Whereas the air fryer doesn’t get dirty in the identical manner a blender or a crock pot does, it does take care of grease, highly effective warmth, and moisture. Mix these issues with hidden nooks and also you’ve received a scenario the place meals and oily residue can construct up fairly rapidly. Cleansing it repeatedly is a vital a part of protecting the equipment protected and the meals popping out of it tasting nice. Right here’s how I handle my air fryers. (Sure, I’ve a couple of. Listed here are my favourite air fryers for 2025.)
Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Fundamental cleansing
There’s primary upkeep after which there’s critical cleansing, however we’ll bounce into that in a second. Fundamental cleansing is the low-effort cleansing routine it’s best to get comfy with—this may find yourself making the deep cleansing classes simpler and fewer frequent.
Clear the detachable elements
Whether or not you could have a basket-style or oven-style air fryer, think about the elements of the machine which have come into direct contact with meals. That could be the grate and basket, or the grate and tray in an oven air fryer. So long as they’re detachable, take them out after they’re cool and provides them a wash with a sponge and soapy heat water.
In case your grates are grooved or wavy not directly, it’s widespread for meals bits to get caught or for oil to seep down into the pits. A sponge won’t do the trick right here, so escape the bristle brush. Cleaning soap the comb and provides the bizarre elements of the grate some further scrubbing earlier than rinsing with heat water.
This can be ample for many of the detachable elements in an air fryer, however in some circumstances these elements are dishwasher-safe. Verify with the producer’s web site first, however when you’ve got a dishwasher then your life simply received simpler. Let these elements air dry afterward or you possibly can towel dry them. Do that after every use, except you’re utilizing a disposable liner, which is able to catch a variety of meals residue and possibly provide you with some leeway.
Wipe down the inside
You’ll most likely discover that the inside partitions of your air fryer are selecting up some colour. This comes with a number of makes use of; warmth, oils, and moisture can depart some splotchiness over time. When you don’t have to do that after each single use, it’s best to wipe down the inside partitions every now and then to maintain oils from increase.
Be certain the equipment is unplugged. Take out the racks or the air fryer basket (ideally, they’re within the dishwasher or within the sink) to provide your arms some room. Utilizing the tender aspect of a moist soapy sponge, wipe down the partitions and gently clear off the heating factor. Don’t scrape or scratch the heating factor, not even when there’s one thing crusted onto it. There are methods to take care of that …
Robust stains and crud
Even with frequent upkeep you’ll need to combat with some crud every now and then. Listed here are the only and most cost-effective instruments it’s best to preserve in your arsenal.
A baking soda scrub. That is one in every of my favourite strategies—the baking soda loosens the grease and it is barely abrasive, which is nice for scrubbing and lifting meals particles.
What do you suppose thus far?
Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Combine a tablespoon of baking soda with a teaspoon or two of water to make a paste. Use a toothbrush, pastry brush, and even your fingertip to use the paste to stains. Let it sit for 15 to twenty minutes and use a brush or the scrubby aspect of a sponge to loosen the grime. Wipe off the paste with a moist sponge or paper towel, and let it dry.
A vinegar soak. Relying on what half you’re soaking, make an answer with one cup of water and two tablespoons of vinegar. (You’ll be able to double or triple this for larger soaks.) I’ll put the answer in a baking sheet pan after which submerge flat grates for soaking oven-style air fryer grates. For basket-style air fryers, I depart the grate contained in the basket and add the vinegar soak to it. Soak for 20 minutes or as much as an hour and scrub down the grates. Rinse the elements clear and allow them to air dry.
Paper towel soak for the heating factor. In the event you received a bizarre chunk of meals caught on to the heating factor, you could have two choices: Let it slowly burn off whenever you use the air fryer once more (it is going to odor briefly, and in addition may very well be doubtlessly hazardous) or apply a paper towel soak to take away the gunk.
For the paper towel soak, ensure that the machine is unplugged. If the heating factor is on the highest of the unit or on the aspect, flip the machine so it’s on the underside—you’ll want gravity to assist, right here. Soak and wring out a bit of paper towel. You’ll be able to add a drop of dish cleaning soap in the event you’d like, however little or no. Stick it onto the crud that is caught to the heating factor (that’s why we turned the machine). The paper towel ought to be moist however not dripping. Let this soak for 20 minutes or so. Wipe the spot utilizing the paper towel. The crud ought to come off at the very least a bit, if not utterly. Repeat this once more if wanted.
In the event you see built-up grease within the corners of the grate inserts I recommend a two-pronged method of soaking after which utilizing a baking soda paste scrub. After the cleaned elements are dry, your air fryer ought to be squeaky clear and prepared for one more meal.
