The Best Way to Clean an Air Fryer: Daily & Deep Cleanings

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Plus, see if the viral TikTok cleaning hack actually works
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Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that make it easy to cook everything from just-like-fried chicken tenders and homemade French fries to tender-crisp veggies even the pickiest eater will love. But after you use it for a while, grease and food particles can build up, and the results can range from yucky odors to bacterial growth and even fire hazards. We talked to cleaning expert Ryan Santos to find out everything you need to know about cleaning your air fryer.

How do you clean an air fryer?

Cleaning expert Ryan Santos says to unplug the air fryer and let it cool before cleaning. Then, remove and handwash the tray and basket with soapy water. Use a damp cloth to wipe away excess oil or food residue inside the fryer. For tough stains, gently scrub with dish soap and water. Dry completely before using.

Section 1 of 7:

Quick Cleaning an Air Fryer (After Each Use)

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  1. 1
    Unplug the air fryer and let it cool. Santos says, “Before you start to clean your air fryer, it’s important to make sure it’s unplugged and completely cooled.” If the air fryer is hot, you could burn yourself, and if it’s plugged in, you could get shocked or damage the air fryer.
    • It can sometimes be easier to clean the air fryer if it’s still a little warm, but make sure it’s not hot enough to burn you—especially the heating element. [1]
  2. 2
    Remove, soak, and wash the trays and baskets. As soon as they’re cool enough to handle, take out the removable trays, baskets, or other inserts. Wipe these out with paper towels to remove any crumbs and grease (you don’t want that going into your sink), then soak the trays and baskets in warm, soapy water for 10–30 minutes to loosen any grime. After they’ve soaked, scrub the trays and baskets with a soft-bristled dish brush, a soft sponge, or a microfiber cloth. Then, set them out to air dry. [2]
    • Check your owner’s manual before putting these parts in the dishwasher. Some are dishwasher safe, but some aren’t. If you’re not sure, it’s safest to handwash them.
    • Don’t use abrasive cleaners like metal scrubbies or the rough side of a sponge. These will damage the non-stick coatings on your trays or baskets.
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  3. 3
    Wipe down the inside of the air fryer with a damp or soapy cloth. Santos recommends “using a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away any excess oil or food residue. For tougher stains, you can mix dish soap and water to gently scrub the area.”
    • If you use soap, go back over the area with a clean, damp cloth to rinse away any soapy residue.
    • Do not soak the base of your air fryer or rinse it under running water. The electronic components will be ruined, and it could cause an electrical fire the next time you use it. [3]
  4. 4
    Wipe the exterior of the air fryer with a dry or damp cloth. If the outside of your air fryer is relatively clean, a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth can keep it looking shiny. If it’s looking a little grimy, wipe it down with a damp cloth or paper towel. [4]
    • For greasy messes, wipe down the outside of the air fryer with a paper towel dampened with soapy water. Go back over the surface with a paper towel dampened with plain water to rinse away any soapy residue.
    • If you use a damp or soapy cloth, go back over the outside of the air fryer with a dry cloth when you’re finished.
  5. 5
    Let every part of the air fryer dry completely. Leave the removable parts out to air dry overnight if needed—don’t put them back in the air fryer until they’re completely dry. Moisture can cause the metal parts of the air fryer to rust, and it can also lead to mold, mildew, and odors. [5]
    • Once everything is dry, reassemble the air fryer and plug it back in.
    • Plan to do a quick cleaning like this after each use to prevent a buildup of grease or burnt food bits.
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Section 2 of 7:

Deep Cleaning an Air Fryer (Once a Month)

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  1. 1
    Unplug the air fryer and let it cool, then wash the removable parts. Just like you would for a light cleaning, Santos recommends that you always unplug the air fryer and let it cool off before you try to clean it. Soak the trays and baskets in hot, soapy water for about 30 minutes, then gently scrub them with a soft-bristled brush or soft sponge to remove any grease and food residue.
    • Let the trays and baskets air dry completely before you put them back into the air fryer.
  2. 2
    Wipe the inside with soapy water or vinegar to remove residue. Before you do a deep clean, Santos recommends using a “damp cloth or sponge” to wipe out any food crumbs, spills, or oil. This will make it easier to clean burned-on stains. He also says you can scrub tougher grease stains with soapy water to remove them.
    • Some people like spray-on dish soaps like Dawn Powerwash for cleaning the inside of an air fryer.
    • Alternatively, you can also wipe down the air fryer with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water to break down oily residue. [6]
    • Wipe down the outside of the air fryer with a damp or soapy cloth, as well.
  3. 3
    Use baking soda paste to get baked-on grease out of an air fryer. For really tough, baked-on grease, make a thick paste by mixing baking soda with a little water. Spread the paste over the grease and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, gently scrub the stain with a soft sponge or toothbrush. [7]
    • Wipe away the paste with a damp cloth or paper towel when you’re finished. You may need to go over the area several times to completely get rid of the residue.
    • The insides of many air fryers are treated with a non-stick coating, so avoid steel wool or other abrasive cleaners unless the instruction manual specifically says that these are ok to use on your model.
  4. 4
    Flip the air fryer over to gently clean around the heating element. It will be easier to reach the heating element if you turn the air fryer upside-down. Use a damp cloth to gently buff the heating element, but don’t apply too much pressure, or you could damage the burner.
    • Wring the cloth out really well so water doesn’t drip into the element while you’re cleaning.
    • If you use soap, only use a tiny amount, and wipe it away thoroughly with a clean, lightly damp cloth when you’re finished.
    • You may not be able to get the area around the heating element completely clean. That’s okay; just try to remove any grease or crumbs that could damage the element or pose a fire hazard.
  5. 5
    Use a toothpick or wooden skewer to clean out any crevices. If there are any areas that you can’t quite get to with a cloth or sponge, like the crevices on your basket or ridges along the walls, try gently cleaning them out with a skewer or toothpick.
    • A pipe cleaner can be effective for cleaning hinges and gaps around the air fryer’s doors.
    • Avoid using metal skewers, which could damage any non-stick coating on the air fryer basket or walls.
  6. 6
    Use a damp cloth to wipe away any soap or residue. After you’ve finished cleaning every part of your air fryer, go back over the whole thing with a clean, damp cloth. This will help remove any soap or oil residue that might have been left behind from the cleaning process. [8]
    • If you’d like, you can go back over the air fryer one more time with a dry cloth to help speed up the drying process.
    • Let every part of the air fryer dry fully before you plug it back in.
    • Plan to deep clean your air fryer about once a month, or whenever a lot of grease or burnt food builds up inside.
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Section 3 of 7:

Does the TikTok air fryer cleaning hack work?

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  1. Maybe, but the TikTok air fryer cleaning hack isn’t safe for all air fryers. Santos says, “There’s a popular TikTok hack that involves boiling water with a little dish soap inside an air fryer to deep clean it. However, it’s important to check your air fryer’s manual to make sure it’s safe to use liquids before you attempt this hack.” Even if it's safe for your air fryer, some people report that this steaming method doesn't fully remove gunk and grease and that they have to scrub it by hand anyway. But, if you want to give it a try, here's how:
    • Santos says to “fill the bottom of the basket with water and dish soap, then run the air fryer at a low temperature. As the mixture boils, it will create steam, which can help to loosen and remove any stubborn residue or stains.”
    • “Let the mixture cool,” says Santos, “then wipe away any remaining residue with a damp cloth or sponge. Make sure the water and dish soap solution is fully rinsed out before using the air fryer again to avoid any potential safety hazards.”
Section 4 of 7:

How do you get rid of odors in an air fryer?

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  1. Try wiping the air fryer down with lemon or vinegar to remove odors. Lemon and vinegar are both all-natural deodorizers. They’ll help cut through old grease that can leave a lingering fried odor in your air fryer. Just add a tablespoon (15 mL) of lemon juice or white vinegar to a soapy water mixture and let the basket and tray soak for 10-15 minutes. Lightly scrub with the water to remove stuck-on residue and any odors will vanish. [9]
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Section 5 of 7:

Avoiding Common Mistakes when Cleaning an Air Fryer

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  1. 1
    Read the manual before you start cleaning. The best way to be sure you’re cleaning your air fryer correctly is to follow the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. Also, checking the owner’s manual first will help you know which parts of the air fryer can be soaked or cleaned in the dishwasher, and what type of cleaners are safe to use. [10]
  2. 2
    Don’t use abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals. Most air fryers have non-stick coatings on the baskets and trays. Some even have non-stick coatings on the walls. Using abrasive scrubbers, metal utensils, or harsh chemicals in your air fryer can damage this coating, making the air fryer harder to clean—and potentially unsafe to use. [11]
  3. 3
    Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. If you put too much food in your air fryer at once, you’re more likely to have crumbs and oil flying out of the basket or off the tray as the air starts circulating. This will typically make a bigger mess than if you place food in a single layer, [12]
    • Another benefit of cooking in smaller batches is that the food will cook in less time, which can help you reduce burnt-on messes.
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Section 6 of 7:

Preventing Messes in an Air Fryer

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  1. 1
    Protect the air fryer with basket or tray liners to make cleaning easier. Basket and tray liners will help prevent messy spills, but you’ll need to check your owner’s manual to make sure it’s safe to use liners in your air fryer model. Each type of liner has its pros and cons: [13]
    • Disposable parchment paper or aluminum liners: These are great at preventing messes and you can just throw them in the trash when you’re done, but they can limit air flow, so they may not get food as crispy as silicone liners (or skipping the liner entirely).
    • Silicone liners : These have to be cleaned, so they’re not as low-maintenance as disposable liners. But many of these liners have grooves that allow for better air circulation, which gets food crispier.
  2. 2
    Clean the air fryer every time you use it. The best way to avoid caked-on air fryer residue that won’t scrub off is to tackle tough messes right away. Wash the air fryer basket or trays every time you use them. Wipe down the air fryer every time you cook anything greasy or messy, or every other time you use it if you’re cooking something less messy. [14]
    • Regular cleaning will also help you spot tough, greasy messes sooner, which means they’ll be easier to treat with a deep clean.
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Section 7 of 7:

Air Fryer Cleaning FAQs

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  1. 1
    Can I clean my air fryer by putting water in it and turning it on? Santos says it’s important to check your owner’s manual before trying this. In some air fryers, it’s safe to put water in the basket. But in others, you risk damaging or even shorting out the electrical components.
  2. 2
    Can I use baking soda and vinegar to clean my air fryer? Baking soda and vinegar will neutralize each other if you mix them together. It’s more effective to use one or the other—apply a baking soda paste to tough stains or baked-on grease, then wipe it away with fresh water, or wipe down the inside of the air fryer with a 1:1 vinegar and water mixture to remove grease and odors. [15]
  3. 3
    Can you remove the heating element of an air fryer for cleaning? No, this isn’t recommended. The heating elements in most air fryers aren’t made to be removed, so doing this typically requires disassembling the whole air fryer.
    • Disassembling your air fryer could void the warranty or increase the risk of electrical shock or fire when you plug it in.
  4. 4
    Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher? Check your owner’s manual. Some air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe, but some can be damaged or start to rust if you wash them in a dishwasher. [16]
  5. 5
    Do I need to clean my air fryer after every use? It’s best to give your air fryer at least a light wipe-down every time you use it. If you’re cooking something that doesn’t make much of a mess, it might be okay to clean it every other time, but if you go past that, you’re risking burned-on grease stains that will be difficult to clean. [17]
  6. 6
    Can I use oven cleaner in my air fryer? It’s not a good idea to use oven cleaner in an air fryer. Harsh cleaners can damage the non-stick surface inside an air fryer. In addition, the fumes from oven cleaner can linger, which can be unpleasant or even dangerous when you use your air fryer to cook again.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-7970251
      2. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-basket-8749763
      3. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-7970251
      4. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-clean-your-air-fryer-7151563
      5. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-clean-your-air-fryer-7151563
      6. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-basket-8749763
      7. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-basket-8749763
      8. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-basket-8749763
      9. ↑ https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/clean-pantry/kitchen-gear/stop-putting-your-air-fryer-basket-in-the-dishwasher/
      1. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-basket-8749763
      2. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-clean-your-air-fryer-7151563
      3. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-clean-your-air-fryer-7151563
      4. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-clean-your-air-fryer-7151563
      5. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-clean-your-air-fryer-7151563
      6. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-basket-8749763
      7. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-basket-8749763
      8. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer-basket-8749763

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