Thanks to their versatility and easy handling, the best air fryers they are only getting more and more popular. You can expertly cook everything from air fryer chicken wings to French fries in minutes, but what about cleaning up this new appliance? Even the best deep fryer we tested, the Instant Vortex Plusit needs maintenance to avoid odors and stay in top shape.
Based on our extensive experience with air fryers and interviews with Samantha Blair, Senior Public Relations Manager at SharkNinja, and Karen Diep, Product Expert at Breville, here are step-by-step instructions on how to clean your air fryer. (If you want to skip one of the steps below, see the The Best Silicone Liners for Deep Fryers.)
Tips for cleaning an air fryer
Consult the manual. As tedious as it sounds, don’t skip the manual for your particular model. Air fryers may have different parts with different stipulations for proper cleaning, including parts that may be dishwasher safe. Know the model before cleaning.
Do not submerge unit. “When cleaning an air fryer, don’t immerse the main unit in water or any other liquid, and make sure you never put the main unit in the dishwasher,” says Blair. This will damage the electronic components and ruin the fryer.
Use a soft sponge or damp cloth. Metal tools and scouring pads can damage the nonstick coating. If any stuck-on debris refuses to budge, soak it in hot soapy water before scrubbing with a sponge. For parts that are not removable (such as the interior), use a paste made from baking soda and water and clean with a soft sponge.
How to avoid persistent odors
If you have a new air fryer and it is producing a burning plastic smell, this may be due to a protective coating burning inside the fryer. Give the new appliance a good clean and then run it a couple of times without any food in it to get rid of the smell.
For lingering food odors, try this trick from Diep: “Place an oven-safe bowl in the oven with two cups of water mixed with the juice of half a lemon and let it steam at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. That should do the trick.” .any grease on the interior surfaces and the lemon can help hide the smell.”
Insider Takeaway
To keep any of best air fryers working perfectly and free of unwanted odors, clean them after each use. Be sure to read the model manual, as improper cleaning can damage the fryer. Most models have dishwasher-safe components, making them especially easy to keep clean.
Laurel Randolph is a food writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in Los Angeles, CA. She has written four cookbooks, one of which was the second best-selling cookbook of 2017. Laurel has contributed to publications such as EatingWell, Food52, The Spruce Eats, Paste Magazine, Serious Eats, Eaten Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, and more. .
