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What is the best way to clean an air fryer?

Luuk28 OCTOBER 2025
Person in an apron uses tongs to remove food from a black air fryer next to a laptop on a wooden table.

To ensure that your air fryer lasts a long time, it’s important that you clean the appliance properly. Below, we'll tell you how often you should clean the air fryer and give some tips to make cleaning the air fryer easier.

How often should you clean air fryer?

A light blue air fryer with a digital display stands on a soft, peach-colored surface, with steam rising from the top against a blue background.

With an air fryer, you can make delicious, healthy dishes in a short time. To get the most out of your air fryer, it's important that you clean the appliance properly. Always clean an air fryer after use. This will prevent any leftovers that can burn next time. You also prevent a stronger frying smell when you use the air fryer again.

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5 tips for cleaning an air fryer

A black air fryer sits on a wooden table with a green checkered cloth. A kitchen with cabinets and a window is in the background.

When you’re going to clean, check which parts can go in the dishwasher. You can clean the basket and the other loose parts with a soft sponge and some dish soap. Is the basket very dirty? Then soak it in hot soapy water for 10 to 30 minutes. You can clean the heating element with a soft cloth and possibly a little dish soap. Rinse the element well with warm water. Parts with a non-stick coating are cleaned with a soft sponge so as not to damage the layer. You wipe the air fryer with a dry cloth. When all parts are dry, you can reassemble the air fryer. Does your air fryer need a thorough cleaning? We give 5 tips for proper cleaning.

Meer informatie over airfryers

1. Cleaning air fryer with lemon

A halved lemon, two wooden dish brushes, and a striped towel are on a white, tiled surface.

One way to properly clean an air fryer is with lemon. To do this, first place a piece of aluminium foil in the container of the air fryer and pour a small layer of water into it. Place a few slices of lemon in the water. Turn on the air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes at 180 °C. Remove the aluminium foil and lemon from the air fryer and go through the appliance with a cloth.

2. Clean air fryer with green soap

A hand adjusts a white air fryer with a black dial. Behind it are kitchen items: cutting board, oil bottle, woven mat, and plant.

Green soap is an eco-friendly way to clean an air fryer. Moreover, green soap is very effective for degreasing. Is your basket or drip tray very greasy? Then rub them with green soap. You fill the inside of the air fryer with hot water. You can put the basket in it. After 15 minutes, the fat and food will have loosened. Drain the water from the air fryer and wipe everything off with a soft sponge. Rinse everything well and let the parts dry thoroughly.

3. Cleaning air fryer with baking soda

A wooden table has a spilled powder, a spoon, a metal lid, and a jar labeled "Baking Soda" on it.

To clean the heating element properly, you can use baking soda. To do this, put 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of warm water in a bowl and mix until it’s a paste. Dip a toothbrush through the paste and gently brush the heating element clean. Remove the leftovers from the element with kitchen paper and wipe it with a damp cloth. Allow the heating element to dry thoroughly before reassembling the air fryer.

4. Cleaning air fryer with vinegar

An air fryer sits on a kitchen counter near a cutting board with bread, with kitchen cabinets and decor in the background.

To clean your air fryer with natural vinegar, pour a 2 cm layer into the container. Pour in water until the container is 2/3 full. Place the container with the basket in the air fryer and turn the appliance on for 10 minutes at 180 °C. Empty the air fryer and use paper towels to remove the food residue when the air fryer has cooled down. Wipe the air fryer with a dry cloth and let the appliance dry.

5. Cleaning the air fryer with a dishwasher tablet

Two hands hold blue and green dishwasher tablets, individually wrapped in plastic, against a white wood-patterned background.

To remove baked-on grease from the air fryer, it’s best to use a dishwasher tablet. Only do this with parts that can also be put in the dishwasher. For this method, fill the container with hot water and place the basket inside. Place a dishwasher tablet in the basket and pour hot water on it. Let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Pour out the water and use a soft sponge and some dish soap to clean the basket and the tray properly. Then rinse everything well, making sure that no detergent residue remains. Allow the parts to dry before reassembling the air fryer.

Clean your air fryer regularly

A woman smiles, looking at an open, black air fryer in a kitchen setting. The fryer has a silver knob and handle.

To make sure your air fryer lasts a long time, it's best to clean it regularly. Clean the air fryer and basket after preparing food anyway and go for a thorough cleaning once in a while. Choose the method that you like best and clean your air fryer with lemon, green soap, baking soda, vinegar or a dishwasher tablet. Also make sure that you do not place products in the hot air fryer that are not suitable for this; this can damage your air fryer.

Dit kan in een airfryer

Want to learn more about cleaning your air fryer? Read more on MediaMarkt.be.

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