How Do You Clean an Air Fryer?

Knowing how to clean an air fryer properly comes down to giving the grease time to loosen in warm water before you touch it with a sponge, rather than scrubbing at a cold, baked-on basket the moment you finish cooking. Most of the mess lifts away on its own once it has had a proper soak, the same principle that makes a baked-on oven easier to clean without scrubbing, and the parts that do not respond to soap and water usually just need a little more time.

1. Unplug and let it cool: always unplug the air fryer and let it cool down completely before you start cleaning it.
2. Remove the basket, pan and any racks: take out every removable part and wash them separately rather than trying to clean them in place.
3. Soak first: fill the basket with warm water and a squeeze of dish soap and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes if there is any baked-on grease.
4. Wipe with a soft sponge: use a non-abrasive sponge or soft brush with dish soap, working gently so you do not scratch the non-stick coating.
5. Wipe the heating element: with the appliance unplugged and cool, wipe the exposed coil or heating element with a barely damp cloth. Never submerge it in water.
6. Clean the interior, drawer and exterior: wipe the inside cavity, the drawer and the outside of the unit with a damp cloth and a little dish soap, then dry everything thoroughly before you reassemble it.

How Often Should You Clean an Air Fryer?

An air fryer that only gets a quick wipe tends to build up grease in the places you cannot easily see, like the drawer underneath the basket and the heating element above it, long before the basket itself starts to look dirty, the same blind spot that catches people out when they put off a deeper clean of the rest of the kitchen.

• After every use: wipe the basket and pan with a damp cloth while they are still slightly warm, so grease does not get the chance to bake on before next time.
• Full wash weekly: wash the basket, pan and any racks properly in warm soapy water at least once a week if you use the air fryer often.
• Check the drawer fortnightly: crumbs and grease collect in the drawer and around the base even when the basket looks perfectly clean.
• Deep clean monthly: soak the basket, check the heating element for built-up grease, and wipe down the exterior and control panel.

Why Does My Air Fryer Smell or Smoke?

A smoking or smelly air fryer is usually a sign it needs a wipe down, not a fault with the appliance itself, much like a musty smell in the rest of the house usually points to a fixable cause rather than anything serious. This is where a low-tox approach matters most in a small appliance like this: plain dish soap and warm water clear the problem without leaving behind any residue that could transfer onto your next meal.

• Grease left on the heating element: this is the most common cause of smoke and a burning smell. Wipe it with a damp cloth once it has cooled and before your next use.
• Paper towel or parchment blocking air flow: anything that stops hot air circulating properly can scorch and start smoking. Always leave gaps around the edges of the basket for air to move.
• Very fatty or heavily marinated food: this renders a lot of oil, which drips onto the element as it cooks. A slice of bread or a splatter tray underneath the basket will catch the drips.
• A dirty basket from a previous use: leftover residue reheats every time you cook, so wash the basket as soon as you notice any build-up rather than leaving it for your next scheduled clean.