Unplug the air fryer and let it cool, then wash the basket and crisper plate in warm soapy water with a soft sponge, wipe the inside with a damp cloth, and dry everything before you put it back together. Do it after every use. Grease left in the basket smokes the next time you cook and flavors whatever goes in after it.
KitchenAid's air fryer cleaning guide recommends cleaning after each use for exactly that reason, so flavors don't carry from one recipe to the next. It's also much less work. Fresh grease washes off in a minute. Grease that's been through five more cooking cycles turns into a sticky brown varnish that needs soaking.
How to clean an air fryer after each use#
- Unplug it and wait until it's completely cool. The basket stays hot for a while after the fan stops.
- Pull out the basket or drawer and lift out the crisper plate (the perforated insert in the bottom). Tip loose crumbs and fat into the bin, not the sink.
- Wash the basket, the plate, and both sides of each in warm water with dish soap, using a soft sponge or cloth. Pay attention to the underside of the crisper plate and the corners of the drawer. That's where fat pools.
- Rinse and dry them thoroughly with a towel.
- Wipe the inside of the empty air fryer with a soft, damp cloth, then dry it.
- Wipe the outside with a damp cloth.
- Put it back together only when everything is dry.
If your crisper plate has small rubber or silicone bumpers on it, check they're all still there after washing. They're easy to lose down the drain.
How to deep clean an air fryer#
Every few weeks, or whenever you notice smoke or a stale smell while it's cooking, give it a proper clean.
The basket and plate#
Fill the sink with hot, soapy water and let the basket and plate soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Then work over the mesh and corners with a soft-bristled brush. KitchenAid suggests soaking to loosen grime and a soft brush for the mesh. Repeat the soak for anything stubborn instead of scrubbing harder.
The heating element#
If your air fryer smokes even with a clean basket, look here. Grease splatters up onto the coil above the basket and burns again every time you cook.
- Make sure it's unplugged and cold.
- On many basket-style models you can see the element by looking up into the empty cavity with a flashlight. Check the manual before tipping the unit over to reach it.
- Wipe the element gently with a damp cloth, or use a soft, dry brush to loosen baked-on bits.
- Never pour water onto it or into the cavity, and never immerse the main unit.
If the element is badly caked, a little dish soap on the damp cloth helps. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth after, and let it air dry for an hour before you plug it back in.
Can you put an air fryer basket in the dishwasher?#
Sometimes. It depends on the model, and the manual will say. KitchenAid notes that some baskets and racks are dishwasher safe, but that handwashing is typically recommended.
Handwashing is gentler on nonstick coatings and only takes a couple of minutes if you do it straight after cooking. If your manual says the basket is dishwasher safe and you'd rather use it, put it on the top rack where you can.
What not to use on an air fryer#
KitchenAid says to avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners and metal scouring pads on any part of an air fryer, inside or out. They scratch nonstick coatings, and once the coating is scratched, food sticks more and you scrub harder. Use warm, soapy water, sponges, cloths, and soft brushes.
A few other things to skip:
- Oven cleaner, unless your manual names it. It's made for enamel oven interiors, not nonstick baskets.
- Metal tongs or forks in the basket while cooking. They scratch too.
- The "fill the basket with soapy water and run it" trick you see online. Unless your manual describes it, you're running a heating element and fan over a tray of soapy water.
Should you line an air fryer with foil?#
KitchenAid says to avoid lining the inside of the air fryer with foil, because it can block the circulating air and could make the appliance overheat. If you use a parchment liner, put it in the basket only with food sitting on it to weigh it down. A loose liner in an empty, preheating air fryer can blow up into the element.
When to replace the basket#
Replace the basket (or the whole fryer) if the nonstick coating is flaking or peeling, or the basket has warped so it doesn't seat properly. Check whether the manufacturer sells a replacement basket before you buy a new machine. Stop using it and get it looked at if the cord is damaged or it smells electrical rather than greasy.
An air fryer is basically a small convection oven, and a toaster has the same crumb problem on a smaller scale. A full-size oven uses different surfaces and products, so don't swap methods between them.