How to Clean Your Air Fryer

In this post, we’ll cover one of the most important air fryer topics: how to clean your air fryer.

Learn the basics, why it’s important to keep it clean, and a short step-by-step tutorial on ensuring it’s ready to go at all times!

Getting an air fryer is an exciting occasion, and I’m sure you took it out of the box to make your first meal or snack pretty much immediately. (I know I did!)

But after all the cooking is done, you’re probably wondering…

1. Do I have to clean an air fryer?
2. If so, how often?
3. And how do I properly clean an air fryer, anyway?

I’ve made a guide to answering all these questions for you.

Why Air Fryer Cleaning is Important:

It’s crucial to keep your air fryer as clean as possible, though I know a few of you may be asking why.

Think about it this way: keeping your kitchen clean is, as you know, extremely important. No argument there, right?

It’s not just essential for appearances’ sake, although I’m sure none of us want our friends to think we’re messy.

It’s not even about “grossness,” even if an uncleaned air fryer is, indeed, very gross.

Clean Your Air Fryer For Your Health…

It’s important to clean your air fryer for health and hygienic reasons. Bacteria, mold, and other substances can develop on and in your air fryer, which can get into your food and your body.

Cleaning your air fryer may not be the most fun experience in the world, but it is critical if you don’t want to accidentally give anyone (or yourself) food poisoning!

…And Clean Your Air Fryer to Save Money

“Gunk” build-up can also prevent your air fryer from working properly…and you deserve to get the most use out of it possible. Dirty air fryers also tend to use up more energy.

Think of yourself saving money on your power bill (and potentially a new air fryer) every time you clean it.

Air Fryer Cleaning: Basics

There are a few tips I want to share that apply to essentially every air fryer, regardless of make or model.

• Clean the basket, pan, and tray after every use. I know…not exciting to hear, but this will help you stay ahead of build-up. This can be done with silicone liners for the Air Fryer too. These come in both round and square.

• The outside of your air fryer, however, only needs a wipe down every few uses. Air fryers don’t build up too much residue on the exterior.

• Don’t use anything too rough to clean your air fryer. This includes steel wool, utensils, etc. Air fryers have a non-stick coating and you don’t want to scrape it off by accident. An old toothbrush should suffice if you need to scrub.

• Don’t use disinfectants. Most disinfectants aren’t food-grade or safe for food contact. If you need something extra to scrub down your air fryer, mix baking soda and water together.

Otherwise, stay away from Lysol and other products.

No matter what, you should be able to follow these tips to get a head start on cleaning your air fryer.

How to Clean Your Air Fryer: Step by Step

New to air fryers? Not sure where to begin when it comes to air fryer cleaning? Here’s a full tutorial on doing a deep-clean of your air fryer:

• Turn off the air fryer and unplug it. This may seem obvious, but just in case it isn’t…never clean your air fryer while it’s on or plugged in.

• Let it cool down for at least 30 minutes, then take out the basket, pan, tray, and any other removable parts. You can put these parts in the dishwasher for a full cycle if they’re dishwasher-safe. Be sure to check your manual! If you’re unsure or if they’re not dishwasher-safe, let them soak for about 20-30 minutes in warm soapy water, then scrub them down and rinse.

• Clean the interior of the air fryer. As stated in the previous section, be sure to use a non-abrasive tool, like a damp cloth.

• Check the heating element and exterior quickly. You only need to do this about once a month, but wipe the heating element down if it seems greasy. Similarly, check on the exterior of the air fryer and wipe it down

• Put the air fryer back together. Of course, be sure every component (and the fryer itself) is fully dry!

Now that you’ve cleaned your air fryer, you’re ready to use it again!

Be sure to check out the recipe index for more air fryer recipes.