First, make sure your machine is powered off, unplugged from the wall, and cool to the touch. Before you start, have a look at your machine’s instructions for care and cleaning, and always follow these.
Remove the basket, pan, and crisper plate (the removable parts your machine has will depend on the model) from your air fryer and leave them to soak in warm, soapy water, making sure they are fully submerged. Accessories can be soaked alongside if needed as well. Leave these for 10 minutes or so before scrubbing clean with a soft sponge. If residue doesn’t come away easily, leave them to soak a little longer. If you can’t get into some of the crevices, use an old toothbrush.
Don’t use a steel sponge or an abrasive detergent, or you risk damaging the non-stick coating. For any truly stubborn marks, apply a bicarbonate of soda and water paste to the area, leave it for a few minutes, and then scrub clean.
If you’ve previously been washing parts of the machine that are dishwasher-safe on the eco setting of your dishwasher, switch to the normal or auto cycle to clean them more thoroughly once in a while. However, hand washing is generally a gentler and more focused way to clean an air fryer, and it should help the parts last longer. Once clean, dry the parts and set them aside for now.
You won’t just find residue in the basket itself, as the food you’ve been cooking will undoubtedly have spat and spread grease across the inside of your air fryer as well.
Clean the Interior of the Air Fryer
Dampen (don’t saturate) a microfiber cloth and wipe around the inside of your air fryer. Avoid the heating element on the ceiling for now; we will deal with this in a moment. Focus solely on the sides and base of the interior, removing any crumbs as they fall.
Clean the Heating Element
Now you can turn your air fryer onto its side for a better view and easier access to the heating element. If you spot residue here, it needs cleaning too. Gently scrub it using a dry, soft-bristled toothbrush, dampening the element if necessary with a cloth. Take great care not to apply excessive moisture. Carefully brush away any stuck-on residue, moving in the direction of the element. Allow sufficient time for it to dry once you’ve finished.
Wipe Down the Exterior
Finally, take a look at the outside of your air fryer. It can become very greasy, particularly around the control panel, so it often needs a wipe-down as well. A damp microfiber cloth should do the trick, although you can apply a drop of washing-up liquid to the cloth for particularly greasy areas. Be sure to wipe away any soapy residue afterward with another damp cloth.
You can use a toothbrush to dislodge any residue around buttons or dials. Dry the outside as thoroughly as possible with a clean cloth, then leave it to air dry.
Restore Shine to Stainless Steel Models
If you’re dealing with a stainless steel air fryer, there may be fingerprint marks present despite your best efforts. You can buff the exterior to a shine with a few drops of distilled white vinegar on a lint-free cloth. Work in circles to remove unsightly marks.
Your air fryer should now look and work as good as new. Wait until all of the parts are completely dry before reassembling and using it.