To clean a Power XL Air Fryer, soak the basket in soapy water, wipe the element with a damp cloth, and use non-abrasive sponges to protect the coating.
You love the crispy wings and fries your air fryer produces. You probably do not love the grease buildup that happens afterward. A dirty unit can smoke, smell bad, and even ruin the flavor of your next meal.
Grease and food particles get stuck in the mesh basket and the corners of the fry tray. If left too long, this residue hardens and becomes difficult to remove without damaging the non-stick surface. Proper care keeps the machine running safely and your food tasting fresh.
You might wonder if you can just throw the whole thing in the dishwasher. While some parts are dishwasher safe, hand washing is often the better choice for longevity. This guide covers the safest, most effective ways to restore your Power XL to like-new condition without scratching the coating.
Supplies You Need For Deep Cleaning
Before you start scrubbing, gather the right tools. Using the wrong scrubber is the fastest way to ruin the non-stick coating on your Power XL. You want materials that cut through grease but stay gentle on the basket walls.
Most of these items are already in your kitchen. Avoid steel wool or metal scouring pads completely. These will strip the black coating off the basket in seconds, leading to rust and flaking. Stick to soft sponges and microfiber cloths.
This table details the specific tools that work best for this specific appliance and why they matter.
| Item Name | Specific Purpose | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Dish Soap | Grease removal | Cuts through oil without abrasion. |
| Non-Abrasive Sponge | Scrubbing basket | Protects the non-stick coating. |
| Soft Bristle Toothbrush | Detail cleaning | Reaches corners and vent holes. |
| Baking Soda | Stuck-on food | Acts as a gentle paste for stubborn spots. |
| Microfiber Cloth | Exterior/Element | Traps dust and wipes heating coils safely. |
| Wooden Toothpick | Grate clearing | Pokes food out of mesh without scratching. |
| White Vinegar | Descaling/Odor | Neutralizes smells and breaks down calcium. |
| Paper Towels | Drying | Absorbs excess water quickly. |
How Do I Clean My Power XL Air Fryer? Step By Step
The cleaning process focuses on three main areas: the outer basket, the inner fry tray, and the main unit housing. Tackling them in order prevents cross-contamination and makes the job manageable. Do this after every few uses to prevent buildup.
Unplug And Cool Down
Safety comes first. Never attempt to clean a hot air fryer. Unplug the unit from the wall outlet completely. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes after cooking.
Cleaning a hot unit can cause thermal shock to the metal parts, leading to warping. It also poses a burn risk to your hands, especially when reaching near the heating element. Touch the outside of the basket to check the temperature before you proceed.
Soaking The Basket And Tray
Pull the basket out of the main unit. If your model has a separate fry tray (the flat plate with rubber feet), remove that as well. You will likely see grease pooled at the bottom of the basket and stuck to the holes of the tray.
Fill the basket with hot water and a generous squirt of liquid dish soap. Place the fry tray inside the basket so it soaks too. Let them sit for about 20 minutes. This dwell time softens the baked-on carbon and grease, reducing the amount of scrubbing you need to do later.
Scrubbing The Non-Stick Coating Safely
After soaking, dump the dirty water. Use your non-abrasive sponge to wipe down the interior walls of the basket and the surface of the fry tray. The grease should slide off easily. Pay attention to the rubber bumpers on the sides of the fry tray. Grease loves to hide behind these small rubber pieces.
If you see food stuck in the holes of the tray or the mesh of the basket, use the soft-bristle toothbrush. Scrub in a circular motion. This dislodges debris without scratching the surface. Rinse everything with warm water and dry thoroughly with a towel. Never put the basket back into the unit while it is wet.
Cleaning The Power XL Heating Element
Many owners forget this part. The heating element is the coil located on the roof of the inner chamber. Grease spatters up onto this coil during cooking. Over time, this builds up and causes the unit to smoke or smell like burning plastic.
Inverting The Unit
To reach the element, make sure the unit is completely cool and unplugged. Turn the entire Power XL unit upside down so the bottom faces up. This gives you direct visual access to the heating coil and the fan behind it.
Wiping The Coils
Dampen a microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive sponge with warm water. You can add a tiny drop of dish soap, but keep the cloth mostly damp, not soaking wet. Gently wipe the metal coil. You might see brown or black residue coming off. This is normal.
Do not scrub hard. The element is fragile. If you see debris stuck between the fan blades behind the coil, use the toothbrush to gently flick it loose. Wipe the area again with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Let the unit dry upside down for an hour before flipping it back over.
Can The Power XL Go In The Dishwasher?
Technically, the basket and fry tray on most Power XL models are dishwasher safe. However, frequent dishwasher use can degrade the non-stick coating over time. The high heat and harsh detergents in a dishwasher are aggressive.
Hand washing extends the life of your appliance. If you must use the dishwasher, place the basket on the top rack if it fits, or ensure it does not touch other metal pans. Avoid the “sanitize” or high-heat drying cycles. Never put the main unit (the part with the cord) in water or the dishwasher. This contains the electrical components and will be destroyed.
Removing Stubborn Baked-On Food
Sometimes hot water and soap are not enough. If you cooked sticky sauces or marinated meats, you might have black, hardened spots on the tray. Do not scrape these with a knife or metal spoon.
The Baking Soda Paste Trick
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a teaspoon of water to create a thick paste. Apply this paste directly to the stubborn spots. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
Baking soda is slightly abrasive but soft enough that it generally won’t scratch if used gently. After the paste sits, scrub the spot with your soft sponge. The chemical reaction helps lift the carbonized food. Rinse well. This method works wonders for the corners of the basket where grease tends to trap crumbs.
Exterior Maintenance For Your Power XL
The outside of the unit gets greasy too. Fingerprints on the digital display and oil mist on the vents can make the appliance look dingy. A clean exterior also prevents dust from clogging the air intake.
Wipe the outside housing with a damp microfiber cloth. For the control panel, use a cloth that is barely damp to avoid getting water inside the electronics. Check the back of the unit where the hot air exhausts. This vent often collects dust. Wipe it clear so air flows freely. Proper airflow is vital for cooking performance and prevents overheating.
Dealing With Persistent Odors
Does your air fryer smell like last week’s fish? Odors can linger in the plastic and metal parts even after you wash the basket. This usually happens when grease coats the heating element or gets trapped in the fan.
Place a small oven-safe dish inside the basket. Fill it with equal parts water and white vinegar and a squeeze of lemon juice. Run the air fryer on a low temperature (around 300°F) for 3 to 5 minutes. The steam created by this mixture helps break down grease on the fan and element while neutralizing smells.
According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, keeping food contact surfaces clean is vital to preventing bacteria growth, but it also helps maintain the neutral smell of your appliance. After the steam cycle, wipe the interior walls with a paper towel.
How Do I Clean My Power XL Air Fryer? Routine Schedule
Consistency is your friend here. If you clean the unit lightly after every use, you will rarely need to do a deep scrub. Letting grease build up layer by layer is what creates a difficult cleaning job later.
Establishing a schedule helps you remember when to do the deep tasks versus the quick ones. A simple wipe-down takes two minutes, while a neglected fryer might take an hour to restore.
This schedule outlines a realistic maintenance plan for a moderate user (cooking 3-4 times a week).
| Frequency | Action Required | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| After Every Use | Wash basket and tray with soap. | 5 Minutes |
| After Every Use | Wipe exterior control panel. | 1 Minute |
| Weekly | Check heating element for grease. | 2 Minutes |
| Weekly | Wipe interior walls of the chamber. | 3 Minutes |
| Monthly | Deep clean coil and fan area. | 15 Minutes |
| Monthly | Inspect rubber feet on tray. | 1 Minute |
| As Needed | Vinegar steam for strong odors. | 10 Minutes |
| As Needed | Clean rear air exhaust vent. | 2 Minutes |
Protecting The Rubber Bumpers
The fry tray in your Power XL likely has three or four small rubber feet on the edges. These bumpers hold the tray in place and prevent the metal edge from scratching the basket coating. They are small and easy to lose down the drain.
When you wash the tray, pay close attention to these pieces. They can pull loose if you scrub too hard. Grease builds up underneath them. Once a month, gently pull them off, wash them separately, wipe the metal tab underneath, and slide them back on. If you lose one, the tray will rattle and scratch the basket.
Troubleshooting Smoke Issues
White smoke coming from your Power XL is almost always caused by burning grease. If this happens while cooking high-fat foods like bacon, pause the machine.
Carefully pour out the excess grease from the bottom of the basket. You can also place a slice of bread in the bottom of the basket (under the tray) to soak up dripping grease as it cooks. If the unit smokes when cooking low-fat foods like vegetables, it means there is old grease on the heating element. Follow the inverted cleaning method described above to fix this.
Why The Non-Stick Coating Peels
Peeling coating is a common complaint with all air fryers, not just Power XL. This damage usually comes from user error during cleaning. Using metal tongs to grab food or steel wool to clean will chip the surface.
Another culprit is aerosol cooking spray. Many commercial sprays like Pam contain propellants that degrade non-stick surfaces over time. This causes a sticky residue that doesn’t wash off. Instead, use a refillable oil spritzer with pure olive or avocado oil. This protects your basket and makes cleaning easier.
Temperature shock also causes peeling. Putting a cold basket into a hot unit or rinsing a hot basket with cold water causes the metal to expand and contract rapidly. This stress fractures the coating. Always let the unit cool down naturally.
Reassembling And Testing
Once everything is clean and dry, slide the fry tray back into the basket. Make sure the rubber feet are secure. Push the basket into the main unit until it clicks.
Plug the air fryer back in. Turn it on and set it to 400°F for two or three minutes without any food inside. This quick test run ensures no water is trapped in the element and burns off any lingering soap residue. If you smell nothing but hot air, you are ready to cook.
Storage Tips
Store your Power XL in a dry place. If you keep it on the counter, make sure it is not near a stove burner where it could accidentally melt. If you store it in a cabinet, do not wrap the cord tightly around the unit, as this can damage the wiring connection. Loop the cord loosely.
Leave the basket slightly ajar if possible. This allows air to circulate and prevents musty odors from developing inside the chamber between uses.
Summary Of Best Practices
Keeping your Power XL clean does not have to be a chore. The key takeaway is to avoid abrasion. Soft sponges, warm water, and dish soap are your best tools. Addressing grease immediately prevents it from baking into a hard, sticky varnish.
Regular maintenance ensures your machine lasts for years and your food remains healthy. By following these steps on how do I clean my Power XL air fryer, you avoid the frustration of smoke alarms and peeling baskets. Treat the appliance with care, and it will continue to deliver crispy results.