How to Clean an Air Fryer

Baking and freezing food is a great use for the air fryer. Although the air fryer doesn’t technically deep fry, it performs a good job of crisping food, giving it a fried-like texture but with far less oil and calories. It cooks food faster and keeps the kitchen cooler than an oven, making it a fantastic substitute. Plus, the air fryer uses way less energy!

It’s advisable to clean the air fryer right away after use, as it’s quite simple. Postponing it till the following day will result in stuck-on fried chunks and fat, making the process more challenging. If your air fryer has any unique cleaning instructions, consult the appliance handbook.

Ways to Maintain Your Air Fryer

The following materials are needed to clean an air fryer: dish soap, a sponge, soft cloths, or paper towels. You might need toothpicks, baking soda, and a toothbrush to remove more stubborn residue.

Remove the frying basket and crumb basket and dispose of any crumbs and bits of oil. The frying and crumb baskets are often dishwasher safe (top shelf only), but check your appliance manual to be sure. If there is baked-on grease, soak the pieces in hot, soapy water for about 30 minutes, then use a soft scrub brush or non-abrasive sponge to remove it.

Check your appliance instructions to be sure, but in most cases, the frying basket, crumb basket or grate can be placed directly in the dishwasher (typically the top rack). The majority of surface grease may be removed with a quick soak in soapy water, followed by a gentle cloth or sponge wipedown of the fryer. The nonstick surfaces of the air fryer could be ruined by abrasive cleansers, cloths, or sponges. If there is hard-to-clean material baked on the baskets, soak them in hot, soapy water for around half an hour before giving them a thorough scrub.

If you have some bits of food stuck in the grate, remove them with a soft brush, wood skewer, or toothpick. A toothbrush is an excellent tool for cleaning the nooks and crannies.

Rinse the pan and basket or grate thoroughly and let them air-dry or dry them by hand with a towel.

After cleaning the base unit’s exterior with a moist, soapy cloth, flip it over or turn it upside down, and carefully wipe out the heating element. Before putting the air fryer unit back together, let it completely dry. Keep the base unit dry and away from water.

Methods for Thorough Cleaning

Use a gentle sponge, brush, or cloth to scrape away any tough residues like marinated foods or barbecue sauces by creating a paste with baking soda and water. After that, wipe down with a moist towel and give it a good rinse.
Style Air Fryer Ovens
To clean an oven-style air fryer, use the same general procedures, but instead of cleaning the grates and baskets, remove and clean the racks and drip pan.
Tips:
  1. Any oil that remains in the drip tray or pan should be emptied into a jar or other container and thrown in the garbage rather than down the drain.
  2. If the air fryer is overfilled, the heating element may get overly greased and residue-covered.
  3. Paper Parchment in the Air Fryer
    There are numerous sizes of perforated parchment paper for air fryers, which can facilitate easier cleanup. Parchment paper should be added to the air fryer at the same time as the contents. If nothing is holding the parchment paper down, it could lift up and come into touch with the heating element due to the flowing air.
  4. Can I use foil in the air fryer?

    Foil-wrapped food is fine, but avoid using it to line the basket or grate—the holes allow air to circulate and cook the food evenly.

By : Diana Rattray

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