How to Clean an Air Fryer: Basket, Grease and Element

Air fryers get greasy surprisingly quickly. Fat drips from sausages, wings and bacon into the drawer, and a fine film builds up on the element above. Left alone, it starts to smoke, smell and stick to the next batch.

A two-minute clean after each use saves a long scrub later. Here is a routine that works for most basket and drawer models, plus a deeper clean for when things have got out of hand.

Before you start

Always switch off and unplug the air fryer first, then wait until it has cooled completely — the element and the inside of the drawer stay hot for a while after the fan stops.

Check your manual for two things: whether the basket and drawer are dishwasher safe, and what the manufacturer says about cleaning products. Most non-stick coatings dislike abrasive scourers, metal brushes and harsh oven cleaners.

The quick clean after each use

Do this once the drawer is cool enough to handle:

1. Pour away any fat collected in the drawer. Let it cool and set, then bin it — do not pour it down the sink.
2. Wash the basket, crisper plate and drawer in warm water with washing-up liquid, using a soft sponge.
3. Rinse and dry thoroughly before putting them back.
4. Wipe the outside of the unit with a damp cloth.

Tip: Putting a splash of hot water and a drop of washing-up liquid into the drawer straight after you finish cooking (with the unit switched off) loosens grease while you eat.

Deep cleaning baked-on grease

If the basket has brown, sticky residue, fill the sink with hot soapy water and soak the parts for 20–30 minutes. Then work at the residue with a soft brush, such as a washing-up brush or an old toothbrush, paying attention to the holes or mesh.

For stubborn patches, mix bicarbonate of soda with a little water into a thick paste. Spread it over the marks, leave for 15 minutes, then scrub gently and rinse. The mild abrasiveness lifts grease without the damage a scouring pad can cause.

Cleaning the heating element and inside

With the drawer removed and the unit unplugged and cold, turn the air fryer upside down on a towel (if your manual allows) to see the element. Brush away any crumbs with a dry soft brush, then wipe gently with a barely damp cloth or sponge with a little washing-up liquid.

Wipe off any soap with a clean damp cloth and leave the unit to dry fully before plugging it back in. Never spray water directly into the unit or immerse it in water.

What not to use

These can scratch or strip coatings, leave residues that burn off as fumes, or damage the electrics.

• Metal scourers, wire wool or metal brushes on non-stick parts
• Oven cleaner sprays, unless the manufacturer explicitly approves them
• Bleach or harsh chemical cleaners
• Sharp utensils to scrape out residue
• Water or liquid poured into the main body of the unit

Keeping it cleaner for longer

Perforated parchment or a silicone liner under sticky or marinated foods saves a lot of scrubbing. Shake excess marinade off meat before it goes in, and avoid overloading the basket, which pushes food against the sides where it sticks.

If you cook something particularly fatty, such as pork belly or lots of sausages, empty the fat halfway through. Built-up fat in the drawer is the most common cause of white smoke.

How to get rid of smells

Lingering fish or garlic smells usually come from grease rather than the unit itself, so a thorough wash fixes most of them. For anything left, wipe the inside with a cloth dampened with a mix of water and a little lemon juice or white vinegar, then wipe again with plain water and let it dry with the drawer open.

General information only. Check product labels and manufacturer instructions before you start.