Have you hopped onto the air fryer trend and gotten one for your kitchen? These nifty little gadgets have become all the rage for home cooking. Air frying is a healthier alternative to regular cooking since it uses very little oil. This results in food that’s lower in calories and fat.
Less oil doesn’t mean you don’t need to clean, though! Food particles and baked-on grease build up in your air fryer basket, and the outer surface collects dirt as well. Wash the basket in soapy water, then wipe the inside with a damp cloth or sponge. You can clean the heating element with a soft dish brush or cloth.
Don’t let a dirty air fryer get in the way of perfectly fried chicken or crispy chips. Here’s a rundown on how to clean an air fryer inside and out.
Why Clean Air Fryers?
Cooking fried food with an air fryer may use less oil, but that doesn’t mean the air fryer doesn’t get dirty. Oil residue and caked-on food can build up in the basket and the heating coil. This can prevent your air fryer from functioning effectively.
You should also clean your air fryer for food safety reasons. If you leave food bits inside a basket-style air fryer, they could lead to mould – ew!
Even the best air fryer needs cleaning, just like the rest of your appliances. Ensure you clean your air fryer regularly, alongside cleaning your microwave, fridge, stovetop… Although if that’s too much, just get a professional cleaning service to tidy up your kitchen and appliances so you don’t have to do as much work.
How Often to Clean an Air Fryer
Always shake out any crumbs and food particles after every use. You can quickly wipe the basket and pan with a wet cloth, then dry them before replacing the parts.
How often you should clean an air fryer depends on how often you use it. In general, try to clean it once a week alongside your other appliances. Deep clean an air fryer about once a month.
Cleaning an Air Fryer
About once a week, you can give your air fryer a quick clean to ensure food and grease don’t get to cake the inside. The easiest way to clean an air fryer is to wash the basket and wipe inside to catch any crumbs or grease.
1. Unplug and disassemble
Let your appliance cool if you’ve just used it. Otherwise, unplug the air fryer and take out any removable parts such as the basket and tray/pan.
2. Clean the air fryer basket
Start by emptying the basket and pan of any food crumbs.
Most air fryers are dishwasher-safe, so you can simply place the basket and tray in the dishwasher. Run a cycle with warm soapy water to clean these parts. Always check your instruction manual to see if your specific model is dishwasher-safe!
If not, then simply wash the tray and pan in the sink with dish soap and warm water. Set them aside to dry.
3. Wipe the inside
Let the heating element cool completely so you’re not putting yourself at risk. Check the inside for any greasy residue. Take a damp cloth or soft-bristle scrub brush and lightly scrub the inside of your air fryer.
Do not use metal utensils to clean inside an air fryer since this could damage the nonstick coating or heating coil.
4. Clean the outside
Never submerge or soak the main unit in water, since you might cause water to seep into the internal circuitry. Instead, use a soft cloth that’s slightly damp to wipe the whole unit. This will remove grease and dust that’s built up on the outside of the air fryer.
5. Reassemble
Use a paper towel or microfibre cloth to dry all the parts of your air fryer, or leave it out to air dry. Then reassemble your appliance and you’re ready to cook again!
How to Deep Clean an Air Fryer
Once a month, take the time to thoroughly clean your air fryer to remove baked-on grease and stuck-on food. (Fine, maybe once every two months if you don’t use it so often!) Use this method for very dirty air fryers.
1. Disconnect and disassemble
As always, ensure the appliance is unplugged and has cooled completely. Then take out the removable parts such as the basket and pan.
2. Wash the air fryer basket
Soak the basket and tray in hot soapy water so that any stuck-on food and grease comes loose. Gently scrub with a sponge or scrub brush. Rinse, then set aside to dry.
3. Scrub away build-up
Make a paste of baking soda and hot water. Then use a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the paste onto the interior of the air fryer. Be gentle so you don’t damage any parts!
4. Wipe clean
Take a wet cloth and wipe away the baking soda paste until it’s all clean. You can change cloths as needed. Towel dry afterwards.
5. Finish and reassemble
Use a damp cloth to wipe the exterior. If there are some greasy areas, you can dab a little dish soap onto your cloth to wipe away the residue. Dry everything thoroughly, then reassemble your air fryer.
Essential Kitchen Maintenance
It’s essential to know how to clean an air fryer alongside all your other appliances. It keeps your kitchen clean and tidy, and ensures you’re preparing clean, safe food for you and your loved ones.
Once you’ve cleaned your air fryer, it’s time to get back to preparing the best fried chicken, chips, veggies, pork chops – anything goes!
