Tips For Cleaning Your Air Fryer
Today we’ll give you a series of useful tips to help you efficiently clean your air fryer. More than just a fleeting trend, this appliance has become a kitchen essential. This machine can cook multiple dishes and using it promotes a healthier diet.
It works by frying different foods without using any oil. In fact, it extracts the fat found naturally in certain foods, and this fat drips to the bottom of the appliance where it collects. As such, it must be cleaned thoroughly between use to avoid cross-contamination with other foods. This is why it’s so important to know how to clean it properly.
Clean your air fryer and leave it sparkling
The air fryer is used to make countless meals and is especially good when it comes to reducing fat intake, particularly when it comes to foods such as French fries or fried chicken.
Daily cleaning is simple, but sometimes the appliance will require a deeper clean. As such, we’ll share some tips for cleaning your air fryer to keep it pristine.
1. Always read the instruction manual
It seems obvious, but many people often overlook this stage. Before you clean your air fryer for the first time, you should read the instruction manual. The manual will also provide some basic cleaning tips and will explain how you can avoid damaging the machine.
Reading the instructions is important because each make and model will have different recommendations and restrictions. Following the manual will ensure you operate the machine properly and in turn, maximize the lifespan of the appliance.
2. Let the air fryer cool and don’t forget the accessories
If you’re going to wash your fryer after using it, you should let it cool completely and unplug it before you begin. Once it’s cold, remove the grill or tray, as these parts must be washed separately with hot water and liquid dish soap. The air fryer’s accessories should be left to air dry overnight.
3. Don’t forget the inside of the air fryer
The inside of the fryer must be cleaned well, as this accumulates fat. The best way to do this is with a damp cloth soaked in a mixture of water and dish soap. You can also use a sponge or paper towel.
To remove the grease that you’ve loosened, use a clean, damp cloth. Finish with a dry cloth to make sure you remove any traces of soap.
Extreme cleaning
If you’ve used your air fryer a few times without cleaning it, you’ll need to use a different technique. To remove the remains of stuck-on food and debris do the following:
- Add a cup of water directly to the basket of the appliance.
- Set on the highest heat level for five minutes.
- Let the bell ring and remove the tray.
- Throw away the water with the food debris.
- Follow the previous steps on how to clean the inside.
If the instructions for your model state that water shouldn’t be added as we described, then soak the inside in hot water instead. Submerge any removable parts and leave them for 15 minutes, then use a brush and liquid soap to remove the remains.
Cleaning sticky debris
Another helpful tip for deep cleaning your air fryer involves using baking soda. Follow these instructions:
- Mix half a cup of baking soda with water and create a paste.
- Put on a pair of gloves and rub the paste over stuck-on food areas.
- Wait 15 minutes and use a toothbrush to gently scrub.
- Rinse the inside with plenty of clean water and use a dry cloth to finish cleaning.
To prevent food from sticking to your air fryer, you can buy silicone liners or make an aluminum foil basket to collect grease and food debris. Silicone liners are reusable and you can simply wash them between uses. If you prefer to use aluminum foil you should throw it away after use.
How often do you have to clean an air fryer?
If you’re preparing simple dishes, the air fryer should be cleaned after every two uses. However, if you’ve prepared a recipe that includes marinades or sauces, you’ll need to clean your appliance after each use.
The reason behind this lies in the degree of difficulty you’ll experience when food debris sticks or solidifies. Don’t forget, the basket and the grill are made of Teflon, which prevents things from sticking. However, incorrect care and inadequate cleaning could interfere with its quality.