Just like other cooking appliances, you want to keep your air fryer clean and germ-free so that your next batch of food is consumable.
When air fryers are not cleaned properly, food grime and gunk start building up inside. This compromises the taste and safety the next time you cook. It also makes it harder to clean.
As air fryers do not use oil or any other substance while cooking, it is easier to clean than other cooking appliances.
How Often to Clean Air Fryers?
With any kitchen appliance, the easiest way is to clean them after every use. This ensures that there is a minimal mess to clean.
The thing with air fryers is that their dirty components are mostly removable. These can be taken out and washed separately using some warm water and dish soap, just like doing the dishes. Moreover, these components are dishwasher-friendly as well but it varies with every make and model (check the instruction manual).
Cleaning an Air Fryer
What You Will Need
- Microfiber cloth (cotton will work as well)
- Non-abrasive sponges
- Baking soda
- Soft bristle brush
- Dish soap
- Paper towels
What You Should Avoid
Some materials should be avoided as they can damage the non-stick coating inside the air fryer.
- Metal scrubbers
- Steel wool
- Abrasive sponges
- Disinfectants as most of them are not food-friendly
Unplug the Appliance
Make sure the air fryer is not plugged in and it is cool to touch. To be on the safe side, take the basket out of the machine and let both cool for at least an hour.
Cleaning a hot basket will not only risk burning your hands, the contact of water and dish soap may also create smoke.
Cleaning the Outside
As most air fryers’ exterior is plastic, a damp cotton cloth will create no scratches or marks on the surface. You can also use a dish soap solution with water for tougher stains.
The exterior part of the air fryer does not need cleaning after every use but it should be cleaned every few days.
Cleaning the Inside
As the basket and basket base (or tray) are removable, take those out and take a look inside.
The inside of the air fryer does need tidying after every cook. Make a solution of dish soap and water and dip your non-abrasive sponge and start wiping the inside walls. Do keep in mind to not over soak your sponge as minimal liquid is preferred.
If the food residue and gunk are not coming off from the dish soap solution, try mixing baking soda with water and lemon juice.
You may have to scrub hard for tougher residue but be careful to not damage the internal components of the air fryer.
The Heating Element
The heating element is at the top of the basket inside the air fryer. For a better view and cleaning purposes, it is better to turn the air fryer upside down.
It is the same procedure; use a non-abrasive sponge with a dish soap solution. However, it should be noted that the less liquid you use here, the better.
Moreover, the heating element does not need frequent cleaning but as grease and food start building up in between the coil, there is a higher chance of smoking.
The Basket and Tray
The basket and tray have the most food build-up inside the air fryer.
As the food is in direct contact with the basket every time you cook, it is vital that the basket should be cleaned before every usage.
Some baskets and trays are dishwasher-friendly (check the instruction manual). If not, you can use non-abrasive sponges with some warm water and dish soap.
Make sure you clean every hole in the basket as the food residue can block the heat circulation which may result in uneven cooking.
If the food build-up is not coming off easily, pre-soak the basket beforehand.
When the basket is clear of food residue, dry it completely with paper towels.
Smell
Try mixing lemon juice in your dish soap solution when cleaning the inside of the air fryer.
If the smell is still there, cut a lemon in half and put it in a bowl with warm water, and place it inside the air fryer’s basket. (Do make sure that the bowl is microwave-friendly)
Set the air fryer on medium heat for half an hour and let the bowl sit there for an hour or so.
Let It Dry
Dry all the parts with paper towels. Make sure that every component is completely dry or else it may steam or smoke when the air fryer is turned on.
It is best to leave the air fryer unassembled for an hour so the water droplets dry.
Place the tray and basket inside and your air fryer is good to go!
Wrap Up
An air fryer is easier to clean than other cooking appliances as there is no oil used for cooking. This minimizes the grease and grime inside the air fryer.
However, not cleaning your air fryer often will result in this grease and residue building up and is harder to clean.
Do you find air fryers hard to clean? Do comment below!
