Knowing how to clean an air fryer efficiently is an important task to master, given how often so many of us use them daily, and how tricky they can be to clean.
There's no doubt that the best air fryers have changed the way we prepare meals, both those with baskets and oven-style fryers. Knowing how to use an air fryer couldn't be easier and can be used to cook delicious fried foods more healthily and without adding unhealthy oil to aid with cooking – from crispy chicken wings to seasonal veggies.
As with any kitchen appliance, knowing the proper care required will increase the longevity of your air fryer. Unlike cleaning your oven or cleaning your microwave, it is essential to clean an air fryer after every use, rather than just deep cleaning periodically. So, here are the simple steps to follow for how to clean an air fryer after each meal, to keep it in tip-top condition.
How to clean an air fryer
As with many slightly more complex kitchen gadgets, it's understandable to be confused about how to clean an air fryer properly to get inside all the nooks and crannies. However, air fryers must be cleaned thoroughly to ensure optimal health and performance.
Air fryers work by blowing hot air down from above, to cook foods to a delicious crisp without the need for deep-frying. Simple, convenient, and a healthy way to cook food, it's clear to see why they're so popular. But their usefulness in the kitchen also means that they are often heavily used - which means that at the end of most days, they need a fairly significant clean.
The good news is that knowing how to clean an air fryer, be it your Aldi air fryer or a best-selling Ninja air fryer can be a very simple job with the help of common household cleaners and tools.
What you will need:
- Degreasing dish soap
- A soft-bristled brush or Dishmatic brush (as recommended by w&h)
- Paper towel
- Microfibre cloth
1. Switch off and unplug the appliance before you start
Like when cleaning a toaster or cleaning a blender it's essential to cut the power supply first and foremost to ensure optimum safety. Before attempting to clean your much-loved kitchen appliance, unplug it from the mains and allow it to cool.
2. Remove the air fryer basket and clean
Once cooled, pull out the drawer with the basket. Scrub the drawer and basket with soap and warm water to cut through any grease that may have built up. Make sure you use a soft-bristled brush to get a thorough clean without hurting the protective finish on the basket.
Alternatively, you could also place them in the dishwasher if they fit on the top rack, but check that your model is suitable for the dishwasher, but the vast majority can.
"If your air fryer basket collects a lot of fat from your cooking, I'd recommend wiping it clean before the fat fully cools down and sets inside the basket," suggests Millie Fender, w&h's E-commerce editor and resident air fryer expert. "This makes it easier to clean up between uses and keeps your drains from clogging up." Because fat is one of the things you should never pour down the drain.
If you find yourself using your air fryer multiple times a day, a hand wash is the fastest way to keep your air fryer clear of crumbs and grease," says Millie. "Most air fryer baskets have non-stick interiors, so be sure to only use cleaning products which you'd use on a non-stick pan. No metals, and nothing too scratchy."
Top tip: Millie adds: "I keep my Dishmatic washing up brush on hand to scrub the basket and drawer of my air fryer, and then either air-dry or wipe dry if I'm cleaning before use."
"We recommend always washing the basket and trays after every use, even if it doesn’t appear dirty," advises Breville senior home economist, Zoe McClean. "Fat splashes and food residue can get easily baked on and will be difficult to remove if you leave it for a long time."
3. Gently wipe down the inside with a damp cloth
While the drawer is removed it's time to grab a wet paper towel or a damp cloth, and gently wipe the interior of the appliance before replacing the freshly cleaned basket.
"Most conventional air fryers are usually not too bad because the heating element is above the basket, unless you overfill the basket it's unlikely to get too mucky," explains Millie.
"To clean it you just need to tip the basket backwards, switch it off and wipe the internal walls and heating element with a damp microfibre cloth."
4. Wipe down and buff the exterior to finish
"To keep the air fryer looking beautiful and shiny, wipe the outside with a damp cloth and then buff with a microfiber cloth," suggests Zoe.
Millie Fender is Head of E-commerce at Woman&Home and was formerly Head of Reviews across several Future PLC's leading home titles such as Ideal Home and Homes&Gardens.
As our head of all things shopping, Millie is committed to giving readers honest, expert advice when it comes to spending their hard-earned cash.
How to clean an air fryer oven
Cleaning an oven air fryer differs slightly from a basket-style model, but still remains a simple enough process to ensure a thorough clean after each use.
1. Switch off and unplug
Unplug the appliance from the power outlet and let it cool completely before cleaning.
2. Remove the racks for cleaning
Then, remove the racks. These can be cleaned in a dishwasher – double check your air fryer's care manual but most racks, mesh baskets, rotisserie spit, and drip trays are usually dishwasher safe. Alternatively, if you're unsure, you can hand-scrub the components with a soft-bristled brush and dish soap to remove grease and food particles
On some models, the oven door is also removable for easy cleaning. "Do not immerse the door in the water," warns Zoe, "wipe clean only with mild, soapy water.
3. Empty the drip tray and rinse
Empty the drip tray at the bottom of the fryer and scrub the tray with dish soap to remove any grease. When discarding used oil, be careful not to pour it down the sink – cooking oil and grease can cause major problems for plumbing.
"Many air fryer ovens come with mesh baskets that allow air to circulate around your food while it cooks, but you should never use this without a tray sitting directly underneath your basket to catch cooking oils and grease," explains Millie.
"If you don't use a tray underneath your cooking rack or basket, cooking liquids will drop onto the bottom heating elements of your oven, which can be incredibly fiddly to clean."
4. Clean the inside with care
Before replacing the racks and drip tray, wipe down the inside of the air fryer with a wet paper towel to remove any buildup inside.
"The trick to keeping an air fryer oven clean is to wipe the inside of the glass door after each use," suggests Millie. "Grease and oils can become baked-on if you don't clean your air fryer oven after each use."
"To clean the interior of the air fryer oven wipe with a damp cloth using only mild, soapy water," suggests Zoe." Do NOT immerse in water. Also be aware that "abrasive cleaners, scrubbing brushes, and chemical cleaners will damage the inside of the unit."
After you're done, replace the tray and racks – and your air fryer is ready for its next use.
How to deep clean your air fryer
Despite your best efforts, you may find that your air fryer needs an extra deep clean from time to time. For example, making the air fryer mistake of overfilling the basket can cause a gunky, sticky residue inside, and some foods also tend to splatter while cooking.
No matter what kind of mess you're facing, there's an easy way to learn how to clean an air fryer when you're planning a deep clean.
What you will need:
- Baking soda,
- A soft-bristled brush
- Paper towels
- Clean water
1. Switch off and unplug
Whichever type of air fryer you have the first step is always to switch off your appliance and unplug it from the mains, to ensure your cleaning process is completely safe.
2. Remove all removable components
Whether drawers, baskets or trays, the next step is to remove any components that can be cleaned away from the machine. Clean these separately with soap and water. If the food and grease are caked on, soak in warm, soapy water for 30 minutes to an hour before scrubbing (the next step).
3. Scrub with a soft-bristled brush
Scrub out the inside with a dry, soft-bristled brush to remove any burnt-on food. Leave the air fryer upright so that loose food that falls out can be easily removed. Then, wipe out the inside with a damp paper towel. Turn the unit upside down and repeat the process.
4. Mix a baking soda cleaning solution
Afterwards, mix a couple of tablespoons of water with baking soda to make a paste. Put the paste on a damp paper towel and use it to scrub the air fryer gently. Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent that removes grime easily. You can even use this method when learning how to clean copper, how to clean a burnt pan, and how to clean an iron – it's such a versatile cleaning ingredient, similar to the many many ways you can clean with vinegar.
5. Wipe down with a damp paper towel
Rinse off any film that remains from the baking soda with a damp towel. Once everything's dry, pop the trays and basket back into the appliance.
And that's it. If you stay on top of cleaning your air fryer properly, it will stay in its best condition for years to come making having an air fryer worth it a million times over.