Clean air fryer with vinegar and baking soda

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Air fryers are the new “it” kitchen tool, and if you got one recently, I bet it’s been fun getting to know a new appliance: how to use it, all the possibilities of what you can cook with it, and how it can fit into your cooking routine. What’s less fun is taking care of it.

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A couple of months’ use probably has you wondering, right about now, how to give that air fryer a deeper clean. Here are some tips, including the tools and products you should have handy in order to give your air fryer a thorough cleaning.

First, a note: Always make sure your air fryer is unplugged and completely cool before cleaning it. Then once you’re done, make sure all your air fryer components are completely clean and dry before putting your unit back together.

Use lemon juice and vinegar to get rid of odors.

If your air fryer starts to get a little stinky, put a small oven-safe dish in the basket, add equal parts lemon juice and white vinegar to the dish (an ounce of each is enough), then turn your air fryer on for about two minutes

Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean without damage.

Using metal or harsh scrubbers on your air fryer can damage the nonstick finish. Rather than turning to these tougher tools and risk ruining your brand new appliance, use a damp microfiber cloth to work on trouble spots. Microfiber also works great on the exterior of your unit. Follow a wipe-down with a dry buff to prevent water spots.

Try a baking soda and water paste to soften dried-on messes.

Food that’s been stuck on your unit for a while gets harder and harder to remove. If you have areas that aren’t getting clean with an attentive wipe-down, make a paste with baking soda and water. Baking soda won’t scratch the finish in your air fryer but will penetrate more stubborn messes.

Credit: Joe Lingeman/Apartment Therapy

Use a soft-bristled brush to loosen crumbs and baked-on food.

A brush is great for reaching narrow crevices and cracks that tend to gather food residue and crumbs. Use a soft-bristled one to loosen stuck-on dirt lodged in tricky spaces. If you don’t have a detail cleaning brush at home, an old toothbrush can be repurposed for cleaning instead!

Use dish soap to easily lift grease.

While the whole point of air frying is reducing the use of grease and oil as you cook, you may still have some from seasoning food or the food itself. The longer it stays in your unit, and the more times it gets re-heated, the sticker it gets. Dish soap dissolves grease and using your scrub brush to apply it will take care of many air fryer messes.

Soak your fryer basket in a vinegar solution.

Soaking your basket is an easy way to make sure every part of the basket is getting attention. Mix a solution of half-vinegar, half-water and soak your basket for 15 minutes before scrubbing with your brush and rinsing.

Don’t forget to clean the heating element.

Food and grease can fall onto the heating element. Turn your air fryer upside down and check it when you do a deeper clean. If the heating element is dirty, you can wipe it down with a dry or very-lightly-damp microfiber cloth.

Are you looking for a way to make cleaning your air fryer easier? Check out these hacks! With a few cleaning hacks, you can have your air fryer clean and ready to use in no time.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think much about how to clean your air fryer. But if you want to keep your air fryer in good condition and ensure that it continues to work properly, it’s important to clean it on a regular basis.

Your air fryer is one of the hardest working appliances in your kitchen, so it’s important to keep it clean and well-maintained. Over time, grease and food particles can build up on the air fryer basket and interior, making it more difficult to cook with and causing potential safety hazards.

The good news is that air fryers are fairly easy to clean, and only require a few simple steps. So, how do you clean an air fryer? Read on to find out!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do air fryers need to be cleaned?

Yes, air fryers need to be cleaned regularly. Over time, grease and food particles can build up on the air fryer basket and interior, making it more difficult to cook with and causing potential safety hazards.

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How often should I clean my air fryer?

You should clean your air fryer basket after each use. To do this, wait until the air fryer has cooled and remove any food particles using a paper towel. With a new paper towel, wipe the fryer basket and drip pan down until clean. Replace the basket into the pan and the air fryer is ready to use again.

If you notice any build-up of oil or food on the interior walls of your air fryer, then it’s time to do a deep clean on your air fryer. In general, it’s a good idea to give your air fryer a thorough cleaning at least once a month, or more often if it is used frequently.

Can you clean an air fryer with soap and water?

Yes, you can clean an air fryer with soap and water. Most air fryers have a removable basket that can be washed in the sink with soap and water. If your air fryer doesn’t have a removable basket, you can use a nylon scrubber to clean the interior surfaces.

How do you get baked-on grease out of an air fryer?

If you have baked-on grease in your air fryer, you can use a nylon scrubber to remove it. Start by unplugging the appliance and removing the food basket. Empty any remaining food or grease from the air fryer into the garbage.

Wipe down the interior of the air fryer with a damp cloth to remove any residue. If there are stubborn spots, you can use a mild grease-cutting dish soap. Once the interior is clean, rinse the food basket in warm water and set it aside to dry.

If your air fryer has a removable drawer, make sure to clean that as well. Once everything is clean and dry, you can reassemble your air fryer and start cooking again.

How do I clean my air fryer with vinegar?

To clean your air fryer with vinegar, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a bowl. Remove the food basket and drip tray from the air fryer and soak them in the mixture for a few minutes. Scrub any stubborn spots with a nylon scrubber.

Rinse the food basket and drip tray with warm water and set them aside to dry. Wipe down the interior of the air fryer with a damp cloth. If there are any stubborn spots, you can use a mild grease-cutting dish soap. Once everything is clean and dry, you can reassemble your air fryer and cook again.

How do I clean my air fryer with baking soda?

To clean your air fryer with baking soda, mix equal parts water and baking soda to form a paste. Remove the food basket and drip tray from the air fryer and coat them with the paste. Scrub any stubborn spots with a nylon scrubber.

Rinse the food basket and drip tray with warm water and set them aside to dry. Wipe down the interior of the air fryer with a damp cloth. If there are any stubborn spots, you can use a mild grease-cutting dish soap. Once everything is clean and dry, you can reassemble your air fryer and start cooking again.

Can I use a dishwasher to clean my air fryer?

No, you should not use a dishwasher to clean your air fryer. Dishwashing detergent is too harsh for the nonstick coating on your air fryer basket and could damage it. Instead, clean your air fryer by hand using warm soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth.

Air Fryer Cleaning Hacks

Here are some air fryer cleaning hacks to help you keep your air fryer clean and in good working order.

How to clean air fryer: The first step is to unplug your air fryer and remove the basket. Empty the basket of any food or debris. then, wash the basket in warm, soapy water. Rinse it well and dry it thoroughly before putting it back in the air fryer.

How to clean air fryer basket: If your air fryer basket is looking a bit greasy, you can clean it with a mixture of baking soda and water. Just make a paste with the baking soda and water, and then rub it onto the basket with a soft cloth. Rinse the basket well and dry it before putting it back in the air fryer.

How to clean air fryer oven: If your air fryer has an oven function, you’ll want to clean the oven cavity on a regular basis. The best way to do this is to use a damp cloth or sponge and some mild soap. Wipe down the inside of the oven cavity, being careful not to get any water on the heating element. Then, wipe it dry with a clean cloth.

How to clean air fryer heating element: The heating element is one of the most important parts of an air fryer, and it’s important to keep it clean. The best way to do this is to use a damp cloth or sponge and some mild soap. Gently scrub the heating element with the cloth or sponge until it’s clean. Then, wipe it dry with a clean cloth.

How to clean air fryer drip tray: The drip tray is another important part of an air fryer, and it’s important to keep it clean. The best way to do this is to remove the drip tray and wash it in warm, soapy water. Rinse it well and dry it thoroughly before putting it back in the air fryer.

How to Clean an Air Fryer

The best way to clean an air fryer is to start by unplugging the appliance and removing the food basket. Most air fryers have a removable basket that can be washed in the sink with soap and water. If your air fryer doesn’t have a removable basket, you can use a nylon scrubber to clean the interior surfaces.

Once the food basket is removed, empty any remaining food or grease from the air fryer into the garbage. Wipe down the interior of the air fryer with a damp cloth to remove any residue. If there are stubborn spots, you can use a mild grease-cutting dish soap.

Once the interior is clean, rinse the food basket in warm water and set it aside to dry. If your air fryer has a removable drawer, make sure to clean that as well. Once everything is clean and dry, you can reassemble your air fryer and start cooking again.

How to Deep Cleaning an Air Fryer

If your air fryer is in need of a deep cleaning, you can follow the same steps as above. In addition, you may want to soak the food basket and drawer in soapy water for a few minutes before scrubbing. You can also use a toothbrush or other small brush to clean hard-to-reach spots.

For an extra deep clean, you can fill your air fryer with water and a few drops of dish soap. Turn it on and let it run for a few minutes before draining the water and wiping down the interior.

By following these simple steps, you can keep your air fryer clean and in good working order. These air fryer cleaning hacks will help you get the most out of your air fryer and extend its lifespan.

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