How to Clean an Air Fryer: Basket, Tray, Heating Element and Sticky Grease
A quick wash after each use keeps an air fryer working well and its nonstick coating intact. Here is the routine, the deep clean for sticky grease, and the tools to keep away from the basket.
To clean an air fryer, unplug it and let it cool, then wash the basket and tray in warm water with dish soap using a soft sponge, wipe the inside with a damp cloth, and dry everything completely. For sticky, built-up grease, soak the parts in hot soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes or use a baking soda paste. Never use steel wool or metal tools on a nonstick basket, and never submerge the main unit in water.
Air fryers blow hot air around food at speed, so grease and crumbs end up in the basket, on the tray and sometimes on the heating element above. A short wash after each use prevents the stubborn, varnish-like layer that forms when grease is reheated again and again.
What you need
- Dish soap and warm water
- A soft sponge or non-scratch scrubber
- A soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
- Baking soda
- Microfiber cloths
- Wooden skewer or toothpick for mesh holes
After every use (five minutes)
- Unplug and cool. Let the unit cool fully; the basket and element stay hot for a while.
- Empty the basket and tip any pooled grease into the trash (not the sink).
- Wash the basket, crisper plate or tray in warm soapy water with a soft sponge.
- Wipe the inside of the drawer housing and the outside with a damp cloth.
- Dry completely before reassembling. Trapped moisture can lead to odors and, on some coatings, rust spots.
Is it dishwasher-safe?
Many baskets and crisper plates are labeled dishwasher-safe, but not all, and the instructions vary between models. Check the manual or the parts themselves. Even when allowed, hand-washing is often gentler on nonstick coatings over time, because dishwasher detergents are abrasive and hot. The main housing, which contains the fan, heating element and electronics, is never dishwasher-safe.
Deep clean for sticky grease
- Soak the basket and tray in hot water with a generous squirt of dish soap for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Scrub with a soft brush, working into the mesh or holes. Use a wooden skewer for stuck bits.
- For residue that won’t budge, spread a paste of baking soda and a little water, wait 15 minutes, then scrub gently and rinse.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Baking soda is a mild abrasive. Use it gently with a soft brush on nonstick surfaces, never with a scouring pad.
Cleaning the heating element and the inside
Food bits can be blown up onto the element and burn there, causing smoke and a smell.
- Make sure the unit is unplugged and cool.
- Remove the basket and, if your manual says it is safe, turn the unit upside down to see the element.
- Brush the element gently with a soft, dry brush to remove crumbs.
- Wipe greasy areas around it with a cloth barely dampened with soapy water. Do not drip water onto electrical parts.
- Let everything dry fully before plugging it back in.
Some models have a fan cover or element shield; follow the manual for access. Don’t remove screws or panels the manual doesn’t mention.
What protects the coating and what damages it
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Soft sponge, nylon or silicone brush | Steel wool, metal scouring pads |
| Wooden, silicone or nylon tongs | Metal forks and knives in the basket |
| Dish soap and warm water | Oven cleaner and harsh degreasers |
| Soaking removable parts | Submerging the main unit |
| Parchment or liners sized for air fryers, per manual | Loose foil or paper that can blow into the element |
| A thin brush of oil on food | Aerosol cooking sprays, which some makers say can build up on nonstick coatings |
When the nonstick coating starts to peel
Scratches and flaking happen with age or with metal tools. Many cookware makers advise replacing nonstick pans once the coating is badly damaged, and the same reasoning applies to an air fryer basket. Replacement baskets are often available from the manufacturer. If yours has a stainless steel or ceramic-coated basket, follow its own care notes; ceramic coatings are also vulnerable to abrasives.
Smoke and smells
- White smoke usually comes from fat dripping onto hot surfaces. Empty grease more often and add a tablespoon of water to the drawer when cooking fatty foods, if your manual allows it.
- Black smoke can mean food is burning on the element. Switch off, unplug and let it cool, then clean the element.
- Lingering odors after fish or garlic: wash the parts, then wipe the drawer with a cloth dampened with a little diluted white vinegar or lemon juice, and air it out.
Like other countertop gadgets, an air fryer benefits from a regular slot in your cleaning routine; our weekly cleaning schedule includes small appliances. If your microwave needs attention too, see how to clean a microwave.
Chemical safety
Dish soap is all most air fryers need. If you use a degreaser, choose one the manual allows, follow the label, rinse thoroughly and ventilate. Don’t combine cleaning products. If someone swallows, inhales or gets a cleaning product in the eyes, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or emergency services.
Bottom line
Unplug, cool, wash the basket and tray with dish soap and a soft sponge after each use, and dry thoroughly. Soak and use baking soda for sticky grease, brush the element gently when it smokes, and keep metal tools and abrasive pads well away from the nonstick coating.
FAQ
How often should I deep clean my air fryer?
Wash the basket after every use and do a deeper clean of the inside and element every few weeks, or whenever you notice smoke or smells.
Can I use vinegar in an air fryer?
A cloth dampened with diluted white vinegar is fine for wiping odors from the drawer housing. Don’t pour liquid into the unit or onto the element, and rinse the basket with plain water afterward.
Why is my air fryer basket sticky even after washing?
Repeatedly heated oil polymerizes into a tacky film. A long hot soak with dish soap, then a baking soda paste and soft brush, usually removes it.
Is it safe to use foil in an air fryer?
Some manuals allow it with restrictions, others don’t. Loose foil can be blown into the heating element. Check your manual before using foil or parchment.
