The best way to clean an air fryer with baked-on grease isn’t as hard as it seems. All you need are the right tools and a bit of patience!
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Why you need a Clean Air Fryer
You should clean your air fryer more often than as, say, your microwave. That way you don’t get that stuck, baked-on grease that tends to build up over time. Your air fryer will run a lot better if it’s clean!
If you want to learn how to clean an air fryer and get baked grease off for good, there are a few tried and true solutions. Knowing the best way to clean an air fryer, and more specifically, how to clean an air fryer basket are essential to owning one!
You should make a habit out of cleaning at least the basic components of your air fryer every time you use it. Leftover food particles can get into nooks and crannies where they shouldn’t be, and this could cause your air fryer to malfunction.
Or worse—if you have a very dirty air fryer, you could break it!
How to Clean Air Fryer
The best way to clean an air fryer involves taking some parts out. Before you get started, make sure that you’ve removed all of the large food particles from the air fryer. Take out the basket and drawer from the air fryer and fill them with hot water and Dawn dish soap. The dish soap will act as a great degreaser.
While the air fryer basket and drawer soak, dig into whatever delicious meal you just whipped up in your air fryer!
After you’ve eaten, here’s how to clean an air fryer basket and drawer. Take a non-abrasive sponge and give the basket and drawer a good scrub.
Don’t be tempted to let the basket and drawer soak overnight as this could cause baked-on grease to become even harder to remove.
Hacks for How to Clean Air Fryer Oven
Is there anything worse than sticky grease inside of an air fryer? When it comes to cleaning kitchen appliances, there isn’t much that’s more frustrating than that! Here are some air fryer cleaning hacks you’ll want to remember:
- Do not use anything abrasive, including certain products and scrubbers.
- It’s important to remember that most air fryers are not dishwasher safe, even if the manual says so.
- Let your air fryer cool down before you clean it to avoid burning yourself.
- A very dirty air fryer can lead to a kitchen fire.
- Proper maintenance will make your air fryer last longer!
How Often Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?
There are some parts of your air fryer that need to be cleaned more often than others. It’s really important that you know how to clean an air fryer basket and drawer since this should be done after every use.
You should also do a deep clean about once a month. Be aware that air fryer accessories like parchment liners, silicone liners, and silicone baskets can help with clean-up. If you use them, your air fryer will require less cleaning in between!
The best way to clean an air fryer is to ensure that the basket and drawer are cleaned as often as possible.
How to Deep Clean an Air Fryer
You should deep clean your air fryer at least once a month or after cooking something super greasy, like Air Fryer Bacon or Air Fryer Hamburgers.
Follow these directions if it’s your first time deep cleaning your air fryer, or if it’s time for its monthly scrub down! You’ll need:
Remove the air fryer basket and drawer and fill them with hot water and Dawn dish soap. Let sit, then use the non-abrasive sponge to gently remove any sticky grease.
Next, spray with Dawn Powerwash Spray. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes then use a toothbrush to really get in there and scrub your air fryer to get that caked-on grease. Rinse the air fryer, then let dry.
Note: Before you use the Dawn Powerwash Spray, test a small part of your air fryer. All air fryers are made differently so it’s important to know how yours will react to the spray.
Can I use vinegar and baking soda to Clean Air Fryer?
Don’t be tempted to use vinegar and baking soda if you’re wondering how to clean an air fryer. Vinegar and baking soda should not be mixed for cleaning, as this will cause a chemical reaction that can damage the metal coating. You can use baking soda and water!
Create a paste by mixing 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Let it sit in the air fryer for 30 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, then rinse. You can use this mixture as a substitute for the Dawn Powerwash Spray.
Personally, I like to use the Dawn Powerwash Spray instead. I find that the baking soda and water mixture isn’t quite as good as getting rid of baked-on grease as the cleaning spray!
Best Way to Clean Air Fryer heating element
Before you begin, make sure that the air fryer is completely cool. Take the Dawn Powerwash Spray or baking soda mix and spray only the bottom section of the air fryer, then scrub clean with a toothbrush or non-abrasive sponge. Be careful to not put the cleaner on the coils.
Turn the cool air fryer upside down and use a wet, non-abrasive microfiber cloth to scrub as best as you can around the heating coil and top of the air fryer. You should only use water and make sure that you clean gently around the air fryer heating element or you can break the coil. This method works great for an air fryer basket and an air fryer oven!
If you’re looking to clean a wall oven with an air fryer, use this guide instead.
How to Clean Baked-on Grease from an Air Fryer
There are a few different ways of how to clean baked on grease from an air fryer. You can use a combination of dish soap, hot water, Dawn Powerwash Spray, and a toothbrush. Or, you can make a baking soda and water mixture and use that instead of the spray.
My favorite? I find that the Dawn Powerwash Spray does the best job. In my experience, it gets rid of 80-90% of that baked-on grease after scrubbing with a soft or medium toothbrush! The baking soda and water mix only removes about 40% of the grease. If you’re wondering how to clean an air fryer basket, the easiest way is with Dawn Powerwash Spray.
How to Clean Air Fryer Basket: Best degreaser and cleaning spray
If you’re in the market for a new air fryer, chances are you want one that is easy to clean! Below are some of the best options out there for an easy-to-clean air fryer:
- Cosori 6.8QT Dual Blaze Air Fryer: comes with a removable and dishwasher-safe basket. This is the exact air fryer I use as well.
- Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Qt: features a dishwasher safe basket, crisper plate, and multi-layered rack. When you’ve finished cooking, simply take out the removable sections and throw them in the dishwasher for the easiest way to clean your air fryer!
- Cuisinart AFR-25 AirFryer: the basket, baking pan, and oven rack are easy to remove and clean.
What is the Best Air Fryer Degreaser and Cleaning Spray?
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably wondering how to clean baked on grease from an air fryer. I’ve tried multiple different air fryer degreasers and cleaning sprays and the best — hands down — is the Dawn Powerwash Spray. It cuts through the baked-on grease that other cleaners leave behind, and will save you a lot of unnecessary scrubbing.
What is the Best Cleaning Brush for an Air Fryer?
Knowing which kind of brush to use is key when learning how to clean an air fryer. If you’re looking for a cleaning brush for your air fryer, chances are you’ve seen countless!
I’m here to tell you: a good, trusty toothbrush will do the trick! I’m not going to sell you something that I don’t use. A toothbrush gets the job done and it’s the least expensive option out there!
Summing up How to Clean Air Fryer
An air fryer is one of the best kitchen appliances out there for so many reasons. It makes cooking a breeze, and with the right tips and tools, cleaning up can be just as easy.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive cleaning supplies either. With a non-abrasive sponge, toothbrush, Dawn Powerwash Spray, and a microfiber cloth, you’ll have everything you need to keep your air fryer sparkling.
Remember, always refer to your air fryer manual before you clean it, take it apart, or use any sort of product on it. If you’re still in the market for an air fryer, check out the best easy to clean air fryers above for some inspiration!
I’m following your blog in Australia where I’m pretty sure we don’t have the cleaning spray you mention. We probably have something similar though. How can I find out?
Hi Janice, Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with what might be similar in Australia as we don’t have the same products in the US. If you can get your hands on the Dawn Powerwash, it’s SO helpful!
Hi Janice, Costco has the Dawn platinum powerwash liquid. Just dilute with a little water in a regular spray bottle.
Dawn is a degreaser detergent. It is even used to degrease birds after an oil spill. You probably have the same product under a different name. Look for a good degreaser detergent online.
I just tried to dehydrate apple and banana slices for the first using the recipe that came with the air fry unit. They both came out ok, but a little moist yet. Isn’t dehydrated food supposed to be dry ?
They should come out dry. It sounds like you might need to cook them for slightly longer at a lower temperature to let them dry up a bit more without burning them.
Don’t for get to pre-heat your air fryer. Makes all the difference.
i’m new to air fryer & been reading you very helpful tips
on using , keeping clean and recommendations of accessories.
Thank for the info. very handy
I purchased a stove that has air frying in the oven. How can I use it. The directions here are for a counter top air fryer. Thanks
How exciting! The directions are basically the same for countertop air fryers and oven air fryers, except for cleaning it, you would just clean it like you would your normal oven. But recipes, you can use the same temperature listed and each food might take a few minutes longer to cook as it has a bigger space to circulate air.
ever since i fried bacon in my airfryer i cannot get it clean,, i have used powerwash, etc. but to no avail,, any suggestions??
Oh no! My suggestion is to scrub it with a toothbrush as much as you can. But unfortunately, once it really cakes on and gunks up, it’s very hard to get it all off. It’s still safe to use though.
oven cleaner?
Hi Frankie, oven cleaners tend to be pretty abrasive, so I do not recommend using one on an air fryer.
how do I measure 3 parts baking powder, which is a powder, to 1 part water, which is a liquid?
Hi Phil, since you’re not actually using it for eating, you can use the same measuring cup for both and it will work okay.
I used the Powerwash spray and no matter how many times I rinse my air fryer, it still smells like it and makes my food taste like it!!
Oh no! I would soak it with some Dawn soap for about 30 minutes to help get that smell out. I only use Dawn Powerwash Spray for deep cleans every month or two for that reason.
Back with an update. I have let my air fryer soak, scrubbed with baking soda, poured boiling water into it, I even used someone else’s method of filling part way with water and dish soap… My air fryer still makes everything taste like Dawn Powerwash. I’m honestly devastated.
Hmm.. it sounds like there was definitely a lot of the Powerwash used as it only requires a small amount. Have you tried letting the boiling water sit in the air fryer for a good hour or two? That would be my next suggestion to help get rid of the smell. I would also check the fan and see if the extra smell to the Powerwash is in that and clean it with a good microfiber cloth and water.
Need more cooking and cleaning tips for toaster oven air fryers. Most receipes and tips are for the basket air fryers. For example, do I place the rack higher or lower, do or don’t use the tray when using the basket. I clean the basket and pull out bottom, how else do I clean it?
Hi Janice, thank you for letting me know! I always use the basket for cooking foods like fries, etc. and usually only cook at one level in the middle (or bottom if you have 2 rack options).
I am going to try this. The baked on gunk in this thing is so gross! 😝
I have to point out, though. You aren’t getting rid of it “for good”. The gunk will definitely return and you will need to keep doing this to maintain it. Just saying. LOL
Thank you for this article. I am off to the store to get this Dawn Powerwash.
My Instant Vortex Plus dual drawer air fryer is due to be delivered tomorrow. I am so excited 😊.
Having read your tips on cleaning, and the problems encountered by some of your followers, I now feel better prepared to avoid making mistakes. Thank you so much.
It would make better sense to make an air fryer ovens stainless inside and sealed also include a cover for the fan when cleaning so oven cleaner can be used if they don’t make self cleaning ones they need to make them easier to clean if the inside is not stainless it leaves very little options of cleaning without damage. it takes us back 50 years like cleaning the old non self cleaning ovens
When you talk about using the Dawn Powerwash to clean the air fryer you don’t mean to actually spray the Powerwash into the unit itself do you? If you do, I would recommend that the people unplug the unit before cleaning. My Air Fryer is coming on Friday, so I don’t know how sealed the inside is. I have a combination convection/air fryer, but I don’t want to gunk the inside of it with grease. Do they make spatter screens that you can use if you use the oven for an air fryer??
Hi Marcia, I only recommend cleaning the actual inside of the air fryer with a micro fiber cloth with water. And yes, any time you clean the actual inside of the air fryer it should be unplugged and completely cooled before touching at all.
I have not seen any splatter screens for an air fryer. I do recommend using a little water or a piece of bread when you’re cooking fatty foods and that will cut down on the splatter as it catches the grease.