How to Clean an Air Fryer: Basket, Inside and Heating Element

An air fryer is quick to clean if you do a little after every use. Grease that’s left to bake on through several cooks is what turns it into a chore, and it’s also the most common reason an air fryer starts to smoke. Here’s how to handle everyday cleaning, stuck-on grease and the parts you can’t see.

How to clean an air fryer after every use

1. Unplug it and let it cool. Wait until the basket is warm, not hot. Warm grease wipes away more easily.
2. Empty the drawer. Pour off any fat, or wipe it out with a paper towel.
3. Wash the basket and crisper plate in hot, soapy water with a soft sponge.
4. Wipe the drawer, inside and out.
5. Dry everything before putting it back.

Is the basket dishwasher-safe?

Many are. Most Ninja, Cosori, Instant and Gourmia baskets and crisper plates can go in the dishwasher, but check your manual. Hand washing is gentler on nonstick coatings, so if your basket is dishwasher-safe, alternate between the two.

How to remove baked-on grease

1. Soak the basket and crisper plate in very hot water with a few drops of dish soap for 15–20 minutes.
2. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water.
3. Scrub gently with a soft brush or a non-scratch sponge. An old toothbrush reaches the holes in the basket.
4. Rinse and repeat for stubborn spots, rather than scrubbing harder.

Never use steel wool, metal scouring pads or oven cleaner. They scratch and strip nonstick coatings. See are air fryers toxic? for why a damaged coating matters.

How to clean the inside and heating element

Do this about once a month, or whenever you see splatter on the element.

1. Unplug it and let it cool completely.
2. Remove the basket and drawer.
3. Wipe the inside walls with a damp cloth and a drop of dish soap, then a clean damp cloth.
4. Clean the heating element. Some manuals say you can turn the air fryer upside down to reach it. Brush it gently with a soft, dry brush to loosen bits of food, then wipe it with a barely damp cloth.
5. Let it dry fully before plugging it back in.

Never submerge the main unit or run it under the tap. It contains electrical parts.

Cleaning an air fryer oven

Air fryer ovens have more parts but the same idea. Wash the racks, mesh trays and drip tray in soapy water after greasy cooks. Wipe the door glass with a damp cloth and a little baking soda paste, and wipe the interior walls once cool. Avoid spraying cleaner directly toward the heating elements or fan.

Cleaning the outside

Wipe the outside with a damp cloth. For fingerprints on stainless steel, use a cloth dampened with a little white vinegar and water. Keep the air vents clear of dust and grease.

How to keep an air fryer cleaner

• Use liners for messy foods. Perforated parchment or a small piece of foil catches sticky glazes and drips.
• Empty the grease straight away after cooking bacon, burgers or sausage.
• Don’t use aerosol cooking spray. Many brands warn it can build up a sticky residue on nonstick baskets. A refillable oil sprayer or a brush works better.
• Wipe splatter while it’s fresh. A quick wipe after cooking saves a scrub later.

Signs it’s time for a deep clean

• White smoke while cooking, which is usually grease burning in the drawer.
• Old smells carried into new food.
• Visible splatter on the heating element or inside the top of the unit.
• Food sticking to a basket that used to release it easily.