Air fryers make cooking quicker, but grease, crumbs and burnt food can build up surprisingly fast. Leave that residue for too long and the appliance can start to smell, smoke or transfer old flavours to fresh food.
Fortunately, learning how to clean an air fryer properly is simple.
For most models, the safest routine is to unplug the air fryer, let it cool completely, remove the basket and crisper plate, wash the removable parts with warm water and washing-up liquid, wipe the inside with a damp non-abrasive cloth, and allow everything to dry fully before reassembling.
The important part is knowing what not to do. Air fryers contain non-stick coatings, electrical components and heating elements, so aggressive internet cleaning hacks can cause more harm than good.
What You Need to Clean an Air Fryer
For routine cleaning, you usually need only:
- Warm water
- Mild washing-up liquid
- A soft sponge or microfibre cloth
- Kitchen paper
- A soft toothbrush or small non-abrasive brush
- A dry cloth or tea towel
Avoid steel wool, metal scrapers and abrasive scouring pads. They can scratch the basket’s non-stick coating.
Before cleaning your particular appliance, check its instruction manual. Basket materials, dishwasher compatibility and heating element access differ between brands and models.
How to Clean an Air Fryer Step by Step
1. Switch It Off and Let It Cool
Unplug the air fryer from the socket before cleaning.
If you have just finished cooking, give the appliance enough time to cool before touching the basket, tray or interior.
Do not start cleaning while the heating element or internal surfaces are still hot.
Cleaning fairly soon after it has cooled is useful because fresh grease and food residue are generally easier to remove than dried, repeatedly heated deposits.
2. Remove Crumbs and Loose Grease
Pull out the basket, drawer and any removable crisper plates or racks.
Tip loose crumbs into the bin.
If there is a pool of grease in the bottom, wipe it up with kitchen paper before washing the basket. This can make washing easier and reduces the amount of fat going down your sink.
Never pour accumulated cooking fat directly down the drain.
3. Wash the Basket and Removable Parts
Fill the sink with warm water and add a small amount of washing-up liquid.
Wash the basket, crisper plate and other washable removable accessories with a soft sponge.
If food is stuck to the surface, allow the part to soak in warm soapy water for a short period before trying again.
Gentle soaking is better than attacking burnt food with a metal tool.
SharkNinja UK’s current air fryer cleaning guidance similarly recommends warm water, washing-up liquid and a non-scratch sponge for routine cleaning.
Rinse the parts thoroughly afterwards.
How to Remove Burnt-On Food
Burnt cheese, marinades and fatty food can leave stubborn patches.
Start with warm soapy water and give the residue time to soften.
A soft toothbrush can help reach corners and holes in a crisper plate without scraping the surface.
For particularly stubborn deposits, some manufacturers recommend a paste made from bicarbonate of soda and water. However, check your appliance manual before applying any cleaning mixture beyond normal washing-up liquid.
Do not use knives, forks or metal utensils to scrape the coating.
A small scratch might not seem important, but repeated damage can gradually reduce the performance of a non-stick surface.
4. Clean the Inside of the Air Fryer
Once the appliance is unplugged and completely cool, wipe the interior walls with a damp microfibre cloth or soft sponge.
The cloth should be damp, not dripping wet.
Pay attention to grease splashes and crumbs around the sides and upper interior.
Never immerse the main air fryer unit in water.
You should also avoid pouring water directly into areas containing electrical components.
If your air fryer has difficult-to-reach internal sections, follow the manufacturer’s instructions instead of forcing a cloth or brush into them.
How to Clean the Heating Element
The heating element is commonly located above the cooking compartment and can gradually collect grease.
Only clean it when the air fryer is switched off, unplugged and completely cold.
Check the manufacturer’s manual first because designs differ considerably.
Where the manufacturer allows cleaning, use a lightly damp cloth or a soft brush to remove loose grease and food particles. Avoid soaking the element or spraying cleaner directly onto it.
If you cannot reach it safely, do not dismantle the appliance yourself.
Persistent smoke, electrical smells or problems that continue after normal cleaning should be investigated according to the manufacturer’s support instructions.
5. Wipe the Exterior
The outside of an air fryer can collect fingerprints, grease and cooking splashes.
Use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe the exterior.
Pay attention to handles, buttons and the area around the display, but do not spray liquid directly into controls, ventilation openings or electrical connections.
Dry the exterior with a clean cloth.
6. Let Everything Dry Completely
Do not rush this final step.
Leave washed components to air dry or dry them carefully with a clean towel.
Make sure no water remains around connections or inside the main unit before reassembling and reconnecting the appliance.
Once everything is completely dry, replace the basket and accessories.
Can You Put an Air Fryer Basket in the Dishwasher?
Sometimes.
Many modern air fryers have dishwasher-safe baskets or crisper plates, but this is not universal.
Check the manual for your exact model.
Even when a basket is dishwasher safe, hand washing with a non-abrasive sponge can be gentler on a non-stick coating over the long term.
Do not assume that because one part is dishwasher safe, every removable part is too.
How Often Should You Clean an Air Fryer?
The basket and surfaces that come into contact with food should ideally be cleaned after use.
Doing a quick clean regularly prevents layers of grease from being repeatedly heated.
A deeper clean of the interior, heating area and hard-to-reach sections can be done periodically according to how frequently you use the appliance and the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
If you regularly cook greasy foods such as sausages or marinated meat, you may need to clean it more often than someone mainly reheating dry foods.
Signs that a deeper clean may be overdue include:
- A lingering smell
- Visible grease inside the appliance
- Burnt crumbs
- Smoke during normal cooking
- Old flavours affecting new food
If smoking continues after the appliance has been cleaned properly, stop using it until you have checked the manual or manufacturer guidance.
What Should You Never Do When Cleaning an Air Fryer?
Some viral cleaning shortcuts are not worth the risk.
Do Not Run It With Soapy Water Inside
Do not fill the air fryer drawer with water and washing-up liquid and then switch the appliance on as a cleaning method.
Which? specifically warns against the internet hack of heating water and washing-up liquid inside an operating air fryer.
Heat, water and electrical equipment are not a sensible combination outside the appliance’s intended cooking process.
Do Not Use Metal Scourers
They can scratch protective coatings.
Choose soft sponges and brushes instead.
Do Not Immerse the Main Unit
The body of the air fryer contains electrical components and should not be submerged.
Do Not Spray Cleaner Into the Heating Area
Apply moisture to a cloth where permitted rather than spraying cleaning liquid directly towards electrical or heating components.
Do Not Reassemble It While Wet
Allow all cleaned parts to dry thoroughly first.
How to Keep Your Air Fryer Cleaner for Longer
Cleaning little and often is much easier than removing months of baked-on grease.
Empty crumbs after cooking and wash greasy removable parts before residue hardens.
Avoid overfilling the basket. Apart from affecting cooking performance, overcrowding can create more splashes and mess.
If you use an air fryer liner, choose one suitable for your appliance and make sure it does not obstruct the airflow required for safe cooking.
Also inspect the basket regularly. If a non-stick coating becomes badly damaged or begins peeling, check with the manufacturer about replacement parts rather than continuing to scrape or aggressively clean it.
For another kitchen appliance maintenance guide, read our article on how to remove limescale from a kettle.
You can find more practical household guides in the 2DayTimes Lifestyle section or browse the latest content on the 2DayTimes homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to clean an air fryer?
Unplug it, allow it to cool, wash removable parts in warm soapy water with a soft sponge, wipe the interior carefully with a damp cloth and let everything dry completely.
Should I clean my air fryer after every use?
Cleaning the basket and food-contact parts after use is good practice because it prevents grease and burnt food from building up.
Can I soak an air fryer basket?
Many removable baskets can be soaked briefly in warm soapy water, but check your model’s manual first. Never soak the electrical main unit.
Can I use bicarbonate of soda in an air fryer?
Some manufacturers recommend bicarbonate of soda paste for stubborn deposits. Check your manual first and keep cleaning mixtures away from electrical components.
Can I use oven cleaner on an air fryer?
Do not use harsh cleaners unless the manufacturer specifically approves them. Strong chemicals and abrasive products may damage coatings and internal surfaces.
Why does my air fryer smoke?
Grease, burnt food or residue around the cooking area can cause smoke. Clean the appliance thoroughly. If unexplained smoking continues, stop using it and consult the manufacturer’s guidance.
Can air fryer parts go in the dishwasher?
Some can, but not all. Check the manual for your exact model before using a dishwasher.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to clean an air fryer properly is mostly about consistency rather than aggressive cleaning.
Let the appliance cool, unplug it, remove crumbs, wash the basket gently and wipe the interior before grease has time to build up.
Most importantly, protect the non-stick coating and keep water away from electrical components.
A few minutes of cleaning after use can save you from tackling stubborn burnt-on grease later and helps keep your air fryer fresh and ready for the next meal.
