Air fryers have revolutionised the way many people cook their meals, especially when it comes to creating meat dishes like chicken and pork that are deliciously crispy and full of flavour.
The appliances are also excellent at making chips, and can work wonders on an array of frozen goods including pies, sausage rolls, and breaded mozzarella sticks that might go soggy in a standard oven.
But there’s just one drawback when it comes to the humble air fryer – it’s a pain to clean.
Although we should clean our ovens regularly, they don’t need to be washed up every time we cook something in them like our air fryers do, and scrubbing away at burnt-on seasonings can make using the appliance feel like a chore.
According to one cleaning expert on social media, however, there’s an easy way to clean your air fryer with just three ingredients. What’s more, the trick guarantees to shift all the grime without you having to do any scrubbing.
The trick was shared on Instagram by a mum named Ali, who said she “had to try” it after seeing it online herself.
First, Ali added a dishwasher tablet to her air fryer. She pierced each section with a knife before squeezing the liquid in to help it dissolve faster, but as you will be adding hot water to the basket later, this is not strictly necessary.
Next, she added several slices of fresh lemon before sprinkling in some baking soda. Then she added boiling water from the kettle to the basket, filling it up so that the cooking rack was just covered.
She then turned her air fryer on the highest heat setting for just two minutes. After tipping the dirty water into the sink, she gave the basket a quick rinse with cold water, and it looked good as new.
One commenter said: “Perfect air fryer cleaning tip!”
Another added: “Great idea!”
How to clean an air fryer
Unplug and Cool Down: Always unplug your air fryer and let it cool completely before cleaning.
Remove Basket and Pan: Take out the basket, tray, and pan (or drawer), depending on your air fryer model.
Wash Removable Parts:
- Wash these parts with warm, soapy water using a soft sponge or cloth.
- For stuck-on food, soak them for 10–15 minutes first.
- Use a soft brush to clean holes or mesh areas if needed.
- Most removable parts are dishwasher safe (check your manual to be sure).
Clean the Interior:
- Wipe the inside of the air fryer with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Avoid abrasive materials, which can damage the nonstick coating.
- For stubborn residue, use a little baking soda on a damp sponge.
Clean the Heating Element:
- Carefully turn the air fryer upside down.
- Use a soft brush or cloth to gently wipe the heating element.
- Make sure it’s completely dry before plugging back in.
Wipe the Exterior: Wipe the outside with a damp cloth.
Dry and Reassemble: Dry all parts thoroughly before putting them back together.
You should never immerse the main unit in water, and you should clean your air fryer properly after each use to avoid buildup and bad odours.
