Even though you prepare your dishes in it without a lot of fat, you should be able to clean and maintain your air fryer regularly. This not only allows you to keep your kitchen appliance in top shape, but also allows you to enjoy the full flavor of the food. If you love crispy fried and healthy foods, the compact kitchen gadget is essential these days. The name is a bit misleading, however, as an air fryer is more like a convection oven than a deep fryer. In addition, the device uses little or no oil and can bake or fry many foods. Cleaning such devices may seem difficult at first, but with the right steps, the job can be done easily. Here are some common cleaning methods and home remedies you can use.
Avoid common mistakes and clean your air fryer properly
It often happens that such kitchen appliances quickly become scratched and accumulate dirt if used incorrectly. Therefore, when cleaning your air fryer, you should never use unsuitable utensils to remove stuck-on food. The device is equipped with a non-stick coating that is very easy to scratch and wear. This applies to steel wool, metal scrubbers orScouring pads from the kitchen.
You also shouldn't use disinfectant when cleaning your air fryer, as it is typically not safe for surfaces that come into contact with food. When choosing a disinfectant solution to keep internal parts germ-free, it is recommended to read the label. This ensures that the substances contained in the product do not harm your health. Some approved disinfectants include chlorine, iodine and quaternary ammonium.
The high heat of a dishwasher is also a recommended way to disinfect an air fryer. Just check your appliance's manual to confirm that its basket, tray, and bowl are dishwasher safe before placing them inside. You should also make sure your air fryer is unplugged before wiping down the outside to prevent electric shock. Also avoid submerging the main unit in water to avoid short-circuiting it.
How often should you clean an air fryer?
Ideally, you should clean the components of the kitchen appliance after each use to avoid charred food residue and grease deposits. However, there are certain parts where occasional cleaning is sufficient. The components you should wash after each use are the basket, tray, and roasting tray. These can be added either by hand or, depending on the air fryer model, to the next dishwasher load. However, it is also a good idea to wipe down the interior after each use.
Because air fryers require only a minimal amount of oil to function, there isn't as much greasy residue left behind after each use, so you don't have to clean the exterior of the appliance as often as its interior. Feel free to wipe the exterior of the device after a few uses. You should check the heating coil of your hot air fryer every few months for oil residue and remove it if necessary. If you notice that it has become a little dirty, you should unplug the device and wipe the heating coil with a damp cloth. Then allow the part to dry thoroughly before using your air fryer again.
Follow simple steps and clean your air fryer
The cleaning process is similar to light post-cooking cleaning, but with a few additional steps. As mentioned above, air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens with a non-stick drawer. So you can treat the dirt like you would a pan. Water and heat help to easily remove cooked-on grease and debris, so add a cup of water to the basket of your air fryer, turn it on high for a few minutes, and let it sit for about half an hour. Once opened, you will find that this removes a lot of dirt and grime effortlessly and without scrubbing or soap. Otherwise, you can use the following cleaning techniques to get the job done:
- Before you begin cleaning your air fryer, first gather all the necessary tools and materials. These include a non-abrasive kitchen sponge, microfiber cloths, soft-bristled scrub brush, paper towels, dish soap and baking soda.
- Unplug your air fryer and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes. After cooling, remove all removable parts from the device.
- Wash the removable parts in warm, soapy water. If you find that there is grease or charred food on it, you can soak it in hot, soapy water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then scrub everything with a non-abrasive sponge.
- For parts of the fryer that are difficult to clean or very stubborn food residue that won't come off, you can make a cleaning paste using baking soda and water. Using a soft brush, scrub the paste onto the residue and wipe clean.
Clean the interior of the hot air fryer
- Wipe down the interior of your air fryer using a damp microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge with a squirt of dish soap. Then remove any soap residue with a clean, damp cloth.
- Check the heating element by turning your air fryer upside down. Again, use a damp cloth or non-abrasive sponge to wipe the heating element.
Clean the outside of the device
- Wipe the exterior as well as the interior with a cloth or soft sponge and a little dishwashing liquid. Remove any soap residue with a clean, damp cloth and then polish the outside with a paper towel.
- Finally, reassemble your air fryer. However, make sure that all corners and edges of the device are thoroughly dry. Assemble all removable components into the main unit and voila! Your air fryer is ready to use and sparkling clean.
How to do a deep clean
After repeated use, check the heating element for grease splashes or food residue. Use a damp, non-abrasive sponge to clean. If the air fryer produces a bad smell, there are food splatters somewhere inside. In this case, in a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of water with two tablespoons of baking soda to form a paste. Dip a dampened sponge into the paste to clean the interior. You may also need to use a small, soft-bristled brush like a bottle brush or an old toothbrush dipped in the solution to get into all the corners. Then rinse the part with a sponge dipped in clean water. Finally, wipe thoroughly with a microfiber cloth before replacing the basket and drawer and theConnect the device to a power outlet.
Here's how to keep your air fryer clean in the future
- First and foremost, it is worth mentioning that you should never use metal utensils, which can damage the non-stick coating, to remove food residue or scrub the components.
- Also, never place the air fryer on a stovetop or too close to an open flame to avoid accidentally melting the plastic components.
- Never immerse the base station in water.
- Always operate the hot air fryer with at least 15 cm of space around all sides of the device to ensure good air circulation and prevent overheating.
- Do not overfill the food baskets. This can damage the heating elements in the interior.
- Always turn off the air fryer, unplug it, and allow it to cool completely before cleaning or storing its components.
