Air Fryers have quickly become a household favourite and for good reason. They cut down cooking time and require little to no preheating. Air fryers also help get things nice and crispy while avoiding oil splatters and the act of deep frying in general. From classic food like chicken parmesan to viral food trends like the onion boil, the air fryer can be your right hand man in the kitchen!
With all that use, it’s important to take proper care of this beloved appliance. Here are a few simple ways to ensure your air fryer stays clean with minimal effort. Keeping it clean also helps keep odours at bay, as well as ensures your air fryer actually works more efficiently.
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How Often Should You Wash Your Air Fryer?
The quick answer is that you should clean your air fryer after every use. Even if you’re just warming up some French fries, it’s much easier to keep the air fryer in top shape if you give it a quick wash each time. This is mainly because air fryers use hot air to cook the food and so the food particles and oils are quick to spread. Once that grease is baked in, it becomes more and more difficult to get rid of it!
Is My Air Fryer Dishwasher Safe?
It’s important to always check your manufacturer’s instructions prior to placing any pieces of your air fryer in the dishwasher. However, even if it’s dishwasher safe, the potential damage to the non-stick surface wouldn’t be worth it. Follow the easy steps below and clean your air fryer in a breeze!
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Gigi Madanipour
5 Easy Steps to Clean Your Air Fryer
- First things first, unplug your air fryer and let it cool prior to cleaning.
- Remove all removable parts like baskets and grills. Let them soak in warm soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes and clean with a non-abrasive sponge. Many air fryers are made with a non-stick coating, so you want to ensure that you don’t use anything too abrasive. For caked-on food bits, let it soak for up to an hour prior to cleaning.
- Check the heating element for grease buildup. This is one thing many people forget about! Using a toothbrush or other soft brush, you can gently wipe away any grease. Once again, if this is done regularly, you won’t need anything harsher. Use a cloth to wipe away any bits left over.
- Wipe down the exterior of the air fryer with a microfibre cloth. If needed, use a mild soap.
- Let the pieces dry completely before reassembly and you’re good to go!
Additional Air Fryer Cleaning Tips and Tricks
- Making something with a wet batter like cake? Try using air fryer parchment liners. They’re already cut in the shape of popular basket sizes and even come perforated for better airflow.
- Missed a cleaning session and have some stuck-on food bits? Make a paste of equal parts water and baking soda and spread the paste on the basket/grill. Let sit for 10 minutes and scrub clean with a non-abrasive sponge.
- Avoid harsh chemicals in general, as they can damage the air fryer. That viral cleaning hack from TikTok might look great but may cause more harm than good in the long run.
Giving your air fryer a quick clean after each use is the easiest way to keep it looking brand new and in good condition without any elbow grease!