How to Clean Air Fryer Oven [Get Rid of Baked-On Food & Grease]

Do you want to keep your air fryer oven clean and cooking perfectly? Learn the easiest way to clean it in our step-by-step guide. Say goodbye to grease and grime. Air fryers have emerged as a game-changer for anyone who enjoys indulging in fried foods but not the extra calories that typically accompany them. These kitchen appliances require only a small amount of oil and achieve that beloved crispy texture by circulating hot air around your ingredients. They offer a healthier alternative to deep-frying, making them a popular addition to many kitchens.

Beyond frying, air fryers have a versatile range of uses, from cooking and baking to roasting and broiling. However, after enjoying your delicious, lighter treats, cleaning the appliance thoroughly is essential. Cleaning your air fryer is crucial to remove any remaining oil, crumbs, and stuck-on food, ensuring it is in top shape and ready for your next culinary adventure.

One common challenge air fryer owners face is dealing with baked-on grease and oil stains that accumulate over time. These stubborn stains can be tricky to remove. Therefore, we will explore effective methods to tackle this issue in the upcoming sections, providing you with a hassle-free cleaning experience. With these tips, you can maintain your air fryer in optimal condition and enjoy your favorite dishes easily.

Why Clean Your Air Fryer Oven More Often?

Cleaning your air fryer regularly is crucial for several reasons. Neglecting this important task can lead to issues like smoke during cooking, unpleasant odors, and a decline in food quality. Below are some of the reasons as to why it is important to always clean your air fryer oven more regularly:

1. Maintain Optimal Performance: An air fryer's primary purpose is to provide a healthier alternative to deep-frying while delivering crispy results. Regular cleaning ensures that the appliance continues to function efficiently. Built-up grease and food particles can hinder its performance, affecting the quality of the food it produces. Clean components help the air fryer achieve its intended results.
2. Safety: A dirty air fryer can pose safety hazards. The buildup of grease and food residue has the potential to ignite or generate smoke, leading to unpleasant cooking experiences and even hazardous situations. Regular cleaning minimizes these risks, ensuring a safer cooking environment.
3. Extend Lifespan: Air fryers have a finite lifespan like any other kitchen appliance. Proper maintenance and cleaning routines can help extend the life of your air fryer. Neglecting regular cleaning can lead to a shorter lifespan due to the buildup of grime and potentially damaging components over time.
4. Prevent Malfunctions: Air fryers have intricate components that require proper maintenance. Neglecting to clean them can lead to malfunctioning. Food particles and grease can find their way into crucial areas of the appliance, causing issues that may necessitate costly repairs or even replacement.
5. Maintain Food Quality: Grease and food residue left in your air fryer can negatively impact the flavor and quality of the food you prepare. Regular cleaning ensures your dishes taste as delicious as possible, without any unpleasant aftertastes or odors from leftover residue.
6. Ease of Cleaning: Frequent cleaning is easier and quicker than dealing with stubborn, baked-on grease and food particles that accumulate over time. The tips and solutions help make cleaning tiresome, ensuring your air fryer remains in top shape with minimal effort.

Materials You Will Need

Before we dive into the cleaning process, gather the following materials:

• Warm, soapy water for cleaning the detachable components.
• Soft-bristle brush or sponge for gentle scrubbing.
• Soft cloth or paper towels for drying.
• Toothbrush: Useful for cleaning tight spots.
• Dish soap in breaking down grease and food residues.
• Baking soda: For stubborn stains (optional).
• Vinegar: An excellent natural cleaner (optional).
• Non-abrasive scrubbing pad: For tough stains (optional).

How to Clean your Air Fryer Oven

Cleaning your air fryer is essential for its proper maintenance. You can thoroughly clean your air fryer by following these straightforward steps.

Step 1: Unplug and Cool Down. Safety is a top priority. First, ensure that your air fryer is turned off and unplugged. Let it cool down completely before you begin the cleaning process. This is essential to avoid accidental burns and ensure you can safely handle the appliance.

Step 2: Clean Removable Parts The next step is to remove the basket, tray, and pan from your air fryer. Food directly comes into contact with these components and can accumulate grease, oil, and food particles after use. To clean them, you have a couple of options. You can wash these removable parts with warm, soapy water like your regular dishes. Many air fryers have dishwasher-safe components, so you can opt for that if the user manual specifies it. Dishwashing is a convenient option, but ensure the dishwasher is compatible with these parts to avoid damage.

Step 3: Clean the Main Unit. When cleaning the main unit of your air fryer, there are some key guidelines to follow. The main unit should never be submerged in water. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe down the unit's exterior, including the control panel. This helps remove any food splatters or grease residue accumulated during cooking. Ensure you do not use abrasive materials that may cause scratches on the outer surface.

If you notice any food particles or residue on the heating coil, typically located at the top of the unit, it is important to address this as well. The heating coil is essential to your air fryer, and keeping it clean is crucial for optimal performance. It would be best to allow the air fryer to cool completely to clean the heating coil. After cooling down, gently remove any debris or residue using a soft dish brush or a damp cloth. This is similar to cleaning the heating element on an electric stove.

Step 4: Dry and Reassemble After cleaning all the components of your air fryer, it is important to ensure they are completely dry before reassembly. You can use a clean kitchen towel or allow the parts to air dry on the counter. Ensuring no lingering moisture is important, as any remaining moisture can promote bacterial growth. Once everything is dry, you can reassemble your air fryer and prepare it for your next cooking adventure.

This thorough cleaning ensures that your air fryer remains in top condition, operates efficiently, and continues producing delicious, healthier meals without any issues. Cleaning your air fryer regularly is a small investment of time and effort that pays off in terms of appliance longevity and food quality.

How to Deep Clean Your Air Fryer

Deep cleaning your air fryer involves a more thorough process than routine cleaning after each use. Here are some of the ways on how to deep clean your air fryer:

Step 1: Water and Heat Method. You can treat it like a nonstick pan if you have caked-on food in your air fryer. Place one cup of water in your air fryer basket. Turn on the air fryer at a high setting for a few minutes and leave it alone. When you open the drawer, you will find that a lot of debris and grease have lifted without scrubbing or soap.

Step 2: Soak Removable Parts. For gunky removable parts, like the basket, tray, or pan, submerge them in hot, soapy water for around 30 minutes. Lightly scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a toothpick gently to reach tough-to-clean places, such as holes in the grate. Avoid submerging the whole air fryer in water.

Step 3: Overnight Soak for a Gunky Basket. If your air fryer basket is particularly dirty, let it soak overnight. Fill your sink or a dishtub with hot, soapy water deep enough to cover the basket. Do not submerge the entire unit in water. Avoid abrasive scrubbers like steel wool, as they can damage the metal. Use bristled brushes for effective cleaning.

Step 5: Fan Cleaning. If you suspect the fan needs cleaning, consult an appliance repair expert. To clean the fan blades, unplug the machine and use a rag. If the fan is behind the heating coils, use slim tongs to access it.

To avoid deep cleaning hassles, maintain your air fryer after every use. Use oil spray to prevent sticking, or line the basket with parchment paper designed for air fryers.

How to Use Natural Degreasers to Clean your Air Fryer Oven

Using natural degreasers for cleaning your air fryer oven is a smart and eco-friendly choice. These ingredients are readily available in most homes and are safe to use. Here are some natural degreasers you can use:

1. Baking Soda Paste. Form a paste by blending baking soda with a small quantity of water. Apply the paste to greasy areas inside the air fryer oven. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to loosen the grease. Gently scrub your air fryer with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to remove the grease. Rinse with clean water and ensure it is completely dry before using.
2. Vinegar and Water Solution. Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water. Spray or apply this solution on the greasy areas inside your air fryer oven. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to break down the grease. Gently scrub with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to eliminate the grease, then rinse with clean water and dry before using.
3. Lemon Juice and Hot Water Solution. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a bowl. Dilute the lemon juice with hot water. Apply the solution to greasy areas inside the air fryer oven. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to break down the grease. Gently scrub with a non-aggressive sponge or cloth to remove the grease. Rinse with clean water and ensure it is dry before using.

Cleaning Tips for Your Air Fryer

Cleaning your air fryer is essential to maintain its performance and ensure the appliance's longevity. Here are some useful tips for cleaning your air fryer:

• Read the Manual: Always start by reading the user manual that comes with your specific air fryer model. It will provide manufacturer-recommended cleaning instructions and identify which components are dishwasher safe.
• Wait for Cooling: After using your air fryer, let it cool down completely before cleaning it. The components can be very hot, and cleaning them while hot can be dangerous.
• Unplug the Air Fryer: Safety first – ensure the air fryer is unplugged from the power source before cleaning to prevent any electrical accidents.
• Soak in Hot, Soapy Water: For stubborn residue that won't come off easily, soak the affected parts in hot, soapy water before cleaning them. This can help loosen the stuck-on debris.
• Use Gentle Cleaning Tools: To prevent damaging the nonstick coating, use a soft sponge or a damp cloth for cleaning. Avoid using metal tools or scouring pads, which can harm the surface.
• Avoid Submerging: Never submerge the main unit of your air fryer in water or any other liquid. This could harm the electronic parts and make the air fryer non-functional.

FAQs

Q. How often should you clean your air fryer oven to ensure it stays in good working condition?

Clean your air fryer oven regularly to prevent residue buildup. After each use, clean the removable parts and wipe the exterior. For regular users, perform a more thorough weekly cleaning, focusing on the interior and the heating element area. Immediate deep cleaning is necessary for significant oil or food residue and spills. Always unplug and allow it to cool before cleaning.

Q. How can I maintain a clean air fryer during use?

To maintain a clean air fryer during use, avoid overloading the basket, use parchment paper or liners, lightly oil food, check for spills and address them promptly, be mindful of excess breading, wipe down splatters as you go, and consider using a splatter guard to minimize mess. These practices make post-cooking cleanup easier and extend the appliance's lifespan.

Q. Is water effective for cleaning an air fryer oven?

Water can be useful for cleaning certain parts of your air fryer oven, such as the removable components, and soaking to remove stubborn residue. It is safe for washing the basket, tray, and pan. However, it should not be used to immerse the entire air fryer oven, especially the main unit with electrical components. Always refer to your appliance's user manual for specific cleaning instructions and restrictions.

Q. How can you effectively eliminate a burnt plastic smell from a brand-new air fryer oven?

To remove a burnt plastic smell from a new air fryer oven, ensure proper ventilation, check for plastic residue, perform a burn-off process recommended by the manufacturer, use natural odor-absorbing agents like lemon juice, coffee grounds, or baking soda, and repeat these methods as needed. If the smell persists, contact the manufacturer or retailer for further assistance.

Conclusion

Keeping your air fryer oven clean is easy if you follow simple steps. Remember to unplug it and let it cool down before cleaning. Removable parts are removed and washed with soapy water or put in the dishwasher if safe. Use a smooth sponge or cloth to scrub away any stuck-on bits. For tough grease, natural degreasers can be handy. Also, do not forget to wipe the exterior and handle. Always check the user manual for specific instructions, and avoid putting the whole unit in water. Regular cleaning can help your air fryer oven last longer and cook your favorite foods without unwanted extra flavors.

Featured Reviews

Related Posts