How to clean an air fryer and what you should never do

There's no doubt the air fryer remains the kitchen appliance of the moment thanks to its ability to whip up healthy, yet delicious, food in minutes without the hefty oven-use price tag.

But though many of us have become experts air fryer users, cleaning them is another matter.

TikTok hashtag #airfryercleaninghack has 6 million views and shows us that, despite requiring minimal oil, there’s a lot of grease and grime that builds up over time. So, a deep clean is likely well overdue.

But turns out there's a best practice in giving your must-have kitchen gadget a cleanover.

For those wanting to remove the grease and grime without causing damage, we spoke to the experts at Studio about the dos and don’ts of cleaning an air fryer.

Read the instruction manual

Sounds obvious we know, but you should always read the manual before cleaning as not all air fryers are created equal and different makes and models have specific recommendations for cleaning.

The instruction manual will explain which parts of your air fryer are removable, and dishwasher-safe, and may even outline the most effective methods for cleaning each piece.

Read more: Best air fryers: The reviews, best features and money-saving potential, Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read

Remove the risk by unplugging and emptying

You should never attempt to clean an electrical appliance unless it is switched off and removed from the plug socket.

If there is any hot oil still in the drawer, empty it out so cleaning is easier. Remember, do not dispose of oil down the sink as it can cause blockages. Instead, put the oil in a non-recyclable container and into your general waste bin.

Make sure to let all parts of the air fryer cool completely before attempting to clean it to avoid burning yourself.

Take advantage of the dishwasher

If your air fryer is dishwasher-safe, make the most of it.

Most drawers and trays of an air fryer can be placed straight into the dishwasher, meaning you can give them a deep clean and remove grime with minimal effort.

Just pop the parts into the bottom rack of your dishwasher and set on a full wash. Remember to towel dry when you take them out before putting them back into the air fryer.

Get in all the nooks and crannies

If using a dishwasher isn’t an option, then clean your air fryer with warm soapy water.

A great tip for getting in the hard-to-reach crevices is to use a small soft-bristled brush, such as a bottle brush, to scrub smaller spaces. An old toothbrush would also work well.

Avoid steel wire brushes or hard-bristled brushes as these will scratch the surface. If some stains are proving tricky to clean, let the removable parts of the air fryer soak in hot soapy water before tackling them.

For the interior parts that can’t be removed, you can make a low-cost, non-abrasive cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Simply spray over the appliance and then wipe away with a damp cloth.

Read more: Russell Hobbs' new Dual Basket Air Fryer is ideal for families - and already on sale, Yahoo Life UK, 2-min read

Fill with water and turn on

One popular TikTok hack suggests filling the air fryer drawer with soap and water before turning it on for five minutes, this simple trick will not effectively remove those stubborn stains and is actually very dangerous.

You should never add water to any kind of electrical equipment, and especially in an air fryer where the steam could rise and come into contact with the heating element.

This hack could be a costly mistake, damaging your air fryer beyond repair.

Damage the non-stick coating

Using methods that are too rough or abrasive could damage your air fryer.

If you are using a course cloth, such as a scourer, to remove stubborn bits of oil or burnt food, you could not only be scratching the appliance but you might also remove the non-stick coating.

Ditto using any chemical-based cleaning sprays, as this could also impact the effectiveness of the non-stick coating over time.

Read more: Ninja launches its largest and most versatile air fryer yet, Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read

Forget to clean the heating element

Cleaning the heating element is not necessary after every use, but it is good practice to do so regularly to ensure grime doesn’t build up.

Dirt on the heating element could result in burning, which can cause damage to the appliance and leave a bad smell every time you use the air fryer.

To clean, gently wipe down the element with a cloth or a toothbrush to remove any grease. Do not use any cleaning products that could create fumes when next using the air fryer.

Once you’ve cleaned your air fryer completely, turn the appliance on and let it run for a few minutes without food to catch any stubborn bits of food which you were unable to shake free manually.