If you have ever been a chef, you know how a grease cake can form on the inside of an air fryer oven. It can be a real pain to clean. Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to make sure your fryer stays sanitary.
Cleaning the exterior
The best way to clean an air fryer is to make sure it’s cleaned out before you put your food in. You might also want to consider cleaning the trays and racks as they can collect a lot of grit and grime. If you’re lucky, you might even have a dishwasher in your kitchen.
If you don’t have one in your home, a quick trip to the local home improvement center may be in order. Alternatively, you can opt for a more hands-on approach. For instance, if you’re the type that has the patience of a saint, a scrub brush might do the trick. Also, you may want to try washing the trays in warm soapy water and then rinsing them well before putting them back in the air fryer.
While it might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to cleaning your air fryer, a few quick wipes around the edges and a rinse will take care of most of the dirt and grime. Of course, you might want to keep in mind that a greasy air fryer is no fun to use, so you should always unplug it and give it a good rinse before starting it up again. After that, you can tuck it away for future uses.
Aside from the cleaning process, there are also other ways to improve your cooking game. For instance, you can try mixing vinegar and water to make a cleaner. This not only removes the sticky stuff, it makes for a much squeaky clean oven. However, you might want to avoid using vinegar on your stove top since it can be a bit of a pain to clean after it’s been used. Similarly, you should never put a dish with hot grease in the sink because it will be a nightmare to clean later on.
A good guideline is to give your air fryer a deep cleaning every couple of months, and to wipe it down after each meal. Doing this will help ensure your appliance lasts longer and is in tip-top shape.
Cleaning the basket
If your air fryer oven basket has baked on grease stains, you may need to use a few common household cleaners to get it looking like new. You will need a soft bristled brush, baking soda, and a damp cloth.
First, you will need to remove the crumb basket from the air fryer. This can be done by hand or with the aid of a dishwasher. However, if you are using an air fryer that is not dishwasher-safe, you will need to soak it in soapy water and then scrub it with a non-abrasive brush.
After scrubbing the crumb basket, you can replace it in the air fryer. Then, you will need to clean the interior and exterior of the air fryer. It is a good idea to use a microfiber cloth to give it a good shine.
Once the interior and exterior have been cleaned, you should let the air fryer cool. Make sure to unplug it. Cleaning the parts is not a complicated task, but you will need to protect the coating on the basket to make it last longer.
Baking soda has a variety of uses, including cleaning copper, a burnt pan, and more. One recipe you can use for cleaning the air fryer is mixing half a cup of baking soda with a small amount of water. Using a sponge or toothbrush, you can scrubbing the mixture into the surface of the basket. Let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, you can rinse the surface.
Another method to clean the air fryer is by soaking it in a solution of hot water and Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. Allow the solution to soak for a few minutes, then wipe it down with a damp towel. Rinse the towel thoroughly. When the towel is completely dry, wipe the air fryer and the inside of the basket with a soft bristled brush.
Adding some lemon to the basket can help eliminate the smells that linger from cooked foods. It also helps remove the baked on grease.
In addition, if the food has strong smells, you can rub a slice of lemon on the area. Doing so will not damage the non-stick coating on the air fryer.
Cleaning the heating coil
An air fryer’s heating coil should be cleaned at least once a quarter. A regular cleaning helps keep your appliance working at its best. Cleaners can be made from a variety of ingredients including hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
First, remove the basket from the chamber. You should also unplug the appliance, allowing for a proper cleaning. This prevents electrical damage from occurring. It is also important to let the air fryer cool down completely before cleaning.
Taking the time to clean your air fryer will help you avoid overuse of harsh chemicals. When using a cleaning agent, be sure to use an all-purpose cleaner that is safe for use on food preparation surfaces.
The most effective way to clean the heating coil is by using a damp cloth. You should also use a scrubbing brush to remove built-up grease. However, be careful not to submerge the main unit in water. Submerging parts of the microwave will cause electrical damage.
If you are looking for an all-purpose cleaner, then mix a mild detergent with warm water. Dip the sponge in the liquid, but do not leave it wet. Using a scouring pad is not a good idea since it will scratch the non-stick interior components.
If you do not want to use chemicals to clean your air fryer, you can try a cleaning solution made with baking soda. However, be sure to use a soft sponge and a brush.
Another method is to use a test-tube scrubber brush to clean the area surrounding the heating element. Using this method, you should be able to get a good look at the coil.
Finally, you can use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the heating coil. Alternatively, you can dip a scrubbing brush in a hot water mixture and apply the cleaning solution to the area. Be sure to rinse the solution thoroughly before plugging the appliance in again.
For a complete cleaning, you should be able to wash the appliance with a dishwasher. However, if you are planning to do this, you should check the instructions for the model you are considering.
Dealing with lingering odors
If you’re noticing a lingering odor from your air fryer oven, there are several solutions you can try. These odors can be caused by cooking oil or other ingredients that were used in the food.
One solution to rid your air fryer of the lingering smell is to use baking soda. You can make a paste using baking soda and water and then apply it to the inside of the oven. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes before removing it with a dry cloth. Then, you can clean it with a sponge or a soft-bristled brush.
Another option is to soak the air fryer basket in hot water for a few minutes. This will break up the baked-on grease and stains. While doing so, you can also remove stuck food. A wooden skewer can help you do this.
You can also try a homemade degreaser solution that is made from vinegar and water. This will eliminate the lingering odors and remove stubborn stains. Make sure you don’t mix the baking soda and vinegar because it will damage the coating on the oven.
If you don’t want to use a degreaser, you can also wipe down the exterior and interior of the air fryer with a damp sponge. If your air fryer doesn’t have a non-stick surface, be careful not to use metal utensils. Your oven can splatter and burn if you aren’t careful.
After cleaning the air fryer, it’s a good idea to turn off the unit. This will prevent a lingering odor from tainting your next meal. You can also run your air fryer without food to help eliminate the odor.
To keep your air fryer oven smelling fresh, you can also put your kitchen exhaust fans on after you finish cooking. Not only will this help eliminate the lingering odor, it will also keep it out of your kitchen.
You can also wash the outside of your air fryer with dish soap. However, you should not use abrasive cleaners on the air fryer’s non-stick surfaces. Instead, you can use a silicone pad to wipe down the outside.