Should I Clean My Air Fryer Before First Use? | Wash It

A new air fryer can smell like hot cardboard or warm plastic the first time it heats up. That smell usually comes from dust, tiny packing fibers, and a light film left from manufacturing and shipping. A first wash clears the parts that touch food, and an empty heat run clears most leftover odor.

You’ll get a clean start, fewer surprises, and a faster cleanup routine from day one.

Should I Clean My Air Fryer Before First Use? What Changes

Yes. Cleaning before the first cook keeps stray residue out of your food and cuts down on smoke and odd flavors during the first few heat cycles. Many manuals tell you to wash the basket and any cooking insert with hot, soapy water, rinse, and dry before plugging in. The Ninja AF100 series owner’s manual lists these “Before First Use” steps, including washing the basket and crisper plate in hot, soapy water.

First-Use Step	What You Do	Why It Helps
Strip all packing pieces	Remove foam, tape, cardboard, and plastic wrap from the unit and parts.	Prevents melted residue and burnt odors.
Wash removable parts	Hand-wash basket, tray, crisper plate, racks, and skewers with dish soap and warm water.	Clears dust and factory film from food-contact parts.
Rinse and dry fully	Rinse until water runs clear, then towel-dry and air-dry.	Reduces soap smoke and water spots.
Wipe the inside shell	Use a damp cloth on the inner cavity; keep water light.	Lifts loose grit without pushing water into electronics.
Check the heater area	When cool and unplugged, wipe near the heating coil with a barely damp cloth.	Clears dust that can smell or smoke on first heat.
Run empty once	Heat 10–15 minutes at a high setting with nothing inside.	Burns off light manufacturing odor before food.
Vent the room	Open a window or run the hood fan during the first run.	Keeps early odor from lingering.
Scan for defects	Check for chips, bubbles, or sharp burrs on parts and rails.	Helps you catch issues while returns are simple.

What You’re Removing When You Wash A New Air Fryer

A brand-new air fryer is not used, yet it can still carry stuff you don’t want warmed onto dinner. A first wash targets:

• Packaging dust: Fibers and grit can land on the basket and tray during packing.
• Light manufacturing film: Some parts can carry a thin film that smells when heated.
• Shipping grime: Boxes travel through trucks and warehouses; dust can sneak into vents and cavities.
• Stray label glue: A sticker edge can leave tacky residue on a handle or drawer lip.

This also fits standard food-safety habits: wash hands and food-contact surfaces before cooking. If you want a simple official refresher, 4 Steps to Food Safety lays out the “clean” step and why it matters.

First Clean Steps That Work On Most Air Fryers

Start with the unit unplugged and cool. Pull the basket or drawers out and set them on the counter. If your model has a crisping plate, rack, or grill insert, take those out too.

Step 1: Remove every packing piece

Check the cavity, under the basket, and inside paper sleeves. Look for small foam squares used to stop parts from rattling. Peel off promo stickers near warm areas. For sticky patches, warm soapy water and a soft cloth usually works.

Step 2: Wash the parts that touch food

Fill a sink or bowl with warm water and a small squeeze of dish soap. Wash the basket, tray, and inserts with a soft sponge. Skip steel wool and rough scrub pads; they can scratch nonstick coatings.

If your manual says parts can go in the dishwasher, that’s fine for many models. Hand-washing is gentler and helps coatings last.

Step 3: Rinse well, then dry all corners

Rinse each piece until you don’t feel slick soap. Dry with a towel, then let the pieces air-dry for a few minutes. Moisture left in seams can steam on the first run and add a “wet metal” note.

Step 4: Wipe the inside shell and rails

Use a damp cloth to wipe the inner cavity and the rails where the basket slides. Keep water light. You’re wiping, not washing the main unit.

Step 5: Do an empty heat run

Put the dry basket and inserts back in. Run the air fryer empty for 10–15 minutes at a high heat setting. Crack a window or run your hood fan. The smell often fades fast after this run.

Let the unit cool, then wipe the basket with a dry towel. If you see a faint oily sheen, wash once more with dish soap and warm water.

How To Clean The Heating Element Without Splashing Water

A new unit can have dust sitting near the coil. Clean that area with a light touch.

1. Unplug the air fryer and let it cool all the way.
2. Remove the basket so you can see the top of the cavity.
3. Use a soft brush or dry microfiber cloth to sweep loose dust.
4. If there’s a smudge, dampen a cloth, wring it out hard, then wipe. Keep liquid away from vents and controls.
5. Let the unit air-dry before the next heat run.

Skip spray cleaners inside the cavity. Aerosols can leave residue that heats up and smells.

Cleaning Your Air Fryer Before First Use For Coated Parts

Nonstick coatings vary by brand. Treat the first wash like a gentle test run. Use mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft sponge. If you see gray marks on your sponge, switch to a microfiber cloth.

Avoid bleach, oven cleaner, and strong degreasers on baskets and inserts. Those products can dull coatings and leave fumes you don’t want near food.

What To Do If The New Air Fryer Smell Won’t Quit

If the empty run still leaves a strong odor, it’s often residue on the basket or tray. Wash those parts again, rinse well, then run another 10 minutes empty with ventilation. Two short runs beat one long run for many kitchens.

Also check the underside of the crisper plate, the drawer rim, and any silicone bumpers. Odor can cling there.

Daily Cleaning After Cooking So It Stays Easy

The fastest cleanup happens right after cooking, once the unit cools. Waiting overnight turns drips into hard varnish.

• Unplug and cool.
• Dump crumbs into the trash.
• Wipe pooled grease with a paper towel, then wash basket and insert with soap and warm water.
• Wipe the cavity with a damp cloth if you cooked fatty foods.

If you cook often, keep a small bowl with warm soapy water in the sink while you eat. Drop the insert in to soak, then wash right away. If your basket has rubber bumpers, pop them off now and then, rinse under water, and dry well. Trapped moisture under bumpers can cause smells and tiny rust spots on metal edges.

When You Cook Sticky Sauces

Sticky glazes can bake onto the basket fast. Soak the basket and insert in warm soapy water for 10–20 minutes, then wipe with a soft sponge. A nylon brush helps in corners without scratching.

Deep Clean Routine For Grease Buildup And Odd Flavors

Even with daily washing, grease can creep into corners and onto the heater shield. A deeper clean every week or two keeps airflow steady and helps food taste clean.

1. Unplug the unit and cool it fully.
2. Wash the basket and inserts as normal.
3. Make a paste with baking soda and a splash of water.
4. Spread the paste on greasy spots in the basket and on the insert. Let it sit 15 minutes.
5. Wipe with a soft sponge, rinse, and dry.
6. Wipe the inner cavity with a damp cloth. Use a soft brush near the heater if crumbs are stuck.

For brand-specific do’s and don’ts, Ninja’s help page lists what to soak, what to wipe, and which parts can go in the dishwasher: Ninja Air Fryer MAX FAQs.

Cleaning Mistakes That Lead To Chips, Rust, Or Smoke

Most air fryer issues start with rough tools or too much water in the wrong place. Watch out for these:

• Abrasive scrub pads: They scratch coatings, then food sticks and you scrub harder.
• Soaking the main unit: Water can slip into the fan housing and controls.
• Running with soap film: Soap residue can smoke on the next cook.
• Metal utensils in the basket: Scratches turn into peeling later on.
• Loose foil blocking vents: It can trap grease near hot metal and trigger smoke.

Odor And Smoke Fixes When Food Tastes Off

If you’re tasting old grease, the unit usually needs cleaning in three areas: the basket corners, the cavity walls, and the heater shield. Start with a hot soapy soak for the basket and insert, then wipe the cavity with a damp cloth.

Problem	Likely Cause	Fix
Plastic smell on first cook	Light factory film heating up	Wash parts again, then do another 10-minute empty run with ventilation.
White smoke	Grease hitting a hot surface	Clean basket and cavity walls; reduce fatty drippings or use a drip-safe tray.
Dark smoke	Burnt crumbs or sticky glaze	Soak basket and insert; wipe heater area gently once cool.
Food tastes like old oil	Grease film baked onto surfaces	Use baking soda paste on basket and insert; wipe cavity and rails.
Basket coating looks dull	Harsh cleaners or rough scrubbing	Switch to mild soap and a soft sponge; skip powders and abrasives.
Rust spots on bare edges	Parts stored damp	Dry fully after washing; air-dry before reassembling.
Fan noise with a smell	Grease near intake or exhaust vents	Wipe exterior vents with a damp cloth; keep sprays away from vents.

Simple Habits That Keep Cleanup Fast

• Pre-wipe fats: After wings or bacon, wipe pooled grease with a paper towel before washing.
• Use the right liners: Air-fryer parchment can cut mess, as long as it doesn’t block holes meant for airflow.
• Shake mid-cook: A quick shake spreads drips and helps sugar from pooling and burning.
• Dry parts on a rack: Air circulation stops water from sitting in seams.

Printable First-Use Checklist

1. Remove packing, stickers, and foam pieces.
2. Hand-wash basket, tray, and inserts with warm soapy water.
3. Rinse until clear, then dry fully.
4. Wipe the cavity with a damp cloth.
5. Run 10–15 minutes empty with ventilation.
6. Cool, then start your first cook.

If you’re still unsure, ask yourself this: should i clean my air fryer before first use? If it touched packing, shipping, or a factory line, a quick wash is the safer call. One more time for clarity: should i clean my air fryer before first use? Yes, and the steps above keep it quick.