Air fryers are an efficient and often more speedy way of cooking meals, from crispy potatoes to tender salmon, fruit crumbles and fluffy scones. With a range of models on the market, including ones from Ninja, Phillips and Tefal, there’s not much the nifty kitchen appliances can’t do, and many devout users even prefer it to cooking with a traditional oven.
While the device is often a speedier way of cooking a meal and less fuss than might be required on the hob or in the oven, cleaning air fryers can sometimes feel like less of an efficient task and one we might be tempted to put off. Many people would probably admit to not cleaning their air fryers as often as they should, and in fact, they should be cleaned after every use. Not cleaning them regularly enough can lead to a build-up of grease that’s tricky to remove.
This can be particularly noticeable, and even off-putting, on appliances with built-in glass panels when there’s a stubborn build-up of grease.
Before dunking it in warm, soapy water and attempting to scrub it off, which can feel like quite a chore, you might want to try using this kitchen ingredient that’s probably lying in your fridge.
More commonly used as a condiment for dips or sauces, ketchup also has a number of uses when it comes to cleaning, and can help break down grease and grime found in air fryers from continuous use.
It might seem like an unusual cleaning agent, but the popular condiment contains citric acid found in tomatoes, and acetic acid that comes from the vinegar used to make ketchup. Both of these acids are mild enough not to damage surfaces, but strong enough to break down and dissolve various types of dirt.
While you might have tried using ketchup to lift rust from surfaces like brass, silver and even burnt pans, it will also work to remove grime that’s built up on the glass panels in your air fryer.
For a more effective clean, apply ketchup and salt to the glass and let it sit for up to 20 minutes to lift any stubborn grease before scrubbing it away with a kitchen towel or cloth. Go back over the glass with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
You can also try using it on your air fryer basket, coating them in ketchup and using a soft-bristled brush, or even a clean toothbrush, to scrub away the loosened grime, before rinsing with warm water.
It doesn’t have to be Heinz either, a cheaper alternative brand should also work as long as it contains citric and acetic acid, which all ketchup should contain. Heinz Ketchup is currently available for 99p on Discount Dragon, but Tesco and M&S also sell their own versions for just £1.
