Air fryers have become a very popular way to cook any food, this is because of its health benefits, air fryers don’t need oil to cook most food items and therefore you are cutting down on your oil intake.
The worst thing about cleaning an oven is getting rid of that excess fat and oil that you see building up on the trays, so cleaning an air fryer should be much easier than cleaning an oven or a deep-fryer, right?
It is true that an air fryer is easier to clean than most ovens and pans after heavy use of oil, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t need cleaning.
The air fryer will still produce fat and oil and it normally will end up in a little basket at the bottom, you need to clean out your air fryer frequently because the longer you leave it, the harder it will eventually be to clean up.
If you are using your air fryer and see some smoke coming out when you cook, or you are smelling odors that aren’t what you are cooking, then these are signs that too much oil or grease has built up in the drawer or on the element that the air fryer uses to heat up, or it could be that some leftover pieces of food will be caught in the basket holes, this will not only ruin your meal, but it could damage your air fryer.
This is why we recommend cleaning your air fryer after every use, even if it doesn’t look too dirty.
However, some of the harder-to-reach nooks and crannies may be a little difficult to clean and won’t be as straightforward as washing a pot or a pan.
This is why we have put together a small guide on how to properly clean an air fryer, so you know exactly what you need to do.
How To Clean An Air Fryer
Much of the way you clean your air fryer will depend on the model of air fryer you have, a lot will have different instructions for cleaning.
For example, many air fryers have parts that are dishwasher safe and you can easily clean those parts by putting them in with the rest of your cleaning.
We’ve put together this guide below as a suggestion on how to clean your air fryer, but it may be worth looking at your individual air fryer and seeing if it needs any special requirements.
Here are the steps we suggest you take when cleaning your air fryer.
Don’t Delay Cleaning Your Air Fryer
You should clean your air fryer straight after every use, it isn’t a good idea to leave bits of food in your air fryer overnight or for long periods of time, or the drawer and the air fryer itself will become harder to clean.
We recommend that as soon as you finish cooking, let the air fryer cool, empty out the oil from the drawer and dispose of it properly before cleaning your air fryer straight after.
If you are air frying a portion of food that has a sticky sauce, then it is best not to let it cool, if you clean the drawer while the air fryer is still warm it will come off easier.
Clean The Removable Components
On some air fryers, the removable parts will be dishwasher safe, unless they are labeled as such then they likely are not.
If they are dishwasher safe then this part is simple as you can just put them in the dishwasher.
If they aren’t dishwasher safe, it is easy enough to clean them.
Use a soft sponge or a cloth, making sure that they are soft and not abrasive, and wipe them down with some dish detergent and hot water.
If there is some food stuck in the nooks and crannies of these parts, make sure to soak them in hot water or dish detergent beforehand to loosen any food that is left on them before wiping them down.
Stuck Foods
If any food is still stuck in any of the components or the grate of the air fryer, then use a wooden skewer or a toothpick to carefully remove any of the stuck foods.
This will probably be most effective if the components have just been soaked in warm water with dish detergent. Dry these parts separately.
Cleaning The Inside Of The Air Fryer
When you are cleaning the inside of the air fryer, all of the components and the basket should be removed.
Dip a damp cloth into warm soapy water, check the heating element to see if there is any leftover food debris and then wipe it down with the damp cloth.
You shouldn’t use any abrasive cleaning supplies to wash the air dryer, however, some manufacturers do say you can use a soft brush to dislodge any food waste that you need to.
Cleaning The Exterior Of The Air Fryer
When you have finished cleaning and drying the interior of your air fryer, you can then reassemble the air fryer.
After you have done this, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the exterior of the air fryer and leave it to dry before your next usage.
Dealing With Lingering Odors
Some foods give off stronger smells than others, and when you are done cooking that food, the smell could stay for a long time afterward, even after you have cleaned your air fryer.
If this happens, we recommend soaking your air fryer’s food basket and drawer in soapy water for up to an hour before cleaning again.
If the smell isn’t gone after that, cut a lemon in half and rub it over the drawer of the air fryer and the basket of the air fryer, let it sit for half an hour, and then wash it again.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning an air fryer can be a lot easier than having to clean oil and grease off of an oven or a frying pan, however, you need to clean your air fryer properly and frequently.
If you follow the steps provided every time you use your air fryer then the cleanliness of your air fryer should never be a problem.
