You would think that air fryers are easy to clean. After all, air fryers use hot air for cooking food rather than oil. That should be better than cleaning after deep-frying, with used fat that needs disposing of and oil splatters all over the stove, right?
True; however, oil or fat from the food fried in an air fryer might still end up in the bottom of the pull-out basket drawer. And putting off cleaning will make it a more difficult task when you get around to it.
If you smell or see smoke coming from your air fryer as your food cooks, it’s a sign that leftover pieces of food have been stuck in the basket holes. It can also mean that oil has collected on the heating element or drawer.
And those fragments of food will continue to cook and eventually burn each time you use the fryer. As a result, you must clean your air fryer after each use.
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Steps to cleaning an air fryer
In order to clean your air fryer well and to avoid damaging it during the cleaning process, it is important to understand how air fryers work. That basic knowledge of the workings of these useful appliances will enable you to clean and maintain air fryers like a pro.
Disconnect the device from the wall outlet
Once your air fryer has cooled to room temperature, you can begin cleaning it. This is for your own safety and the safety of others, as well as the protection of your equipment. While it may seem intuitive, most people forget to disconnect their gadgets before cleaning because of their hectic schedules.
Clean the pans and basket
Step 1:
You can use hot, soapy water to wash the detachable pans and baskets (such as a baking tray or frying pan). Using hot water and dish soap for around 10 minutes might help remove stubborn or burned-on food from the basket, such as potatoes or batter.
Step 2:
Disinfect the area with disinfectant wipes or a sponge after removing the food particles.
Step 3:
If it’s safe to do so, run the machine through the dishwasher. Some models come with dishwasher-safe accessories, so keep that in mind.
Step 4:
Before you try to put your air fryer back together and start cooking again, make sure that all of the parts that can be removed, like the basket and pan, are completely dry.
Cleaning the inner part
Step 1:
Clean the heating element with a nonabrasive sponge or gentle cloth and hot water. Add a tiny bit of dish soap to the sponge or cloth if the heating element has any grease.
Step 2:
You should use clean, hot water to remove the soap residue. To make cleaning the heating element simpler, turning the air fryer upside down is best. For stubborn debris or debris, a soft-bristled food brush works well.
Step 3:
Use a cloth or non-abrasive sponge and hot water to wipe the inner part thoroughly. If you need to get rid of grease, you need to add a very small bit of dish soap. Again, you can use a soft-bristle cleaning brush to remove food that has been stuck.
Step 4:
You should let the interior of your air fryer dry thoroughly before use.
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Cleaning the outer part
Using a mild detergent and a damp sponge or cloth, clean the outside. Avoid using glass cleaners, bleach, and other harsh chemicals. Don’t put this kitchen appliance in the sink or dishwasher.
It is best to use stainless steel wipes to clean your fryer’s exterior if it has one. Wipes made of stainless steel are an essential household item for cleaning a wide variety of home appliances. Use these wipes to remove smudges, fingerprints, and other stains off stainless steel appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators.
Keeping the air fryer in the proper storage position
Once you’ve cleaned your air fryer, be sure to keep it somewhere safe. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before putting it away.
Store the appliance in an upright position and disconnect it from the wall outlet. Before putting this kitchen appliance away, make sure to tuck the cords away in any available storage compartments.
Maintenance of an Air Fryer
To keep your air fryer from breaking down or malfunctioning, it needs a few simple checks and cleanings now and then. Included in this are:
- Pre-use inspection of all parts is important, such as the handle, pan, and basket. Contact the manufacturer if you discover any defective parts that need replacement.
- Before cooking, ensure that your machine is upright and on a flat surface.
- Before cooking, make sure the appliance is free of debris and clean. If you haven’t used your machine in a while, take a look inside. Some dust may have amassed. Before cooking, make sure the pan’s basket is free of any food debris.
- Keep the air fryer away from a wall or other appliances to prevent it from overheating. In order to properly vent hot air steam while cooking, these kitchen appliances require at least 4 inches of space above them and 4 inches of room behind them. The fryer could overheat if it’s kept in a small, enclosed environment.
- Before each usage, inspect the cords. If a cord is frayed or damaged, do not use it to power an appliance. It has the potential to inflict serious harm or death. Before operating your air fryer, make sure the cords are free of damage or debris.
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Air fryer issues
Despite the fact that air fryers are built to last, they are susceptible to malfunctions, just like any other household appliance. Most of the time, these issues are minimal and simple to resolve.
Some of these issues could be related to poor maintenance. Learning how to clean your air fryer will improve its longevity. Examples some of the challenges related to air fryers that come to mind include:
Air fryer will not start
You should check to ensure that the machine is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the outlet is working before calling a repair service or the manufacturer.
For a mechanical problem to occur, all components must be clean and in working order. If you need a professional repair service, your manufacturer can help you find one.
Peeling and bubbles on the air fryer’s interior:
Non-stick coatings feature on all parts of the air fryer. The heat from frying may cause bubbling if you accidentally place the basket in the fryer incorrectly or scratch the pan with a tool.
Because the non-stick coating is safe and does not pose a health danger, even if a few bits of food fall into it, they will not poison the food. Contact customer support if there are any bubbles in the lining, and you are eligible for a warranty replacement.
Cooking pan is emitting white smoke:
While cooking, too much grease accumulates in the bottom of your drip pan and begins to break down. This results in smoke.
Cooking greasy foods such as bacon or sausage can cause this if you haven’t thoroughly cleaned the pan since the last time you used it. It’s good news that the smoke will not cause any harm. Just unplug the appliance, wait for it to cool down, and then clean the grease off.
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Difficult to slide the pan into the machine:
When the basket is overflowing with food, this is what happens. Consider cooking your dinner in two batches, one with part of the ingredients removed. Make sure to check the basket too.
It’s possible that it wasn’t secured to the pan well. Insert the basket back into the pan. Ensure that it removes the clicking sound. That is how you can tell it is in.
Incorrectly cooked dishes:
Putting a lot of food in a frying basket might be to blame if the dish is underdone. Coil heat does not penetrate to lower levels because food in the top layer absorbs it.
Try to shake the basket midway through the cooking process or cook a smaller batch to avoid overcooking. Your food will be evenly heated, thanks to increased circulation.
The air fryer has a lingering food smell:
Using your air fryer to cook foods with strong flavors can leave a bad taste in your mouth. It’s important to clean the fryer shortly after you’ve finished cooking to eliminate odors. You may need to soak the basket and pan in dishwasher soap for 30-60 minutes before cleaning them again if the stench persists.
You can use lemons to remove odors from baskets and pans that haven’t been soaked in water. There are several ways to clean your machine, but you can also use lemon juice. After cleaning your air fryer, wait 30 minutes before using it again.
How to Preserve the Best Performance from Your Air Fryer
An air fryer can last for years if it is cleaned, stored, and maintained in an appropriate manner. The following are the most critical items to keep in mind:
- The unit is best kept in an upright, stable posture and not stored when plugged in or hot.
- When using a kitchen appliance, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You should avoid cooking food that isn’t recommended by the manufacturer and follow the instructions meticulously.
- Before using the air fryer, inspect it visually. Check the condition of the housing, detachable parts, and cords.
- After each usage, wipe down the air fryer. Make sure you clean all of the parts properly without the use of any abrasive materials.
- Before using your air fryer, make sure you have read the owner’s instructions carefully.
Use, care, and maintenance are all made simple with an air fryer. As long as you give them a quick scrub, some care, and proper storage, they will continue to offer hassle-free, simple, and healthful dinners.
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Tips for Cleaning an Air Fryer
- Soak it in hot water and soap for 20 to 30 minutes if the fat has baked on. After that, use a scrub brush to get rid of the softened gunk.
- If your machine emits a foul stench, food particles have likely accumulated within or on it. Make a paste out of baking soda and water by combining the two. After that, thoroughly clean the air fryer’s interior with an old toothbrush or a scrub brush.
- It’s best to avoid using metal items while cleaning out your fryer. Your unit’s nonstick coating can be damaged by it, causing it to malfunction.
How often to clean the air fryer
Each time you use it
Clean the pan, tray, and basket after each use with warm water and soap, or run them through the dishwasher. But first, make sure the parts are dishwasher-safe.
In addition, you can use a moist towel and a small amount of dish soap to clean the interior quickly. Reassemble after drying all the pieces.
After a few uses, you should clean it
Even if you don’t need to do this every time you use your machine, it’s a good idea to clean the following parts on a regular basis. Wipe the exterior with a moist cloth on a regular basis. Check for residue or oil in the heating coil as well. Let the machine cool down before wiping it out with a wet cloth if you find any buildup.
Final Tips on Air Fryer Maintenance
After each use, give your air fryer a thorough cleaning to keep it running smoothly and odor-free.
You can damage your air fryer if you don’t follow the instructions in the manual. Dishwasher-safe parts are standard on nearly all models, making cleanup a breeze.