Why Cleaning Your Air Fryer Is a Must

Air fryers are great, but they need to be cleaned well. If you skip this step, your food can smell bad and even taste burnt. Grease and old crumbs accumulate fast inside the tray basket and walls. These bits can burn and change how your food tastes. In some cases, they release things like acrylamide. This is a substance that may harm your health if eaten often. Old oil and crumbs can also grow bacteria. If your air fryer looks dirty, it's time to clean it properly.

What You Need to Clean an Air Fryer

You do not need fancy tools to clean your air fryer. You also do not need strong sprays. Just use simple things from your kitchen. The goal is to scrub off grease without harming the surface. You want it clean but still in good shape.

Here is what works best:

• Baking soda: It helps lift smells and breaks down burnt bits.
• Mild dishwashing soap: Use our Dishwashing Sheets. They are plant-based and kind to your air fryer. No harsh stuff. Just clean and simple.
• Soft sponge: A soft sponge keeps the surface safe. Hard ones scratch. Our scrub sponge is a good choice. It is made from Egyptian Loofah. It works hard on grease but stays soft on your fryer.
• Old toothbrush: Use it for corners and mesh. It gets into places a sponge can’t.
• Toothpick: Good for lifting crumbs from tight spots in the mesh.
• Microfibre cloth or kitchen cloth: Wipe the tray and inside areas after cleaning. Use it dry or damp. Avoid a paper towel, and use our swedish discloth instead.
• Hot water: Soak parts in hot water. It softens hard food and helps you clean faster.
• Tongs (optional): Use silicone or rubber tongs to lift warm parts. It keeps your hands safe.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning Your Air Fryer

Before you start cleaning, always unplug the appliance and make sure your air fryer has cooled down completely, if it's a little bit warm, that's ok too.

1. Cleaning the Basket and Pan Part

Add a dishwashing sheet, a spoonful of baking soda, and hot water into the basket and pan. Let it soak for 5–10 minutes to loosen greasy food particles and oil residue. Scrub with a soft sponge or old toothbrush, rinse with clean water, and dry it completely with a towel.

For stubborn food residue, try a paste of baking soda and a splash of water or use a toothpick to remove crumbs stuck in the mesh.

2. Steam-Cleaning Method (Optional)

Want to make cleaning the interior easier? Pour a small amount of water, 1 piece of dishwashing sheet and some vinegar into the drawer. Place the basket and pan inside, set your air fryer to 100°C for about 5–10 minutes, and let it run. The steam will help loosen gunk from inside the unit.

3. For the Heating Element and Fan Area

Use a microfibre cloth or a dry cleaning brush to wipe away debris and crumbs. For greasy bits, try a soft toothbrush. Don’t use anything abrasive or metal that could damage the non-stick coating or the element itself. Avoid going under grills or unscrewing parts, just wipe what you can reach.

5. Cleaning the Exterior Part is easy

Give the outside a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Models with fewer dials and grooves are easier to keep clean.

How to Get Rid of Smells in Your Air Fryer

If your air fryer still has bad smells even after cleaning, it’s likely that stubborn food residue or grease is still hiding in a hard-to-reach spot. Start by double-checking those areas and give them another thorough clean with vinegar and warm, soapy water. A soft toothbrush or cleaning brush can help get into tricky spots where smells like to linger.

If the odour still won’t budge, try running your air fryer with a mix of vinegar and lemon slices in the basket at around 160°C for 3 to 5 minutes. This is step 2 from the step-by-step of cleaning an air fryer.

This step helps neutralise deep smells. Make sure all parts are completely dry before using it again. You can also leave a bowl of baking soda or coffee grounds inside the air fryer (while it's turned off) overnight to help absorb any leftover odours.

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?

Quick cleans should happen after every use. It doesn’t have to be deep every time — just a quick wipe of the basket and tray is enough if you’re cooking in batches. The inside walls and heating element area should get a proper clean every week or so. The longer you leave grease, the harder it becomes to clean, and it may damage the non-stick coating.

Tips to Keep Your Air Fryer Clean Longer

Cleaning is easier when you stop the mess before it starts. These tips help you spend less time scrubbing and more time cooking food you enjoy.

• Use a liner like baking paper (or parchment paper). It catches oil and crumbs before they stick to the tray. Make sure it does not block the air holes.
• Do not fill the basket too much. When food is packed in tight, it splatters and makes a mess near the heating element. It also stops your food from cooking evenly.
• Wipe any spills right away. Use a damp cloth while the fryer is still a little warm. It takes five seconds now instead of ten minutes later.
• Wash by hand when it gets messy. Even if it says dishwasher safe, a soft sponge and warm water will keep the surface in good shape for longer.
• Do a deep clean once a week. Clean the full unit and check for grime near the top. That area gets greasy and is easy to miss.

A little care after each use keeps your air fryer working better and longer.

Common Mistakes When Cleaning  Air Fryer

Cleaning your air fryer doesn’t have to be tricky, but a few common slip-ups can make the job harder or even damage your appliance. Here are the mistakes to avoid and how to do it right:

Not unplugging first

It sounds simple but it is easy to forget. Always unplug your air fryer before you clean it. This keeps you safe from burns and shocks.

Waiting too long

Let it cool, but not too much. If the food dries, it sticks harder. Clean while it is still warm and easy to wipe.

Using rough tools

Avoid using abrasive tools such as steel wool and rough sponges, they do more harm than good. They scratch the basket and tray. This makes food stick and ruins the surface.

Using strong cleaners

Oven sprays and harsh products leave behind harmful stuff. They also damage the coating. Use mild soap or Lucent Globe Dishwashing Sheets.

Skipping the heating area

Crumbs and grease build up near the top. This makes smoke and smells. Wipe around the heating part with a soft brush or cloth.

Using dishwasher

Even if the tray says dishwasher-safe, tablets can wear it down. The coating fades and may release bad stuff when hot. Hand wash to be safe.

Washing the wrong parts

Not all parts can be washed. Check the manual first. If you are not sure, just wash it by hand.