Air fryers are excellent for cooking food quickly, but the only drawback is that they can be difficult to clean and often remain stained no matter how much you scrub them. Even though air fryers use less oil, the natural grease in food can drip down and burn onto the surfaces, leaving a sticky residue on the basket, tray or in hard-to-reach areas.
However, Avi Green, an expert from Grilling 4 All has shared there is a easy way to keep air fryers clean and tackle even the worst stains, as all you need is a dishwasher tablet. She said: “Dishwasher tablets are packed with cleaning agents designed to break down tough grease and grime. This makes them an excellent option for cleaning the components of your air fryer, which can often become embedded with hard-to-remove food particles.”
How can a dishwasher tablet clean an air fryer?
Grease is often difficult to clean because oil does not mix with water, which means most cleaning solutions cannot dissolve it.
Dishwasher tablets are specifically made to break down oils and fats, making them a very effective option for removing built-up stains in an air fryer.
It also contains enzymes which can break down the protein in food, so can get eid of any baked on and charred stains as well.
How to clean an air fryer without scrubbing
You will need:
- Two dishwasher tablets
- Sponge
- Two microfiber cloths (for rinsing and drying)
Make sure to use a solid, crumbly dishwasher tablet rather than a gel pod as it has a slightly abrasive texture, which helps lift stains without requiring much effort or scratching the air fryer. Gel pods on the other hand, will be really difficult to clean with and will likely turn into a slimy mess in your hands.
Method:
To begin, unplug your air fryer and make sure it is completely cool before cleaning. Then, remove the basket or tray and stick them in the sink. Fill the sink with warm water, then drop a dishwasher tablet in it. Leave the air fryer basket or tray to soak for 30 minutes and it will loosen any stuck-on stains.
Meanwhile, fill a small basin or bowl with warm water and drop another dishwasher tablet in it. Dip a sponge in the solution and use it to gently wipe down the air fryer surfaces.
For stubborn stains, dip the sponge directly into a dishwasher tablet for a stronger cleaning solution. Avoid the heating element when cleaning an air fryer.
Once the stains are gone, rinse the air fryer surfaces with clean water to remove any soap, and dry them with a microfiber cloth. Make sure all the air fryer parts are completely dry before reassembling them.
Your air fryer will be sparkling clean without having to scrub at it or use a harsh chemical product. Make sure to clean it at least once a month to stop grease from building up inside it.