We highly recommend using Goo Gone Oven & Grill Cleaner to keep your air fryer atits best. It's easy to use, fume-free and works a lot better than warm, soapy water because it's formulated to breakdown tough burned-on carbon deposits.
Use a sponge/cloth with a water and washing-up liquid solution or an all-purpose cleaner (try to opt for an eco all-purpose cleaner to avoid aggressive chemicals). Check the heating coil on the underside of the air fryer (similar to a grill unit on an oven) for specks of grease and dirt.
Water and heat will help lift off cooked-on grease and debris easily, so add a cup of water to your air fryer basket, turn it on a high setting for a few minutes, and leave it alone. You'll find when you open the drawer that a lot of debris and gunk will have effortlessly lifted without any scrubbing or soap.
To make my air fryer cleaning solution, I mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of warm water and shake it in a spray bottle. I find that it is best to use this mixture while it is still warm as the hotter water temperature helps to dissolve the grease deposits faster.
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a cleaner, degreaser, and deodorizer that can clean grease from the air fryer basket and trays, as well as remove grime and stains from both the inside and outside of the appliance. The formula will not leave behind chemicals that could be absorbed by your food.
Many cooking sprays contain soy lecithin, an ingredient that emulsifies and stabilizes processed food. Unfortunately, soy lecithin can't reliably stand up to the high temperatures air fryers use. As a result, using a cooking spray can leave behind a sticky residue that fuses to your air fryer basket.
The exterior of the air fryer is also prone to gathering dust, fingerprints, and grease, so it's crucial to wipe it down with a cloth, paying particular attention to buttons and the control panel. Avoid spraying cleaner directly onto electronic elements to steer clear of any damage.
In addition to baking soda, natural and human-safe dish soap and vinegar are great choices for cleaning an air fryer.
If your air fryer feels especially greasy on the inside, try Fountaine's trick, but add a bit of dish soap to the water. Be sure you're using a grease fighter like Dawn Ultra. To make it easier to clean the fryer post-cooking, you may also be able use disposable air fryer aluminum foil or parchment paper liners.
Baking soda is effective for oven cleaning and helps eliminate odours. The acidity of vinegar also helps break down baked-on grease and debris. To remove baked-on grime, mix two parts baking soda to one part water. The mixture should form a spreadable paste that you can spread over the interior of the oven.
We highly recommend using Goo Gone Oven & Grill Cleaner to keep your air fryer atits best. It's easy to use, fume-free and works a lot better than warm, soapy water because it's formulated to breakdown tough burned-on carbon deposits.
Choosing the Right Cleaner
Avoid using harsh oven cleaners as they can strip away the non-stick surface, rendering your air fryer less effective.
Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.
Use paper towels to soak up excess oil and wipe away debris. Fill the deep fryer with water to the maximum oil line, and mix in a few drops of dish soap. Turn the deep fryer on, and allow the water to come to a boil. Heat is the secret to the best way to clean a deep fryer!
Boil soapy water in your air fryer to remove caked-on grease. Fill the bottom of your air fryer's basket with warm soapy water and slide it back inside. Run the air fryer at the lowest temperature for a few minutes so the water comes to a boil. After about 5 minutes, turn off your air fryer.
It is recommended to wash the cooking basket after each use and give the air fryer body and its heating element a deep clean after 3 to 5 uses.
Air Fryer Cleaning Hacks
Step One: Spray Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray into the cooled air fryer basket. The nozzle allows for even, targeted spraying to help you reach nooks and crannies. Step Two: Let the solution sit for a few minutes. Step Three: Wipe away the grime with a cleaning cloth or paper towel.
Studies show that using an air fryer can increase the levels of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in fish. COPs are linked to an increase in heart disease, cancer and other medical conditions.
"Always spray food with cooking spray outside the machine, as many cooking sprays can cause a sticky buildup on the inner surfaces of the air fryer," Kennedy told BI.
Spray the Basket Lightly with Vegetable Oil Spray
The next protective measure you can take is an obvious one: spraying the basket lightly with vegetable oil spray. We recommend doing this with foods that are prone to sticking, including fried chicken, chicken Parmesan, and our better-than-boxed fish sticks.