See how easy it is to clean your air fryer with this step-by-step video

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When it comes to air fryers, people often fall into one of two categories: They either love them or they don’t have one and have no idea they’re missing out. 

The popular kitchen appliance can cut down the cook time for many of your favorite meals and reheat your leftovers, including returning pizza to its original crispy glory, in just a couple of minutes. 

However, just like the other appliances and cooktops in your kitchen, your air fryer also needs to be cleaned regularly. Crumbs and other gunk can build up in the basket, on the rack and in the heating coils. Regular cleaning will help keep your air fryer in tip-top shape for a long time. This can be as simple as wiping it down once it's cooled and cleaning up the food and mess left behind after each use. It's also advisable to give it a deeper clean every few months. 

Watch this video to see how to properly clean the inside of your air fryer.

How to clean your air fryer

The best place to start when cleaning your air fryer is the rack the food sits on and the bucket that holds it.  

To clean your air fryer bucket and rack: 

1. Remove them from your air fryer. 
2. Fill the bucket halfway up with warm water and add a couple of drops of dish soap.
3. Let it soak for a few minutes. 
4. Gently scrub the basket and rack with a sponge. Air fryer buckets and racks typically have a nonstick coating on them, so avoid using abrasive cleaning tools. 
5. Rinse it out and repeat as much as necessary. 

For a faster clean, see if your model is dishwasher safe. 

How to clean air fryer coils 

Cleaning the air fryer basket and rack is only part of the job. The top of the fryer and coils are often neglected when it's time to clean. The caked-on gunk, grease and grime can cause bad odors, smells or even impact taste over time. 

Many air fryers can be cleaned upside down, but double-check the manual first.

To clean air fryer coils:

1. Spray Dawn Powerwash in a bowl of hot water. Regular dish soap will also work if you don't have Powerwash.
2. Dip a sponge in the mixture and gently clean the coils.
3. Wipe them down with a damp cloth. Be careful not to get excess liquid inside the fryer. 

A cleaning-only toothbrush can also be used to gently scrub those tough and hard-to-reach spots.

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How to clean your air fryer with vinegar

Like your microwave and dishwasher, you can clean your air fryer with vinegar. Steaming the appliance with vinegar will help loosen up stuck-on gunk and make it easier to wipe clean.

To clean an air fryer with vinegar: 

1. Pour vinegar into a small, oven-safe dish. 
2. Put the dish in the air fryer. 
3. Run it on high for about 10 minutes. 
4. Clean it with warm water and dish soap. 

For a very deep clean, you can create power paste using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Mix them together and use a toothbrush to apply the paste to those hard-to-clean spots. Wipe off the paste with a damp rag as many times as needed to remove any residue. 

As a final step, run the air fryer with an empty basket to release and catch any gunk that you’ve loosened up; this way, it won’t end up in your food.  

Give the basket a final wipe down, and it’s ready for your next meal!