What's the best way to clean a deep fryer?

Author: Johnathan Davis  |  Last update: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

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! Let the water boil for several minutes, unplug the unit, and allow the water to cool.

How do you remove sticky oil from a deep fryer?

Add a heaping spoonful of baking soda to a small bowl. Add just enough hot water to work the baking soda into a paste. Work the paste into the areas where you still have a sticky film or stuck-on residue. If the reservoir features a nonstick coating, use a soft cleaning brush to work the paste in.

What is the proper way to clean a deep fryer?

Vinegar and baking soda. Fill the fryer with water to just at the element. Pour in a box of baking soda add a gallon of vinegar. Let it do it's magic for about half an hour. Drain, rinse and wipe out.

How to clean the heating element of a deep fryer?

Remove the heating element from the base, allowing the oil to drain into the oil pot. Never immerse the heating element in water or you can damage your deep fryer. Simply wipe it down with a cleaning cloth that's dampened with soap and hot water.

What dissolves burnt oil?

Baking soda is your go-to for cleaning a burnt pot or pan because it has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralize acidic burnt foods. It can also combine with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food to get it off your pan.

HOW I CLEAN MY DEEP FRYER #kitchenappliances #cleaning #howto

How do I remove baked on grease from my air fryer element?

"One method is to make a paste with baking soda and liquid dish soap, then apply that to the surfaces to be cleaned (such as the air fry basket and crisper plate). Then, place a paper towel on that surface that has been dampened with diluted white vinegar. Wait 15-20 minutes and wipe clean."

Why is the oil over heated in my deep fryer?

Without thermostat controls, deep fryers have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion. The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot, creating severe burn hazards.

Which chemical is the best to use when cleaning a deep fryer?

The main chemical for cleaning fryers is Caustic Soda or (Sodium Hydroxide – NaOH) in either a liquid or flake form.

What do restaurants use to clean grease?

Power washing is an effective method for commercial kitchen grease removal. It uses high-pressure water and high temperatures to blast away grease and grime, leaving surfaces clean and sanitized. It's fast, efficient, and gets the job done.

What is the best oil for deep frying?

Vegetable oil and canola oil are two popular types of oil used for commercial deep frying because of their high smoke points. Which oil is the better option? Canola oil is often favored because of its neutral flavor, low saturated fat content, and balanced fatty acid profile.

What dissolves sticky oil?

White vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner that can cut through sticky oil. Make a mixture of vinegar and water, take both in equal parts. Spray the mixture onto the greasy areas of the pan/pot with the help of a spray bottle and let it sit for a few minutes.

How to clean the inside of a deep fryer?

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! Let the water boil for several minutes, unplug the unit, and allow the water to cool.

What dissolves hardened cooking oil?

Baking soda is an alkali, which means it does a great job of dissolving grease. And because it's mild, it destroys grease without destroying the surface you're cleaning. Just mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 cup of water.

How to get baked on grease off a deep fryer?

It requires letting your fryer cool down, removing the basket and oil, wiping the basin down, filling it with water and soap, then turning it on to boil and clean. After 10 to 15 minutes, you'll turn it off and let it cool, then dump the soapy water and rinse out the basin. Wash and clean the basket separately.

Is vinegar or baking soda better for grease?

The truth is, baking soda and vinegar are the elite natural cleaning combination for fighting grease. Baking soda has an alkali base, making it the perfect tool to dissolve dirt and grease - those two pesky items that are staining your baking tray. The vinegar acts as an explosive lifting agent.

What does baking soda do in deep frying?

Baking Soda Helps with Crispiness. Creates Alkalinity: Baking soda is basic, and adding it to any batter or frying coating raises the pH of the batter or coating. With the increase in pH, the degradation of proteins could be more efficient to help improve the browning process for making a golden crispy crust.

How do you get sticky grease off an air fryer?

For the toughest, stuck-on messes in the interior of your fryer, you can use a half-cup or so of baking soda and a bit of water to make a thick paste. Cover the sticky patches with the paste and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing off with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

What is the mistake for cleaning the air fryer?

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.

How to clean oil in a deep fryer?

Steps
  1. Clean your deep fryer as needed. ...
  2. Unplug the deep fryer and let cool completely. ...
  3. Drain the oil. ...
  4. Take the frying basket out and put it in the sink. ...
  5. Wipe off remaining oil from the pot and lid. ...
  6. Wipe the deep fryer's heating element clean if necessary. ...
  7. Use a soft sponge to scrub with dish soap.

Can I reuse frying oil that sat out overnight?

You can use leftover oil for your next batch of fries, but be on the lookout for signs of spoilage. Spent frying oil has an acrid aroma; if you smell even a hint of rancidity or anything off, err on the side of caution and spring for fresh oil. If your recycled oil looks cloudy or foamy, it's time to toss it.

Why does my oil turn black when frying?

Batters and breading contain trace metals and reducing sugars (browning agents), both of which will contribute to oil darkening. Other aspects of the fryer that can contribute to discoloration are water, cleaning chemicals, and high temperatures.

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