The 8 Best Ways To Remove Grease From Your Air Fryer

Among the most popular kitchen appliances of the last decade, air fryers have to be pretty high on the list. These magical tools make it possible to enjoy crunchy culinary creations that taste as though they have been deep fried, but with a fraction of the oil being used (delighting foodies and healthy food lovers, alike). Despite the fact that the average air fryer uses very little oil, fat still drips down into the cooking basket. These oils and fats are then heated to very high temperatures, creating sticky, stubborn grease that is difficult to remove from the air fryer. What's worse is that every time you use your air fryer without fully removing the grease, it will be harder to degrease in the future. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to remove grease when your air fryer needs a deep clean.

If you're looking for effective methods for degreasing your air fryer, there are numerous options. You can opt for the preemptive technique of using disposable liners to limit grease buildup, or you can choose the simple soak-in-soapy-water method. For difficult grease that is not coming loose, you might need to test out a powerful degreaser like Dawn Powerwash, or use the appliance itself along with some water and soap to steam out the grime. Of course, you can also try natural approaches that rely on common household cleaning ingredients like vinegar and baking soda to reveal a sparkling-clean — and grease-free — air fryer.

If you're looking for an easy way to remove grease from your air fryer, one of the best methods is to remove it every time you use this appliance. Instead of scrubbing it religiously, using disposable liners that are made especially for your air fryer is an excellent solution. Much like parchment paper that you use on baking sheets in the oven, these air fryer liners trap the grease before it has a chance to bake onto the fryer's components. Make sure that you check the specifications of the liners you buy, as some have upper temperature limits.

Bar Keeper's Friend is a gentle but abrasive cleaner suitable for cleaning most air fryers (it's always best to check your brand's specific needs, however, before trying any new cleaning product). It effortlessly removes grease baked onto your air fryer's grate or basket. In order to get the best results, make a paste of Bar Keeper's Friend and water, then use a dishcloth to carefully scrub away the buildup.

Sometimes the best ways are also the simplest; using a soapy water soak can clean an air fryer to remove tough grime very well. You'll need to fill the sink with hot, soapy water, then place the air fryer's basket or grate in the solution for 30 minutes. If you find that the grease is still not budging, you can leave it in for up to another 30 minutes. Then grab a soft sponge and gently scrub away any remaining residue, which should be thoroughly loosened by now.

For an air fryer cleaning trick you should be using yourself, create a runny paste by combining baking soda and water. Once you are happy with the consistency, you can apply the cleaner to the greasy components of your appliance with the help of a dishrag or a soft sponge. Baking soda should neutralize the grease, breaking it down enough for you to wipe it away. Then wash the parts with soapy water as usual.

Greasy air fryers can be a true nightmare to clean since grease is so difficult to cut through. If you want to reduce the amount of effort you have to expend to get your air fryer clean, spray it down with Dawn Powerwash. This product is making a splash for its grease-fighting properties, which will eliminate much of the work associated with scrubbing a greasy air fryer. Be sure to follow the instructions on the cleaning spray for best results, and rest assured knowing that it's formulated for uses such as this.

One hands-off method for getting your greasy air fryer looking like new steams off the grease and grime in 15 to 30 minutes. Just put a little soap in the bottom of your air fryer's basket, then add a couple of cups of water (enough to cover the bottom grate). Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 30 minutes. Once the timer has gone off, you can remove the basket, rinse, and wipe down the air fryer to reveal a shining interior.

For this cleaning trick, you'll need some boiling water and a dishwasher detergent tablet. Place your greasy air fryer basket in the sink and pop a dishwasher detergent tablet or pack inside. Pour boiling water over the tablet to dissolve it and let it sit in the basket for roughly 20 minutes. The tablet should soak away the grease very effectively. You can then pour out the detergent-laden water, put on rubber gloves to protect your hands, and thoroughly rinse and scrub the inside of the air fryer with a dishcloth.

This grease-fighting technique might feel like a throwback to your elementary school science experiment. Remove your air fryer's basket and grate to access the greasy components, then make a fizzy paste of baking soda and vinegar to apply to all the grungy surfaces of the air fryer. You should begin to see grease-cutting results in about 10 minutes, and then you'll just have to use a soapy washcloth to scrub and rinse away the remaining grease.