Air fryers have gained popularity in the last few years. The ability of this countertop device to cook food that is crispy and tastes great while using a lot less oil than a conventional deep fryer has won accolades. The air fryer can cook anything, including Brussels sprouts, egg rolls, and chicken wings. The one issue: It’s not always simple to clean an air fryer.
Read also: Reasons You Can’t Keep Your Closet Organized
How Often to Clean an Air Fryer
After using your air fryer, be sure to wipe the basket and try to clean the entire device after few uses. Even though the purpose of air fryers is to use less oil, oily residue can still accumulate.
Avoid leaving your air fryer unclean for more than a day, as this will just cause any food that has cooked on to solidify and become more difficult to remove. When you observe any of the following, give your air fryer a deeper cleaning:
- An unpleasant odor
- Baked on food bits
- Grease and oil residue
- Crumbs
How to Use Soap and Water to Clean an Air Fryer
Warm soapy water is the ideal cleaning solution for an air fryer. It is advised to first soak the basket in warm, soapy water before giving it a good scrub in a sink using a sponge that isn’t too rough. Sticky residue and stuck-on bits can be easily removed in this method.
Here’s how to clean an air fryer step-by-step, regardless of whether it has a basket or resembles a toaster oven:
Take out and soak the grate or basket
To make cleaning the air fryer easier when the time comes, soak the basket, grate, and any other removable parts in hot, soapy water. To assist in softening the stuck-on areas, soak for a minimum of ten minutes.
Scrub and Rinse Plastic Parts
Using a soft-bristled brush or a non-abrasive cleaning sponge, clean the air fryer pan and basket to get rid of food particles and grease. To make sure all soap and residue are gone, give the basket another rinse. Allow to dry by air.
Scrub Ary Fryer Racks
Use a stainless steel bristle brush to clean the metal racks on your air fryer as soon as possible to get rid of all the food that has become fried.
Wipe Down the Heating Element
Clean the heating element with a moist sponge or soft-bristled brush if there is any food residue on it. Steel wool and other highly abrasive materials should be avoided since they may harm the heating element’s coating.
Wipe Down the Exterior
The air fryer itself cannot be submerged in water, just as other kitchen appliances. Wipe off the outside of the air fryer and the interior of the basket base, or the area that houses the basket, using a moist cloth.
Read also: Best Oven Cleaning Hack That Don’t Require Chemical