Absolutely. Cleaning an air fryer regularly helps prevent grease buildup, smoke, bad smells, and food contamination. Here’s a detailed method that works for most basket-style air fryers.
🧽 What you’ll need
Dish soap
Warm water
Soft sponge or microfiber cloth
Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
Paper towels or a clean dish towel
Baking soda (optional, for stubborn grease)
A wooden or plastic utensil (optional)
Avoid: steel wool, abrasive scrubbers, harsh oven cleaner, and metal utensils that can scratch the nonstick coating.
Step 1: Unplug and let it cool
Turn off the air fryer.
Unplug it from the outlet.
Wait until the appliance is completely cool before cleaning.
Never immerse the main air-fryer unit, which contains the electrical components, in water.
Step 2: Remove the basket and tray
Take out the removable basket, crisper plate, rack, or tray.
If there are large pieces of food stuck inside, remove them gently with your fingers or a wooden/plastic utensil.
Step 3: Clean the basket
Fill a sink or basin with warm water and a small amount of dish soap.
Place the removable basket and tray in the water if the manufacturer’s instructions allow them to be washed this way.
Let them soak for about 10–15 minutes if grease or food is stuck.
Then:
Wipe with a soft sponge.
Use a soft brush or toothbrush around holes, corners, and seams.
Rinse thoroughly.
Dry completely with a towel or allow the parts to air-dry.
Important: Don’t use a metal scrubber because it can damage the nonstick coating.
Step 4: Deal with stubborn grease
For baked-on grease, make a paste using:
Baking soda + a small amount of water
Apply it to the greasy area and let it sit for approximately 10–15 minutes. Then gently scrub with a soft sponge or brush and rinse well.
Don’t aggressively scrape the coating.
Step 5: Clean the inside of the air fryer
With the basket removed, look inside the cooking chamber.
Use a slightly damp cloth or soft sponge to wipe away grease and food particles.
Pay particular attention to:
The bottom of the cooking chamber
The sides
Corners
Areas around the basket rails
Do not pour water directly into the air fryer.
Step 6: Clean the heating element
Turn the appliance upside down only if your particular model’s instructions permit it.
Look at the heating element above the cooking area. If you see grease or food residue:
Make sure the air fryer is unplugged and completely cool.
Wipe the heating element gently with a slightly damp cloth.
Use a soft brush/toothbrush for loose particles.
Allow everything to dry completely before using the air fryer again.
Don’t bend, scrape, or pull on the heating element.
Step 7: Clean the outside
Wipe the outside of the air fryer with a damp microfiber cloth.
For fingerprints or grease, put a tiny amount of dish soap on the damp cloth, then wipe the surface.
Afterward, wipe it again with a clean damp cloth and dry it.
Keep water away from:
Buttons and controls
Display
Electrical connections
Power cord
Ventilation openings
Step 8: Clean the vents
If your air fryer has ventilation openings, check them for dust or grease buildup.
Use a dry or slightly damp soft cloth/brush to remove accessible debris. Don’t push water or debris into the openings.
Step 9: Dry everything completely
This step is important.
Make sure the basket, tray, and inside of the appliance are completely dry before putting everything back together.
Once dry, reinstall the removable parts.
🧼 How often should you clean it?
After every use:
Wash the basket/tray.
Remove food crumbs.
Wipe obvious grease from the inside.
Every few uses:
Wipe the cooking chamber more thoroughly.
Check the heating element.
Clean around the vents and corners.
Deep clean when necessary:
If you notice smoke during cooking
If the air fryer smells strongly of old food
If grease has accumulated
If food is stuck to the interior
⚠️ Important things NOT to do
Don’t immerse the main air-fryer unit in water.
Don’t pour water into the cooking chamber.
Don’t use steel wool or abrasive cleaners on nonstick surfaces.
Don’t use oven cleaner unless your manufacturer’s instructions specifically say it’s safe.
Don’t scrape the basket with a knife or metal utensil.
Don’t operate the air fryer while water or cleaning solution remains inside.
Don’t put a removable component in the dishwasher unless the manufacturer says it is dishwasher-safe.
🌟 If your air fryer smells bad
First, wash the basket and tray thoroughly. Then wipe the interior and heating-element area carefully.
If the smell is from old grease, a thorough cleaning usually solves it. If you smell burning plastic, melting insulation, or an electrical/burning odor, stop using the appliance, unplug it, and check the manufacturer’s instructions rather than trying to clean the problem away.
If you tell me the brand and model of your air fryer (for example, Ninja, Cosori, Instant, Philips, etc.), I can give you the exact cleaning procedure for that model.