Professional cleaners say these are the 3 tasks you should be doing regularly if you use your air fryer daily

If you own an air fryer, you'd certainly be forgiven for using it often, daily, even – but if so, are you cleaning it regularly?

According to our professional cleaners, it's vital that you take the time to soak the basket, clean the exterior after every use, and deep-clean your air fryer monthly, to ensure your food tastes delicious and your appliance runs smoothly.

Here, they share their cleaning tips on why these three tasks are ones you should definitely be ticking off your to-do list.

3 air fryer cleaning tasks you should be doing regularly

1. Soaking the basket or tray

First things first, when cleaning your air fryer, it's vital to soak the tray or basket soon after use.

Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, explains, 'It’s no secret that the basket or tray will be the primary point of contact when using an air fryer, so it’s best to pay extra attention to it while cleaning. Soaking loosens stuck-on food, preventing residue from hardening so that cleaning takes minutes. It's a simple step to make overall cleaning much easier.'

Lauren Houser, cleaning expert at Zep, agrees with Karina, adding that neglecting to do so can also impact the flavor of your food. 'Burnt-on bits of food not only make your food taste off, but they can be harmful to your health, as some charred residues are carcinogenic, and can stick to the non-stick coating, potentially damaging your appliance when you try to scrape them off,' she warns. 'Regular cleaning keeps your air fryer safe, hygienic, and working efficiently.'

Luckily, this task is among the simplest of things to tick off as part of your achievable cleaning routine.

'Immediately after finishing cooking, and once cooled, fill the sink with warm soapy water,' advises Karina.

Then, let your basket or tray soak for 10-15 minutes, or while you eat, before scrubbing gently with the OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set available at Amazon, 'which reaches holes and crevices during or after soaking,' she recommends. Alternatively, you can use an old toothbrush.

'By cleaning the basket and tray after every use, you’ll prevent grease buildup that causes smoking or nasty smells, and your air fryer will be ready to go for the next meal with no lingering flavors,' adds Lauren.

2. Clean the exterior

It's not just the interior of your air fryer that needs cleaning.

'Even though food cooks inside the air fryer, the exterior can get greasy from handling and splatters from nearby cooking,' says Lauren. 'Over time, an unwiped exterior will accumulate dust, oily residue, and fingerprints, which not only look dirty but can form a sticky film that’s harder to clean later.

'Forgetting to wipe the outside is a common mistake that can leave your air fryer gathering dust and greasy fingerprints. Regularly cleaning the outside keeps your appliance looking new and prevents the build-up of grime.'

So, to swerve any air-fryer cleaning mistakes, after each use, and once the unit is cool and unplugged, take a soft, damp cloth or microfiber cloth and gently wipe all outer surfaces of the air fryer, directs Lauren.

'A tiny drop of mild dish soap [such as the Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid available at Walmart] on the cloth can help cut through grease if needed, but avoid dripping water or soap into any vents or electrical components,' she says.

'Focus on areas you touch frequently, like handles or buttons, as well, since oils from your hands can accumulate there.

'If your air fryer has stainless steel parts, you can use a damp cloth with a bit of a gentle cleaner. Wipe again with a clean, dry cloth to remove moisture and prevent streaking.

'This quick exterior wipe-down takes only a minute but ensures your air fryer stays free of greasy buildup and doesn’t become a dust magnet,' which is also an effective way to make your air fryer last longer, too.

3. Deep clean monthly

It's all well and good to clean the basket and wipe the exterior regularly, but you'll still need to take the time to give your air fryer a real deep clean at least monthly.

As Karina says, 'Doing this eliminates persistent grease layers, odors, and hidden residue. It also improves the appliance’s longevity and cooking quality.'

In particular, says Lauren, don't forget to tackle grease, which, left unchecked, is a common fire risk in your home. She explains, 'Built-up grease is a safety hazard – a dirty air fryer with old oil and crumbs can potentially smoke a lot or even catch fire in extreme cases.

'You can use paper towels [such as the Sparkle Tear-a-Square Paper Towels available at Walmart] or a soft cloth to soak up and lift out any grease and crumbs.'

Then, for baked-on bits in the interior, using a degreaser, such as the Zep Fume Free Air Fryer & Oven Cleaner available at Amazon, will quickly break down the greasy messes inside the fryer. Alternatively, vinegar can be used to clean grease from an air fryer.

'You can also use a plastic or silicone spatula to gently dislodge anything stuck in the corners,' adds Lauren. 'Just avoid metal utensils that could scratch.' For this, we recommend the OXO Good Grips Small Silicone Flexible Turner available at Amazon. 'Once you’ve wiped out the interior, use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining moisture.

'By clearing out crumbs and grease from underneath the basket, you’ll prevent that smoky smell and reduce fire risk – ignoring the grease and gunk on the bottom of your air fryer will leave it stinky and smoky at best, and a fire hazard waiting to happen at worst.'

Air fryer cleaning essentials

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

FAQs

What should you do before cleaning the air fryer to ensure safety?

As cleaning expert Lauren highlights, before you begin cleaning your air fryer, it's crucial to unplug it and let it cool completely.

'Never immerse the main unit (the part with the heating element and electronics) in water – submerging the base can ruin the appliance,' she adds.

Meet our experts

Karina Toner

With numerous contributions in Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, The Spruce, and more, Karina has extensive knowledge of both commercial and residential cleaning, including how and when to clean appliances to keep them running smoothly.

Lauren Houser

At Zep, which was founded in 1937, Lauren brings insight into the science and innovation behind cleaning solutions that have been trusted by professionals and consumers for over 85 years. As a mother and cleaning enthusiast, she understands how small, consistent cleaning habits, like taking the time to clean your air fryer regularly, can have a big impact on creating a healthier, more comfortable home.

'These tasks may sound like a lot, but in practice, a daily air fryer cleanup is pretty quick – usually just a five-minute routine,' says Lauren. 'Consistently doing these small tasks each time you use the air fryer will save you from tough scrubbing jobs later on.

'It also ensures your air fryer runs smoothly and your food always tastes fresh, with no weird old grease flavors or burnt smells. An air fryer is basically a mini convection oven; treating it with the same care you’d give a regular oven or a frying pan after use will lengthen its lifespan.'

That being said, it's still important to keep an eye out for any signs it is time to replace your air fryer.