Cleaning air fryer is a big concern for those who have never used one before or who are fairly new to this amazing kitchen gadget. You need to keep it clean after every usage.
Of course, I will show you how to clean baked-on grease from the air fryer basket; but let me assure you – there is nothing to be concerned about if you don’t use much oil.
You have the gross grease problem simply because you use too much oil.
Sorry to be ruthless!
How To Clean The Air Fryer?
Most air fryers are dishwasher safe to make the cleaning a breeze. Often you can simply rinse clean the tray, basket, and pan with your own hand.
But a deep clean is a must every now and then to keep it clean from the baked-on grease.
This is exactly what I am gonna show you in this step-by-step guide. Later, I will show you how to deep clean it using vinegar.
For now, follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Things You Will Need
You should have the following items within your reach while cleaning it. So, gather them first even before you start cleaning:
- A brush with soft bristles.
- Sponge (non-abrasive).
- Dish soap.
- Cotton Swab.
- Baking Soda.
- Any microfiber soft cloth.
- Paper towel.
- Disconnect Electricity
Let it cool down if you have used it recently. It should not take more than 30 minutes. But remove the pan and the basket from the fryer to cool it down faster.
Simply switching off the air fryer won’t be enough. Remove the plug from the electric socket.
- A Simple Wipe Clean
It’s time to use the microfiber soft cloth to wipe the exterior of the fryer. After doing that, use the non-abrasive sponge to clean the inside of the fryer with hot water.
- Clean Heating Parts
The initial wipe-down is important and you should do it really well. But that won’t cover the hard-to-reach areas and heating parts of your fryer.
First, flip the air fryer and use the sponge and a cotton swab to remove any other residue from the heating parts.
- Remove The Leftovers
There may be some stubborn spots that you can’t remove with wiping. So, make a paste with baking soda and water to deal with that.
Get the scrubbing brush with bristles and start scrubbing. When you are done scrubbing, use a soft cloth to wipe off the paste.
- Clean The Basket & Pan
Luckily all those pans and baskets are dishwasher safe. Simply toss them into your dishwasher and wait a while.
Use your hands to clean them with a soft sponge and hot water.
If you notice any stubborn stains on the pan or basket, let them soak in the hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Use the sponge to clean the loosened mineral deposits and stains.
- Dry It Out!
Do not start frying until all the accessories and the fryer itself is completely dry out. Use any cotton cloth to remove any excess water and finally let it air dry for a couple of hours.
Air Fryer Deep Cleaning With Vinegar
Depending on how stubborn baked-on grease you got there, the above steps may not be enough.
To make sure it lasts longer and provides services as it is supposed to, you may need to give it a thorough cleaning.
So, you must bring the ultimate cleaning tools: vinegar! You can apply this method on any electric air fryer like Nuwave Bravo or Emeril Lagasse air fryer. Follow the steps as mentioned below:
- Use The Paper Towel
To wipe all the grease from the fryer at the beginning step, use a paper towel. That will make the subsequent deep cleaning a lot easier.
- Give It A Vinegar Bath
Make a solution of water and vinegar where water should be 90% and 10% vinegar. You can use your tub or sink to give your fryer a bath to the solution.
Keep it submerged under the solution for at least 15 minutes.
- Scrub
After waiting for 15 minutes, start scrubbing the fryer with a non-abrasive sponge. Use a good quality dish soap for a better result.
You should keep scrubbing until all the grease is completely gone away.
- Optional Scrubbing with Baking Soda
The vinegar should take care of it. But it doesn’t, you can use some baking soda with the sponge to scrub. That should take care of the stubborn spots for sure!
- Dry Out the Fryer
You have done a great job giving your fryer a deep clean. Now, completely dry it out. The better way to dry it is air drying.
How Often Should I Clean The Air Fryer?
Every time you decide to fry or cook something with it, you must make sure it is thoroughly cleaned. Meaning, you must clean it every time you put it in use.
No, I am not talking about deep cleaning each time you use it. A simple wipe down and rinsing it with warm water should clean it most of the time.
A thorough cleaning is needed only when you notice grease in there. If you avoid using oil or use very little of it, it should not happen too often.
But if you avoid a simple wipe down, the grease will get hard. There will be layers of buildup.
Later, you will find it hard to clean it and your fryer will demand a deep cleaning.
Of course, different other factors also will determine how often you should clean it. That also depends on what type of food you fry or cook normally.
If bacon or similar foods are your favorite and you cook them more frequently, you will be needing to clean your air fryer a lot more frequently too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cleaning it with dish soap won’t be enough. You should clean it with vinegar and baking soda.
Remove excess gunk with your initial wipe first. Then go for the deep cleaning with vinegar.
Yes. But you don’t have to clean it in the dishwasher every time you use it. Wiping down with a soft cloth is recommended for such frequent cleaning.
But for stubborn grease, you should go for the deep cleaning.
Make a solution of 90% water and 10% vinegar. Now completely submerge your fryer and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. After that, scrub and rinse it with water.
Yes, baking soda cuts grease. Alkali cuts grease really well and baking soda is an alkali. Being mild, it won’t leave any negative effect on the surface you are cleaning or on your hands.
Use vinegar to dissolve hardened grease and grime easily. You can submerge your air fryer into a solution made of water and vinegar.
Or you can just soak your sponge in vinegar and wipe down the greasy parts.
Conclusion
I tried to explain my best how to clean baked-on grease from air fryer basket. And I hope this guide does help you. Keep your fryer clean always to make sure it functions the right way for a very long time.
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