Air Fryer Maintenance Tips

An air fryer, just like pots and pans, should be cleaned after every use to avoid the scent of previously cooked foods and crumbs or gunk from the fat of chicken and other meats.

The most important part of an air fryer to clean is – depending on the type of air fryer – the basket, tray and pan. You don’t need any expensive equipment or follow any complex method to clean them. You can wash these by hand under the tap with fairy liquid or place them in a dishwasher depending on your model.

Since an air fryer doesn’t require any oil – or little at that – you don’t have to clean the exterior of the tray, as there won’t be any heavy oil residue on it – unless you accidentally used oil of course. If you feel like you need to clean the exterior after every use, then a simple wipe will do.

Although an air fryer doesn’t use or require any oil, its heating coil will need to be checked every few months for oil residue. If you notice some build-up or feel like you need to clean it out of habit, then a simple damp cloth will do the trick. However, make sure it’s fully dry before using it again.

As your air fryer comes with a non-stick coating, using sharp tools to remove dried food or congealed fat will only cause the coating to wear away as it’s incredibly easy to scratch at it. 

You also most not under any circumstance use disinfectant. Although disinfectant does remove odours, congealed pieces of food and any other types of food residue, it’s absolutely, under any instance, to use it on your tray. The chemicals in disinfectants are too strong to be used on areas such as plates, pots and pans – you don’t ever use disinfectants on these assets, do you? The same thing applies to air fryers. 

Instead, you can use sanitisers. However, make sure to check the label to see if the product is safe to use on food-contact surfaces. 

Before you wipe the body of your air fryer make sure it’s fully turned off and at neutral temperature, as to not shock yourself or short-circuit the unit.

Just like a brand new Ferrari about to be taken to the cleaners, an air fryer needs specific cleaning tools. Don’t fret, as it’s nothing expensive. In fact, you might have the tools at home already!

Step 1: Supplies

• You’ll need a non abrasive sponge, which given the name of it, is used on materials like fiberglass, metal, ceramics, glass and marble. Most if not every household has one hiding in the corner of a cabinet, but if not then you can buy a pack on Amazon very cheaply. 
• You’ll need a microfiber cloth for wiping away dirt, you likely have these too, but you can buy them cheap online if not. 
• A soft bristle scrub brush will be useful for getting dirt off while maintaining the surface from scratches. 
• Baking soda is a great cleaning tool and is a really effective abrasive, as well as a great natural deodoriser. 

Step 2: Cool Down the Air Fryer

• Before you roll up your sleeves and begin (gently) scrubbing your tray, you must first turn off your air fryer. 
• Unplug it and wait for it to cool down for 30 minutes. 
• Once it is cool, begin taking out all the removable parts of your fryer. 

Step 3: Clean Those Parts

• Squirt some soap liquid in a tub of water and begin washing the removable parts of the fryer. If there’s gunk or dried food on the parts, then let them soak in the soapy water for 10 minutes. 
• If there’s any difficult parts to wash which aren’t coming off, then use a cleaning paste of baking soda and water. Place the soda paste onto the soft bristle brush and begin scrubbing. 

Step 4: The Interior

• Now you can begin to wipe the interior using a damp microfiber cloth. 
• Afterwards, wipe any soapy remains off with a nice clean cloth. 

Step 5: The Heat

• Flip your air fryer upside down and wipe the heating element down using a damp cloth or non abrasive sponge.

Step 6: Exteriors Matter

• Much of the same with the interior, use a cloth or sponge with soap to wipe down the exterior gently.
• After this, wipe any remains of soap with a damp, clean cloth, then use a paper towel to polish the outside.

Step 7: Putting it Back

• Now wipe it down with a dry cloth and let it dry for an hour or so to make sure there is no moisture left on or in the machine. 
• Then assemble it back together and put it back, plug it in and voila! Your air fryer is now clean!