If you have recently added an air fryer to your kitchen then you might be wondering about cleaning your air fryer - how should you clean it and how often should you be cleaning your air fryer?
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers have been cropping up in kitchens lately and for a good reason. They can make quicker and healthier meals than traditional ways of frying food, and they can also help you make all that crispy, delicious food that you love without too much effort.
They are also great for those who are looking at ways to cook delicious meals whilst saving energy and money doing so.
Clean the basket after every use
It is important to clean the basket after every use, or else any food residue left in the basket will start to mould. After washing, it is a good idea to air dry the basket and allow some time for it to dry completely before using it again. If you are planning to use a dishwasher it's a good idea to make sure it's suitable to do so.
If you are worried about damaging your air fryer basket, don't mix the silicone with metal utensils or harsh cleaning products when cleaning your air fryer.
Clean the exterior of your air fryer with a damp cloth or sponge
When cleaning the exterior of your air fryer with a damp cloth or sponge, and then rinse it with water.
If you find that you have grease on the outside of your air fryer then you can try cleaning your air fryer with a degreaser for example elbow grease or with washing up liquid.
Choose your air fryer storage carefully
Air fryers are a great way to cook food without using oil. These appliances should not be stored in a location exposed to high temperatures, such as near the oven or stovetop, because the heat can damage the fryer.
Wash your hands after handling raw meat and poultry
Wash your hands before handling raw meat to avoid cross-contamination from other food items stored in your air fryer, and rewash them after handling raw meat to avoid contaminating anything else you touch with raw meat juices.
Pay particular attention to the air fryer handle as you could subconsciously touch it to insert the basket with raw meat juices still on your hands.
How to dispose of grease when cleaning your air fryer
Whilst air fryers use very little oil, you might find that grease still collects when cooking.
Don’t be tempted to pour the grease down your kitchen sink; instead, you can line your kitchen plug hole with tin foil and pour the grease into it, leave to set and then put into your rubbish.
Pouring grease straight down your sink can lead to costly blockages. We've made this mistake in the past when cooking with oil and learnt the hard way.
How to remove odours from your air fryer
Some cooking smells, like fish, linger for ages in the air fryer, even with your best intentions.
If you need to get rid of odours when cleaning your air fryer then you don’t need to rush out and buy a special cleaner - you most likely already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
Take 2 parts water to one part vinegar and one part lemon juice and place them into a small dish. Then set your air fryer to 200C for 3-5 minutes. Once your air fryer is cool simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. If the odour is still there you can repeat the process.
