How to Clean Your Air Fryer: A Step-by-Step Guide

Air fryers have taken the entire internet by storm. With thousands of recipes for an easy dinner or convenient cooking, air fryers have emerged as essential kitchen appliances, especially for those who desire healthier cuisine and bachelors to cook without compromising flavor. 

Warming up that leftover pizza or achieving perfectly crispy sweet potato fries, this device truly performs wonders and has been a blessing to mankind. However, people often neglect the fact that air fryers require regular maintenance and cleaning. 

A well-maintained air fryer not only operates efficiently but also prevents unpleasant smoke during your next cooking session. Don’t worry we’re here to solve all your maintenance issues at once and have come up with this comprehensive guide that has it all. 

Why Cleaning Your Air Fryer is Essential

Cleaning an appliance, in general, is very necessary to a) avoid nasty food particles being stuck for ages, b) to maintain the efficiency of the device, and c) are reasons a and b, not enough? Let’s learn why cleaning your air fryer is important comprehensively.

Maintaining Optimal Performance

Are your fries not achieving the desired crispiness and are greasy and soggy? The culprit is lying right in the appliance after multiple uses: grease and food debris obstructing the airflow. Consistent cleaning allows your air fryer to function at its best, enhancing its performance significantly.

Eliminating Unpleasant Odors

It is seldom enjoyable when the scent of yesterday’s fish muddles today’s baked goods. Built-up grease and food remnants can cause your air fryer to emit unwelcome odors and even impart unwanted flavors to fresh food. Hence, cleaning it in between uses is important.

Promoting Food Safety

We certainly do not want unwanted bacteria joining our meals! A neglected air fryer can become a breeding ground for germs, which we don’t need added to our dishes.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need for Air Fryer Cleaning

Now, you might need to add some cleaning supplies to get your greasy air fryer into its most pristine condition. Here are some essential tools and materials to clean your air fryer and get it squeaky clean. 

Basic Cleaning Supplies

To clean efficiently, you might need some tools and materials that get the job done without your arm breaking a sweat. Following are some of the supplies that you might need to clean your air fryer. 

• Soft sponge
• Microfiber cloth
• Dish soap 
• Soft-bristled brush 

Additional Tools for Stubborn Stains (if necessary)

• Baking soda paste 
• Vinegar solution 
• Non-abrasive scrubbing pad 

Items to Avoid

Do not use steel wool or abrasive cleaners—anything likely to damage the non-stick coating of your cherished appliance should be avoided. Treat your air fryer carefully instead of subjecting it to the abuse of scratches and abrasions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Air Fryer

Cleaning your air fryer for the first time can be daunting. Hence, we have created a step-by-step guide so you can clean off every grease-filled cranny and make it as shiny as it was ever used. 

Preparation

The first and most basic step is to take the air fryer plug off the socket and let it completely cool down. Be patient with this one-– you wouldn’t want to flood hot grease with water. Once the appliance cools down, disassemble it by removing the basket and tray and follow the next steps!

Clean the Removables

Let the basket and tray soak in a mixture of warm water and soap for at least 10 minutes to loosen up the grease from the surface of the tray. Get a soft sponge or brush and scrub gently to remove grease and stubborn bits.

Cleaning Inside

Microfiber cloth has a lot of advantages, hence, use it to wipe the inside thoroughly. Pay close attention to greasy corners that are stubborn and hard to clean. However, be careful not to spray or submerge the machine as it can cause damage and potentially ruin the device.

Cleaning the Heating Element

Turn your air fryer on its head very carefully and wipe the heating element with a damp cloth. After that tackle with a soft brush to free thick pieces of grime and grease that can build up over time. The heating element is very delicate, hence, avoid any sort of aggressive brushing.

Cleaning the Exterior

There’s an old cliche that goes something like “beauty comes from within”. Well, that doesn’t mean you neglect the outside of your air fryer. Wipe down the exterior and scrub away any stubborn spot that ruins the device’s outlook. Make sure to dry thoroughly and make the outside of your air fryer look shiny and new.

Dry and Reassemble

Let all the parts dry completely before assembling the air fryer back together. Moisture and electricity aren’t the best of friends – don’t go rushing this step or you might have a fire hazard ready.

How to Handle Stubborn Stains and Grease Buildup

Greasy stains and stubborn grime buildup ruin the look of the air fryer in an instant and also can make it super unhygienic. Well, we’ve solved the issue for you right here. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you clear off those stains easily and quickly.

Baking Soda Paste

Take an equal measure of baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste on the stubborn spots, wait a few minutes, and scrub softly; the stains are gone!

Use Vinegar Solution for the Lasting Grease Stain

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and spray it generously on the grease stains. The acidic element would cut through the grease and leave your surface clean and squeaky. Extra benefit: vinegar is also a natural deodorizing agent. 

Tips to Prevent Air Fryer Buildup

Prevention is always better than cure. To maintain your air fryer’s good health and condition and not hinder its performance; here are some tips to prevent air fryer buildup.

• Lining the Air Fryer: A silicone liner or parchment paper will collect drips and crumbs from the bottom of the tray for an easier and quicker cleanup.
• Clean Right After Use: A simple wipe with a damp cloth to keep grease from becoming a surface resident.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Adequate air circulation will reduce splattering and prevent the heating element from getting dirty. Space out your food and you would have to clean less often.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning an Air Fryer

Everyone is a beginner at one point and does not know exactly how to do things efficiently— there’s no shame in that. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid while cleaning your air fryer to maintain its long life.

Scraping off the Non-Stick Surface

Do not scratch with a heavy scrubbing pad. Stick with softer tools like a sponge or a soft cloth so as not to ruin the non-stick surface of your fryer and keep your food from sticking to the tray.

Not Cleaning the Heating Element

Leaving this undone will affect the operation of your air fryer. The heating element can be obstructed by the grease and not provide consistent and uniform heat to your food. Be gentle when cleaning this part, so that your appliance can run smoothly.

Using Excessive Water

Water and electricity don’t go well together, hence, be very careful while cleaning your air fryer, and do not waterboard the entire thing to prevent excessive damage. 

When to Seek Professional Help for Deep Cleaning

Every once in a while, life can get pretty hectic and fast and you might miss out on a few rounds of cleaning. Neglecting the cleaning is no good either, so what do you do? Well, fear not! We’re here. 

Professional cleaning services are the answer to your prayers. Cleaning services can get into the depths of your home, clean out every tiny detail, and leave it nice and sparkling. 

Vella’s Expertise in Kitchen Appliance Cleaning 

Professionals at Vella clean everything from your stainless steel utensils to air fryers. Using eco-friendly methods, we ensure that your appliance receives the royal treatment it deserves. We also ensure to keep your home spick and span, even offering post-construction cleaning services. Therefore, whenever you need an extra hand we are here to help. 

Conclusion

Cleaning yours does not have to feel like a chore. With this guide, your kitchen hero: the air fryer, will be in prime shape, bringing you crispy and delicious meals for a long time to come.

If life gets a little busy, or if you struggle with those stains that just won’t come off, consider using Vella’s professional cleaning services. We’ll do the dirty work for you, so you can focus on savoring the culinary wonders of your air fryer!