Do you want to know how to clean your air fryer? Don’t look any further! We have what you’re looking for. Product tricks and tips are extremely useful and important. You will use and maintain your product correctly if you are aware of them. This blog will answer common questions about how to clean your air fryer correctly and easily.
An air fryer is a new generation of small kitchen appliances that are intended to replace traditional deep fryers. It is intended for air cooking rather than oil cooking. Because of the super-hot air circulating inside, this clever appliance uses very little cooking oil or no oil at all, resulting in fried food that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, just like traditional frying cooks.
People prefer air fryers because they are a healthier, less harmful alternative to deep frying food in oil. The only disadvantage is that the machine can become dirty and greasy after cooking your favorite fried foods, making cleaning difficult and potentially damaging your air fryer basket if you don’t know how to clean your air fryer.
You should keep in mind that cleaning an air fryer is not as simple as cleaning a regular dishwasher. Continue reading to learn how to clean your air fryer.
What happens if you don’t clean your air fryer?
It is critical to understand how to clean your air fryer before and after use. The answer is straightforward: food debris and oil buildup. But what comes next? What else can go wrong if you don’t clean your fryer? If you do not clean the fryer after use, food debris buildup can cause unpleasant odors in the kitchen. Pests are also drawn to a dirty fryer.
Because food particles have an oily texture, they are difficult to dry and solidify on the heating element and other parts of the fryer. This causes a permanent layer of residue to form on these surfaces, affecting their performance and efficiency. So make sure to clean your air fryer after each use (or at least once a week).
It will improve its efficiency as well as your cooking experience! If there is any water left in the oil drainage tray, bacteria can grow and cause a variety of health issues for you and your family. This can also result in offensive odors in the home.
Basic steps about How To Clean Your Air Fryer
Cleaning an air fryer is quick and simple, but you must know how to clean your air fryer properly to avoid damage! The best way to accomplish this is to take a few simple steps.
Step 1: Unplug the Fryer
When cleaning your air fryer, the first thing you should do is unplug it. This eliminates the risk of shock and improves safety around small children. For steps 2 and 3, it’s a good idea to have a plug-in stove timer on hand, so remember where you put it!
Step 2: Cool Down The Air Fryer
The following is the second step in cleaning your air fryer. After you’ve unplugged the machine, you can proceed to cool it down. This is especially important if you are cleaning with an oil-based cleaner, such as Pam or Crisco because oil heats up much faster than water. Allowing the fryer to cool will protect the machine, so do not skip this step.
Step 3: Prep Your Cleaning Station
Now that the fryer has cooled, set up your cleaning station! You’ll need your favorite oil-based cleaner (make sure it doesn’t contain water), a clean rag or paper towels, and rubbing alcohol to do this. If there are any stubborn stains on the bottom of the fryer, you should have some baking soda on hand. If necessary, this will be used in Step 5.
Step 4: Prepare & Apply The Oil-Based Cleaner
Before beginning to clean with an oil-based cleaner such as Pam or Crisco, shake the can thoroughly. Hold the can at least 12 inches away from the fryer and spray just enough to coat the appliance in a thin layer. Remember, you’re working with the oil! If it gets on your floor or any other surface, clean it up immediately.
Step 5: Use Alcohol To Remove Stubborn Stains
The next step in cleaning your air fryer is to use alcohol to remove stains. If there is any leftover residue on the inside of your air fryer, clean it with rubbing alcohol and baking soda. Simply sprinkle a small amount onto a paper towel and wipe down the inner walls until clean. Then give them a quick rinse with water to remove any remaining cleaning product before drying them with another rag or paper towel.
Step 6: Wipe Down The Exterior
When you’ve finished cleaning the inside of your fryer, it’s time to tackle the outside! Ensure that all areas that have come into contact with food or oil are thoroughly cleaned. Cleaning this part is especially important if you fry something with a paper towel because bits will get stuck in any small cracks and crevices.
Step 7: Wipe Down The Cooking Tray
Last but not least, after removing excess fluids from Step 4, you’ll need a clean rag to wipe down the cooking tray. Simply spray your favorite cleaner onto a rag until there is no more liquid coming out. Wipe away any remaining stains with a damp cloth before placing them back in the air fryer. That should suffice! That concludes the basic steps for cleaning your air fryer.
How to Clean Air Fryer Basket?
To properly clean your air fryer, you must first learn how to clean your air fryer basket. Air fryer baskets should be cleaned immediately after use because grease caking can be difficult to remove over time. Although air fryers do not require oil, residual food can accumulate, so it is critical to thoroughly clean the basket and pan with mild soap or no-residue dishwasher detergent.
We’ve seen many people struggle with cleaning heavily used Air Fryer Baskets, with mixed results; some using aggressive methods such as steel wool, but I recommend avoiding this because you risk scratching off the nonstick coating of your baking rack, compromising its integrity.
How to remove air fryer basket?
This is the first step in cleaning your air fryer. Some people get stuck cleaning the air fryer because they don’t know how to remove the air fryer basket. Now I’ll show you how to easily and safely remove the basket.
To remove the frying basket, first, understand the mechanism of your cooker. After you’ve grasped this mechanism, carefully follow these steps:
- To begin, turn off your Fryer and unplug it from the power source.
- Place it on a flat working surface to avoid any damage.
- Remove food items one at a time with tongs or another utensil, or all at once if they are already cooked.
- Place the air fryer’s cooking tray in a location where there is no risk of damage from tilting or dropping.
- Lift the basket straight up and out of the cooker, keeping the handle facing you.
- Before replacing it, clean it with a damp cloth and thoroughly dry it.
- Replace the food in your fryer to continue cooking it, or transfer it to an oven or stovetop to finish it.
Why is there baked-on grease from the air fryer basket?
You may be wondering how your air fryer became grease-covered after only a few months of use. There are several reasons for this, the most serious of which is that you did not know how to properly clean your air fryer when you first bought and used it.
Air fryers get very hot and must be cleaned immediately after they cool. Their heating elements can corrode if they are not cleaned properly. If the oil residue is not allowed to evaporate, it may cause a foul odor in your kitchen.
Cleaning the basket is an important step that should be completed after each use of the air fryer. I recommend gently wiping it down with a wet cloth or paper towel until all of the parts are dry and shiny.
How to clean baked-on grease from the air fryer basket?
When it comes to using their air fryers, different people have different habits. Some people enjoy preparing large dishes, while others prefer smaller bite-sized meals. Cleaning up after using an air fryer is one of the most common issues. This is the most difficult part of cleaning your air fryer.
Not only can some grease splatter during cooking, but baked-on grease left in the basket can be difficult to remove. Fortunately, there are numerous products and tips available to help you get your air fryer basket looking brand new again! Here are some excellent methods for removing grease from your air fryer when using it to prepare healthier meals.
- The dishwasher method: If you want a quick and easy solution after air frying a meal, this is an effective answer to the question of how to clean the grease off of the air fryer basket. Simply place your basket in the top rack of your dishwasher and start a normal wash cycle.
- While this may not be the best option depending on the type of dishwashing detergent you use, it is one of the best methods for quickly and easily removing excess grease.
- The oven method: If you’re looking for something that goes above and beyond simply removing excess grease, this method works perfectly. All you have to do is preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the basket on the top rack, and bake for about an hour. Following that, all of the baked-on greases should be soft enough to wipe away with water or dish soap!
- The peroxide method is one of our favorites because it requires no effort at all! Fill the air fryer basket with peroxide cleaner and cover it with foil. Allow it to sit overnight to break down excess grease and allow it to wipe right off in the morning. It’s possibly the simplest way to remove excess grease without having to lift a finger!
- Another method for cleaning your air fryer is to use foil. If you dislike using dish soap or peroxide cleaners, this is an excellent alternative for removing baked-on grease. All you have to do is fill the sink with boiling hot water and line the greased air fryer basket with tin foil. Allow everything to sit overnight so that the grease softens and can be easily wiped out of your air fryer basket in the morning.
- Finally, because it is so simple and effective, the citric acid method is perhaps our favorite way to clean nearly any type of kitchen tool! You’ll need lime or lemon juice (it doesn’t matter which), as well as foil and a paper towel.
Squeeze the juice into the air fryer basket, place it on top of the foil, and sponge it with a paper towel. Allow this to sit for about 30 minutes to allow the acid to dissolve any grease deposits in the basket, then take out your paper towel and wipe everything clean!
How to maintain your air fryer basket after degreasing?
You should know how to clean your air fryer as well as how to maintain it. Although the air fryer is a quick and efficient way to cook healthy food, many people struggle with getting it started for the first time. Here are a few pointers to help you successfully maintain your device after it has been degreased.
- Do not put aluminum foil in the cooker
Many people prefer to cover the foods they’re cooking with aluminum foil for better results. Although this may seem like an effective solution at first, using aluminum foil in the cooker will leave almost insurmountable stains after only one use. Aluminum can restore the luster to your fryer!
This residue on your hands is easily removed with nail polish remover or baking soda paste; however, make sure it is dry before using your device again.
- Rinse the basket in the dishwasher
Many air fryers include a removable basket that collects all of the fried food that you place inside. Simply place this part of your appliance in the top rack of the dishwasher to clean it easier the next time. To ensure that everything is completely clean, use baking soda paste or vinegar to remove any remaining oil before reinstalling your device.
- Use spices sparingly
Although many people enjoy using spices to flavor their food, these small components are excellent at becoming lodged inside the mesh holes that allow hot air to circulate throughout your cooker. This causes problems when trying to remove them all at once, but there are some simple solutions for removing these granules. To remove these stains, all you need is a little sandpaper or a damp sponge!
- Do not add water to the basket
Another piece of advice from experienced air fryer chefs is that using too much water can damage your device. Although this is true in some cases, it is not necessary to add a few drops of water when frying food in a small amount of oil.
If you want to use less oil when cooking with your device, combine any liquids with spices before adding them to the basket. This will help ensure that everything stays dry while cooking and that no water gets into your machine!
How to Clean The Heating Element Of the Air Fryer?
How To Clean Your Air Fryer
Cleaning your air fryer basket is necessary, but you should also focus on cleaning other parts of your air fryer to keep it in good working order. As a result, in addition to learning how to clean your air fryer basket, it is critical to maintaining the heating element.
The air fryer is a healthier way to cook your favorite foods. The heat is generated by the oil-free frying method, which is similar to a mini oven that cooks the food by circulating hot air around it. You can make crispy fries without using any oil or butter and serve them to your family for lunch or dinner.
Cleaning the element is now necessary to keep your kitchen clean and shiny. Here are some pointers on how to clean the heating elements in an air fryer.
Get Rid Of Oil Stains From It
It is simple to clean the heating elements of your air fryer. Oil tends to stick over time as it thickens; here are some simple methods for easily removing stuck oil from the heating element. Cleaning your appliance on a regular basis will help you avoid more difficult tasks in the future. So, first, try cleaning it with an ammonia-soaked cloth.
You can also dilute it with water; if that does not remove the oil stains, use vinegar. Before using the air fryer, make sure the surface is completely dry. If all else fails, try manually removing the oil stains after removing the heating element from the unit.
Clean The Exterior Of The Unit
Because melting oils and food particles will stain the exterior of your appliance, cleaning it on a regular basis is critical. Hot soapy water is sufficient for quick cleaning, but weekly cleaning with all-purpose liquid/spray cleansers or mild cleaners will keep your appliance shining like new.
You can also use non-toxic furniture cleaners or an oil remover spray as an alternative. You can also keep the unit clean and shiny by wiping it down with a damp towel at regular intervals.
Clean The Vents Of The Air Fryer
When learning how to clean your air fryer, you should also pay attention to the vents. The vents on the lid are used by your air fryer fan to assist in the release of cooking steam; here’s how to clean them. Fill two dishwasher-safe bowls with soapy water and white vinegar, respectively.
Now, dip the toothbrush in the soapy water bowl and place it over the vent area solution inside both bowls for about 15 minutes. Rinse it under cold running water cuticle facing downwards until all chemicals are completely rinsed, then dry it completely before re-using it.
Air Fryer recipes that are easy to clean after cooking
Frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer
Have you ever wanted to go for a winter stroll? Even when it’s cold outside, it’s critical to stay healthy. I know you enjoy walking, but it may be difficult to get your exercise outside during the winter.
As a result, this frozen sweet potato fries in air fryer recipe will help you stay healthy and active all year long. This recipe cooks much faster in an air fryer than in an oven. Are you ready to air fry your frozen sweet potato fries?
Ingredients:
- 3 medium frozen sweet potatoes (about 12 ounces total), washed thoroughly and with ends cut off to fit in the air fryer basket. Each potato should measure approximately 5 inches long and 2.5 inches wide.
- 1 teaspoon olive or coconut oil
- For sprinkling on top of air-fried fries, use sea salt or Himalayan pink salt.
Notes: It’s always a good idea to wash your vegetables before cooking them. Did you know that washing vegetables in cold water is sufficient? It is not necessary to soak fruits and vegetables in hot water because this will remove important nutrients.
Instructions:
- Remove the ends of all three potatoes to allow them to fit inside the basket of an air fryer, and cut each sweet potato lengthwise into 8 wedges. This allows the fries to cook more evenly without burning or overcooking on one side. If you want thinner fries, cut each potato in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 4 – 6 wedges.
- Collect all of the ingredients.
- Assemble your air fryer and turn it on to begin heating.
- To coat the sweet potatoes, pour the olive oil into a large mixing bowl or dish. Toss them again after taking them out of the oven to prevent them from sticking together as they cool and crisp up on their own! Season with sea salt and any other spices you like at this time (I love cayenne pepper).
- Place sweet potato wedges in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between each piece because the wedges will shrink during cooking. If your fries are overcrowded, the air fryer will not be able to circulate hot air properly around them, resulting in soggy fries rather than crispy ones! That is not what we want.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 25 minutes (no need to shake or flip during cooking). The fries should be crispy and golden brown. Set another 5-10 minutes if they require more time.
- Remove the fries from the basket and place them on a paper towel-lined tray to cool so they don’t stick together as they crisp up on their own! If you want to serve two people at the same time, repeat the above steps with the remaining potatoes.
- Allow them to cool enough so that you can eat them without burning your fingers! They’re just as good cold as they are hot, but we all know how fresh and warm they are.
Air fryer frozen potato wedges
The best part about having an air fryer is that you can cook a variety of foods without worrying about the fat content. The lack of oil prevents food from sticking to the basket and taking up valuable cleaning time. Don’t forget to try this simple air fryer frozen potato wedges recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound (450 g/16 oz) French Fries / Frozen Potato Wedges / Baked Potato Wedges
- 1 tablespoon Olive or Vegetable Oil, if desired, for brushing potatoes before seasoning with spices. Keep in mind that using less oil will result in healthier results!
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Italian Seasoning Powder (optional)
- freshly ground black pepper and salt
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the potato wedges with the oil and mix well until the potatoes are completely covered in oil.
- Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss in the remaining ingredients to evenly coat all of the potatoes.
- Arrange potato wedges in a single layer in an air fryer basket (if necessary use an extra frying pan or baking sheet to make sure they do not overlap).
- Bake for about 20 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 390°F, shaking the basket halfway through. Brush with more oil if necessary for extra crispiness.
- Serve right away.
Curly fries in air fryer recipe
The air fryer has quickly become a must-have kitchen appliance. It’s a great gadget for health-conscious people and those who want to cook without using too much oil while maintaining the same taste and crunchiness.
This curly fries in air fryer recipe uses only 1 tablespoon of oil and yields delicious curly fries! Let’s look at how to make them:
Ingredients:
- 2 servings of French fries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder
Instructions:
- Cut the potatoes into as many long, thin slices as you can. 1/8 inch is a good thickness for perfect curly fries. Instead of chopping the potatoes with a knife, use a round-shaped slicer to cut them.
- Now, in a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the oil and potatoes. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Add the cut fries to the seasoning mixture and toss to coat evenly with the spices mixture we just made. Allow for 10-15 minutes to allow all of the flavors to permeate the fries.
- Pour an equal amount of cooking oil into your air fryer pan before adding a single layer of prepared french fries and closing the lid. Cook for 5 minutes on high (the air fryer’s default setting) at 180 degrees C, then reduce to 165 degrees C and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the fries are crispy and golden brown in color.
Serve them hot with your favorite dips, such as ketchup or tomato sauce, being careful not to burn yourself because they are extremely hot!
Notes:
- You can use any type of potato you have or prefer for this recipe, but Russet potatoes produce the best results.
Overcrowding the pan will prevent proper cooking and may result in uncooked fries inside while overcooking the outer ones, resulting in soggy curly fries.
You can also use flavored seasoning powders like Mexican chili, garlic, and so on to change the taste/flavor of your fries, but don’t add any more salt because these flavorings already have some.
Frozen chicken strips in air fryer recipe
You want to try a new way to cook frozen chicken strips. Or are you simply looking for delicious recipes for air fryer chicken? How about an easy recipe for crispy, non-greasy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Strips? They are delicious and ready in less than half an hour! This is how it is done.
Ingredients
- 1 pound or 450 g chicken breast strips, fresh or frozen (skinless & boneless)
- One lemon’s juice
- half a teaspoon of garlic powder
- a half teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon parsley, fresh
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your chicken strips.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the chicken, then season with garlic powder, salt, hot sauce, and parsley.
- Toss everything together to evenly coat it with the seasonings. Toss in 2 tablespoons flour until the chicken is well coated.
- It is critical to shake off excess flour before placing the chicken strips in the air fryer basket! Otherwise, when baked with a flour coating, they will be too crispy!
- Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces on an oiled rack inside your air fryer basket, overlapping them as little as possible.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380F/190C, making sure it has been preheated for at least 5 minutes before baking with the splatter screen closed. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the strips are crisp and cooked through, turning them after 10 minutes. Cooking time will vary according to the size of the chicken strips, so keep an eye on them.
- If you want to avoid burning yourself, serve it immediately or let cool slightly before eating. Enjoy!
Notes:
- If you don’t have seasoned flour on hand, you can substitute self-rising flour.
- Drizzle some olive oil over the chicken while tossing in the seasonings; this will make them more crispy due to the browning.
- You can either slice the chicken breasts yourself or buy them pre-diced to save time.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your taste; if you don’t like it spicy, leave it out.
- Because chicken breasts are not always uniform in size, cooking time may vary depending on thickness.
- If they are thick, bake them for a little longer; if they are thin, bake them for less time. Cooking times can be adjusted to your liking.
Searching for an easy-to-clean air fryer?
If you have an easy-to-clean air fryer, learning how to clean it will be much easier. If you are looking for one, the NuWave Brio 6-Quart Air Fryer is an excellent option. Customers can clean up quickly and easily with the nonstick and dishwasher-safe basket.
This is one of the best NuWave Air Fryers available on Amazon. When compared to other options available today, it allows you to cook all types of meals and snacks quickly, efficiently, and with little mess or preparation time.
You can adjust the temperature of this air fryer from 100°F to 400°F to suit a variety of dishes in terms of cooking times as well as taste preferences such as crispiness level (light vs dark).
The reheat/preheat buttons make it even more convenient by saving you some steps before using the device, and six popular preprogrammed dishes provide added convenience if you want an easier option when getting started with this appliance without prior experience.
The NuWave Brio is an excellent large air fryer for those who want to prepare delicious fried foods while consuming less fat and calories. It cooks your favorite treats without the use of oil, allowing chefs to maintain complete control throughout the cooking process.
FAQs about How to Clean Your Air Fryer
When using an air fryer, you may have some questions that come to mind. How to clean your air fryer is a common question that many people have, but there are some other questions that you may have.
Do I need to clean my air fryer after every use?
Yes, it is critical to clean your air fryer after each use. This will prevent oil from accumulating in your air fryer basket and at the bottom of the cooking pot, which can cause damage to your appliance. It’s best to keep your air fryer clean by wiping away excess or fallen food with a wet brush or cloth during cooking.
This reduces the need to scrub the air fryer basket or cooking pot, which can harm the nonstick coating. You should not put your air fryer through a vigorous dishwashing cycle because it may be damaged.
Can you clean an air fryer with oven cleaner?
You should not! Oven cleaner is essentially acidic. It can eat through the metal parts of your air fryer and damage the nonstick coating.
Can you put plastic in an air fryer?
Plastic should not be used in an air fryer. If any are added, they may melt or distort. You can use anything contained within a metal mesh filter, though they are not required for the oven to function. These can be found at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, or other kitchen supply stores.
Conclusion about How to Clean Your Air Fryer
Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance for making delicious fried foods without extra calories and grease. However, it is important to remember that these appliances, especially if they are not used frequently, require regular cleaning as well. In this article, we will show you how to clean your air fryer so that it is ready for use when you need it!
To get the most out of your investment, don’t forget about maintenance. At first glance, an air fryer may appear to be a lot of work, but with proper care and attention, it can provide years of enjoyment. I hope this article has helped you understand how to clean your air fryer!
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