How to Clean an Air Fryer (Without Ruining the Nonstick Coating)

Learning how to clean an air fryer properly is the difference between a machine that stays crisp, fast, and odour-free for years and one that starts smoking, sticking, and tasting faintly of last month’s fish. Grease does not just sit in the basket. It bakes onto the heating element, seeps into the drawer, and builds up in corners where a quick rinse never reaches. Left alone, that residue makes food cook unevenly and can shorten the life of the nonstick coating you paid for.

The good news is that a proper clean takes about fifteen minutes, mostly soaking time, not scrubbing. This guide covers basket and oven-style models, the steps for each part, stuck grease and smells, and the mistakes that damage nonstick coatings.

How Often Should You Clean an Air Fryer?

There are two levels, and you need both. The first is the after-every-use clean. Once the basket is cool enough to handle, remove crumbs, wipe out loose grease, and wash the basket and drawer with warm soapy water. This takes five minutes and stops grease baking on during the next cook.

The second is the deep clean, every two to four weeks. Cook daily, or cook fatty foods such as chicken thighs, sausages, or battered items, and deep clean every two weeks. Lighter users who mainly cook vegetables can stretch to once a month. A deep clean covers the heating element, the interior, the exterior, and any racks or trays. If you see smoke, food tastes stale, or the fan sounds strained, deep clean at once.

Basket vs Oven-Style: Know Your Model First

Basket models are the most common. They have a drawer that slides out, with a perforated basket sitting inside it. Hot air circulates around the food, and grease drips through the holes into the drawer below. Cleaning focuses on the basket, the drawer, and the heating element above, which is often hidden behind a grille.

Oven-style models look like small toaster ovens, with a front door, wire racks, a drip tray, and sometimes a rotisserie spit. They hold more food but have more parts: racks, drip tray, door glass, and interior walls. Their heating elements are usually more exposed, so handle them gently to avoid bending. In both types, check your manual before the first deep clean. Some parts are dishwasher-safe, but many nonstick parts are not, even when they look tough. When the manual and a general guide disagree, the manual wins.

Before You Start: Safety and Supplies

Burn safety comes first. Unplug the air fryer and let it cool for at least 30 minutes. The basket may feel cool on the outside while the heating element inside is still hot enough to burn. Keep the main unit on a dry, heatproof surface, away from the sink, and never clean it while it is plugged in.

Gather your supplies before you begin so wet parts do not sit around:

• Soft sponge or non-scratch scrub pad, plus a soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush
• Mild dish soap, baking soda, and white vinegar
• Microfibre cloths, paper towels, and a drying rack or clean tea towel
• A bowl or sink of warm water for soaking removable parts only

Do not reach for oven cleaner, bleach, abrasive powders, or metal scourers. They strip nonstick coatings and can damage the heating element. A soft sponge and patience will remove grease more safely than any harsh cleaner.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning a Basket Air Fryer

1. Remove and empty the parts. Once cool, pull out the drawer and lift out the basket. Tip crumbs and loose grease into the bin, then wipe the drawer with a paper towel to remove the worst of the oil before washing.
2. Soak the basket and drawer. Fill the sink with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, adding two tablespoons of baking soda for heavy grease. Soaking does most of the work, so do not scrub a dry, greasy basket.
3. Wash gently. Use a soft sponge on every nonstick surface, including the holes and underside. Use the toothbrush for corners, hinges, and mesh. Rinse until the water runs clear.
4. Dry completely. Towel-dry both parts, then leave them on a rack for at least 20 minutes. A damp basket traps moisture, encourages odours, and can rust uncoated edges or screws.
5. Clean the inside of the unit. While the parts dry, wipe the interior with a damp microfibre cloth and a drop of dish soap. Work carefully around the heating element, without bending it or poking through the grille. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning an Oven-Style Air Fryer

Unplug and cool the unit for 30 minutes, then remove the racks, drip tray, and any rotisserie parts. Soak the racks and drip tray in warm soapy water for 15 minutes, then wash with a soft sponge. Wipe the drip tray first with paper towels, as it holds the most grease.

Wipe the interior walls and door glass with a damp cloth and a little dish soap, working top to bottom. Avoid getting water into the hinges or seal. Dry the interior, replace the fully dry racks and tray, and leave the door open for 10 minutes. A regular gentle routine matters more than an occasional harsh scrub, as it does for cleaning a washing machine.

How to Clean the Heating Element

The heating element is where smoke and burnt smells usually start. Grease splatters upward, bakes on, and burns off the next time you cook. Make sure the unit is unplugged and fully cool, then turn it upside down if your model allows it, or tilt it carefully so you can see the element.

Dampen a soft cloth with warm water and a tiny amount of dish soap, wring it out well, and wipe the element gently. For baked-on spots, press on a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water, leave it for 10 minutes, then wipe away. Never pour water over the element, use a wire brush, or scrape with a knife. If the grille is removable, wash it separately, but do not remove the element itself. Wipe again until no baking soda remains, then air-dry completely before plugging in.

Cleaning the Exterior and Controls

Wipe the outside with a damp microfibre cloth and a drop of dish soap, then buff dry. For stainless steel, wipe in the direction of the grain and use a little white vinegar for fingerprints. For plastic bodies, avoid harsh solvents and abrasive pads, which dull the finish permanently.

Clean the control panel with a barely damp cloth only. Do not spray cleaner onto buttons or a touchscreen, or let liquid pool around dials or vents. Wipe grease from the back vent gently, and check it is not blocked by crumbs or a tea towel. A blocked vent makes the fryer run hotter and less evenly.

Removing Stuck Grease and Lingering Smells

For grease that survives soaking, make a thick paste of three tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of water. Spread it over the greasy area, leave it for 20 to 30 minutes, then wipe away with a soft sponge and rinse well. The paste lifts grease without scratching nonstick, and it is safe for baskets, drawers, and drip trays. For mesh baskets, work the paste in with a soft toothbrush and rinse from both sides.

For smells, try a vinegar steam. Place a small heatproof bowl with half a cup of water and half a cup of white vinegar in the basket area, or on a rack in an oven-style model, and run the fryer empty at 160 degrees Celsius for three minutes. Switch it off, cool completely, then wipe the interior. The steam loosens residue and neutralises odours from fish, garlic, and spices. If a smell persists, repeat the baking soda paste and leave the parts in fresh air overnight. Persistent smells usually mean grease is hiding in a seam or under the basket. A clean vent matters here too, as it does for cleaning a dryer vent, where trapped residue creates odour and a safety risk.

What NOT to Do With an Air Fryer

• No metal utensils or steel wool. Metal scrapes nonstick coatings, and once the coating flakes, food sticks more.
• No oven cleaner or bleach. These are too harsh for food-contact surfaces and may leave residues that transfer to food.
• No dishwasher for nonstick parts unless the manufacturer says so. High heat and harsh detergents wear coatings faster.
• Never submerge the main unit. It holds the heating element, fan, and electrics. Wipe it only; water inside can cause shocks and permanent damage.
• Never clean while hot or plugged in. Hot grease burns, steam scalds, and a plugged-in appliance near water is a serious risk.
• Do not use cooking spray directly on the basket. Aerosol sprays contain lecithin, which builds into a sticky film that damages nonstick over time.

Quick Tips That Keep an Air Fryer Clean Longer

Frequently Asked Questions