Air fryers have been all the rage this year. No matter what meal or snack you’re making in the kitchen, an air fryer is almost always a useful tool to make your food crispier, lighter, and with less oil than other cooking methods. But no oil doesn’t mean there’s no mess — and it’s important to know when and how to clean your air fryer. This easy, countertop-friendly appliance is a perfect addition to a new college apartment or house, but with so many different foods being cooked in an air fryer, it can be hard to keep it perfectly spick and span. Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to clean your air fryer and all of its individual parts, and arguably more importantly, how to keep it clean.
How do I clean an air fryer?
To best understand how to clean your air fryer, you have to get to know the different parts of the appliance. First, some designs (like this Ninja Air Fryer Pro and Chefman TurboFry) have the removable basket that we all know and love, the safe-keeper of our delicious desserts and frozen foods. Others, like the Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven, have a removable tray toward the box, which makes the pull out basket all the easier to clean. On the interior above the basket or tray is a fan and heating element, which work together to cook your food.
How do I clean the exterior of an air fryer?
Cleaning the outside of an air fryer is undoubtedly the most simple part. Grab your favorite wipes or spray cleaner and spray it on the air fryer. After you wipe it down, it will look good as new. If you don’t have the time to clean the inside of your air fryer after every use, this quick step after you’re done using the appliance will keep the outside looking fresh and clean.
How do I clean the interior and hot elements of my air fryer?
To clean the interior of the air fryer that is not removable (which usually contains the heating element of the fryer), make sure the air fryer is unplugged before you begin. Take a warm sponge or cloth and scrub the interior walls and the heating element, then wash it off with soap and water. Gently dry with a kitchen towel, or let it air-dry before using.
How do I clean an air fryer’s removable basket?
The basket and tray get the most food residue on them out of the whole air fryer, so the first step is to get rid of anything leftover crumbs or grease from your previous meals off the insert. An easy and safe way to clean the tray of your air fryer is to cover it in baking soda, white vinegar, dish soap, and then fill it in hot water. After letting it soak for 5-10 minutes, rinse it out by washing it out with water, removing the tray from the basket and then washing both parts separately.
How do I keep my air fryer clean?
If you want to avoid having to clean the tray in your air fryer, consider using either tin foil or a disposable air fryer liner each time you cook something. Air fryer liners are parchment paper specifically designed for an air fryer, coming in different sizes and safe to be used in whatever size air fryer you may have. However, be sure not to use paper towels, napkins, paper plates, or any other paper items to cover your air fryer tray. These are not made to withstand the heat of an air fryer and can pose a fire hazard. You can also buy reusable silicone liners, but make sure that they are the right size for your fryer’s basket.
Speaking of fire safety, always make sure that you unplug the air fryer and allow it to cool down before you begin cleaning. This will ensure that any food residue is cool and dry enough to easily wipe off, and you’re cleaning your appliance in a safe manner.
A huge part of keeping your air fryer clean is being consistent. If you’re not using a liner or tin foil while you cook, cleaning the tray and basket of your air fryer as much as possible (yes, probably after every use) is essential to maintain cleanliness. Ultimately, the longer you wait to clean your air fryer, the harder it will be when you do.