Complete Air Fryer Maintenance and Cleaning Guide

Why cleaning your air fryer matters

A poorly maintained air fryer doesn't just smell bad: grease building up in the drawer and on the heating element smokes, leaves odours with every cook and, in extreme cases, can catch fire. The non-stick coating also wears out much faster when it is attacked with abrasive pads or harsh products.

This guide provides a simple three-tier cleaning protocol: daily, weekly, and monthly.

Daily cleaning: 5 minutes after each use

4-step protocol

• Step 1 — Unplug and cool down (5-10 min): never clean a hot air fryer. Wait until warm but handleable (about 50°C).
• Step 2 — Empty residues: remove basket and drawer. Discard crumbs and food scraps. Pour accumulated grease into a container (never directly down the sink).
• Step 3 — Wash basket and drawer: hot water + a few drops of dish soap + soft sponge. For stuck residue, soak 10 minutes in hot soapy water.
• Step 4 — Wipe the interior: wipe inside the housing with a damp cloth. Dry with a clean cloth.

Dishwasher guidance

Most modern baskets and drawers are dishwasher-safe (check your manual). Place them on the upper rack. However, hand washing extends the non-stick coating's life. To spare the coating, hand wash day to day and keep the dishwasher for an occasional clean.

Weekly cleaning: the heating element (10 minutes)

The heating element at the top of the cooking cavity is the most neglected part. Grease splashes accumulate and carbonise, creating smoke and bad odours.

• Turn the air fryer upside down (unplugged, fully cooled) to access the element.
• Brush gently with a soft-bristle brush (old toothbrush or specialist cleaning brush).
• Wipe with a well-wrung cloth, barely damp with hot water and a drop of washing-up liquid.
• Dry completely before turning upright.
• Never scrape the element with metal objects or abrasive pads.

Monthly deep clean: the full protocol (30 minutes)

Step 1: Degreasing soak (15 min)

Fill your sink with hot water and add 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and a splash of white vinegar. Submerge basket and drawer for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Gentle scrubbing (5 min)

After soaking, use a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge on all surfaces. Pay attention to corners and basket perforations where grease accumulates.

Step 3: Element and cavity (5 min)

Clean the heating element as above. Wipe the entire interior cavity with a vinegar-dampened cloth.

Step 4: Exterior (3 min)

Wipe exterior with a damp cloth. For fingerprints on stainless steel, use a slightly damp microfibre cloth. Clean rear ventilation openings with a small brush.

Step 5: Complete drying (2 min)

Dry all parts with a clean tea towel. Leave the drawer open for 30 minutes for full ventilation before storing. Never reassemble while damp — residual moisture breeds mould and odours.

Removing stubborn grease

Method 1: Bicarbonate paste

Mix 3 tbsp bicarbonate with 1 tbsp water. Apply to greasy areas, leave 20-30 minutes, scrub with soft sponge, rinse.

Method 2: Hot vinegar bath

Fill the drawer 50/50 with hot water and white vinegar. Leave 30 minutes, drain, scrub.

Method 3: Long soak

Put the drawer and basket in a sink of hot soapy water and leave them for a few hours, or overnight for old deposits. Then scrub with a soft sponge and rinse. Avoid heating water in the drawer to loosen grease: most manuals say never to fill the drawer with oil or any other liquid while the appliance is running.

What NEVER to do

• Steel wool or metal scouring pads: permanently destroys non-stick coating.
• Abrasive or harsh degreasers: can attack the coating and leave chemical residues.
• Submerging the base unit: the part with the motor and electrical components must never get wet.
• Scraping with knives or metal spatulas: scratches the coating.

Extending your air fryer's lifespan

Use perforated liners or silicone moulds to minimise direct food contact. Avoid metal utensils in the basket. Check drawer rails and rubber seals quarterly.

What wears out first

The non-stick coating on the basket and drawer is usually the first part to show wear (scratches, flaking). If it starts flaking, replace the part rather than keep cooking in it: the major brands sell replacement baskets and drawers. The heating element and fan suffer mainly from built-up grease, which is why regular cleaning matters.

Maintenance calendar

A well-maintained air fryer keeps its cooking performance for longer and produces less smoke and fewer odours. Avoid common usage mistakes and see our complete air fryer guide and air fryer vs oven comparison.

The 5 Most Forgotten Cleaning Zones

• The underside of the outer basket: grease builds up between the inner basket and outer drawer. Often ignored for weeks. Result: persistent odours and smoke at the next fatty cooking session. Solution: clean the full drawer after every meat session.
• The heating element: visible when you flip the appliance over, it collects grease splashes. Never submerge it in water. Clean gently with a dry brush or slightly damp cloth, with the appliance cold and unplugged.
• The air vents: dust and greasy vapour settle on the air inlets and outlets. Dust them with a small soft brush, unplugged, every 2-3 months. Never open the housing to reach the fan.
• The sealing gaskets: on models with lids or drawer seals, grease seeps into the grooves. Clean with a toothpick or narrow tool dipped in washing-up liquid.
• The cavity floor (under the basket): fats and juices drip here and carbonise at the next use. Wipe after each session with a slightly damp kitchen towel once cooled.

Cleaning Products: What to Use (and Avoid)?