Clean your air fryer while it's still warm, before grease hardens

The best time to clean an air fryer is right after you finish cooking, when the basket and tray are still warm but cool enough to touch safely. Warm surfaces make grease easier to wipe away, and food residue hasn't had time to stick hard to the metal. Most air fryers take five to ten minutes to clean this way, compared to twenty minutes or more if you wait until everything has cooled and hardened.

Start by unplugging the unit and letting it sit for three to five minutes. This gives the heating element time to cool enough that you won't burn your hands inside the basket. Never submerge the main body of the air fryer in water—only the removable basket and tray should go in water or the dishwasher.

Key Takeaways

  • Unplug the air fryer and wait three to five minutes before cleaning to avoid burns from the heating element.
  • Remove the basket and tray while they are still warm, then wipe them with a damp cloth or sponge to remove loose grease and food particles.
  • Soak stubborn, stuck-on food in warm soapy water for ten to fifteen minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge.
  • Wipe the inside walls and heating element area with a damp cloth, being careful not to touch the element itself.
  • Most air fryer baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe on the top rack, but hand-washing extends their non-stick coating life.

Remove and rinse the basket and tray

Once the unit has cooled slightly, pull out the basket and the drip tray underneath it. These two parts collect all the grease and food debris, so they need the most attention. Hold the basket over the sink and use your fingers or a soft brush to knock loose any large food pieces into the trash.

Rinse both pieces under warm running water. Use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe away the loose grease while the water runs. Do not use a hard-bristled brush or steel wool on the non-stick surface—these scratch the coating and shorten the basket's life. If you see grease that won't come off with a gentle wipe, move on to soaking instead of scrubbing harder.

Soak and scrub stuck-on food

Fill your sink or a large bowl with warm water and add a squirt of dish soap. Place the basket and tray in the water and let them soak for ten to fifteen minutes. This softens any food that has baked on and makes it much easier to remove without damaging the non-stick surface.

After soaking, use a soft sponge, cloth, or soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the surfaces. Pay special attention to the corners and ridges where grease pools. For really stubborn spots, a plastic scraper or old credit card works well—it removes stuck food without scratching. Rinse thoroughly under running water until all soap and food particles are gone, then set the pieces on a clean towel to air-dry.

Clean the inside walls and heating element area

While the basket and tray are soaking, wipe down the inside of the air fryer body. Dampen a cloth or sponge with warm water and gently wipe the interior walls, the bottom, and the sides. You will find grease splatter and small food particles stuck to these surfaces.

Be very careful around the heating element at the top—do not touch it directly, and do not spray water near it. A damp cloth is fine; just wipe gently and avoid soaking that area. If you see grease buildup on the element itself, let it sit for a moment with a damp cloth draped over it (not touching), which helps soften the grease without direct contact. Once the cloth has cooled, gently wipe the element from the sides, not from above.

Dry everything and reassemble

After wiping the interior, use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe away any remaining moisture from the inside of the unit. This prevents water from pooling and keeps the heating element dry. Make sure the basket and tray are also completely dry before you put them back in—water left inside can cause rust or electrical issues over time.

Once everything is dry, slide the tray back into the bottom of the unit, then place the basket on top of it. Your air fryer is now ready for the next use. If you clean it this way after every cooking session, you will rarely face stubborn, baked-on messes.

Dishwasher versus hand-washing

Most air fryer baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe and can go on the top rack. However, hand-washing with a soft sponge and warm soapy water extends the life of the non-stick coating. The heat and harsh detergent in a dishwasher cycle can wear down the coating over time, especially if you run the dishwasher frequently.

If you choose the dishwasher, place the basket and tray on the top rack only—the bottom rack is hotter and more likely to damage the coating. Avoid using the heated dry setting; instead, let them air-dry. For the longest lifespan, hand-wash whenever you have time, and reserve the dishwasher for busy days when you need a faster option.

What to do about stubborn grease buildup

If grease has built up inside the unit over several uses and won't come off with a damp cloth, try this: dampen a cloth with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Wipe the interior surfaces with this solution, which cuts through grease without scratching. Let the cloth sit on stubborn spots for a minute or two before wiping.

Never use harsh chemical cleaners, oven cleaner, or abrasive scrubbers inside an air fryer. These can damage the non-stick coating, leave chemical residue that contaminates your food, or harm the electrical components. Warm water, dish soap, and vinegar are all you need for regular maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put the whole air fryer in the dishwasher?

No. Only the removable basket and tray are dishwasher-safe. The main body contains electrical components and should never be submerged or placed in a dishwasher. Always hand-wash the interior by wiping with a damp cloth.

What if water gets inside the heating element area?

Unplug the unit when ready and let it sit for at least an hour with the basket removed so air can circulate and dry the interior. Do not plug it back in until you are certain everything is dry. Going forward, use a damp cloth rather than running water near the heating element.

Is it safe to use a steel wool pad to scrub the basket?

No. Steel wool scratches and removes the non-stick coating, which means food will stick more easily and the basket will rust faster. Stick to soft sponges, cloths, and soft-bristled brushes. A plastic scraper works for stubborn spots without damaging the surface.

How often should I deep-clean my air fryer?

If you clean the basket and tray after every use and wipe the interior weekly, you should not need a deep-clean more than once a month. A monthly vinegar-and-water wipe-down of the interior keeps grease from building up and keeps the unit running efficiently.

Can I use cooking spray in my air fryer?

Most air fryer manufacturers recommend against aerosol cooking spray because it can build up on the non-stick coating and become sticky or flaky. Instead, lightly brush or rub a small amount of oil directly onto the food before placing it in the basket. This gives you the same result without coating the basket itself.