How To Clean An Air Fryer To Remove Tough Grime

Many of us initially questioned whether an air fryer would truly be useful in our kitchens or if it was just another hyped-up appliance. Now that it's become a household staple, it's hard to imagine living without its crispy, healthy recipes. To ensure that we can continue to enjoy it for many years to come, it's essential to regularly clean the air fryer, particularly the basket and tray, where grease, grime, and food residue tend to accumulate. A degreaser, such as dishwashing detergent, offers a low-effort and effective way to clean your air fryer, reducing the need for harsh scrubbing. This not only saves you some hard work but also protects the non-stick coating in the air fryer basket, which is essential to its longevity.

Before you do anything else, check the instructions and look out for any warnings to avoid damaging your air fryer during cleaning. Beware of magical DIY cleaning solutions; although some can be effective, there are differing opinions on their legitimacy. Many of these DIY cleaning pastes require multiple applications and extra scrubbing compared to store-bought degreasers, which can wear down the precious non-stick coating lining your air fryer basket. TikTok hacks can be hit or miss, too, so we recommend sticking to straightforward cleaning methods with dedicated products.

Instead of trying your luck with experimental DIY cleaning pastes, you'll save time and energy by reaching for a tried-and-true solution. Look for a strong degreaser created precisely to cut through grime and greasy buildup without damaging non-stick surfaces, making it a safe and effective option for when your air fryer needs a deep clean. Some degreasers are scented, which can additionally help eliminate lingering odours from previous cooking sessions.

Unplug the air fryer and ensure it has cooled down before you begin. Remove the basket and tray and soak them in soapy water for about 15 minutes to loosen and soften the grime. Next, grab your degreaser of choice and thoroughly spray the two components, ensuring particularly greasy spots are covered. We recommend waiting a couple of minutes to give the degreaser time to work.

Once it's done its job, use a soft sponge — not the abrasive side — to remove what's left. The final step is to rinse off any loosened grime as well as all of the degreaser, so you don't accidentally contaminate your next meal. Wait until everything is dry to put the air fryer back together. If you find that unpleasant odors still linger in your air fryer after this thorough cleaning, try pouring some baking soda into the basket and letting it sit for a couple of hours to absorb the smell, then wipe it away.

Cleaning — and especially deep cleaning — an air fryer can be quite the chore. It's easy to put off the task for weeks or even months, but just like you should be cleaning your oven regularly, an air fryer needs to be kept clean to work correctly in the long run and produce the best-tasting food without any strange odours. There's also a risk to your health in putting off cleaning your air fryer for too long, as it accumulates bacteria when food residue is left untouched.

If the idea of an intensive deep clean stresses you out, consider reducing the frequency of this task by taking time in between cooks to keep the air fryer clean. All you need to do is wipe down the basket after cooking, and you'll already notice a difference. Some air fryer parts are also dishwasher-safe — this can save you a lot of time compared to cleaning them by hand.