The air fryer has become a must-have in modern kitchens. Its ease of use and speed make it the perfect option for whipping up your favourite foods in no time. And the best bit is, with air frying you can get that crispy goodness with a fraction of the oil – a much healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying.

However, if you want your air fryer to keep on ticking and your food tasting as good as ever, you need to learn how to clean it right. Air fryer cleaning is an important part of maintaining kitchen appliances, and air fryers, like all kitchen appliances, benefit from regular cleaning to ensure safety and longevity. Cleaning is not just about keeping things tidy, it’s also about preventing a build of bacteria—cleaning is essential for hygiene, as leftover food particles can become a breeding ground for bacteria. And let’s be honest, you don’t want your air fryer becoming a breeding ground for germs. Skipping a clean means leftover grease and crumbs can make their way into your next meal, bringing unwanted flavours and smells.

Regular cleaning is essential for keeping your air fryer in top condition. Not only does it extend the lifespan of the appliance, but it also gives you the peace of mind that every meal you cook is as healthy as it should be.

Here’s how to keep your air fryer clean and in tip top shape.

What You Need to Know About Your Air Fryer

Before you start scrubbing away at all the grease and grime, it’s worth getting a bit familiar with your air fryer. Most air fryers are made up of these bits:

• Basket, Drawer and Plate: The main event – these are the parts that actually hold your food as it cooks. The plate is a removable part that you’ll want to clean regularly to prevent all the building up of grime.
• Heating Element and Fan: Up at the top, inside your air fryer. You might want to give it a wipe down from time to time.
• Control Panel: This is the bit on the outside where you adjust the time and temperature.
• Removable Parts: The tray that sits inside the basket is a pretty clever bit of kit – designed to make sure the hot air circulates and cooks your food just right. Some air fryers also come with silicone liners – moulds or cups that line the basket and help reduce grease build-up.

The main unit is not something you want to go submerging in water. Just give it a wipe down instead.

Many baskets, plates and trays are dishwasher safe, but always, always check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model, just to be sure.

Note: I know lots of air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe, but do check your model’s instructions – you don’t want to risk damaging it.

How to Keep Your Air Fryer in Top Condition

The key to a long-lasting air fryer is a bit of consistency and some TLC each time you use it. You should be cleaning at least the tray every time you use your air fryer – before the grease gets too set in.

If you have a dishwasher, you can chuck the basket in the bottom section every week or so – and the tray and any other bits on the top rack.

Soaking the basket in warm soapy water and just leaving it to sit for a bit does the trick.

Cleaning the Inside of Your Air Fryer: Some Essential Tips

1. First things first – unplug it and let it cool down a bit.
2. Give it a good look over – check if there’s any leftover foil or food crumb lying around.
3. Just use a clean cloth with some warm soapy water and wipe the whole inside.
4. Let the basket, tray and any other bits air dry before sticking them back in and firing it up again.

The Best Ways to Clean Your Air Fryer

Depending on just how much grime has built up, you’ll want to take a slightly more thorough approach.

Baking Soda Paste

If you’re dealing with a big old mess, use two tablespoons of baking soda to create a cleaning paste. You can create the paste by combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide directly in the air fryer basket, or use Dawn Powerwash if you prefer. Baking soda is a natural cleaner that’s perfect for getting rid of grease without all the harsh chemicals. Just apply the paste to the basket and tray and leave it to sit for a bit. After soaking, you can use a soft brush or the soft side of a sponge to scrub the air fryer basket—this method is especially effective for scrubbing tough burnt-on food and stains.

Water and Vinegar

Just mix some water and a bit of vinegar in a spray bottle. Dish soap can also be used as an alternative to vinegar for cleaning the air fryer basket. If you’re dealing with some stubborn grease, a bit of hot water can be just what you need to loosen it all up. Spray the mixture into the basket and tray, leave it for a bit and then wipe clean with a cloth. For the interior and heating element, wipe gently with a damp cloth using mild detergent or a vinegar solution to ensure proper maintenance and cleanliness.

Just one thing to keep in mind – if you do plan to chuck your air fryer bits in the dishwasher, do wipe away any vinegar residue first. If you don’t, it can cause a bit of a chemical reaction in the dishwasher and potentially cause it to break down.

Steam Cleaning

For those really stubborn bits of grime, try steam cleaning the basket. Place a bit of water and a squeeze of lemon in there – and remember to be careful not to add too much water, or it can cause corrosion or electrical failure. Running the Air Fryer to Clean It

Just run the air fryer on the lowest heat setting for 5 to 10 minutes – that’s all you need to loosen up any yucky residue that’s built up inside. When the unit cools down a bit, you should be able to wipe it all away with no problem.

The Dirty Truth About Using Water and Dishwasher Tablets in an Air Fryer

There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there, but here’s the thing – using dishwasher tablets in an air fryer is just plain stupid, and also really, really bad for you and your safety. Don’t even think about it – the risk of an electrical fire is just too great.

Most air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe, but you should always double-check the manual to be sure before you toss it in the dishwasher. I mean, you don’t want to be the one who has to deal with a ruined appliance.

• Water: Now, putting a little water in the basket for steaming is okay, as long as you’re paying close attention. Don’t let it get anywhere near the electrical bits or the fan, or you’ll have a real problem on your hands.
• Dishwasher Tablets: If you want to use a tablet to soak the basket while it’s just sitting out on the counter, go for it – but for Pete’s sake, don’t turn the air fryer on when you’ve got a tablet and water in there. That’s just a recipe for disaster.

A little tip that’ll save you some grief: Don’t, ever, use steel wool, abrasive sponges, or harsh chemicals on your air fryer. You’ll strip the non-stick coating off the basket in no time, and potentially ruin your appliance for good. To avoid damaging delicate components like the heating element and non-stick surfaces, always use non-abrasive sponges to clean the removable parts, and avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads. Make sure all parts are completely dry before reassembling.

Common Mistakes When Cleaning an Air Fryer – and How to Avoid Them

Even the most seasoned pros can fall victim to bad habits when they’re in a rush. Here are the most common mistakes to watch out for when cleaning an air fryer – and how to avoid them:

• Don’t overload the basket – you need to leave room for air to circulate, or you’ll end up with food that’s burnt on the outside and raw in the middle
• A little bit of oil or some parchment paper/foil (read your manual first) will make a world of difference – your food won’t stick, and the clean-up will be a breeze
• When it comes to soap, a little bit goes a long way – you can use a small amount and repeat the process if you need to, rather than risking damaging your appliance with a concentrated dose
• If you do use baking soda to scrub away grease, make sure to rinse it really well before tossing the parts in the dishwasher. Excess baking soda can cause all sorts of problems with your dishwasher, and potentially even make it go kaput.
• When you’re doing a steam clean, keep an eye on it every minute or so – you don’t want to leave the appliance unattended, even if you have used a tiny bit of water
• No abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, no matter what – you’ll just end up damaging the non-stick coating and the delicate components inside
• A soft brush or cloth is all you need to clean the heating element – don’t take any chances, or you might end up with a damaged air fryer on your hands
• The most important thing to remember is to use gentle cleaning techniques, or you’ll end up with a damaged air fryer.

When you’re cleaning an air fryer, just take a few minutes after each meal to do a quick clean – you’ll avoid having to use the nuclear option and scrub away at stuck-on food. And it’s not a bad idea to use foil and baking parchment to line the basket, and do a deep clean soak once a week to keep everything in top shape. Just remember to stay vigilant, avoid using any harsh chemicals or abrasive tools, and always read the manual before you start cleaning – and never start cooking or steam cleaning until the unit has cooled down.

FAQ on cleaning your air fryer