How to Clean an Air Fryer Basket (Including Burnt-On Grease)

Masala, oil and marinade residue build up fast in an air fryer, and old grease smokes and makes food taste stale. Cleaning takes two minutes if you do it every time, and much longer if you don’t.

What you need

• Dish soap and warm water
• A soft sponge, or the soft side of a scrub pad
• A soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works well for the grille holes)
• Baking soda
• A microfibre cloth

The everyday clean (2 minutes)

1. Unplug the air fryer and let it cool. The basket stays hot for a while after cooking.
2. Remove the basket and the crisper plate or tray. Tip any crumbs into the bin.
3. Wash them in warm soapy water with a soft sponge. Pay attention to the corners and the underside of the crisper plate, where oil collects.
4. Rinse and dry them completely before putting them back, so water doesn’t sit in the drawer.
5. Wipe the inside of the drawer with a damp cloth.

If the basket is greasy but you’re short of time, fill it with warm water and a drop of soap and leave it to soak while you eat. It will wipe clean afterwards.

The deep clean (for sticky or burnt-on grease)

Do this every few weeks, or whenever the basket feels tacky.

1. Soak: fill the sink or a large bowl with hot water and a squeeze of dish soap. Leave the basket and crisper plate in it for 20–30 minutes.
2. Make a paste: mix 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda with a little water until it’s like toothpaste.
3. Apply and wait: spread the paste over the sticky areas and leave it for 10–15 minutes.
4. Scrub gently: use a soft brush in circles, and a toothbrush for the holes in the grille.
5. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
6. Repeat for stubborn spots. Old, polymerised oil sometimes needs two rounds.

Stubborn smell? Wipe the basket with a cloth dipped in diluted white vinegar (about 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water), rinse, and dry. Check that your manual allows vinegar on the coating first.

Cleaning the main unit and heating element

Never put the main unit in water or under the tap; it contains the electrics.

1. Unplug it and let it cool completely.
2. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth.
3. Turn the unit upside down (or on its side, if the manual says so) to see the heating element.
4. Gently wipe the element and the area around it with a damp cloth or a soft brush. If grease has stuck, use a cloth with a little baking soda paste, then wipe it off with a clean damp cloth.
5. Let it dry completely before using it again.

A dirty heating element is the most common cause of white smoke or a burning smell.

Mistakes that ruin a basket

• Steel wool or metal scrubbers. They scratch through the non-stick coating, and food then sticks more.
• Metal tongs and forks. Use silicone or wooden tools.
• Aerosol cooking sprays. Some contain propellants and additives that build up into a sticky film. Use a refillable oil mister or brush instead.
• Washing it while it’s still hot. Cold water on a hot basket can warp it or crack the coating.
• Leaving it dirty overnight. Grease hardens and becomes far harder to remove.

Habits that make cleaning easier

• Use a perforated parchment liner for marinated or saucy food, if your manual allows it. Always put food on top so the fan can’t lift it.
• Wipe out excess oil after cooking fatty foods such as chicken wings.
• Don’t overfill. Crowded food drips more and splatters the element.
• Clean the basket before it builds up, not after it smokes.

When to replace the basket

If the coating is peeling, flaking or badly scratched, stop using it and buy a replacement basket. Many brands sell them separately, which is worth checking before you buy an air fryer.