Combine These Two Kitchen Staples To Easily Clean Your Air Fryer

Air fryers are a game changer. You can quickly make your baked goods without heating up an entire oven and, not to forget, end up with the crispiest delights ever. That said, these gadgets are not the easiest to clean. A few brief baking sessions can turn that fryer's basket into a sticky mess so gross you'll do almost anything to avoid cleaning it. Luckily, with just two ordinary kitchen staples, you can end your air fryer cleaning woes. Simply mix the humble baking soda that's already in your pantry with lemon juice to create a near-magical cleaning paste. This cleaning duo especially comes in handy when your air fryer needs a deep clean beyond the everyday paper towel wipe or regular soap and water cleanse.

Why is a baking-soda-and-lemon paste so effective at cleaning your fryer? These two ingredients have been used for centuries for their cleaning properties. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a mild abrasive that can scrub off dirt. It also easily lifts off that dark buildup in the air fryer thanks to the fizzing when it comes in contact with lemon. Lemon juice, on the other hand, cuts through grease thanks to its acidic nature and also serves as a natural deodorizer.

How safe is it to use abrasive baking soda on an air fryer's non-stick coated surfaces? Fortunately, unlike abrasive cleaners and stiff cleaning tools (the types of cleaners you should never use on an air fryer), baking soda may feel gritty to touch, but it is only mildly abrasive with a Mohs hardness scale rating of 2.5. Compare that to a scouring pad's Mohs hardness rating of around 9, and it's clear why that white powder doesn't damage your delicate non-stick fryer surfaces.

If you've been cooking oily foods with natural or added sugars like teriyaki sauce and now have to clean stubborn stuck-on bits and grease, here is how to clean your air fryer with baking soda and lemon juice. First, unplug the appliance and allow it to cool down completely if it has been in use. Set aside a bowl, a soft toothbrush or cleaning sponge, two tablespoons of baking soda, some hot water, and one half of a lemon.

Squeeze the half lemon's juice into the bowl and add in the baking soda. After that, pour in a teaspoon of hot water and mix the ingredients into a paste. Smear the paste onto your air fryer's greasy surfaces, then scrub gently with the soft brush or sponge. Leave the paste to sit on the surfaces for about 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe the paste out with a microfiber cloth. Rinse the basket under cool water and dry it with a soft cloth, then place it back in its position. That's it. Now you have a clean, odor-free air fryer all set for your next batch of crispy chicken wings.

To keep your air fryer spotless longer and give it a long life, remember to always follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. Then, make it a habit to always clean it after every use. Even just a thorough wipe, emptying out the crispy bits, and wiping out all the grease in its interiors will go a long way to prevent buildup and a cleaning nightmare much later.