Air fryers are a game-changer for your kitchen – there isn’t much an air fryer can’t cook quickly and efficiently. You can use less oil to enjoy healthier fried snacks that are cooked crispy on the outside while remaining succulent on the inside.

The lack of oil needed to use an air fryer means there isn’t much grease to clean up after cooking. But keeping your air fryer in tip-top condition will give you more satisfaction and expand its lifespan.

This guide will show you exactly how to do so.

How to clean an air fryer: From start to finish

You should wipe your air fryer down after each use and remember to do a full clean on a regular basis. Here’s a list of steps to show you how exactly to deep-clean your air fryer.

Step 1: Unplug your air fryer

Before you start cleaning it, it’s important to make sure your air fryer is fully switched off and unplugged. Mixing electrical appliances and water is a big kitchen no-no.

Step 2: Clean the removable accessories

Take apart your air fryer by removing all the loose parts, including the basket, tray, and cooking pan. Hand washing is best to keep your air fryer in immaculate condition. Clean the parts separately in warm water, using mild detergent.

Step 3: Clean the main unit

The most important thing to remember is that the main unit of your air fryer should not be submerged in water, and it can not go in the dishwasher. The easiest way to clean it is by using a damp cloth to wipe the whole thing down, both inside and out, and on the control panel. If there’s any food residue stuck on the heating coil use a soft dish cleaning brush to carefully remove it.

Step 4: Clean the heating coil

One part of your air fryer that you might forget to clean regularly is the heating coil. Located in the top of your air fryer’s unit, the heating coil is the part of your air fryer which distributes the hot air that circulates around to cook your food. If there’s an oil or residue on the heating coil use a damp cloth to wipe it clean.

Step 5: Dry and reassemble your air fryer

Make sure your air fryer is completely dry before you put it back together and use it again. You can wipe it dry with paper towel or leave it to sit out and air dry before you reassemble the parts.

Keeping Your Air Fryer in great condition – Some extra tips and tricks

Making the most of your air fryer isn’t only about building a list of awesome recipes to cook in it. Here’s a couple of bonus cleaning tricks to help you make sure your air fryer stays in great condition.

Never use metal utensils, such as knives, forks, and tongs, to remove crumbs, food residue, or baked-on grease from anywhere on your air fryer’s surfaces. Doing so can damage its non-stick surface, which will prevent your air fryer from working properly. Avoid steel wool scrubbers, metal scrubbers, or other abrasive cleaning tools for the same reason.

If the grease on your air fryer’s removable parts, such as the basket or tray, is baked on then you can try soaking it in warm water and washing up liquid for half an hour to soften it. This will make cleaning its parts easier – just make sure you don’t submerge the main unit in water.

If there’s a bad smell coming from your air fryer it may be because there are food particles stuck in it somewhere. You can remove this from the interior of your air fryer by mixing some baking soda and water to form a paste and using an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush to scrub the interior of your air fryer.

To save time on cleaning your air fryer, try lining it with aluminum foil or baking paper before you cook a meal. This is especially useful when cooking things that are sticky and make a mess, such as chicken wings with sauce on them.

Don’t use disinfectant to clean your air fryer as these are not safe to consume and shouldn’t be used on surfaces your food will be touching. Cleaning your air fryer with dishwashing liquid will keep it clean without contaminating your food.

Make sure your air fryer is fully cool before you clean it. If you’re just used your air fryer recently, don’t remove the parts and clean it straight away. Unplug your air fryer first and leave it to sit turned off for an hour or so until it is cool enough to clean.

This guide will have you well on your way to enjoying a sparkling-clean air fryer and some delicious meals – all you need now is a couple of recipes and you’ll be set.

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