How to Clean Your Air Fryer (Without Ruining It) — Step by Step
Your air fryer made you crispy fries, golden chicken wings, and possibly the best reheated pizza of your life. The least you can do is clean it properly. Here's exactly how — without scratching the coating, killing the heating element, or voiding your warranty.
Photo: Pexels
What We'll Cover
- 1. Quick Clean After Every Use (5 Minutes)
- 2. Deep Cleaning — The Full Treatment
- 3. Dealing With Stubborn, Baked-On Grease
- 4. How to Clean the Heating Element (Carefully!)
- 5. Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Air Fryer
- 6. Brand-Specific Tips (Ninja, Cosori, Instant Pot)
- 7. How Often Should You Clean It?
- 8. Recommended Cleaning Tools
- FAQ
Quick Clean After Every Use (5 Minutes)
Look, I get it. You just ate a mountain of air-fried chicken tenders and the last thing you want to do is clean. But trust me — spending 5 minutes now saves you 30 minutes of scrubbing later. Grease that sits overnight turns into grease that lives there permanently.
Here's the routine I follow every single time:
Unplug and let it cool for 10 minutes
Not optional. The basket is hot enough to warp if you run cold water on it. Give it a breather. Go scroll your phone — you've earned it.
Remove the basket and crisper plate
Pull them out and dump any crumbs or leftover bits into the trash. Tap it gently — don't bang it against the counter like you're mad at it.
Wash with warm soapy water
Use a soft sponge or dishcloth with regular dish soap. Gently scrub the basket and plate. That's it. No need for heroic scrubbing — if you're doing this after every use, food won't have time to cement itself.
Wipe the interior with a damp cloth
Just wipe down the inside walls and bottom of the main unit. You'll catch any splattered grease before it carbonizes into something unrecognizable.
Dry everything completely before reassembling
Moisture + heating element = bad news. Use a clean towel or let everything air dry. Then put it all back together.
Pro tip: Line your basket with perforated parchment paper before cooking. It catches most of the mess and makes the quick clean even quicker. You can grab a pack of 200 sheets on Amazon for like $8.
Deep Cleaning Your Air Fryer — The Full Treatment
Even if you're religious about the quick clean, your air fryer needs a proper deep clean every few weeks. Grease accumulates in places you can't see, and over time it starts smoking, smelling funky, or making your food taste like last Tuesday's salmon.
Photo: Pexels
What You'll Need
- Dish soap (any brand)
- Soft sponge or non-abrasive brush
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Microfiber cloth
- Old toothbrush (for tight spots)
- A basin or sink big enough for the basket
Step-by-Step Deep Clean
Unplug, cool, disassemble
Remove the basket, crisper plate, and any other removable parts. Some models (like the Ninja Foodi) have a removable divider — take that out too.
Soak the basket and plate
Fill your sink with hot water and a generous squirt of dish soap. Submerge the basket and plate for 10–15 minutes. This loosens up all the grime without you having to scrub like you're sanding a floor.
Scrub with a soft brush
After soaking, use a soft-bristle brush or sponge to clean every surface. Pay extra attention to the mesh/holes in the crisper plate where food particles love to hide. An old toothbrush works great for the corners and crevices.
Clean the interior of the main unit
Dip a cloth in soapy water (wring it out well — you want it damp, not dripping) and wipe down the entire interior. The walls, the bottom, around the heating element area. Use a toothbrush for any stuck-on bits.
Clean the exterior
Wipe the outside with a damp microfiber cloth. For stainless steel models, wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid streaks. A little bit of vinegar on the cloth helps with fingerprints.
Dry completely, reassemble
Towel dry every piece. Leave the basket out for an extra 10 minutes to air dry completely. Moisture trapped inside = mildew smell next time you cook. Nobody wants that.
Stubborn, Baked-On Grease? Baking Soda + Vinegar to the Rescue
We've all been there. You forgot to clean your air fryer for... a while. Now the basket has a layer of brownish-black crud that laughs at dish soap. Don't panic. Don't reach for steel wool. Here's the move:
The Baking Soda Method
- Make a paste: Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with about 1 tablespoon of water. You want a thick paste, not a liquid — think toothpaste consistency.
- Apply it generously: Spread the paste over all the greasy, crusty areas. Really get in there. Cover every gross spot.
- Let it sit: Leave it for at least 15–20 minutes. For truly horrifying buildup, leave it for an hour. Go watch a YouTube video. The baking soda is doing the work for you.
- Spray with vinegar: Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray it directly onto the baking soda paste. It'll fizz up — that's the chemical reaction breaking down the grease. Very satisfying to watch, honestly.
- Scrub gently: Use a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge. The grease should come right off. If it doesn't, repeat the process.
- Rinse and dry: Rinse everything thoroughly with warm water and dry completely.
Important: Never use oven cleaner or harsh chemical degreasers on your air fryer. They can damage the nonstick coating and leave behind residue that gets into your food. Baking soda and vinegar are all you need.
How to Clean the Heating Element (Don't Mess This Up)
The heating element is the coil at the top of your air fryer (in most models). It gets grease splatter on it over time, which causes smoking and bad smells. But here's the thing — you need to be very careful with it.
Critical Warning
NEVER submerge the main unit in water. NEVER pour water directly on the heating element. NEVER spray liquid cleaners on it. Water + electrical components = fire hazard and a dead air fryer.
Here's How to Do It Safely
Unplug the air fryer and let it cool completely
I mean completely. Not "it's probably fine." Wait at least 30 minutes.
Flip the air fryer upside down
This gives you access to the heating element from below. Place it on a towel so you don't scratch the exterior.
Use a damp (not wet) cloth or soft brush
Gently wipe the heating element with a slightly damp cloth. For stuck-on bits, use a soft brush — like a clean paintbrush or a soft toothbrush. Go slowly and don't apply too much pressure.
For stubborn grease on the element
Dab a tiny amount of baking soda paste on the grease spots with a toothbrush. Let it sit 5 minutes, then gently brush it off. Wipe clean with a barely-damp cloth. Make sure NO residue or moisture remains.
Let it air dry completely before using
Wait at least an hour. Any moisture near the element when you turn it on is asking for trouble.
5 Cleaning Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Air Fryer
I've seen people do all of these. Don't be that person.
1. Using steel wool or metal scouring pads
This is the #1 air fryer killer. Steel wool destroys the nonstick coating, and once that coating is damaged, food sticks to everything, the basket becomes impossible to clean, and you'll be buying a new one within months. Always use soft sponges, nylon brushes, or microfiber cloths.
2. Putting non-dishwasher-safe parts in the dishwasher
Some air fryer baskets are dishwasher-safe, but not all. The high heat and harsh detergents in dishwashers can degrade the nonstick coating faster — even on "dishwasher-safe" models. When in doubt, hand wash. It takes 2 minutes.
3. Submerging the main unit in water
The main body has electrical components, wiring, and the heating element. It is NOT waterproof. Only the removable basket and plate go in water. The main unit gets wiped with a damp cloth — that's it.
4. Using abrasive cleaners or oven spray
Oven cleaners, bleach, and harsh chemical sprays have no place near your air fryer. They damage the coating, leave harmful residue, and void most warranties. Stick to dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar.
5. Cleaning while still hot
Running cold water on a scorching hot basket can cause thermal shock — warping the metal and cracking the nonstick coating. Always let your air fryer cool down first. Patience is a virtue. And a money-saver.
Brand-Specific Cleaning Tips
Not all air fryers are built the same. Here's what to know about the most popular brands. (If you're still deciding which to buy, check out our best air fryers under $100 guide or our Ninja vs Cosori comparison.)
Ninja Air Fryers (AF101, AF161, Foodi)
- Dishwasher safe: Yes — basket, crisper plate, and multi-layer rack are all dishwasher safe (top rack).
- Nonstick coating: Ceramic-coated. Durable but avoid metal utensils and abrasive sponges.
- Special note: The Ninja Foodi dual-zone models have a divider insert. Don't forget to clean this — grease collects in the seal where the divider meets the basket.
- Heating element access: Flip the unit upside down. The element is fully exposed and relatively easy to wipe down.
Cosori Air Fryers (Pro II, Lite, TurboBlaze)
- Dishwasher safe: Yes — basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe. But Cosori themselves recommend hand-washing to extend the life of the nonstick coating.
- Nonstick coating: PFOA-free nonstick. It's good quality but more scratch-prone than ceramic. Be extra gentle.
- Special note: The Cosori Pro II has a square basket design. Food crumbs accumulate in the corners — use a toothbrush to get them out during deep cleans.
- Heating element access: Same as Ninja — flip upside down. The element sits behind a mesh shield on some models.
Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryers
- Dishwasher safe: The trays and basket are technically dishwasher safe, but the nonstick coating on older Vortex models (pre-2025) tends to peel after repeated dishwasher cycles. Hand wash if you can.
- Nonstick coating: Standard PTFE nonstick. Functional but less durable than Ninja's ceramic coating.
- Special note: The Vortex Plus has a rotisserie spit and basket — both need to be cleaned separately. The drip tray catches a LOT of grease; clean it every time.
- Heating element access: The element is recessed in the top. Harder to reach than Ninja/Cosori. Use a long-handled brush.
How Often Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?
Here's a simple schedule that keeps your air fryer in great shape without making it feel like a full-time job:
| Task | Frequency | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wash basket & crisper plate | After every use | 5 minutes |
| Wipe interior walls | After every use | 1 minute |
| Deep clean (soak + scrub everything) | Every 2–4 weeks | 20 minutes |
| Clean heating element | Once a month | 10 minutes |
| Clean exterior | Weekly or as needed | 2 minutes |
Signs your air fryer needs cleaning NOW: Smoke during cooking, unusual smells, food not crisping properly, visible grease buildup on the element, or a strange taste in your food. If any of these happen, do a deep clean immediately.
Recommended Cleaning Tools
You don't need anything fancy. But having the right brush makes the job way easier and protects your air fryer's coating. Here's what I recommend:
Air Fryer Cleaning Brush Set
A good cleaning brush kit typically includes a long-handled brush for the interior, a small detail brush for crevices, and a soft sponge for the basket. These are designed specifically for nonstick surfaces — no scratching, no damage.
Browse Air Fryer Brush Sets on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Other useful items:
- Microfiber cloths — for wiping the interior and exterior without leaving lint
- Baking soda — your best friend for tough grease (you probably already have this)
- White vinegar — the fizzy partner to baking soda
- Spray bottle — for applying the vinegar
- Perforated parchment paper liners — prevents most of the mess in the first place
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
It depends on the model. Most Cosori and Ninja baskets are dishwasher-safe (top rack only). However, some Instant Pot models and certain nonstick coatings degrade faster in the dishwasher. Always check your user manual first. When in doubt, hand-wash with warm soapy water — it takes 2 minutes and your nonstick coating will last much longer.
How do I get baked-on grease out of my air fryer?
Make a paste with 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water. Spread it over the greasy areas and let it sit for 15–20 minutes. Then spray white vinegar over the paste — it will fizz and lift the grease. Scrub gently with a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge, then rinse thoroughly. For really stubborn spots, repeat the process or let the paste sit for up to an hour.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
Do a quick clean (basket + crisper plate) after every single use. Do a deep clean — including the interior, heating element, and exterior — every 2 to 4 weeks depending on how often you cook. If you notice smoke, weird smells, or food tasting off, that's your air fryer begging you to clean it immediately.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning your air fryer isn't glamorous, but it's the difference between an appliance that lasts 5+ years and one that starts smoking after 6 months. The quick clean takes literally 5 minutes. The deep clean takes 20. That's a tiny price to pay for perfectly crispy food every single time.
Take care of your air fryer, and it'll take care of your dinner. That's the deal.