How To Clean An Air Fryer

Air fryers have become a popular countertop appliance and a healthier alternative to deep fryers, as they can create a crispy crust on food by combining the capabilities of a microwave and a standard oven. Air fryer technology not only speeds up the cooking process but ensures even and consistent results. Unfortunately, the design of the basket gives excess oil, crumbs and other food particles the opportunity to drip and fall into the bottom pan. As you continue to cook other items, these built-up bits will begin to burn. All of this burnt fat, grease and grime can cause foul odors, smoke and ultimately, decreased performance in your air fryer. The worst case scenario, if you don't take time to clean, is an electrical malfunction that can possibly cause a house fire. The many removable parts can make washing this machine confusing, but with our easy instructions on how to clean an air fryer, your appliance will be well-maintained and ready to get cooking again. Remember: the main unit of your air fryer contains the primary electrical elements of the appliance and should not be submerged in water.

Before doing any type of air fryer cleaning, check to see if the bottom of your basket has collected a large amount of residual oil. Removing this oil before washing is the best way to clean an air fryer; wipe it out with a paper towel. In the future, if you notice residual oil while using your air fryer, try pouring it into a jar for proper disposal before it cools and solidifies.

Step One: Once you've finished cooking, unplug your appliance and let it sit to cool. Cleaning an air fryer while it's still hot puts you at risk for skin burns and other injuries.

Step Two: Remove the pan, basket and tray from your air fryer. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to wash these parts with warm water and dish soap.

Step Three: Set the wet parts aside to dry, as any leftover water in your air fryer can cause the appliance to short the next time you turn it on.

Step Four: While you're waiting for the basket, tray and pan to dry, use a wet, soapy cloth or paper towel to wipe down the bottom chamber and heating element. Then, use another wet cloth or paper towel with no soap to wipe the remaining suds off. You can then dry the interior of your air fryer. If you're having trouble accessing the heating element, try tipping or inverting your appliance.

Step Five: The outside of your air fryer can collect grease or dust as well, so be sure to wipe the exterior with a wet cloth or paper towel.

Step Six: Once the removable parts, the interior and the exterior are all dry, put your air fryer back together.

If it's been a while since your last air fryer cleaning, you may be in need of a more aggressive approach, as the longer gunk sits in your air fryer, the more it sticks and becomes harder to remove. For deeper cleaning, follow the steps below.

Step One: Add a cup of water to the basket of your air fryer and push it back into the main base.

Step Two: Turn your air fryer to the high setting for a few minutes.

Step Three: Once the air fryer is done "cooking", open the drawer and dump out the dirty water. This process equates to "boiling" your basket, as it loosens the debris, with no scrubbing or soap needed.

Step Four: Use a soft cloth or paper towel to dry the basket and interior, before putting your air fryer back together. If this "boiling" process did not remove all of the sticky residues, refer to Step Five.

Step Five: First, submerge the removable parts in warm, soapy water for about 30 minutes. Remove and let dry.

Step Six: Add a few tablespoons of water to ½ cup of baking soda and mix to create a white cleaning paste.

Step Seven: Spread the paste on the dirty spots of your air fryer's interior and let it sit for a few minutes.

Step Eight: Take a damp soft cloth or paper towel and gently scrub the paste and remaining grime off.

Step Nine: Use a wet, soapy cloth or paper towel to wipe down the bottom chamber and heating element. Then, use another damp cloth or paper towel without soap to wipe the remaining suds off, then dry. If you're having trouble accessing the heating element, try tipping or inverting your appliance.

Step Ten: The outside of your air fryer can collect grease or dust as well, so be sure to wipe the exterior with a wet cloth or paper towel.

Tip #1: If you're using your air fryer to reheat or cook food with a sticky sauce or marinade on top, like ribs or orange chicken, try cleaning your appliance while it's still slightly warm as the residue will come off easier before it's solidified.

Tip #2: If you notice certain food particles are stuck in the tiny grates of your air fryer basket or other tough-to-clean places, try using a toothpick or wooden skewer to poke pieces out before washing.

Tip #3: Often, the cause of foul odors or smoke from your air fryer is caused by a dirty heating element. The most common cause of residue on your heating element is overstuffing or overfilling your appliance with food. In order to prevent heating element issues like this one, make sure you are cooking a reasonable amount at a time (your model may have a recommended capacity).

Now that you've learned how to properly maintain and clean an air fryer, you can expect optimal performance and cooking results for years to come. But what if you've waited too long to clean your appliance? If the heavily burned debris is compromising the air frying function and you've tried all of our cleaning methods with no success, you may be in need of a new air fryer. Abt has a variety of air fryers in different sizes and styles that you can add to your kitchen counter collection, so browse our selection online or in-store to find the perfect appliance for you. If you're unsure what special features you want or need in your cooking machine, review our air fryer buying guide. Otherwise, our team at 800-860-3577 is happy to answer any remaining questions you have about how to clean an air fryer.