What you need to know about cleaning an air fryer?
Are you still deciding on getting an air fryer and want to know how it’s cleaned? Or have you already got one and need to know how to clean it? The good news is that cleaning an air fryer is not difficult or time-consuming at all! Here are some tips to keep your machine running smoothly and smelling fresh.
What in an air fryer can be washed?
All detachable parts can be washed. These parts are usually the basket and trays or pans. In some models, the lower basket is detachable from the inner mesh basket. So that should be washed as well.
Multifunctional air fryers like air fryer rotisseries, air fryer toaster ovens, and air fryer pressure cookers may have more accessories that can be washed.
It is important to clean the heating element as well because this part is exposed and is usually affected by any food particles.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
As with any kitchen appliance, the detachable parts should be cleaned after every use. However, depending on what types of food you cook regularly, you can do a deep clean infrequently. Especially if you cook meat because most of the oils usually drips to the bottom of the basket.
Grease also builds up over time inside the walls of the air fryer as some of the food oils splatter around. If grease build up is not cleaned it can cause your air fryer to emit smoke while cooking because the grease is being burnt.
What detergents are best to use in an air fryer?
Using regular dishwashing liquid is totally fine. However, if you need something a little stronger to remove the grease try a solution of vinegar or baking soda and water.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners as this will deter the non-stick coating and the chemicals may not be safe in heat while cooking.
5 easy steps on how to clean an air fryer:
Unplug the air fryer before cleaning
Before you clean an air fryer, make sure it’s powered down and unplugged from its outlet. Never force a cleaning brush into an electrical machine – this applies to any appliances that plug into the wall! Also, never submerge the heating unit of your machine in water – if that section gets wet, you will need to buy a whole new machine.
Let the air fryer cool down
After you’ve powered down your machine, it’s time to let it cool down. The inside of the air fryer gets really hot during cooking so you don’t want to burn yourself on hot parts while cleaning.
Clean the detachable parts
Some sections of an air fryer are removable, making it easier to clean them by hand. Things like the frying basket and racks can be put into a sink full of warm soapy water and scrubbed with a non-scratch sponge to loosen grime and grease.
If anything is dishwasher safe, we recommend putting it in there (along with any other removable components) for an easy wash during one of your appliance’s regular cycles. Refer to your user manual to see what of air fryer can go in dishwasher.
Wipe down the entire machine: top and bottom
Wipe down the inside and outside. Use a gentle soap (or even just water) with a cloth or sponge for this part. Make sure to get into all of those little nooks and crannies or vents where grime may be hiding!
Dry everything thoroughly
Most parts of an air fryer should line dry or be allowed to sit upright so they can completely dry out before being put away in storage. Drying racks are great for lining non-removable pieces like the frying basket and rack.
Where the parts have been washed in the dishwasher make sure that they are completely dried before putting them back into the air fryer. Use a paper towel to wipe away any moisture or water visible or let it air dry.
Making sure the parts are dry will prevent any rust from forming due to the water residue. If you notice any rust in your air fryer you will need to address is as soon as possible as it could be a health hazard if unattended.
How to deep clean an air fryer
After a while, you may notice some unpleasant smells or a bit of smoke from your air fryer while cooking. This is because there is a build-up of grease that are being burnt while cooking. Therefore, it’s recommended to do a deep clean on your air fryer every so often.
Deep cleaning an air fryer is straight forward and fairly quick compared to ovens. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Unplug the air fryer and make sure that it has cooled down.
- Soak a cloth in hot soapy water and ring it out. Then wipe the heating element if required, wipe away any driblets of food, and the exterior of the air fryer.
- Make a paste with baking soda and water. Put half a cup of baking powder in a container and slowly pour half a cup of water into the baking powder. Use an old toothbrush to mix the ingredients together until it becomes a paste.
- Start by applying the mixture to the spots of grease on the inside walls of the air fryer. Then apply the mixture to any grease on the detachable parts.
- After a few minutes, wipe away the mixture using a damp cloth on the inside. Give the detachable parts a good rinse to remove the mixture.
- Air dry all parts and remove any moisture or drops of water before reassembling your air fryer.
Conclusion
Getting a proper clean on your air fryer is pretty easy as long as you keep up with it. The main thing is to clean it after each use and to give it a deep clean every so often to maintain it’s good working order. Make sure that you dry each part as thoroughly as possible before putting the machine back together, this will help prevent any rust or corrosion from forming on the parts.
I hope this article has helped answer all of your questions about how to clean an air fryer and that you will be able to take advantage of its many benefits in no time!
Happy cooking!