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We haven't met someone who didn't love their air fryer. They're easy-to-use, convenient kitchen appliances that are, more than likely, here to stay. One of the biggest reasons we love our air fryer is that it's really easy to keep clean, especially compared to oven sheets, deep fryers, and baking dishes. Even toaster ovens are kind of a pain to keep clean.
Follow these tips, and you'll keep your air fryer performing well and do a better job at preventing food residue buildup.
How to Clean Your Air Fryer
- Unplug it, and let it cool down. It should go without saying, but try to clean your air fryer immediately after cooking a meal. If you have charred food, you'll have charred hands. Let it cool to a point where you can handle it without risking burns. And, always unplug the appliance from the power outlet before you do any sort of cleaning to the interior of the appliance.
- Remove and wash the basket and any trays. Most air fryer baskets and cooking trays come apart easily, and are even dishwasher safe. Furthermore, the nonstick coating is easy to clean with a grease-cutting dish soap and a soft sponge and dry cloth.
- Tackle stubborn, cooked-on grease. To clean the combination of grease and stuck-on food particles, fill a sink with dish soap and warm water. Submerge the basket and its accessories (no electrical air fryer components). Let it soak for 10 minutes. This loosens grime from fried foods and makes cleaning easier. You can use a non-abrasive sponge or gentle cloth to scrub away any remaining residue — avoid abrasive cleaning tools like steel wool! Rinse thoroughly and let it dry.
- Clean the interior and heating coils. While the basket and pan are soaking, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down food splatters on the inside of the appliance. Never immerse the air fryer heating element in water! Dampening the cloth with water and classic dish soap will help to combat bits of food and baked-on grease that may have collected around the heating coils. You can also use a slightly damp paper towel for initial cleaning, followed by a wipe with a clean, damp cloth to collect loose food particles.
- Reassemble and dry completely. Once everything is clean and dry, reassemble the clean air fryer. Leave the door open for a few hours to allow for complete air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
FAQs
Can I use baking soda or vinegar to clean a grimy air fryer?
No. While baking soda and white vinegar are natural cleaning solutions, they're not recommended for this. The acidity of white vinegar can damage the non-stick coating, and baking soda can leave a residue. Best stick to using warm soapy water and cleaning gently after every use for the best results.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
After every use. This removes bits of crispy food and oils that can burn and smoke during subsequent uses; it also prevents surfaces that came in contact with food from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
"A dirty air fryer can harbor this type of foodborne illness from previous cooking, especially raw meats and poultry—bacteria that can survive on surfaces and contaminate subsequent food cooked in the appliance... even if the new food reaches a safe internal temperature," shared Cathy Yoder, EmpoweredCooks.com CEO and author of the best-selling "Air Fryer Recipes" cookbook. "The air fryer itself might not reach temperatures high enough for long enough to kill all lingering bacteria, especially if food debris is insulating them."
For a light cleaning, simply wipe down any stuck-on mess and rinse out the basket. For a more thorough clean, follow the steps outlined above after every 3-4 uses.
My air fryer has a strong odor after cleaning. What can I do?
Ensure all components are completely dry before reassembling. For lingering odors, leave a few slices of lemon or orange in the basket with the air fryer on (at low heat) for 10 minutes. This helps neutralize any remaining odors. Alternatively, you can put a cup of water and a squeeze of lemon into the bottom of the basket and run the unit on a high temperature for 2-3 minutes to circulate and vaporize the liquid.
