If your air fryer has started smelling like last night’s fries or looking a bit greasy, it’s time for a good clean!
Don’t worry — cleaning an air fryer is easier than it looks. You don’t need fancy tools or strong chemicals; just a few minutes, some warm water, and gentle care.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover how to clean every part of your air fryer safely and effectively — including tips to make it smell fresh and last longer.
🍽️ 1. Why Cleaning Your Air Fryer Matters
Your air fryer uses circulating hot air to cook food. Over time, crumbs, oil, and grease build up inside — which can:
- Cause smoke or burnt smells
- Affect food taste
- Reduce cooking efficiency
- Damage the non-stick coating
- Shorten your air fryer’s lifespan
👉 Regular cleaning after every few uses keeps it running safely and tasting great.
🧺 2. What You’ll Need
Gather a few basic cleaning supplies:
✅ Soft sponge or cloth
✅ Mild dish soap
✅ Warm water
✅ Non-abrasive brush or old toothbrush
✅ Paper towels or microfiber towel
✅ Baking soda (for deep cleaning)
✅ Cotton swabs (for hard-to-reach spots)
⚠️ Never use steel wool or harsh scrubbers — they’ll scratch the coating.
🧼 3. Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Air Fryer After Every Use
🥣 Step 1: Unplug & Cool Down
Always unplug the air fryer and let it cool for 10–15 minutes. Cleaning while it’s hot can cause burns or damage parts.
🧺 Step 2: Remove Basket & Pan
Take out the basket and pan/tray. These usually hold most of the grease and crumbs.
🧽 Step 3: Wash with Warm Soapy Water
Use a soft sponge with warm, soapy water to clean the basket and tray.
- If food is stuck, soak for 10 minutes before washing.
- For dishwasher-safe models, you can place them on the top rack.
💧 Step 4: Wipe the Inside
Dip a soft cloth in warm water with a drop of soap and gently wipe the inside chamber.
Avoid getting water into the heating coil or vent areas.
🧹 Step 5: Clean the Heating Element
Turn the air fryer upside down carefully.
Use a soft brush or damp cloth to remove crumbs or grease from the coil.
If it’s greasy, use a little baking-soda paste (mix with water, wipe gently, and dry).
🪶 Step 6: Wipe the Exterior
Use a slightly damp cloth to clean the outer surface and control panel. Dry completely.
🧻 Step 7: Dry & Reassemble
Use paper towels or a dry microfiber cloth to remove moisture.
Reassemble the parts before your next use.
🧂 4. Deep Cleaning (Once Every 1–2 Weeks)
If you cook daily or notice smells, give your air fryer a deeper clean.
Steps:
- Soak basket and tray in hot, soapy water for 20–30 minutes.
- Scrub with a soft brush — especially mesh holes or corners.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda + 2 tablespoons of water to make a paste.
- Apply the paste to greasy spots inside and let sit for 5 minutes, then wipe clean.
- Clean heating coil carefully with a soft brush.
- Run your air fryer empty for 2–3 minutes to dry it fully.
Result: No smell, no residue, no smoke next time you cook.
🚫 5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| ❌ Don’t Do This | ✅ What to Do Instead |
|---|---|
| Use metal scrubbers | Use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth |
| Submerge whole fryer in water | Clean with a damp cloth only |
| Spray harsh cleaners inside | Use mild dish soap or baking soda |
| Ignore the heating element | Wipe coil monthly with a soft brush |
| Stack wet parts immediately | Dry completely before reassembling |
🌿 6. Natural Deodorizing Tips
If your air fryer smells like garlic or fish even after washing:
- Mix 1 tablespoon vinegar + 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a cup of water.
- Pour into the fryer basket (lined with foil).
- Run the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
- Let it cool and wipe clean.
This simple trick removes odor naturally and keeps your fryer smelling fresh!
🧽 7. How Often Should You Clean an Air Fryer?
| Part | Cleaning Frequency |
|---|---|
| Basket & Tray | After every use |
| Inside chamber | Weekly |
| Heating coil | Every 2–3 weeks |
| Exterior | As needed |
| Deep clean (baking soda) | Monthly |
Regular care prevents smoke, improves performance, and keeps flavors clean.
🔧 8. Troubleshooting Grease & Stubborn Residue
If you’ve tried washing and grease still won’t come off, try this:
- Make a paste of baking soda + water.
- Apply to greasy spots with a toothbrush.
- Let sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Scrub gently and rinse.
Still stuck? Soak parts overnight in warm water + vinegar (1:1) — works like magic!
🧴 9. Should You Use Non-Stick Sprays?
Many air fryer baskets already have a non-stick coating, so using aerosol sprays (like PAM) can actually damage them over time.
✅ Use a light oil spray bottle with olive or avocado oil instead.
It’s safer and prevents build-up that makes cleaning harder.
⚙️ 10. Maintenance Tips for Long Life
- Don’t overfill the basket — oil splatters make cleaning tougher.
- Always cool before cleaning.
- Store your air fryer unplugged and covered to prevent dust.
- Use parchment liners for easy clean-up (optional).
- Clean small crumbs weekly to prevent smoke and smells.
💡 11. When to Replace the Basket or Tray
Even with perfect cleaning, the non-stick coating will wear off after 1–2 years.
Signs you may need replacement:
- Coating peels or chips
- Strong burnt smell that won’t go away
- Sticky residue after every use
Most brands sell affordable replacement baskets online, so you can keep using your fryer safely.
🏁 Conclusion — Keep It Clean, Keep It Delicious
Cleaning your air fryer doesn’t have to be a chore.
With just 5–10 minutes of care after each use, you’ll enjoy:
- Better-tasting food
- No smoke or smells
- A longer-lasting appliance
Once it’s clean, your fries will be crispier, your chicken tastier, and your air fryer will thank you with years of great cooking!
🖼️ WebP Image & Alt Text Ideas
| Image Idea | Suggested Alt Text |
|---|---|
| Cleaning air fryer basket in sink | “Washing air fryer basket with warm soapy water” |
| Person wiping air fryer interior | “Cleaning air fryer inside with soft cloth” |
| Baking soda paste in bowl | “Baking soda cleaning solution for air fryer” |
| Lemon-vinegar odor trick | “Natural deodorizing method for air fryer using lemon and vinegar” |
| Air fryer disassembled on counter | “Air fryer parts drying on kitchen towel after cleaning” |
(Save as .webp for faster blog loading — e.g., clean-air-fryer-guide.webp)
🔗 Suggested Internal Links
- What to Cook with an Air Fryer — Everyday Meals & Snacks
- What to Look for in an Air Fryer — Buying Guide 2025
- Air Fryer vs Convection Oven — Which Is Better?
❓ FAQ Section
Q1. Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Yes — most modern baskets are dishwasher-safe. Check your model’s manual first.
Q2. How do I remove burnt food stuck inside?
Soak in warm soapy water for 15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush.
Q3. Is it okay to use vinegar to clean my air fryer?
Yes — mix vinegar with water for natural odor removal and grease cutting.
Q4. Why does my air fryer smoke?
Usually from leftover grease or crumbs near the heating coil. Clean regularly to avoid it.
Q5. How often should I deep-clean my air fryer?
At least once every 1–2 weeks, depending on usage.