Clean your Breville air fryer oven right after it cools, while grease is still soft
The fastest way to keep your Breville air fryer oven clean is to wipe it down within 30 minutes of turning it off, before grease hardens on the interior surfaces. Most of the removable parts—the basket, tray, and racks—can go in the dishwasher on the top rack, or you can hand-wash them with hot soapy water and a soft sponge. The main unit itself never goes in water; you clean the interior with a damp cloth while it cools, and the exterior with a dry microfiber cloth.
Breville air fryer ovens vary slightly by model (the Smart Oven Air Fryer, the Compact version, and the Max all have slightly different layouts), so check your manual for your specific model's removable parts. The principle stays the same across all of them: remove what you can, wash it, wipe the inside, and you're done.
Key Takeaways
- Remove and wash the basket, tray, and racks within 30 minutes of cooking, while grease is still soft and easier to remove.
- The main oven unit should never be submerged; wipe the interior with a damp cloth and the exterior with a dry cloth only.
- For stuck-on food or grease, soak the removable parts in hot soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing.
- The heating element and interior glass should never be scrubbed with abrasive pads; use only soft cloths to avoid damage.
- Check your specific Breville model's manual, as removable parts and access points vary between the Smart Oven Air Fryer, Compact, and Max versions.
Remove and wash the basket, tray, and racks
After the oven cools for at least 5 to 10 minutes, open the door and pull out the air fryer basket, the baking tray, and any racks you used during cooking. These parts are designed to be removed and are the easiest to clean because they can handle hot water and soap.
Rinse each piece under hot running water to loosen loose crumbs and grease. If food is stuck on, soak the parts in a sink or basin of hot soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes—this softens the residue without requiring you to scrub hard. After soaking, use a soft sponge or soft-bristled brush to scrub away the softened food. Avoid steel wool or abrasive scouring pads, which can scratch the non-stick coating on the basket and tray.
Once clean, rinse thoroughly under running water to remove all soap, then dry with a clean cloth or let air-dry on a rack. If your Breville model's basket and tray are dishwasher-safe (most are on the top rack), you can place them there instead of hand-washing, though hand-washing is gentler on the non-stick surface.
Wipe the interior while the oven is still warm
While the oven cools but is still warm to the touch (not hot), dampen a soft cloth or microfiber cloth with plain water—no soap—and wipe down the interior walls, the bottom, and the glass door. Warm interiors make grease easier to wipe away, and the damp cloth lifts grease without requiring scrubbing.
Pay attention to the corners and the area directly below the heating element, where grease and crumbs tend to collect. If you see stubborn spots, dampen the cloth again and let it sit on the spot for a few seconds to soften the grease, then wipe gently. Never use abrasive pads, vinegar solutions, or commercial oven cleaners on the interior, as these can damage the non-stick coating or the glass.
If the interior is very greasy after cooking fatty foods, you can use a cloth barely dampened with a tiny drop of dish soap, but rinse the cloth thoroughly and wipe the interior again with plain water to remove all soap residue. Soap left inside can affect the taste of food in your next use.
Clean the heating element and glass door carefully
The heating element at the top of the oven and the glass door are the most delicate parts to clean. Never scrub either one with any abrasive material. The heating element is exposed and can be damaged by contact with hard objects or rough cloths, and the glass door has a coating that scratches easily.
For the glass door, use only a soft, damp microfiber cloth. Wipe gently in one direction rather than in circles. If there is stubborn grease on the glass, dampen the cloth and let it sit against the glass for 30 seconds, then wipe gently. If the glass still looks cloudy after drying, a second gentle wipe with a barely damp cloth usually clears it.
For the heating element, do not touch it directly or wipe it with a cloth. Instead, once the oven is cool, use a soft brush (like a pastry brush or soft-bristled toothbrush) to gently brush away any loose crumbs or debris that may have landed on it during cooking. If grease has splattered onto the element, leave it—it will burn off harmlessly during the next use, and attempting to clean it risks damaging the element.
Handle stubborn grease and baked-on food
If food has baked onto the basket, tray, or racks and a straightforward soak does not loosen it, soak the part longer—up to 30 minutes in hot soapy water. The extended soak softens even tough, dried-on residue. After soaking, use a soft sponge or cloth to gently rub the spot; the food should come away without hard scrubbing.
For the interior of the oven, if grease has hardened on the walls or bottom, dampen a cloth and place it over the spot for one to two minutes to soften the grease, then wipe gently. Repeat if needed. This method is slower than scrubbing but avoids scratching the interior surfaces.
Never use baking soda paste, vinegar, or commercial oven cleaners inside a Breville air fryer oven. These products can leave residue, damage the non-stick coating, or affect the taste of future meals. Patience with warm water and a damp cloth is the safest approach.
Dry and reassemble your Breville air fryer oven
After washing the basket, tray, and racks, dry them completely with a clean cloth or let them air-dry on a rack before putting them back into the oven. Any moisture left on these parts can drip onto the heating element or interior during the next use, which is harmless but can create steam and affect cooking.
Once the interior is wiped clean and the removable parts are dry, slide the basket and tray back into the oven in the order they came out. Make sure they sit flat and are fully inserted so the door closes properly. Wipe the exterior of the oven with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any fingerprints or dust, and your Breville is ready for the next use.
Prevent buildup between deep cleans
The easiest way to keep your Breville air fryer oven in good condition is to wipe it down after every use. A quick wipe of the interior with a damp cloth and a wash of the removable parts takes only a few minutes and prevents grease from hardening and becoming difficult to remove later.
If you cook fatty foods regularly, consider lining the baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil (check your manual to confirm this is safe for your model). This catches grease and crumbs, so you can straightforward remove and discard the paper instead of scrubbing the tray. The basket itself should not be lined, as it needs air circulation to cook food evenly.
Store your Breville in a dry place and keep the exterior clean by wiping it with a dry cloth weekly. This prevents dust from settling on the unit and keeps it looking new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use vinegar or baking soda to clean the inside of my Breville air fryer oven?
No. Vinegar and baking soda can leave residue inside the oven, damage the non-stick coating, or affect the taste of food cooked in it later. Stick to warm water and a damp soft cloth for the interior. These straightforward materials are all you need to keep the oven clean.
Is the basket dishwasher-safe?
Most Breville air fryer baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe on the top rack, but check your manual to confirm for your specific model. Hand-washing with a soft sponge is gentler on the non-stick coating and extends the life of the basket, so it is the preferred method if you have the time.
What should I do if food is stuck to the heating element?
Do not attempt to clean the heating element directly. Leave any baked-on food or grease on it; it will burn off harmlessly during your next use. Touching the element or scrubbing it risks damaging it permanently. A soft brush can gently remove loose crumbs, but that is all.
How often should I deep clean my Breville air fryer oven?
If you wipe the interior and wash the removable parts after each use, you should not need a deep clean more than once a month. If you cook fatty foods frequently or notice grease buildup, do a thorough wipe-down of the interior and a longer soak of the removable parts every two weeks.
Can I use a commercial oven cleaner on the glass door?
No. Commercial oven cleaners can damage the glass coating and leave chemical residue. Use only a soft, damp microfiber cloth on the glass. If the glass is very cloudy, let the damp cloth sit on it for 30 seconds to soften grease, then wipe gently.