Air Fryer Guides
How to Clean an Air Fryer (And Yes, You Really Should)
If you use your air fryer as much as I use mine, eventually you have to face the part nobody puts in the cute cooking Reel: cleaning it.
Between chicken, meatballs, sausages, pastries and everything else we throw in there, grease, crumbs and little bits of food can build up surprisingly quickly.
The good news is that cleaning an air fryer doesn't need to become a whole weekend project.
Here's a simple guide to keeping your air fryer clean, dealing with stubborn grease and knowing which parts need a little extra care.
By Esther LackiePublished
Does an Air Fryer Really Need Cleaning?
Yes.
Even though an air fryer uses much less oil than traditional deep frying, food can still release fat, juices, crumbs and splashes while it cooks.
Grease and food residue can collect in the basket, underneath the crisper plate and around the cooking chamber.
Leaving that buildup for too long can contribute to unwanted smells and smoke when you cook.
Cleaning regularly is much easier than waiting until several layers of grease have moved in permanently.
Do You Need to Clean Your Air Fryer After Every Use?
The basket and removable cooking parts are worth checking after every use.
If you've cooked something particularly greasy, sticky or messy, clean those removable parts once the appliance has cooled.
A relatively clean cook may only leave a few crumbs, but don't let those crumbs turn into permanent residents.
How often the deeper interior needs attention will depend on what you cook and how frequently you use the air fryer.
The important thing is to check it regularly rather than waiting for smoke or smells to remind you.
How to Clean an Air Fryer Step by Step
- 01
Turn it off and let it cool
Switch off and unplug the air fryer before cleaning.
Allow it to cool enough to handle safely.
Do not try to clean a hot appliance.
- 02
Remove the basket and crisper plate
Take out the removable cooking parts.
Check underneath the crisper plate because grease and food residue can collect there even when the top looks reasonably clean.
- 03
Wash the removable parts
Use warm water, mild dish soap and a soft, non-abrasive sponge or cloth.
For residue caught in small spaces, a soft-bristle brush can help.
Avoid steel wool and abrasive scrubbers that could damage non-stick surfaces.
- 04
Deal with stubborn residue gently
If food or grease is stuck on, allow the removable parts to soak in warm soapy water before gently cleaning them.
Do not attack the non-stick coating with sharp utensils or aggressive scrubbers.
The air fryer has already survived dinner. It doesn't need to survive a wrestling match with a metal scourer too.
- 05
Wipe the interior
Once the appliance is cool and unplugged, use a soft, slightly damp cloth to wipe grease and food residue from the interior.
Take particular care around electrical components and the heating element.
Do not pour or spray water directly into the appliance or onto the heating element.
- 06
Wipe the exterior
Use a damp, well-wrung cloth to wipe the outside of the appliance.
Do not immerse the main air fryer unit in water.
- 07
Dry everything properly
Rinse removable parts thoroughly and allow everything to dry completely before reassembling the air fryer.
What About Stubborn Grease?
The easiest grease to clean is the grease that hasn't been sitting there for three business weeks.
If residue has become stubborn, soaking removable parts in warm soapy water can help loosen it before you clean with a soft sponge.
A soft brush can also help around grooves and awkward areas.
The goal is to loosen the buildup without scratching or damaging the cooking surfaces.
Always follow the cleaning instructions for your particular air fryer model if they differ from general guidance.
Don't Forget Under the Crisper Plate
This is one of the easiest places to forget.
Food can look beautifully crisp on top while fat and juices have collected underneath.
Remove the crisper plate regularly and check the basket underneath it.
This is especially important after cooking foods that release a lot of fat.
Can You Put Air Fryer Parts in the Dishwasher?
Maybe — but don't assume.
Some air fryer manufacturers make removable parts dishwasher safe, while other models may have different care instructions.
Check the manual for your exact model before putting baskets, trays or crisper plates into the dishwasher.
Even where dishwasher cleaning is permitted, gentle hand washing can be useful when you want more control over cleaning non-stick surfaces.
What Should You Never Do When Cleaning an Air Fryer?
- Never clean the appliance while it is plugged in.
- Never immerse the main electrical air fryer unit in water.
- Don't pour or spray water directly onto electrical components or the heating element.
- Avoid steel wool and aggressive abrasive scrubbers on non-stick surfaces.
- Don't use sharp utensils to scrape stuck food from coated surfaces.
- Don't reassemble the air fryer while components are still wet.
- Don't assume cleaning instructions are identical for every brand and model.
How Often Should You Deep Clean an Air Fryer?
There isn't one perfect schedule for everybody because it depends on how often you use the air fryer and what you cook in it.
Someone cooking fatty meats frequently may need to clean grease from the basket and interior more often than someone mostly reheating relatively dry foods.
Instead of waiting for a particular number of days, regularly check the basket, crisper plate, area underneath the plate and accessible interior.
Visible grease, stuck food, persistent smells or smoke are good signs that cleaning shouldn't be postponed.
My Simple Rule
Don't wait until your air fryer starts sending distress signals.
A quick clean when necessary is much easier than dealing with layers of cooked-on grease later.
Look after the basket and non-stick surfaces, keep crumbs and grease from building up, and always follow the care instructions for your particular model.
Then you can get back to the important part: deciding what we're putting in the air fryer next.
