Are you looking for the best way to remove baked-on grease and residue from your air fryer? Learn how easy it is to clean an air fryer to make it last.
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A few years ago, after doing a ton of research I decided to purchase an air fryer. I’ll admit I was hesitant, mostly because I had just purchased an instant pot (which I still love and use ). I wondered at the time if I needed another small appliance in my kitchen.
But, after reading so many rave reviews of being able to cook your food in a healthier way with minimal prep and clean-up, I took the plunge and ordered the air fryer and realized that it was even better than I had read. As with most people, I started cooking easy beginner air fryer recipes and then worked my way up to cooking breakfasts, side dishes, appetizers, desserts, and even holiday meals.
You may like:
- 15 Best Air Fryer Cookbooks to Buy-find the best recipes to make in your air fryer. Great to give as gifts or keep for yourself to make the most out of your new small appliance.
There is no doubt that the air fryer has earned a permanent place in my kitchen and because of this I want to make sure it lasts as long as it can. Of course, the best way to do this is to make sure you are properly maintaining it.
Since the air fryer uses little to no oil, clean-up is relatively simple. As long as you are doing a few important things, you should have no problem prolonging the life of your air fryer.
How to Clean Your Air Fryer to Make it Last
Before we get started, there are a few things that you need to be aware of when using your air fryer that will help make the cleaning process easier and your air fryer last longer.
Never use these items in your air fryer:
- metal utensils
- scouring pads
- steel wool
- abrasive sponges
- non-stick aerosol sprays (like Pam)
All of these products can scratch the non-stick coating of your basket, causing flaking which can lead to rust. Ultimately, once any kind of scratching occurs, it results in food sticking to the basket making cleaning very difficult.
Avoid any non-stick aerosol sprays because they will actually leave a sticky residue on your basket which causes peeling so use an oil mister instead.
Some helpful tips for using an oil mister:
- You may need to loosen the top of your oil mister to release leftover air pressure after you use it. This helps the oil come out easier when you decide to use it again. Make sure to re-tighten.
- Try to fill with oil halfway or there may not be enough room for the pressure to build up which may result in getting a drizzle of oil instead of a spray.
Always unplug the air fryer before you start cleaning
After you have used the air fryer, remember to unplug the unit and let it sit for 15-20 minutes or until completely cooled down. Never submerge the main unit in water.
Clean immediately after every use
To keep your air fryer in the best shape possible, clean after every use to avoid any build-up. Once my air fryer basket and drawer are cooled I will soak them in warm soapy water and allow them to sit while we are eating to loosen any baked-on residue.
Wash by hand
Although your air fryer may say it’s dishwasher safe, I like to err on the side of caution when it comes to this small appliance. Washing the air fryer basket and accessories by hand with a soft sponge and mild detergent helps to avoid any scratching that can occur.
It may seem like a pain to have to wash it by hand after every use but not cleaning an air fryer frequently may affect its performance.
As an alternative, you can use parchment liners or aluminum foil to help make clean-up easier.
Can you use aluminum foil in your air fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in your air fryer, I do it all the time. However, since an air fryer works by circulating hot air around your food to cook it, you want to make sure that you are not covering your food. But, use a small amount on the bottom of your basket to still allow the air to circulate.
Looking for more helpful accessories for your air fryer?
- 12 Must-Have Air Fryer Accessories- you can make the most out of your air fryer with these accessories any air fryer owner will love.
Use these 5 Easy Steps when cleaning your air fryer
Cleaning your air fryer doesn’t have to be difficult, it’s actually very easy and you will find most times, it will simply just need to be wiped out. But, for those times when you have baked-on residue, these helpful cleaning tips may come in handy.
Step 1- Remove the basket and soak
After letting the air fryer completely cool, remove the air fryer basket, tray, or pans and place them into hot soapy water to soak while you are enjoying the delicious food you just cooked.
Step 2- Clean the inside of the air fryer
When you are ready to start cleaning up and your removable parts are soaking, wipe the interior of your air fryer with a soapy damp cloth. Then, rinse with a clean cloth to remove any soap left behind.
Now and then, make sure to check the heating coil to see if you notice any dirt or oil build-up and wipe with a damp cloth.
Step 3- Clean the exterior
After wiping down the inside of your air fryer, then move on to the exterior. It shouldn’t be that dirty so a quick wipe with a damp cloth is usually all that is needed.
Step 4- Wash the basket
It’s finally time to start cleaning the basket and other removable parts. Simply use a soft cloth to remove any baked-on residue. The soaking should make this process a lot easier but if you are still having a hard time, try a non-abrasive sponge to remove any stubborn food particles.
Step 5- Dry the basket
Dry any removable parts thoroughly with a soft dry cloth until completely dried or alternatively, you can place your basket back in and turn on your air fryer to quickly get it dry. Just make sure to let it cool down before you put it away.
Even after all these years, I’m still learning new things and experimenting with new recipes and tips to get the most out of my air fryer. I share what I’ve learned over the years in my 20 Best Air Fryer Tips for Beginners. Hopefully, you will learn to love this versatile small appliance as much as I have.
Looking for more air fryer recipes for beginners?
- 20 Easy and Healthy Air Fryer Recipes- you can find simple and healthy recipes that go beyond cooking prepackaged frozen foods.
- 19 Air Fryer Pumpkin and Apple Recipes for Fall–delicious fall-inspired dessert recipes to cook in your air fryer.
- 14 Best Air Fryer Chicken Wing Recipes– crispy and juicy chicken wings to serve at your next get-together.
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