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How to Clean an Air Fryer: Daily, Deep & Burnt Basket Fixes
Most air fryer problems that look like faults — smoke, bad smells, food sticking, uneven cooking — are actually cleaning problems. Grease builds up under the crisper plate and in the drip tray, then smokes the next time you cook at high heat. A 5-minute routine after cooking prevents almost all of it, and a monthly deep clean handles the rest. This guide covers both, plus the burnt-on messes every air fryer owner meets sooner or later.
The 5-minute daily clean (do this after every use)
- Unplug and cool. Unplug the air fryer and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Do not plunge a hot basket into cold water — thermal shock can warp it and damage the coating over time.
- Remove the basket and crisper plate. Lift out the basket, take out the crisper plate or rack, and tip out any crumbs or loose grease.
- Wash in hot, soapy water. Use dish soap, hot water and a soft sponge or non-scratch cloth. Wash the basket, crisper plate and any drip tray. If your manual says these parts are dishwasher-safe, you can use the dishwasher — but hand washing is gentler on non-stick coatings and is what we recommend if you want the basket to last.
- Wipe the inside. With a damp cloth, wipe the inside of the machine, around the heating element housing, and the outside. Do not pour water into the machine and do not submerge the main unit — it contains the heating element and fan, and it is not washable.
- Dry fully before storing. Dry the basket and plate with a towel or leave them to air-dry completely. Storing a damp basket in a closed drawer causes smells and, over time, corrosion at any scratched spots.
The monthly deep clean
- Soak the basket and plate. Fill the basket with hot water and a squirt of dish soap, and soak for 20–30 minutes. This loosens grease that daily washing misses, especially under the crisper plate.
- Scrub gently. Use a soft sponge or a soft brush for corners and the mesh of the crisper plate. For stubborn spots, use the baking soda paste below — not a metal scourer.
- Clean the heating element area. With the machine unplugged and fully cool, wipe the heating element and the inside roof with a damp cloth. If grease is baked on, use a cloth dampened with hot soapy water, then a clean damp cloth to rinse, then dry. Do not spray cleaner directly onto the element.
- Clean the drip tray and exterior. Wash the drip tray, wipe the exterior with a damp cloth, and clean the control panel with a barely damp cloth — never a soaking one.
- Air it out. Leave the basket out and the drawer open for an hour after a deep clean so everything dries and any soap smell clears.
How often should you clean each part?
| Part | How often | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Basket and crisper plate | After every use | Hot soapy water, soft sponge, dry fully |
| Drip tray | After every use, or at least weekly | Hot soapy water, dry fully |
| Inside of machine | Weekly wipe, monthly deep wipe | Damp cloth only, never submerge |
| Heating element area | Monthly | Cool, unplugged, damp cloth only |
| Exterior and controls | Weekly | Damp cloth, dry immediately |
Fixing a burnt basket
If food has burnt onto the basket, do not attack it with a knife or a steel scourer — you will scratch the non-stick coating, and food will stick worse forever after. Instead:
- Soak first. Hot water and dish soap for 30 minutes, or overnight for a bad burn. Most burnt food lifts off after a good soak.
- Use baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with a little water into a thick paste, spread it on the burnt area, leave it for 20–30 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft sponge. Rinse well.
- For stubborn grease, try vinegar carefully. A soak in equal parts hot water and white vinegar for 20 minutes helps dissolve grease. Rinse thoroughly afterwards and dry fully — do not run the air fryer empty with vinegar inside, and do not use vinegar on a hot element.
- Repeat, do not force it. Two gentle soaks beat one aggressive scrub. If the coating is already scratched down to metal, no cleaning will restore it — see the replacement note below.
What NOT to do
- No metal scourers, steel wool or knives on non-stick baskets — they scratch the coating permanently.
- No oven cleaner inside an air fryer — it is too harsh for non-stick coatings and for the heating element area.
- Do not submerge the main unit in water, and do not pour water into it. Only the removable basket, plate and tray are washable.
- Do not use cooking spray every time. Aerosol sprays contain lecithin, which builds up into a sticky, hard-to-remove layer on non-stick surfaces. Use a light oil rub or a refillable oil sprayer instead.
- Do not put a basket in the dishwasher if your manual says hand wash only. High heat and harsh detergents wear coatings out faster.
- Do not store it damp or dirty. Both cause smells and shorten the life of the basket.
FAQ
Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher? Only if your manual says so. Many baskets are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing in hot soapy water is gentler and makes the coating last longer.
Why does my air fryer smoke? Almost always old grease in the drip tray or under the crisper plate, or food too close to the heating element. Clean the tray and plate, and keep fatty foods lower in the basket.
How do I clean the heating element? Unplugged and fully cool, wipe it with a damp cloth. Do not spray cleaner on it, do not submerge it, and do not use a scourer on it.
Is baking soda safe for non-stick? Yes, as a paste with a soft sponge — it is mildly abrasive but far gentler than steel wool. Rinse well afterwards.
How often should I deep clean? Monthly for regular use, more often if you cook fatty foods like wings or sausages several times a week.
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