For those who enjoy crispy food without the mess of oil, an air fryer is a convenient device that provides a healthier option to deep-frying and eliminates the need for disposing of hot oil.
Although an air fryer produces less grease and mess, it is still crucial to clean it thoroughly after every use to ensure its optimal performance.
Using oven cleaner on an air fryer is not recommended as it can cause damage, staining, and leave behind a strong odor of fumes. The chemicals in oven cleaner are too harsh for the small surface area of an air fryer, making it necessary to opt for a milder solution to prevent stripping of the non-stick coating.
Various household products can be utilized to produce a cleaning mixture for your air fryer, but the efficiency of these alternatives relies on the degree of filth in your air fryer. If you regularly clean your air fryer after every use, mild dish soap and water should suffice to keep it clean.
When dealing with significant messes, there are numerous alternatives available that utilize common household items before resorting to potent cleaning agents, which you may already possess.
If you’re facing a challenging greasy situation and wondering how to handle it, don’t worry. We have all the necessary details to help you deal with it, but you’ll need to be patient. The most effective way to eliminate stubborn grease stains is by allowing the cleaning solution to sit or soak for several hours, enabling it to break down the grease effectively.
While using a chemical cleaner may be a faster option, it is not the best choice if your goal is to maintain and preserve your air fryer’s optimal condition as it could potentially cause damage during the cleaning process.
Using dish soap and warm water after every use is likely the easiest and safest method to maintain the cleanliness of your air fryer. Soap is a gentle cleaner that won’t damage the non-stick surface of your air fryer basket, and soaking it in warm, soapy water should effectively remove a small amount of oil.
If you have tough and old grease stains, creating a mixture of baking soda and water to form a paste is the simplest and most economical way to clean them. This method is widely used for stubborn messes, and it’s also effortless since you probably have baking soda readily available.
Vinegar is a versatile solution that can be diluted with water and used to soak the fryer basket for 15 minutes, effectively eliminating grease.
If you want to eliminate any remaining smells from your air fryer, a combination of vinegar and lemon juice can be used. To do this, place equal amounts of vinegar and lemon juice in an oven-safe dish and put it on the tray or in the basket of your air fryer. Then, turn on your oven for two minutes.
Another option for cleaning the interior of your air fryer is to use lemon juice. To do this, apply some lemon juice to the dirty areas and turn on the fryer for a few minutes. Once it cools down, the grime should be loosened by the lemon juice, making it easy to wipe away with a cloth.
To clear the heating coil of crumbs and residues, use a dry or slightly damp cloth, ensuring that the oven is turned off, unplugged, and completely cooled down.
To maintain the cleanliness and appearance of your air fryer, you can use a mild multi-purpose cleaner and a gentle washcloth to wipe its exterior surface.
When cleaning your air fryer, it is recommended to use a gentle sponge or brush that won’t cause any damage to the basket or tray. It’s best to opt for an old and softened sponge or brush to prevent any scratches from occurring.
If you encounter smaller, difficult-to-reach areas, you may utilize a foam brush, straw cleaner, or an old toothbrush with soft bristles to scrub them away.
Although there are several cleaners available that are less severe than oven cleaner and do not have any harmful chemicals, they may not be as efficient in eliminating stubborn grease stains as baking soda or the other basic components suggested earlier.
How Do You Get Sticky Grease Out of an Air Fryer?
If you need to remove stubborn grease from your air fryer, a recommended method is to create a mixture of baking soda and water, apply it onto the areas that need thorough cleaning, and let it sit for at least 12 hours or overnight.
To create a cleaning paste for your air fryer, you only require 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2-4 tablespoons of water, depending on the size of your appliance. You can apply the paste using a foam brush or by wearing a plastic glove and using your fingers.
When using the paste, it is important to avoid getting it stuck in hard-to-reach areas that cannot be cleaned and to exercise caution when applying it near the heating coil or other heating elements.
After allowing the paste to sit, use a soft sponge and warm water to wipe and scrub the interior of your air fryer until all the paste is removed, being careful not to bring too much water into the appliance by wringing out the sponge and using smaller tools for hard-to-reach areas.
As previously stated, the outcome of this procedure relies on the severity of the grime and requires a considerable amount of effort and time.
If you want your air fryer to be as clean as new, using only baking soda may not be enough, and you may consider using a steam cleaner to dissolve the grease that has already been partially removed by the baking soda.
How Often Should You Clean an Air Fryer?
To prevent grease build-up, it is recommended to clean your air fryer after every use, and at a minimum, the basket should be cleaned with soap and water.
It is advisable to check your air fryer’s manual before putting its dishwasher-safe components in the dishwasher, although most air fryers have such components. After each use, it is recommended that you clean the frying baskets and trays as well as the crumb basket.
It is recommended to deep clean the inside of your air fryer every month or so, especially in the area where gunk can accumulate. This part may require a stronger cleaning solution such as vinegar or baking soda paste and could take more time and effort.
The frequency of cleaning your air fryer determines the size and stubbornness of the mess you will have to deal with.
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