scrub brush to remove any food that’s stuck underneath the heating element.
How Do You Get Baked On Grease Out of an Air Fryer Basket?
I have found a super-easy way to get baked-on grease out of my Fry Daddy or other brands of air fryers. When I first received my air fryer for Christmas, I prepared and cooked some delicious French fries and chicken for the season (see the best air fryers for poultry here and in this review).
It didn't take long to notice the oil and grease inside when I pulled the basket out. It was pretty gross inside; I recommend that you use aluminum foil to keep your machine from that mess.
If the basket or pan has grease, soak it in warm soapy water for not less than 20 - 30 minutes. The hot water and a bit of dish soap soften food particles to enable you to clean properly.
Next, use a damp cloth or soft bristle brush to wash or scrub the tray. Like I mentioned before, avoid steel wool or metal scrubbers as they can damage the coating of the basket removable parts of the fryer.
When you are done cleaning the parts, place them on a drying rack for them to dry before returning them.
Cleaning the Heating Element
Depending on the model, the heating element may be removable so you can clean it by hand, or it may need to be spot-cleaned. If you have a removable heating element, you should always disassemble your fryer before cleaning.
If you see any debris such as food on the heating element, remove them with a scrub brush. Clean your air fryer once a month to take care of any build-up you might have missed.
Cleaning Your Air Fryer Using Baking Soda
One of the best ways to clean an air fryer is to use a mixture of baking soda and water. This will not only eliminate any cooking smells but will also remove the cooked food and oil on your fryer.
Baking soda has been used for centuries as a cleaner and even beauty treatment.
Mixing it with water will make it a great cleaning agent. It creates an alkaline environment that helps neutralize and remove oil stains. In order to clean with baking soda, you need the following things:
- Microfiber cloth or sponge
- Soft scrub brush
- Soapy water
- Baking soda
Step 1
Unplug The Air Fryer and Let It Cool Completely
After you are done cooking your food, make sure to unplug your unit before you begin to clean. Also, allow it to cool down prior to disassembling each part.
Step 2
Mix Baking Soda and Water
Fill your sink with warm water and add five spoons of baking soda. Mix until all the baking soda has dissolved in water.
Step 3
Clean the Removable Parts of an Air Fryer Basket
Remove the basket and dip into the sink; using a microfiber cloth or a soft brush, scrub the interior and exterior of the basket and tray until they are clean.
If you notice there is too much grease and charred food, let the parts soak for about 20 minutes in soapy water before you clean. If there is still stubborn food residue, make a paste of baking soda and use it to remove the residue.
Never use metal utensils(spoon), steel wool, or abrasive sponges to remove any stuck-on food, to clean the air fryer basket or pans. Instead, soak them in warm water to soften the sticky food particles before cleaning.
Clean the Interior of the Air Fryer
With the basket removed, you should be able to clean the inside of the air fryer with your soft brush more easily.
Since the interior of the air fryer is made of metal, no dipping it in water. Instead, take a fine soft brush to scrub any residue leftover in the air fryer's bottom corners.
Alternatively, you can use a damp cloth to wipe the inside of the machine.
Clean the Exterior
I recommend using a damp cloth soaked in water with small drops of dish soap and wiping the outside of your air fryer. Some people like to use a very soft bristle brush on stubborn spots that do not come off easily. Please do not immerse your air fryer in water under any circumstances.
Do not use harsh cleaners, aggressive scouring pads, strong abrasives, solvents, or chlorine-based products to clean the outside of your Air Fryer because they could damage the finish or get into the appliance and cause a problem.
Also, never apply any water or liquid directly onto its control panel; clean it with a soft cloth or sponge, then dry it with a second clean, dry cloth.
Step 4
Rinse the Cleaned Parts
Rinse the cleaned parts in cold water to remove baking soda and soap. Then, remove the rinsed parts from the water and dry them with a clean cloth.
Step 5
Dry the Removable Parts
The cleaned air fryer parts should be placed in a ventilated place to completely dry before storing them, and they should not touch each other.
It is important to remember that the non-stick parts of your air fryer can corrode if they are not dried properly after cleaning.
Alternatively, you can use a dry towel to dry to save your appliance and enjoy healthier, crispier food.
Step 6
Reassemble Your Air Fryer
After you have cleaned your air fryer, reassemble it properly. But before reassembling it, make sure every part is dry.
