The safest way to clean an air fryer is to wash its removable parts after every use with warm water, mild dish soap, and soft tools, then wipe the cool main unit with a damp cloth. Unplug the appliance first, keep water and sprays away from the electrical housing, and check the exact owner’s manual before using a dishwasher, soaking a part, or cleaning near the heating element.
What you need
- Warm water
- Mild dish soap
- A soft sponge or soft-bristled brush
- A soft, damp cloth or microfiber cloth
- A dry towel
Do not start with oven cleaner, bleach, steel wool, or a strong degreaser. Air fryers commonly have nonstick-coated baskets and crisper plates, and the main appliance contains electrical components that must not be saturated.
How to clean an air fryer after every use
- Turn it off, unplug it, and let it cool completely. The basket, pan, racks, heating element, and nearby metal edges can remain hot after cooking. Cleaning should begin only when the appliance is disconnected from power and fully cool.
- Remove the basket, pan, crisper plate, rack, tray, or other removable accessories. Pull-out basket models and oven-style air fryers have different layouts, so do not force a part that does not release easily.
- Empty crumbs and cooled grease. Tip loose crumbs into the trash. Pour cooled cooking grease into a container or absorb it with paper towels for disposal; do not pour grease down the sink.
- Soak stuck-on food rather than scraping it. Put the removable part in warm, soapy water for about 10 to 15 minutes if the owner’s manual permits soaking. This loosens baked-on food without damaging the coating.
- Hand-wash the removable parts. Use warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge or soft-bristled brush. Work gently around the basket vents, crisper-plate openings, corners, and seams.
- Rinse and dry everything completely. Remove all soap residue, then air-dry or towel-dry the parts before putting them back. Do not reinstall damp accessories and immediately heat the appliance.
- Wipe the appliance itself. With the unit unplugged and cool, wipe the interior floor, door if it has one, control panel, and exterior with a soft, damp cloth. The cloth should be damp—not dripping wet.
- Reassemble only when all accessible surfaces are dry. Check that no crumbs or grease remain around the cooking chamber, then return the accessories to their normal positions.
Cleaning the basket, vents, and crisper plate
The basket and crisper plate are food-contact surfaces, so clean them after each use—especially after cooking raw meat or poultry before using the air fryer for ready-to-eat food.
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For the perforations and tight corners, brush gently from different directions. A soft-bristled air fryer cleaning brush can loosen residue in basket vents and crisper-plate openings without the scratching risk of metal tools. Choose a soft, non-abrasive brush, and follow the manual before using any brush near the heating element.
Never use a knife, fork, metal spatula, steel wool, or metal scouring pad to lift food from a coated basket. If residue remains after soaking, repeat the soak and use a soft brush rather than increasing pressure.
How to clean the heating element safely
The heating element is usually above the cooking chamber in a basket-style air fryer and may be behind or above the racks in an oven-style model. It can collect grease and crumbs, which may cause odors or smoke when heated.
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- Unplug the air fryer and wait until it is completely cool.
- Remove the basket, pan, racks, or trays so you can see the reachable area clearly.
- Check the owner’s manual before attempting to access or clean the element.
- If the manual permits it, use a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush to loosen visible food particles.
- Wipe reachable surfaces with a lightly damp, soft cloth. Do not spray cleaner into the appliance.
- Allow the interior to dry completely before plugging the air fryer in again.
Do not immerse the main unit, pour water into the cooking chamber, aggressively scrape the heating element, or use a steel brush. Keep liquid away from the fan, vents, controls, wiring, and other electrical components. Do not disassemble or attempt to repair the heating or electrical system yourself.
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Only if the manual for your exact model says they can. Dishwasher compatibility is not universal. One model may permit its basket and crisper plate in the dishwasher, another may permit selected racks or trays, and another may direct users to hand-wash the accessories. Even when dishwasher use is allowed, hand-washing is generally gentler on a nonstick finish.
Check the model’s owner’s manual or manufacturer support page before using a dishwasher. Follow any specified rack placement, cycle, or temperature instructions. Never put the electrical main unit in a dishwasher or immerse it in water.
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Do not assume that a dishwasher-safe basket from one brand makes a similar-looking basket from another brand dishwasher-safe. Philips, Ninja, Instant, and Cosori instructions differ in their accessory and cleaning directions, and the exact model controls.
How to remove baked-on grease
- Unplug the appliance and let it cool.
- Remove the affected accessory.
- Soak it in warm water with mild dish soap for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, where the manual permits.
- Use a soft sponge or soft-bristled brush to loosen the softened grease.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
For particularly stubborn grime, a small baking-soda-and-water paste is sometimes suggested for suitable removable surfaces. Treat this as an optional secondary method, not a universal instruction: check the manual first, keep the paste away from the heating element and electrical parts, avoid abrasive rubbing, and wipe and rinse away every trace afterward.
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Do not use oven cleaner, bleach, abrasive powders, hard scouring pads, magic erasers, or an unapproved chemical degreaser unless the manufacturer specifically approves that product for the relevant surface.
How to clean a smoky or bad-smelling air fryer
First switch the appliance off, unplug it, and let it cool. Clean the basket, pan, crisper plate, racks, and interior floor, then inspect the heating-element area for visible grease or food particles. Residue can overheat and produce smoke or odors.
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A small amount of smoke can sometimes result from grease or food buildup, but smoke should not be dismissed automatically. If smoking or an unusual smell continues after thorough cleaning, stop using the air fryer and contact the manufacturer. Also stop using it if you see damaged wiring, melted plastic, sparking, or another electrical or mechanical fault. Do not open the housing or try to repair the appliance yourself.
What not to use on an air fryer
- Steel wool or metal scouring pads
- Metal scrapers, knives, or utensils
- Hard-bristle brushes
- Abrasive powders
- Oven cleaner
- Bleach
- Strong or unapproved chemical degreasers
- Cleaner sprayed directly into the appliance
- Excessive water around the heating element, fan, vents, or controls
- Universal vinegar, lemon, or steam-cleaning hacks
Vinegar, lemon, and steam methods are not automatically safe for every air fryer. They can leave liquid or residue in areas that later heat up, and they may conflict with the manufacturer’s care instructions. Mild soap, warm water, soft tools, and a damp cloth are the safer default unless the manual says otherwise.
How often should you clean an air fryer?
| When | Cleaning task |
|---|---|
| After every use | Empty crumbs and grease, wash food-contact accessories, and wipe visible residue. |
| When residue or odors appear | Inspect the interior floor and permitted heating-element area; perform a careful deep clean. |
| Before switching between raw and ready-to-eat foods | Clean the basket and other food-contact surfaces thoroughly with warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry. |
| When a coating is damaged | Stop using the affected accessory if coating is peeling, flaking, or exposing the underlying material; check the manufacturer for a model-specific replacement. |
An air fryer does not need to be sterile after washing. The practical goal is to remove food, grease, visible buildup, and soap residue, then rinse and dry the food-contact parts properly.
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When to replace a basket or contact the manufacturer
Contact the manufacturer when the manual is unavailable, a part will not release normally, dishwasher compatibility is unclear, or smoke and odors persist after cleaning. If a basket, crisper plate, rack, or tray is damaged, verify the exact brand and model before ordering a replacement. Accessories that look similar are not necessarily interchangeable.
Replace or discontinue use of an accessory when its nonstick coating is peeling, flaking, deeply scratched, or otherwise damaged. A replacement basket or crisper plate may be more appropriate than replacing the entire appliance, but compatibility must be confirmed from the manufacturer or an authorized parts seller.
Cleaning checklist
- ☐ Switched off, unplugged, and cooled completely
- ☐ Removed all removable accessories
- ☐ Disposed of crumbs and cooled grease correctly
- ☐ Soaked stuck residue instead of scraping it
- ☐ Washed accessories with mild soap and soft tools
- ☐ Wiped the interior and exterior with a damp cloth
- ☐ Cleaned the heating-element area only as the manual permits
- ☐ Rinsed and dried every removable part completely
- ☐ Checked the manual before using a dishwasher or chemical cleaner
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put an air-fryer basket in the dishwasher?
No. Some air-fryer baskets, pans, crisper plates, racks, and trays are dishwasher-safe, while others must be hand-washed. Check the manual for the exact model before putting any removable part in the dishwasher. Never put the electrical main unit in a dishwasher.
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- Built-in scraper: Quickly lifts stubborn, stuck-on food from cookware and bakeware, reducing soaking time and making cleanup faster and easier after every meal
- Non-slip handle: Soft, comfortable grip stays secure even when wet, giving you full control and confidence while cleaning greasy pans, messy dishes and tough cookware
- Dishwasher safe: Conveniently clean and sanitize the brush in the dishwasher, saving time and keeping your essential kitchen tool fresh, hygienic and ready to use
How do you clean the heating element in an air fryer?
Yes, but only when the model’s instructions permit it. Unplug the appliance, let it cool completely, and use a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush to remove visible particles from reachable areas. Never spray cleaner or pour water into the appliance.
What should you not use to clean an air fryer?
Avoid steel wool, metal utensils, abrasive powders, oven cleaner, bleach, strong unapproved degreasers, and direct sprays. These can damage nonstick coatings or leave liquid and chemical residue near components that heat up.
How do you clean an air fryer that smokes or smells?
Turn it off, unplug it, and let it cool. Clean the removable parts and inspect the interior and permitted heating-element area for grease or food particles. If smoke or an unusual smell continues after cleaning, stop using the appliance and contact the manufacturer.
The Bottom Line
For most air fryers, the safe routine is simple: unplug and cool the appliance, hand-wash removable food-contact parts with warm water and mild dish soap, use only soft tools, wipe the electrical unit with a damp cloth, and dry everything completely. Dishwasher use, soaking, heating-element access, and replacement parts are model-specific—your exact owner’s manual takes priority.
Quick Recap
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