The Air Fryer is a super-handy kitchen gadget that has revolutionized modern cooking. This innovative appliance can make delicious and healthy fried and crispy foods with the rapid circulation of hot air instead of hot, greasy or sticky residue. It could be a popular choice for those who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
However, it requires a great and thorough cleaning to maintain its optimal performance and hygiene. In this blog, we’ll explore how to clean your air fryer and some of the best air fryer cleaning hacks, as well as precautions to make the process quicker and more efficient.
Why it is Essential to Clean Air Fryers
Just like other appliances, the air fryer also needs regular inspection, and maintaining its cleanness is essential for several reasons:
- Hygiene: Grease, Residues, and greasy particles of food can produce bacteria that may lead to unpleasant odors, affect your next meal’s taste, and may increase potential health risks.
- Performance and Durability: Regular care helps prolong the life of the air fryer, and also functions more efficiently. It prevents smoke during operation and grease oil from building up on heating elements in the interior.
Air Fryer Cleaning Hacks
Air fryers are considered a game-changer in the kitchen, but making them clean can be a challenge. Keep your appliance stainless and functional with some quick and easy air fryer cleaning hacks to make it sparkle in the following crucial tested hacks:
Cleaning Hacks with Baking Soda
Grime and grease can build up in the interior of the fryer, which affects the performance of the air fryer. In this case, baking soda paste is one of the best cleaning hacks that can be used in several ways. Let’s dip into the procedure.
Baking Soda Paste for Stubborn Stains
- The basket or inner tray becomes sticky or causes tough stains; for this, baking soda paste with water is your best friend.
- Mix a little water with baking soda to make a paste, then apply it to the stained areas and leave it for 10-15 minutes. After that, rub it with a soft sponge or toothbrush. Rinse it thoroughly and let it dry.
Some spots or stains are stubborn and the toughest to remove. To wipe this down, use a half cup of baking soda mixed with a bit of water to make a thick paste. Mask the affected sticky area with paste, and let it sit for a few minutes to detach the surface, then scrub off with a soft-bristled brush. Wipe away the gummy sections with a wet cloth; after that, follow up with a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining particles and moisture.
Cleaning of Air Fryer Pan
Air fryer pan cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. These quick and effective air fryer cleaning hacks help to keep the air fryer like new and ready to whip up your next favorite recipe!
How to Clean Your Air Fryer With Lemon
One of the air fryer cleaning hacks is the use of lemon slices with water. Oven air fryer basket filled with water and add 2-3 lemon slices. Heat the fryer at 350 ° F (175 ° C) for a minimum of 10 minutes. The steam will release a fresh citrus scent and loosen the grease. Give the pan a final wipe with a damp cloth afterward.
Dishwasher-Compatible Components
Go through your manual to see if the air fryer has dishwasher-compatible components, for instance, the cooking basket or tray. Put the pan on the top rack of the dishwasher for a hassle-free clean.
Just make sure to double-check the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any mishaps.
Soak in Hot Water and Soap
Forget washing your air fryer out with soapy water — that’s a surefire way to disaster. Instead, use the far safer method of washing the cooking compartment with hot water and dish soap in the sink. Bring a kettle of water to a boil, pour it into the pan along with a few drops of soap, and allow it to soak to help loosen any baked-on bits. It’s simple, efficient, and, above all, safe.
-Take out the air fryer pan and let it soak in warm, soapy water for 10-15 minutes to allow grease and food to become looser.
– Scrub off stuck-on bits with a nonabrasive sponge or soft brush.
Clean the Inner Basket Gently
Because the inner basket is where food debris and oils can accumulate, it requires special attention. First, ensure the basket is cool before removing it — high heat can be damaging to both cleaning tools and surfaces. Gently wash the basket with warm soapy water and a soft sponge or dishcloth; don’t use any rough scrubbers that could scratch the surface. Rinse it, then pat it dry with a soft cloth or air-dry it thoroughly to prevent moisture accumulation, which can lead to bacteria or bad odors.
Wipe Away after Every Use
After every use, make it a point to wipe the pan with a slightly damp cloth or sponge to keep grease from building up.
Prevent Mess with Liners
These can help reduce clean-up after you are done using the air fryer. Disposable air fryer liners can be thrown out after use, but the washable versions are inherently more environmentally minded; plus, they’re cheaper in the long run.
If you have an air fryer, use parchment paper or silicone liners made for air fryers to catch drips and crumbs.
Remove Unwanted Odors
If you want to make it smell fresh, put water with lemon slices in the air fryer basket and run it for a few minutes. Baking soda can also help neutralize any leftover smells—just sprinkle some in the basket, let it sit overnight, and throw it out. Both methods also help to keep your air fryer smelling fresh so that your next meal comes out just right.
Final Thoughts
To wrap up, the great air fryer has been, without a doubt, the biggest kitchen trend of this decade. You can use it to fry things up with a mere use of the oil and labor that other cooking methods demand.
That being said, if you want to enjoy the benefits of air frying for as long as possible, regular cleanup is a must. Similarly, it’s a good idea to spend some time giving it a shiny new coat occasionally.
Then, with these home hacks, keeping your air fryer clean won’t be a chore. Regular maintenance ensures that your appliance lasts longer and your meals stay delicious without unwanted flavors. By adopting these cleaning habits, you can savor your air-fried meals mess-free!
By learning air fryer cleaning hacks, your unit will be sparkling as new, and everyone will be asking for seconds!
FAQs
- Can you put water in an air fryer?
It is not safe to add water to an air fryer appliance for cooking purposes. Putting water directly inside an air fryer basket should be avoided. You can achieve steam through a heat-proof bowl of water for both cleaning purposes and reduction of smoke in cooking.
- Why are people getting rid of air fryers?
Working people choose to discard their air fryers for several reasons.
- They prefer traditional cooking methods.
- The large size and cleaning complexity make them unsatisfactory in their opinion.
- Using the appliance with insufficient frequency fails to merit its occupying space inside the kitchen.
- The purchase of air fryer ovens serves as an upgrade from multi-functional appliances.
- How to clean an air fryer tray?
Place the tray into a warm watery soapy liquid for a time span of 10-15 minutes. You should clean an air fryer tray with a non-scouring sponge and a soft brush to remove food residue and oil buildup. To eliminate stubborn stains, users should create a baking soda paste that they can leave on the item before they scrub it clean.
- Can you put an air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Using the dishwasher to clean your air fryer basket depends on the model and its label instructions. It depends on the model. You must check your user manual to find out whether you can clean the dishwasher basket. The top rack offers optimal conditions to achieve an extensive cleaning of the appliance.
- How to Clean an Air Fryer Oven?
You should clean the inside surfaces with either a sponge or a damp towel.
- A mixture of baking soda paste or vinegar works best against the hard-to-remove grease.
- A soft brush should be used to remove debris from the heating element.
- Wash removable parts, including trays and racks, by submerging them in warm, soapy water.
- How often to clean an air fryer?
Daily cleaning requires the users to wipe both the basket and the tray to avoid the accumulation of grease residue. The complete cleaning cycle should be carried out each week on all toaster oven components, including interior elements, heating elements, and exterior surfaces. The inspection of hidden obese residue should be performed monthly in inaccessible locations.
- How to clean the inside of a Toaster Oven Air Fryer?
- Securely detach the appliance power cord while the device achieves total cooling.
- The crumb tray must be washed with soapy water after removing all cereal bits from it.
- With a sponge or cloth, apply dampness to wipe the inside surface.
- Tough marks require either vinegar water or a baking soda mixture for treatment.
- A soft brush should be used to clean away debris from the heating element.
