Air fryers offer a healthy way to relish fried food. The compact countertop appliance is pretty versatile too. And fortunately, they are easy to maintain.
However, you ought to be consistent. Just like cooking utensils, they need to be cleaned after every use. Yes, you will be surprised at the number of people who reuse without cleaning the air fryer basket base. When you do so, food gets baked onto the surface and becomes difficult to clean. Also, food odour gets mixed. Further, smoke may emanate from the air fryer. But, if you are consistent, clean-up will be a breeze.
If you want to reduce the hassle, you could line the air fryer basket with parchment paper specific for the purpose. The ones like this come with perforation that allows proper circulation of hot air. Avoid using regular parchment paper as they block the air, resulting in the appliance malfunctioning.
So, either way, here are the step-by-step methods to help you understand how to clean your air fryer.
Related reading: Best Air Fryers In India
How To Clean An Air Fryer?
Time needed: 10 minutes
It takes 5-10 minutes of your active involvement to clean your air fryer. However, you may have to soak it for a longer time if food is baked onto the basket.
Ideally, hand wash the air fryer. Most manufacturers claim their air fryer basket and base are dishwasher friendly. But, constant exposure to chemicals in a dishwasher will damage the nonstick coating on the basket and base. Instead, use a soft sponge and dishwashing liquid to clean your air fryer.
- Remove Food After Cooking
Ideally, avoid leaving food for a long time inside the air fryer. Take out the food and let the basket cool down.
- Wipe The Coil
The oil and spices in the food may sputter and cover the heating coil at the top of the cavity where you insert the basket. Hence, place the air fryer upside down and wipe the coil with a damp cloth immediately after use. If oily residue persists, dip the cloth in soapy water and wring out any excess water before wiping the coil. Then, wipe it with a cloth damped in plain water to remove any soap residues.
- Soak In Soapy Water
Take out the basket with the base and place it in the sink. Dribble a few drops of dishwashing liquid and fill water to cover the bottom surface of the basket. Leave it for a while (3-4 hours). Some models of air fryers have a tray inside the outer basket for keeping food. The cleaning process remains the same for both types of air fryers.
- Scrub Gently
Using the soft side of a Scotch-Brite scrub, gently scrub away any food residue that has stuck to the basket. Ensure you clean the sides of the basket as well as the metal part that joins the basket to the handle.
- Alternatively, Heat The Basket
This method can be used if the basket and the base have stuck-on food residue that won’t budge with gentle scrubbing. Fill the basket to half its capacity with soapy water. Place it in the air fryer. Crank the temperature to maximum and let it heat for 15 minutes. The heat will dislodge the stubborn food residue and the steam will help clean the coil as well. Take out the basket once it cools down and rinse it. Also, wipe the coil to remove any soap residue.
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Consistency is always the key to easy cleaning. So, ensure you clean the air fryer after every cooking session and your air fryer basket will last long and you won’t have to worry about odour mixing or smoke from the unit.