How to Clean an Air Fryer: Basket, Drawer and Heating Element
A quick routine after every use, a deeper clean for grease buildup, and how to protect a nonstick basket.
To clean an air fryer, unplug it and let it cool completely, then wash the basket and drawer in warm water with dish soap using a soft sponge. For baked-on grease, soak them for 15–30 minutes or use a baking soda paste. Wipe the inside and the cooled heating element with a damp, not wet, cloth, and never put the main unit in water or the dishwasher. A quick wash after each use takes about five minutes and prevents most smoke and odor problems.
What you need
- Dish soap and warm water
- A non-scratch sponge or soft cloth
- A soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works) for mesh and corners
- Baking soda
- Microfiber cloths
- Wooden or silicone utensils for scraping (no metal)
Before you start: check your manual
Air fryer designs differ. The manual tells you which parts are dishwasher-safe, what coating the basket has, and whether the heating element is meant to be wiped. Following it also protects your warranty. If you have lost the manual, the model number is usually on a label on the bottom or back of the unit, and most manufacturers post manuals on their support sites.
After every use (about 5 minutes)
- Unplug and cool. Let the unit and basket cool for at least 20–30 minutes. Fat in the drawer stays hot well after cooking stops.
- Pour off grease. Let it cool and solidify, then put it in a container for the trash. Do not pour it down the sink; grease builds up in pipes.
- Wash the basket and drawer in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge. Use a soft brush for mesh and the holes in the basket floor.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly before reassembling.
- Wipe the inside of the cooking chamber and the exterior with a damp cloth.
Deep clean for grease buildup
If the fryer smokes, smells of old oil, or the basket has a sticky brown film, it is time for a deeper clean.
- Soak. Fill the drawer with hot water and a few drops of dish soap, put the basket in it, and leave for 15–30 minutes. Most baked-on residue softens enough to wipe off.
- Baking soda paste. For stubborn spots, mix about 2 tablespoons baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Spread it on, wait 10–15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, so use light pressure on nonstick coatings.
- Clean the chamber. With the unit unplugged and cool, turn it upside down if the manual allows, so you can see the element. Wipe the ceiling and walls with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water, then wring it well. Water should never drip into vents or electrical parts.
- Clean the element. Brush off crumbs with a dry soft brush, then wipe carefully with a barely damp cloth. Do not bend the element or force anything between the coils.
- Dry. Let everything air-dry fully, ideally for an hour, before plugging in again.
Caring for a nonstick basket
- No steel wool, scouring powder or metal scrapers. They scratch the coating, and scratched coatings stick more and can flake.
- No oven cleaner on the basket or inside the unit unless the manual specifically allows it. Oven cleaners are strongly alkaline and can damage coatings and finishes.
- Use utensils made of silicone, wood or nylon to turn food.
- Be careful with aerosol cooking sprays. Some manufacturers advise against them because propellants and additives can leave a gummy residue that is hard to remove. A light brush of oil on the food works better.
- Dishwasher: even when parts are labeled dishwasher-safe, hand washing usually helps a coating last longer.
If the coating is peeling or flaking, stop using that basket and contact the manufacturer for a replacement part. Do not keep cooking on a coating that is coming off in pieces.
Removing odors
A lingering smell is usually old grease, not the food itself. After a deep clean, a common trick is to place a small oven-safe dish with water and a few lemon slices in the basket and run the fryer at about 350°F for 3–5 minutes, then wipe the chamber. A plastic smell in a brand-new fryer usually fades after a short empty run; most manuals suggest one. A burning-plastic or electrical smell during normal use is different: unplug the unit and stop using it.
Symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| White smoke while cooking | Fat smoking in the drawer, or water from wet food | Pour off fat, clean the drawer, lower temperature for fatty foods |
| Black smoke | Food or grease burning on the element | Turn off and unplug; when cool, clean the element. If it continues, stop using and contact the maker |
| Sticky brown film on basket | Polymerized oil from repeated heating | Soak, then baking soda paste with a soft brush |
| Food sticking more than before | Residue or worn coating | Deep clean; if coating is damaged, replace the basket |
| Rattling or loose parts | Basket or handle hardware loose | Check the manual; contact the manufacturer for damaged parts |
Liners to reduce cleanup
Perforated parchment or a reusable silicone liner can cut cleanup for sticky or saucy foods, as long as it does not block airflow and is weighed down by food. Never preheat with an empty liner in the basket: it can lift into the heating element. See our guide on using foil and parchment in an air fryer.
A simple cleaning schedule
- Every use: empty grease, wash basket and drawer, wipe the exterior.
- Weekly (or every few uses with fatty foods): wipe the chamber ceiling and check the element for debris.
- Monthly: deep clean, check the cord and plug for damage, and confirm the vents are clear.
Grease buildup is a fire risk in any cooking appliance. Our air fryer safety tips cover placement, cords and recalls. If you also have a toaster on the counter, the same unplug-and-cool approach applies; see how to clean a toaster.
Bottom line
Unplug, cool, then wash the basket and drawer with warm soapy water after every use, and soak or use baking soda paste for anything stubborn. Keep water away from the main unit, wipe the element gently only when cool, and replace a basket whose coating is flaking. A clean air fryer smokes less, smells better and cooks more evenly.
FAQ
Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Only if the manual says it is dishwasher-safe. Even then, hand washing is gentler on nonstick coatings.
How do I clean the heating element?
With the unit unplugged and fully cool, brush off debris with a soft dry brush and wipe with a barely damp cloth. Never spray or pour liquid onto it.
Can I use vinegar to clean an air fryer?
Diluted vinegar can help with some residue on stainless parts, but soap and water and baking soda do most jobs. Never mix vinegar with bleach.
Why does my air fryer smoke?
Usually because grease is in the drawer or on the element. Clean both, pour off fat between batches and lower the temperature for fatty foods.
