7 Tools and Tips You Need to REALLY Clean Your Air Fryer
Air fryers are the new “it” kitchen tool, and if you got one recently, I bet it’s been fun getting to know a new appliance: how to use it, all the possibilities of what you can cook with it, and how it can fit into your cooking routine. What’s less fun is taking care of it.
A couple of months’ use probably has you wondering, right about now, how to give that air fryer a deeper clean. Here are some tips, including the tools and products you should have handy in order to give your air fryer a thorough cleaning.
First, a note: Always make sure your air fryer is unplugged and completely cool before cleaning it. Then once you’re done, make sure all your air fryer components are completely clean and dry before putting your unit back together.
Use lemon juice and vinegar to get rid of odors.
If your air fryer starts to get a little stinky, put a small oven-safe dish in the basket, add equal parts lemon juice and white vinegar to the dish (an ounce of each is enough), then turn your air fryer on for about two minutes
Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean without damage.
Using metal or harsh scrubbers on your air fryer can damage the nonstick finish. Rather than turning to these tougher tools and risk ruining your brand new appliance, use a damp microfiber cloth to work on trouble spots. Microfiber also works great on the exterior of your unit. Follow a wipe-down with a dry buff to prevent water spots.
Try a baking soda and water paste to soften dried-on messes.
Food that’s been stuck on your unit for a while gets harder and harder to remove. If you have areas that aren’t getting clean with an attentive wipe-down, make a paste with baking soda and water. Baking soda won’t scratch the finish in your air fryer but will penetrate more stubborn messes.
Use a soft-bristled brush to loosen crumbs and baked-on food.
A brush is great for reaching narrow crevices and cracks that tend to gather food residue and crumbs. Use a soft-bristled one to loosen stuck-on dirt lodged in tricky spaces. If you don’t have a detail cleaning brush at home, an old toothbrush can be repurposed for cleaning instead!
Use dish soap to easily lift grease.
While the whole point of air frying is reducing the use of grease and oil as you cook, you may still have some from seasoning food or the food itself. The longer it stays in your unit, and the more times it gets re-heated, the sticker it gets. Dish soap dissolves grease and using your scrub brush to apply it will take care of many air fryer messes.
Soak your fryer basket in a vinegar solution.
Soaking your basket is an easy way to make sure every part of the basket is getting attention. Mix a solution of half-vinegar, half-water and soak your basket for 15 minutes before scrubbing with your brush and rinsing.
Don’t forget to clean the heating element.
Food and grease can fall onto the heating element. Turn your air fryer upside down and check it when you do a deeper clean. If the heating element is dirty, you can wipe it down with a dry or very-lightly-damp microfiber cloth.