How to Clean an Air Fryer: Step-by-Step Guide

Air fryers make crispy meals with less mess than traditional frying, but grease, crumbs, oil, and food residue can build up surprisingly quickly.

Regular cleaning can help prevent odors, smoke caused by old food residue, sticky buildup, and damage to nonstick surfaces.

The exact cleaning procedure depends on your air fryer, so always start with the manufacturer's instructions.

Important: Air fryer baskets, trays, racks, drawers, coatings, heating systems, and dishwasher-safe parts vary by brand and model. Always check your owner's manual before cleaning or removing parts.

Signs Your Air Fryer Needs Cleaning

Your air fryer may need attention if you notice:

• Grease buildup

• Sticky residue

• Food crumbs

• Burned-on food

• Lingering food odors

• Smoke caused by old grease or food

• Dirty basket or tray

• Residue around accessible interior surfaces

• Food beginning to pick up old odors

Cleaning may help with residue-related smoke and smells, but electrical smells, sparks, or unexplained smoke should be treated differently.

What You'll Need

Depending on your manufacturer's recommendations, useful supplies may include:

• Soft microfiber cloth

• Nonabrasive sponge

• Soft-bristled brush

• Warm water

• Mild dish soap, if approved

• Clean towel

• Your air fryer owner's manual

You may also use a manufacturer-approved cleaning product if your manual recommends one.

Avoid:

• Steel wool

• Metal scrubbers

• Razor blades

• Knives

• Harsh abrasive pads

• Oven cleaner unless specifically approved

• Random combinations of cleaning chemicals

Never mix household cleaning products.

How to Clean an Air Fryer

Step 1: Turn Off the Air Fryer

Make sure the cooking cycle has finished.

Turn the appliance off.

For a standard countertop air fryer, disconnect it from power if the plug is safely accessible and your manufacturer instructs you to do so before cleaning.

Do not pull apart or move built-in appliances simply to access wiring or electrical connections.

Step 2: Let the Air Fryer Cool Completely

Air fryers can become extremely hot during cooking.

Wait until:

• Basket is cool

• Cooking drawer is cool

• Interior surfaces are cool

• Heating area is cool

Do not use a fixed cooling time for every appliance.

Follow your manufacturer's instructions and make sure all surfaces are safe to touch before cleaning.

Step 3: Remove the Basket and Other User-Removable Parts

Depending on your model, these may include:

• Basket

• Crisper plate

• Cooking tray

• Rack

• Drawer

• Pan

Only remove parts designed for routine homeowner cleaning.

Do not force components apart.

Step 4: Remove Loose Crumbs and Food

Before washing, remove loose:

• Crumbs

• Burned food

• Bread crumbs

• Batter pieces

• Grease residue

Use a soft cloth or brush.

Do not scrape nonstick surfaces with metal tools.

Step 5: Clean the Air Fryer Basket

Check the care instructions for your basket.

If hand washing is recommended:

1. Use warm water.

2. Add mild dish soap if approved.

3. Use a soft sponge or cloth.

4. Gently clean food and grease.

5. Rinse thoroughly.

6. Dry completely.

Pay special attention to holes or openings where food can collect.

Can the Air Fryer Basket Go in the Dishwasher?

Maybe.

Some baskets are dishwasher-safe while others are not.

Even among dishwasher-safe baskets, manufacturers may specify:

• Dishwasher placement

• Cycle

• Detergent

• Temperature

• Whether frequent machine washing is recommended

Check your owner's manual before placing any air fryer component in the dishwasher.

Step 6: Clean the Crisper Plate, Tray, or Rack

If your air fryer has removable cooking accessories, clean them according to the manufacturer's directions.

For hand washing:

• Use warm water.

• Use mild soap if approved.

• Use a soft sponge.

• Clean around holes and edges.

• Rinse thoroughly.

• Dry completely.

Do not use steel wool or aggressive scraping tools on coated parts.

Step 7: Clean the Cooking Drawer or Pan

Grease often collects in the bottom of the cooking drawer.

Once it is cool and removed from the appliance:

1. Empty crumbs and loose residue.

2. Wipe away excess grease.

3. Wash according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Use only approved cleaning products.

5. Rinse if required.

6. Dry thoroughly.

Do not automatically soak the drawer unless the manufacturer allows it.

How to Remove Stuck-On Food

For stubborn residue, start with the gentlest method.

If the removable part can be soaked:

1. Add warm water.

2. Use mild dish soap if approved.

3. Let the residue soften according to the manufacturer's guidance.

4. Use a nonabrasive sponge or soft brush.

5. Rinse thoroughly.

Do not automatically use vinegar or baking soda.

These products are popular household cleaners, but that does not mean they are appropriate for every air fryer coating.

Step 8: Wipe the Air Fryer Interior

Once the appliance is completely cool, use a soft damp cloth to wipe accessible interior surfaces.

Focus on visible:

• Grease

• Crumbs

• Food splatter

Keep moisture away from:

• Electrical openings

• Vents

• Wiring

• Controls

• Motor areas

Do not pour water into the main appliance body.

Step 9: Clean Around the Heating Area Carefully

Grease or food particles may occasionally collect near accessible areas around the heating system.

Only clean these areas if your owner's manual provides instructions.

Make sure the appliance is:

• Off

• Disconnected from power when appropriate

• Completely cool

Use only the tool and method recommended by the manufacturer.

Do not:

• Remove the heating element

• Bend heating components

• Scrape them with metal

• Spray cleaner directly onto them

• Saturate the area

• Remove internal panels

If buildup cannot be safely reached, stop rather than dismantling the appliance.

Step 10: Clean the Exterior

Use a soft damp cloth to wipe:

• Outer housing

• Handle

• Accessible exterior surfaces

If mild soap is appropriate for the finish, place a small amount on the cloth rather than spraying it directly onto the appliance.

Avoid allowing moisture to enter seams or ventilation openings.

Step 11: Clean the Control Panel

For buttons or touchscreens:

1. Use a soft cloth.

2. Make the cloth only slightly damp.

3. Gently wipe the surface.

4. Dry afterward.

Never spray cleaner directly onto:

• Buttons

• Touchscreens

• Displays

• Control openings

Step 12: Dry Everything Completely

Before reassembly, make sure removable parts are completely dry.

Moisture should not be trapped:

• Under the basket

• Around the tray

• Near electrical areas

• Inside the appliance body

Reassemble everything according to the owner's manual.

How to Remove Grease From an Air Fryer

Grease is easier to remove before it becomes heavily baked on.

For removable parts:

• Wipe away excess grease.

• Use warm water.

• Use approved mild soap.

• Let permitted parts soak if necessary.

• Use a soft sponge.

For the main appliance:

Use only a damp cloth on accessible surfaces.

Never pour degreaser or water into the air fryer body.

How to Remove Air Fryer Odors

Lingering smells often come from:

• Grease

• Burned crumbs

• Strong-smelling food

• Residue under the basket

• Food stuck around removable parts

Start by thoroughly cleaning the removable components.

Then wipe accessible interior surfaces.

Let everything dry completely.

Avoid masking odors with random chemicals or fragrances.

If a smell resembles burning plastic, wiring, or electronics, stop using the appliance.

How Often Should You Clean an Air Fryer?

There is no single schedule for every model.

A useful routine is to inspect the basket and cooking surfaces after each use.

Clean:

• Crumbs

• Grease

• Food splatter

• Sticky residue

before they become baked on.

Other parts may need less frequent cleaning.

Follow your manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

How to Prevent Air Fryer Buildup

Clean Food Residue Promptly

Residue is often easier to remove before it becomes baked onto the surface.

Empty Crumbs

Check beneath removable trays and baskets.

Avoid Overfilling

Follow the manufacturer's capacity recommendations.

Overfilling may increase splatter and interfere with airflow.

Use Oil Appropriately

Follow recipe and appliance instructions.

Excess oil can contribute to greasy buildup.

Check After Greasy Foods

Foods that release significant fat may leave more residue in the drawer or pan.

Common Air Fryer Cleaning Mistakes

Using Steel Wool

Metal scrubbers can damage nonstick coatings.

Scraping With a Knife

Do not use sharp tools to remove burned food.

Assuming Everything Is Dishwasher-Safe

Always check the manual.

Soaking the Main Unit

Never submerge the electrical appliance body.

Pouring Water Into the Air Fryer

The main appliance contains electrical components.

Spraying Cleaner Into the Appliance

Do not spray products into:

• Heating areas

• Vents

• Controls

• Fans

• Electrical openings

Using Oven Cleaner

Only use oven cleaner if the manufacturer specifically says it is safe for your air fryer.

Using Vinegar or Baking Soda Automatically

They are not universally approved for air fryer surfaces.

Mixing Cleaning Products

Never combine household cleaners.

Turning the Air Fryer Upside Down

Do not flip or dismantle the appliance unless the manufacturer specifically instructs you to.

Cleaning While It's Hot

Wait until surfaces are cool enough to handle safely.

Can You Put Water in an Air Fryer to Clean It?

Do not pour water into the main air fryer body.

Some online cleaning methods suggest filling an air fryer basket with water and running the appliance.

Do not do this unless your specific manufacturer explicitly provides that cleaning procedure.

Use the cleaning instructions for your model instead.

Can You Use Vinegar to Clean an Air Fryer?

Some manufacturers may permit vinegar on certain parts.

Others may recommend different products.

Don't assume vinegar is safe for every:

• Nonstick coating

• Basket

• Drawer

• Interior surface

Check the owner's manual first.

Can You Use Baking Soda?

Again, follow the manufacturer's directions.

Baking soda can be abrasive on some surfaces, especially if scrubbed aggressively.

A household cleaner being “natural” does not automatically make it safe for every appliance finish.

Can You Use Dish Soap?

Mild dish soap may be appropriate for many removable parts.

However, follow your manufacturer's instructions.

Never pour dish soap into the appliance body.

What If the Nonstick Coating Is Peeling?

Stop aggressively cleaning the area.

Do not:

• Scrape peeling coating

• Sand it

• Paint it

• Cover it with another material

Contact the manufacturer about whether the basket, tray, or other part should be replaced.

Why Is My Air Fryer Smoking?

Visible smoke can sometimes come from:

• Grease

• Food residue

• Fat dripping into the drawer

• Burned crumbs

If the smoke is clearly food-related, turn the appliance off and clean it once everything is safely cooled.

But stop using the air fryer if smoke:

• Appears electrical

• Comes from the appliance housing

• Is accompanied by sparks

• Has a burning-plastic odor

• Occurs repeatedly without an obvious food cause

When to Stop Using the Air Fryer

Stop using the appliance if you notice:

• Damaged power cord

• Melted plug

• Sparks

• Electrical arcing

• Burning electrical odor

• Melted electrical components

• Smoke not clearly caused by food

• Repeated breaker trips

• Severe damage to the housing

• Exposed wiring

Do not attempt to open the appliance to investigate.

When to Call the Manufacturer or a Professional

Contact the manufacturer or a qualified appliance professional if:

• The appliance has electrical symptoms.

• It repeatedly trips a breaker.

• Smoke appears without a clear food-related cause.

• The cord or plug is damaged.

• Heating performance suddenly changes.

• Internal cleaning would require disassembly.

• A fan or heating system appears damaged.

• Controls malfunction.

• You are unsure whether a damaged coating or component is safe to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I clean my air fryer after every use?

Inspect the cooking parts after each use and remove food residue or grease as needed.

Follow your manufacturer for deeper-cleaning frequency.

Can air fryer baskets go in the dishwasher?

Some can.

Check your exact model before putting the basket or any accessory in the dishwasher.

Can I soak an air fryer basket?

Only if your manufacturer permits soaking the basket.

Do not soak the main appliance.

Can I use oven cleaner?

Only if your manufacturer specifically approves it.

Can I clean the heating element?

You may be able to clean accessible areas around the heating system according to your owner's manual.

Do not remove or dismantle heating components.

Why does my air fryer smell after cleaning?

Residual grease, hidden crumbs, strong food odors, or cleaner residue may remain.

Recheck removable parts and accessible surfaces.

An electrical or burning-plastic smell should be treated as a safety issue.

Can I spray cleaner inside my air fryer?

Do not spray cleaner directly into vents, heating areas, fans, controls, or electrical openings.

Apply approved cleaner to a cloth when appropriate.

What should I do if food is stuck to the basket?

Let it soften using the manufacturer's approved soaking or cleaning method, then use a soft nonabrasive sponge or brush.

Can I use steel wool on an air fryer basket?

No.

It can scratch or damage coated surfaces.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning an air fryer doesn't need to be complicated.

Focus on the parts that collect the most food and grease:

1. Basket

2. Crisper plate or tray

3. Cooking drawer

4. Accessible interior

5. Exterior and controls

Use soft cleaning tools, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and avoid harsh or abrasive products.

Most importantly, keep liquids away from electrical areas and never take apart the appliance simply to reach hidden grease.

A quick cleanup after cooking can prevent much heavier buildup later and keep your air fryer ready for the next meal. ✅

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