So you have an air fryer. If you’ve used this in your home before, you’re probably aware that these trendy kitchen tools allow you to enjoy your favorite food, including frozen snacks with less fat and calories.
However, you are still technically frying, which means you will have to deal with grease and food residues afterward. Fortunately for you, because it’s an air fryer, you’ll have far less grease to clean than you would with a deep fryer. And here at DaDongNY, we will provide simple techniques and hacks for cleaning your air fryer with stuff you most likely already have.
Why Is It Necessary To Clean Your Air Fryer?
The high-powered fan on your air fryer distributes hot air around your meal and circulates crumbs, grease, moisture, and tiny bits of food. Not cleaning your equipment is a substantial mistake because oil and food debris can get into the components and cause a buildup that limits its ability to work at its best. And, over time, your air fryer microwave oven combo may take longer to cook the food, and the ultimate product may not be as crisp as you desired.
Step By Step Guide On How To Deep Clean An Air Fryer
If you crammed your air fryer or fried anything messy, there’s a chance that you have clogged the heating element. If your air fryer starts to smoke or smells bad during a cooking process, there’s definitely residue stuck around the heating element.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1⁄2 cup baking soda
- Few tablespoons of water (for baking soda water solution)
- Soft dishcloth or paper towel
- Soft bristle brush
Step 1: First, remove the baskets or racks and clean them.
Step 2: Keep them upright so that any dirt you brush off falls to the bottom of the air fryer rather than being tangled in the mesh and heating element.
Step 3: Scrub and remove burnt pieces from the mesh covering the heating element with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush, then wipe with a damp clean dishcloth or paper towel.
Step 4: Scrub away the filth with the baking soda water solution gently with a damp dishcloth.
Step 5: Wipe away the residue after rinsing the cloth with water and squeezing it out. Replace the clean basket or trays and turn the air fryer right-side up.
DaDongNY Tip:
Overcrowding the air fryer nearly guarantees that the heating element will need to be cleaned. To avoid this task, ensure the amount of food you will cook doesn’t exceed the amount advised for your air fryer model.
Step By Step Guide On How To Clean An Air Fryer Basket
Air frying chicken wings is fun; after all, it is one of our favorite snacks to have while watching the Super Bowl with our friends. However, cooking too many foods in your air fryer basket could be filthy and greasy, and you may want to wipe all the corners before it restrains your kitchen equipment.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Degreasing dish soap
- Soft dishcloth or paper towel
- Soft bristle brush
Step 1: Unplug the air fryer and let it cool a bit after turning it off. Remove the basket or tray from the drawer.
Step 2: If your air fryer is dishwasher-safe, throw the drawer, basket, and tray, depending on what you have, upside down in the dishwasher, ideally on the top rack if it fits.
Step 3: If using the dishwasher isn’t an option, wash the removable components in warm soapy water and scrape out all the dirt with the brush, getting into the vents, nooks, and crevices of the tray while keeping the metal or non-stick surface. Rinse well and pat dry.
Step 4: Wipe down the inside and outside of the air fryer with a wet dish cloth or paper towel. Once the basket is clean, replace it.
DaDongNY Tip:
Use the top rack of the dishwasher since it is exposed to water jets, extending the life of the air fryer’s non-stick finish.
Step By Step Guide On How To Clean An Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
Using an air fryer toaster oven combo can provide you with a wealth of cooking options and dishes to produce, which can be quite messy if left unattended for an extended period of time. And, if not cleaned regularly, you can uncover lingering residues on your equipment cost by burnt food bits and stains that require comprehensive cleaning.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Degreasing dish soap
- Soft dishcloth or paper towel
- Soft bristle brush
Step 1: Unplug the air fryer and let it cool a bit after turning it off. Remove the basket or tray from the drawer.
Step 2: Remove the racks and clean them in the dishwasher or warm soapy water with a soft bristle brush to remove grease and food crumbs. Rinse well and pat dry.
Step 3: Discard any oil from the drip tray, but do not flush it on the sink. Place the tray upside down in the dishwasher to clean it, or hand wash it.
Step 4: Wipe the inside and outside of the air fryer with a damp dishcloth or paper towel. When the trays are clean, replace them.
DaDongNY Tip:
If oil is in the bottom drawer or drip tray, do not flush it in the sink. Instead, empty the oil into an empty jar and store it in the fridge to be discarded when it’s full.
Cleaning Tips for Your Air Fryer
Before you begin cleaning your air fryer, make sure you understand and follow the air fryer maintenance dos and don’ts.
- Avoid using abrasive sponges or steel wire brushes to remove food debris and residue from your air fryer, as this could damage the non-stick coating on the cooking surface.
- Don’t submerge your air fryer in the water to avoid electrical malfunction.
- Make sure your air fryer is unplugged before you start cleaning it.
- If you notice an unpleasant smell from your air fryer, clean the crevices with a toothpick or even an old toothbrush to get rid of any stuck-on items. These buried crumbs can burn and cause the machine to smoke and smell over time.
- To deal with leftover scents, chop half a lemon and rub it over the cooking surface and basket. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes before cleaning.
- Use only food-safe cleaning products. Disinfectants that have not been approved for food contact should be avoided.
How Often Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?
As much as possible, you should gently clean your air fryer after every use by removing any excess food scraps and giving any parts that came in direct contact with food a quick wash using a dishwasher. Doing this every time you use your air fryer will reduce the need to be deep cleaned.
How To Tell If Your Air Fryer Needs Cleaning?
Even if you have the best air fryer and clean it after each use, your equipment’s fan and heating coils will accumulate grease over time, just like any other kitchen device. And you’ll know it’s time to deep clean your air fryer when its performance declines. If your food takes longer to cook, isn’t as crispy as usual, or isn’t cooking properly, it’s time to clean your air fryer thoroughly to extend your air fryer’s lifespan.
FAQs
How To Manage Residual Odors From Your Air Fryer?
When food emits a pungent smell when cooking, the odor may persist in your air fryer even after cleaning. We recommend soaking the food basket and drawer in soapy water before cleaning them again. If the odor continues, cut a lemon in half and massage it over the basket and drawer for 30 minutes before rewashing.
How To Remove Sticky Residue From An Air Fryer?
For stuck-on messes in the interior of your fryer, prepare a thick paste with a baking soda water solution and apply the paste to the sticky places. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Wipe down the air fryer with a wet towel and a dry dishcloth.
How To Degrease An Air Fryer?
If your air fryer is oily, try using degreasing dish soap. You can also use disposable aluminum foil or parchment paper to clean the air fryer after cooking. Just check the instructions to see if they are compatible with your air fryer model.
Bottomline
An air fryer is a very convenient and useful partner in crime in every household, especially if it is properly cared for and kept in good condition. While we cannot guarantee that we can clean this kitchen equipment because of our busy schedule, we encourage everyone to devote some of their time to cleaning their air fryers to extend their life and protect themselves from harm. With this, we hope to have supplied you with comprehensive guidelines for keeping your air fryer clean and operational.
To understand more about air fryers, visit the link to discover everything you need to know about this fashionable kitchen appliance.
