# How to Clean an Air Fryer: Step-by-Step Guide

> A practical guide to cleaning an air fryer without damaging the non-stick coating: daily washing steps, removing built-up grease, and tools that reach the tight corners.

Canonical: https://mizaanhome.com/en-ae/blog/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer/
Last updated: 2026-07-16

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Grease and burnt-on food residue build up inside the air fryer basket and on the heating element with every use, and many people aren't sure how often to clean it or how to do it without damaging the non-stick coating. **Wash the basket and drawer with a soft sponge, warm water, and regular dish soap after every use, and stay away from steel wool and abrasives entirely.** The steps are simpler than you'd think, and getting them right from the start saves you a tiring deep clean later.

## The quick answer

**Wash the air fryer basket and drawer after every use with a soft sponge, warm water, and regular dish soap, and never use steel wool or abrasive powders that scratch the non-stick coating.** Wipe the heating element once it's fully cooled, and do a deeper clean once every week or two. Many parts are labeled dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is gentler on the coating and extends its life.

## Key points

- **An air fryer is a compact convection appliance** that circulates hot air around food, so oil and fat spray settle on the basket wall and heating element with every use ([air fryer definition from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension](https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/food-safety-tips-electric-air-fryers/)).
- **The basket and drawer are coated with a non-stick layer** ([non-stick coating background from US FDA](https://www.fda.gov/food/process-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-pfas-food)) that scratches easily, so steel wool and abrasive powders are completely off-limits.
- **Washing after every use prevents grease buildup**, because leftover residue carbonizes on the next cook and produces smoke and a burnt smell.
- **Never submerge the body of the unit in water**, since it houses an electrical circuit and a heating element; wipe it from the outside with a damp, well-wrung cloth only.
- **Purpose-built cleaning tools make tight corners easier to reach**, under the rack and around the heating element, without needing to scrub hard enough to scratch the coating.

## Why grease builds up in the first place

An air fryer works on the principle of convection: a powerful fan rapidly circulates hot air around food sitting in a perforated basket, so the outer surface dries out and crisps. During this process, tiny sprays of oil, fat, and food crumbs fly up and settle on the basket wall and the heating element above it. If left alone, that residue carbonizes the next time the unit heats up, turning into a black, burnt layer, which is exactly what causes the smoke, smell, and burnt taste many users complain about.

## Daily cleaning steps after every use

1. **Unplug the unit and let it cool** for 15 to 20 minutes. Never clean it while it's hot or still plugged in.
2. **Remove the basket and drawer** and tip any leftover food or excess oil into the bin.
3. **Soak if food is stuck on dry:** leave the basket in warm water and dish soap for 10 minutes to loosen grime without hard scrubbing.
4. **Wash with a soft sponge** and regular dish soap, paying attention to the corners and underside of the rack.
5. **Wipe the heating element** with a damp, well-wrung cloth once it has cooled, to remove any oil spray that settled on it.
6. **Dry every part thoroughly** before reassembling, since leftover water can leave spots or cause rust.

## The non-stick coating: do and don't

The non-stick coating is the most delicate part of the air fryer, and any scratch makes it flake and start sticking to food afterward. This table sums up right and wrong moves:

| Situation | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Scrubbing the basket | Soft sponge | Steel wool or a rough scourer |
| Cleaners | Regular dish soap | Abrasive powders or strong bleach |
| Dry stuck-on food | Soak in warm water first | Chip it off with a knife or metal tool |
| Oil spray | Wipe it as you go | Let it build up and carbonize |
| Drying | A soft towel | Leaving it wet to air-dry on its own |

The golden rule: any scratch shortens the air fryer's life. The non-stick coating is designed to make cleaning easy in the first place, so it needs gentleness, not force.

## Removing grease and stubborn odors

If your air fryer has developed a smell, the cause is almost certainly grease built up on the heating element or in the corners of the drawer. Try these steps in order:

- **Deep wash the basket and drawer** with hot water and soap, soaking for 15 minutes if the grease is set in.
- **Heating element:** once fully cooled, tilt the unit carefully and wipe the element from above with a sponge dampened in soapy water, then with a clean cloth dampened in plain water. Avoid wetting the electrical circuit.
- **The lemon or vinegar trick:** place half a lemon or two tablespoons of diluted white vinegar with a little water in the basket, and run the air fryer empty on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes. The steam loosens odors and light grease, then leave it open to air out.
- **Baking soda for stubborn stains:** make a paste of baking soda and a little water, apply it to the stain, wait 10 minutes, and wipe it off with a soft sponge.

## Tools that make tight corners easier to clean

The tight corners under the inner rack and around the heating element are the hardest part of an air fryer to reach with a plain sponge, and they're often where grease buildup starts causing odors. A dedicated cleaning brush set with different sizes and heads reaches those corners gently without needing to scrub hard enough to risk scratching the coating, a practical add-on for anyone cleaning their air fryer regularly, not a substitute for the core washing steps above. Air fryers with fully removable parts, like the Philips Airfryer 2000 Series, make reaching those corners easier by design in the first place.

If you haven't picked your air fryer yet and want a model that's easy to clean from the start, see our [guide to the best air fryer in the UAE](/en-ae/best/best-air-fryer/), topped by the **Philips Airfryer 2000 Series 4.2L** (≈ 299 AED), whose basket and parts come apart easily so you can reach every corner at washing time.

## Bottom line

Cleaning an air fryer after every use is what keeps your food tasting right and your machine lasting. Wash the basket and drawer with a soft sponge and soap, stay away from steel wool and abrasives, wipe the heating element once it's cooled, and fight odors by removing grease rather than masking it with fresheners. If you're still shopping for a model that's easy to maintain, see our [guide on how to choose an air fryer](/en-ae/guides/how-to-choose-an-air-fryer/). If a smell persists despite regular cleaning, see [why does my air fryer smell](/en-ae/blog/why-does-my-air-fryer-smell/) for a deeper diagnosis. For everything in this category in one place, browse the [air fryers section](/en-ae/air-fryers/).

## Sources

- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, "How air fryers work"," definition of the air fryer and its moving hot-air principle: https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/food-safety-tips-electric-air-fryers/
- US FDA, "Non-stick cookware coatings"," background on non-stick coatings and their sensitivity to scratching and excess heat: https://www.fda.gov/food/process-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-pfas-food

## Where to buy

- [CiaraQ Bottle Cleaning Brushes, 8 Inch Nylon Tube Brush Set, Cleaner for Na](https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B01N6QEINN/ref=nosim)
- [Philips Airfryer 2000 Series 4.2L](https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B0CWNXKY9B/ref=nosim)


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