This Is the Easiest (and Best!) Way to Clean Your Air Fryer, According to Experts
You can’t beat the convenience of an air fryer, which is why they’re popping up on kitchen counters everywhere. But even the most convenient kitchen appliances require some basic cleaning and maintenance to keep it running in its best condition, and your air fryer is no different.
Regular cleaning of your air fryer is essential for a couple of reasons, says Alicia Sokolowski, a cleaning expert and the president and co-CEO of AspenClean. Read on to find out the best ways to clean an air fryer, plus more expert-approved info on how often you should clean it, why it needs to be cleaned, common cleaning mistakes, and more.
Why You Should Clean Your Air Fryer
Food safety is an important part of managing your family’s mealtimes. After all, no one wants to deal with the unpleasant experience of food poisoning. That’s just one of the reasons why keeping your kitchen — and its appliances — clean and sanitized regularly is so crucial. According to Sokolowski, there are a few other reasons why it’s important to clean your air fryer regularly.
Regular cleaning of your air fryer:
- Prevents odors, as food residue left behind can create unpleasant smells over time.
- Helps reduce or eliminate the risk of cross-contamination, as leftover grease and food particles can attract and spread bacteria.
- Improves performance of the unit. Maintaining a clean heating element of your air fryer ensures consistent cooking temperatures.
- Prevents wear and tear, ultimately extending the life of your air fryer.
How Often Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?
Without exception, your air fryer should be cleaned after every use, says Sokolowski. “Grease and crumbs left behind can burn during the next use, leading to smoke and affecting the taste of future dishes. Regular cleaning also prevents residue buildup, which becomes harder to remove over time,” she says.
For light, nongreasy cooking, such as toasting bread, a full cleaning might not be necessary. In these cases, a quick wipe-down is all that’s needed to maintain cleanliness and optimal performance.
What’s the Best Way to Clean an Air Fryer?
There are plenty of ways to clean an air fryer. Recently, one of The Kitchn’s dedicated testers tried out five different popular methods, and after much experimentation, she found one clear winner. This powerful cleaning method works well for everything from routine cleaning to heavy buildup, and the tester found it both quick and effective:
- Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, and two sprays of Dawn Powerwash directly into the air fryer basket to create a paste.
- Gently clean the entire basket with a soft toothbrush for about two minutes.
- Use the nonabrasive side of a sponge to get all of the paste off as you rinse it.
While Sokolowski admits she hasn’t tried this method to clean an air fryer, she had some additional guidelines for cleaning its different parts. Of course, methods will vary depending on different styles and makes of air fryers, so you may need to try a few methods to find the best one for yours. Here’s another expert-approved method:
How to Clean an Air Fryer Basket
1. Unplug the appliance and give the inside and outside a first pass.
Turn the air fryer off, unplug it, and let it cool. It’ll take about 30 minutes and will cool more quickly if you remove the basket and the pan from the main unit. Use a damp cotton or microfiber cloth to wipe down the outside of the appliance (just water is fine). Then, use hot water and a nonabrasive sponge to wipe down the inside of the appliance.
2. Clean the heating element.
Turn the appliance upside down. Use a nonabrasive sponge to wipe down the heating element.
3. Get rid of dried food residue.
If there’s hard, stuck-on food residue that doesn’t come off the main unit — outside, inside, or on the heating element — make a paste out of baking soda and water and scrub any dirty spots with a nonabrasive sponge or soft brush, then wipe down with a cotton or microfiber cloth.
4. Clean the basket and the pan.
For many (if not most) brands, the basket and the pan are dishwasher-safe, so all you have to do is load ’em in and run them on a normal or gentle cycle. Even if they’re not, cleaning the basket and pan is usually as simple as a quick clean with hot, soapy water and a nonabrasive sponge. If there’s stubborn residue that won’t come out of the pan or basket (or both): fill the pan with hot water, put the basket in the pan, let soak for about 10 minutes, and then use a nonabrasive sponge to clean. Repeat as needed.
5. Dry all the parts
Let everything air dry for a few hours or use a clean cotton cloth to dry the main unit, basket, and pan. Reassemble.
How to Clean Every Part of Your Air Fryer
It probably didn’t take you long to realize that an air fryer isn’t an appliance that lends itself to cleaning the entire thing in the dishwasher. While you’ll find different models and types of air fryers, they all contain electrical elements that must be cleaned differently than the basket, which most often can be submerged in water or washed in the dishwasher. Here, Sokolowski shares her favorite methods on how to clean the different parts of an air fryer.
How to clean the heating element
- Ensure the air fryer is unplugged and completely cooled before cleaning.
- Gently wipe the heating element of the fryer with a damp microfiber cloth (just water is fine). Avoid excessive moisture.
- For buildup, use a vinegar-dampened cloth or a soft brush with baking soda paste.
How to clean the exterior and control panel
- Wipe down the exterior with a clean microfiber cloth and mild dish soap.
- Finish the cleaning with a dry microfiber cloth to remove streaks.
How to clean the interior (non-heating areas)
- Use a damp microfiber cloth (just water is fine) for removing grease and food splatter.
- For a deeper clean, mix equal parts white vinegar and water, dampen a microfiber cloth, and wipe thoroughly.
What Are Some Things You Should Never Do to an Air Fryer?
To keep your air fryer in the best shape, Sokolowski recommends you avoid certain things that could be harmful to this small appliance:
- Avoid abrasive tools: Never use steel wool or harsh scrubbers on the nonstick basket or interior.
- Don’t immerse in water: Never submerge the main unit in water or use excessive moisture when cleaning the heating element.
- Don’t use harsh chemicals: Avoid bleach, oven cleaner, or other corrosive chemicals.
- Don’t block the vents: Ensure vents are clean and unobstructed to avoid overheating.
- Avoid running when empty: Running an empty air fryer can damage the heating element.
- Don’t ignore residue: Cooking on top of old grease or crumbs can cause smoke and fire hazards.