You open the air fryer to cook tonight’s chicken thighs and yesterday’s garlic bread grease is baked onto the basket like cement. The non-stick coating has a brown film that no amount of staring at will remove. You are not the only one — a survey by Which? found that one of the top complaints from air fryer owners is not knowing how to clean them properly, and most people are either too gentle (the grime stays) or too aggressive (the coating comes off with it).
Cleaning an air fryer is not difficult, but doing it wrong shortens the life of the non-stick coating and can cause smoking, bad smells, and even flavour transfer between meals. This guide covers how to clean an air fryer properly — basket, drawer, oven-style, and dual zone — including the parts most people forget.
In This Article
- Why Regular Cleaning Matters
- What You Need
- How to Clean a Basket Air Fryer
- How to Clean an Oven-Style Air Fryer
- How to Clean a Dual Zone Air Fryer
- The Heating Element: The Part Everyone Forgets
- How to Remove Stubborn Baked-On Grease
- What Not to Do
- How Often Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?
- Preventing Buildup in the First Place
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Regular Cleaning Matters
Smoke and Smell
Old grease in the basket or on the heating element smokes when reheated. If your air fryer produces smoke during cooking (and the food itself is not the cause), residual grease is almost always the culprit. The smoke carries the smell of whatever you cooked last time — fish-flavoured chips are not what anyone wants.
Non-Stick Longevity
The non-stick coating on air fryer baskets is a consumable surface. It degrades over time regardless of care, but aggressive cleaning (metal utensils, abrasive scouring pads, dishwasher on hot cycles) accelerates the process. A well-maintained non-stick basket lasts 2-4 years. A poorly maintained one starts flaking within 6 months.
Food Safety
Grease residue is a breeding ground for bacteria between uses. The Food Standards Agency recommends cleaning cooking equipment after every use to prevent bacterial contamination. An air fryer basket sitting with last night’s chicken grease at room temperature is not the hygienic kitchen surface you want.
Performance
A clean air fryer circulates hot air more efficiently. Grease buildup on the heating element and fan reduces airflow, increases cooking times, and creates uneven results. If your air fryer seems less effective than when it was new, a deep clean often restores it.
What You Need
The Essentials
- Washing-up liquid — standard dish soap, nothing special
- Non-abrasive sponge — the soft side of a kitchen sponge, or a silicone scrubber
- Hot water — not boiling, just hot from the tap
- Soft cloth or kitchen towel — for drying
- Small brush (optional) — an old toothbrush or pastry brush for the heating element
What to Avoid
- Steel wool or Brillo pads — destroys the non-stick coating instantly
- Oven cleaner spray — too harsh for non-stick surfaces and leaves chemical residue
- Hard-bristle brushes — scratches non-stick. Use soft bristles only.
- Bleach — unnecessary and corrosive to the basket coating
How to Clean a Basket Air Fryer
This covers the most common type — Ninja, Philips, Cosori, Tower, and similar basket-drawer designs. Our Ninja vs Philips vs Cosori comparison covers how these models differ.
After Every Use
- Unplug the air fryer and let it cool for 10-15 minutes. Not fully cold — slightly warm is fine and makes grease easier to remove. But not hot enough to burn your hands or warp the basket in cold water.
- Remove the basket and drawer. Most air fryers have a basket that sits inside a drawer. Separate them — grease collects between the basket and the drawer walls.
- Tip out any loose crumbs into the bin. Shake the basket gently.
- Soak in hot soapy water for 5-10 minutes. Fill the kitchen sink with hot water and a squirt of washing-up liquid. Submerge the basket and drawer. The soak loosens grease without scrubbing.
- Wipe with a non-abrasive sponge. Gentle circular motions. The non-stick surface should release the grease easily after soaking. If it does not, soak for longer rather than scrubbing harder.
- Rinse under clean water and check for any remaining grease spots. Re-wipe if necessary.
- Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth or kitchen towel. Do not put the basket back in the unit while wet — trapped moisture can cause a musty smell.
- Wipe the inside of the main unit with a damp cloth. Do not submerge the unit itself — it contains the electrical components and heating element.
How to Clean an Oven-Style Air Fryer
Oven-style air fryers (Ninja Foodi, Breville, Sage) have a door, wire racks, and a drip tray rather than a basket. The cleaning approach is slightly different.
After Every Use
- Unplug and cool. Same as above.
- Remove the wire racks and drip tray. These are the primary surfaces that collect grease.
- Soak the racks and tray in hot soapy water. Wire racks may need a soft brush to clean between the wires — an old toothbrush works well.
- Wipe the interior walls and door. Use a damp cloth with a drop of washing-up liquid. Grease splatter coats the walls and ceiling of the cooking chamber — leave it and it bakes harder with each use.
- Clean the glass door inside and out. Grease on the glass looks bad and reduces visibility. A standard glass cleaner works, or warm soapy water.
- Dry all parts before reassembling.
How to Clean a Dual Zone Air Fryer
Dual zone models (Ninja Foodi MAX, Tower Vortex Duo) have two independent baskets. The good news: each basket is removable and cleaned the same way as a standard basket. The challenge: twice the surfaces.
The Extra Step
Check the divider between the two zones. On Ninja models, the divider plate collects grease on both sides. Remove it (it usually clips out), soak, and wipe. This is the part most dual zone owners forget, and it is the most common source of inter-zone flavour transfer — nobody wants their chocolate brownies tasting of last night’s sausages. Our dual zone guide covers the best models if you are considering an upgrade.
The Heating Element: The Part Everyone Forgets
Where It Is
The heating element sits at the top of the cooking chamber in most air fryers. Turn the unit upside down (with the basket removed) and look up — you will see a coiled element, usually behind a mesh screen. Grease vapour from cooking rises and coats this element over time.
How to Clean It
- Unplug the air fryer and let it cool completely.
- Turn the unit upside down or tilt it so you can see the element.
- Use a damp cloth or soft brush to wipe the element gently. Do not use scouring pads.
- For stubborn grease, make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water (3:1 ratio). Apply with a soft brush, leave for 10 minutes, then wipe away with a damp cloth.
- Wipe the mesh/screen around the element. This is often where grease accumulates most thickly.
How Often
Clean the heating element every 2-4 weeks, depending on how frequently you use the air fryer and how greasy your cooking is. If you cook fatty foods (chicken wings, sausages, bacon) regularly, clean it fortnightly.
How to Remove Stubborn Baked-On Grease
The Bicarbonate of Soda Method
This is the best approach for grease that has baked onto the basket and will not shift with normal soaking.
- Make a paste of 3 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda and 1 tablespoon of water
- Spread the paste over the greasy areas of the basket
- Leave for 15-30 minutes (longer for severe buildup)
- Scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge
- Rinse thoroughly
Bicarbonate of soda is mildly alkaline and breaks down grease without damaging non-stick coatings. It costs about 80p from any supermarket and is the single most useful kitchen cleaning product.
The Boiling Water Soak
For baskets with heavy, baked-on residue:
- Place the basket in the kitchen sink
- Pour boiling water over it until the greasy areas are submerged
- Add a tablespoon of washing-up liquid
- Leave for 20-30 minutes
- The heat softens the baked grease, making it much easier to wipe away
White Vinegar for Odour Removal
If your air fryer retains the smell of a previous meal (fish is the worst offender):
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle
- Spray the basket, drawer, and interior of the unit
- Leave for 10 minutes
- Wipe with a damp cloth and dry
The acetic acid in vinegar neutralises odour compounds. It works better than washing-up liquid alone for lingering smells.
What Not to Do
Do Not Put the Main Unit in Water
The base unit contains the motor, fan, heating element, and electronic controls. Submerging it will destroy it. Only the removable basket, drawer, racks, and trays are washable. Wipe the main unit with a damp cloth only.
Do Not Use Metal Utensils on the Basket
Metal spatulas, forks, and tongs scratch non-stick coatings. Use silicone, wooden, or plastic utensils when handling food in the basket. Once the non-stick is scratched, food sticks, cleaning becomes harder, and the basket eventually needs replacing. Our air fryer accessories guide covers the best utensils.
Do Not Rely on the Dishwasher for Everything
Many air fryer baskets are technically dishwasher-safe, but the combination of high-temperature water, aggressive detergent, and mechanical action degrades non-stick coatings faster than hand washing. Use the dishwasher occasionally if you must, but hand washing extends the basket’s life. If you do use the dishwasher, place the basket on the top rack only.
Do Not Ignore the Exterior
Fingerprints, grease splatter, and kitchen grime accumulate on the outside of the unit. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth weekly. Stainless steel models benefit from a drop of baby oil on a cloth to remove fingerprints.
How Often Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?
Quick Clean: After Every Use
Basket, drawer, racks, and drip tray — wipe or soak after every cooking session. This takes 5-10 minutes and prevents buildup.
Deep Clean: Every 2-4 Weeks
Heating element, interior walls, exterior, divider plates. Budget 15-20 minutes. This is the clean that prevents smoking, odours, and performance loss. Our air fryer cooking times guide is worth bookmarking — knowing the right temperatures prevents overcooking that creates harder-to-clean residue.
Full Inspection: Every 3-6 Months
Check the non-stick coating for flaking or peeling. Inspect the heating element for heavy carbon buildup. Check the seal around the drawer for trapped food debris. Replace baskets if the non-stick is visibly damaged.
Preventing Buildup in the First Place
Use Parchment Liners
Perforated parchment liners sit in the basket and catch drips before they reach the non-stick surface. Available from Amazon UK and kitchen shops for about £5-8 per 100 sheets. They make a meaningful difference to cleaning time, especially for fatty foods.
Spray Lightly with Oil
A light misting of cooking oil on the basket before adding food creates a barrier between the food and the non-stick surface. Use a spray bottle with olive or rapeseed oil — do not use aerosol cooking sprays (PAM, Fry Light) because the propellant degrades non-stick coatings over time.
Shake the Basket During Cooking
Opening the air fryer halfway through and giving the basket a shake redistributes food and prevents individual pieces from sticking and burning in one spot. This is standard advice for most air fryer recipes and also reduces localised grease buildup.
Empty the Drip Tray
The drawer beneath the basket collects rendered fat. Empty it between batches if cooking multiple rounds — a full drip tray can smoke and splatter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put air fryer baskets in the dishwasher? Many are technically dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is gentler on the non-stick coating and extends its lifespan. If you use the dishwasher, place the basket on the top rack and avoid high-temperature cycles. Frequent dishwashing accelerates non-stick degradation.
How do you get baked-on grease off an air fryer basket? Make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water (3:1 ratio), apply to the greasy areas, leave for 15-30 minutes, then scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge. For severe buildup, soak the basket in boiling water with washing-up liquid for 20-30 minutes first.
Why does my air fryer smoke during cooking? Residual grease on the heating element or basket from previous cooking sessions is the most common cause. Clean the heating element and basket thoroughly. Excess fat from the food itself can also cause smoking — empty the drip tray between batches when cooking fatty foods.
How often should you deep clean an air fryer? Every 2-4 weeks depending on usage. The basket and drawer should be cleaned after every use (5-10 minutes). The heating element, interior walls, and exterior need a deeper clean fortnightly to monthly, taking about 15-20 minutes.
Can you use oven cleaner on an air fryer? No. Oven cleaners contain harsh chemicals (sodium hydroxide) that damage non-stick coatings and can leave toxic residue. Use washing-up liquid, bicarbonate of soda, or white vinegar instead — they are effective and safe for non-stick surfaces.