You’ve seen how everyone cook delicious food in their air fryers and you are ready to get your own. But maybe you are holding back and first need to know how to clean an air fryer. Are you are like me. I dislike any effort in the kitchen, especially cleaning.

Fortunately, it is much easier than you think. And depending on the model you choose, you might even be able to put the removable parts in the dishwasher.

Why Should You Get an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a countertop appliance that fries food with little or no oil. The air in the air fryer is heated quickly and circulated with a fan which is located on the top of the unit.

Air fryers are a great addition to any kitchen. If you love fried food but are concerned about your health, an air fryer gives you the best of both worlds. The amount of air fryer recipes to choose from are endless and you can eat your heart out knowing you have fried food without the oil.

If you are looking for a new air fryer, you can read my guide here.

How to Clean an Air Fryer

Let’s get cleaning. Here are all the steps you need to clean your air fryer.

Unplug Your Air Fryer

This sounds simple but please don’t forget this first step. Your safety is more important than anything else. Unplug your air fryer and let it cool down before you start the cleaning process.

Clean Excess Oil and Grease

One of the reasons air fryers are so popular, is that you cook with less oil. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have oil drippings from your food. Before your air fryer is completely cooled down, take a soft cloth and wipe down any excess oil and grease. If you wait too long, the oil will harden and become difficult to remove.

Clean the Removable Parts

Remove the basket, tray and pan. I find it easiest to fill the sink with warm soapy water and put the different parts in the water. Let it soak for about 10 minutes and then wash with a soft sponge or cloth.

Clean the Heating Element

Although you should never immerse your air fryer in water, you still need to clean the parts in the unit. The heating element is normally at the top and might have oil and debris sticking to it. Take a soft cloth to wipe down any oil and debris from the heating element.

Clean the Main Unit

Hopefully all of the mess stays on the inside but since you use other appliances in the kitchen too, the outside of your air fryer might need cleaning. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the exterior of the air fryer as well as the basket area.

Put it Back Together

Make sure the basket, tray and pan are dry before you put it back together. You can let it air-dry (that’s me) or towel-dry if you are in a hurry to use it again. Once everything is dry and ready, you can put it all back.

You are now ready to cook and make a mess again. Yeah I know, it never stops.

Other Cleaning Tips

• Never use metal to remove any hardened grease or crumbs. It will scratch the non-stick surfaces. Rather soak it off.
• Getting a funny smell? Old food particles may be stuck somewhere. Make a mix of baking soda and water to form a paste (this is my favorite non-toxic cleaning method). Use a toothbrush or other soft scrub brush and GENTLY scrub the interior of your air fryer.
• Don’t fancy cleaning? Reduce your time cleaning by putting foil in the basket prior to cooking. Simply remove the foil with all the mess once you are done. As an alternative to foil, have a look at air fryer parchment paper.

Last words

You don’t have to spend hours cleaning your air fryer. The process is simple and easy and you can enjoy cooking your next meal in a short time.

I hope you enjoyed this article and enjoy using your air fryer while building a stronger life.