How to Clean an Air Fryer

An air fryer that is cleaned regularly lasts longer, smells better, and cooks more evenly. Grease and crumbs left behind burn on the next time you use it, causing smoke and a stale smell. The good news is that routine cleaning takes only a few minutes. A deeper clean once a month handles the rest.

Here is how to clean the basket and tray, the heating element, baked-on grease, and odors, plus the things you should never use.

Before you start

• Unplug the air fryer. Never clean it while it is plugged in.
• Let it cool completely. Wait at least 30 minutes. A hot nonstick surface can be damaged by cold water.
• Check the manual. It tells you which parts are dishwasher-safe and which cleaners the coating can take.
• Never submerge the base. Only the removable parts, such as the basket, tray, and rack, go in water.

After every use

1. Pour off the grease. Empty drippings into a container or the trash. Pouring grease down the sink can clog the drain.
2. Wash the basket and tray. Use warm water, a little dish soap, and a soft sponge or brush. If food is stuck on, let the parts soak for 10 minutes.
3. Skip the dishwasher unless the manual allows it. Hand washing is gentler on nonstick coatings, even when the parts are dishwasher-safe.
4. Dry fully. Let the parts air dry or wipe them with a towel before putting them back.
5. Wipe the outside. Use a well-wrung damp cloth and keep water out of the vents.

This matters most after greasy foods. Bacon, chicken wings, sausage, and pork belly leave a lot of fat in the tray.

Baked-on grease

Stuck-on grease usually comes off without scouring.

• Soak it. Fill the tray with hot water and a squirt of dish soap, set the basket inside, and wait 30 to 60 minutes. Then wipe it with a soft sponge.
• Baking soda paste. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda with a little water to form a thick paste. Spread it over the stains, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse well.
• Repeat instead of scrubbing harder. Old stains may take two rounds, and a second soak is better than force.

Check your manual before using baking soda, since a few makers advise against abrasive cleaners.

Cleaning the heating element

The heating element sits in the ceiling of the cooking chamber, and it collects grease splatter that most people forget about. It is the main source of smoke when you cook, particularly after fatty foods like duck legs and bacon.

1. Unplug the air fryer and let it cool completely.
2. Look at the element. Some models let you tip the unit upside down onto a towel for a better view, but check the manual first.
3. Wipe the element with a damp cloth that has been wrung out and has a drop of dish soap on it, or use a soft brush for stuck bits.
4. Wipe once more with a plain damp cloth and let it dry completely before using the air fryer.

Never pour water on the element, spray it with cleaner, or poke anything into the fan.

Cleaning the inside of the chamber, the rack, and glass doors

The inside of the cooking chamber can be wiped with the same damp, soapy cloth. For oven-style air fryers with a glass door, use a soft cloth and a glass-safe cleaner on the glass only, never on the nonstick interior. Racks and trays usually come out for washing; soak them like the basket.

Removing odors

Odors almost always come from old grease on the tray or element.

• Clean the tray, basket, and element as described above.
• Soak the basket and tray in warm water with a few lemon slices or a splash of white vinegar, then rinse well.
• Run the empty, clean, dry air fryer at 350 °F for 3 to 5 minutes to dry out any remaining moisture.

A new air fryer can smell like plastic or coating the first few times. Wash the parts and run it empty for a few minutes, and the smell fades.

What not to use

• Steel wool or scouring pads: they scratch the coating, which makes food stick and can make it peel.
• Oven cleaner or harsh chemicals: they can damage the coating and leave residue on surfaces that touch food.
• Aerosol cooking spray: it leaves a sticky film on nonstick baskets that is hard to remove. Brush on a little oil instead.
• Metal tools: use silicone or wooden utensils instead.
• Water on the heating element or base: it can damage the electronics.

A simple schedule

Part	How often	How
Basket and tray	After each use	Warm soapy water, soft sponge
Rack or insert	After each use	Soap and a soft brush
Outside	Weekly	Damp cloth
Heating element	Monthly, or when it looks splattered	Damp cloth or soft brush, cool and unplugged
Baked-on grease	As needed	Soak, then baking soda paste

Make cleaning easier

• Use a small dish or a perforated parchment liner for sticky or sugary foods, and read our guide to parchment paper and foil in the air fryer first.
• Drain the grease partway through long cooks, such as a whole chicken.
• Keep the basket from being overfilled. Crowded food splatters more.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put the air fryer basket in the dishwasher?

Only if the manual says it is dishwasher-safe. Even then, hand washing protects the nonstick coating better and helps it last.

How do I get baked-on grease off the basket?

Soak it in hot soapy water for 30 to 60 minutes, then wipe it with a soft sponge. For stubborn spots, use a paste of baking soda and water and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing gently.

Why does my air fryer smoke?

Smoke usually comes from grease on the heating element or in the tray. Clean both, and drain the fat from fatty foods during cooking. Let the machine cool before you clean it.

How do I get the smell out of my air fryer?

Wash the basket, tray, and element, then soak the removable parts in warm water with lemon slices or vinegar. Run the clean, dry air fryer empty at 350 °F for 3 to 5 minutes.

How often should I clean the heating element?

About once a month, or sooner if you cook fatty foods often. Wipe it only when the air fryer is unplugged and cool.