Air fryers can be annoying to clean as they quickly become grimy and can become impossible to clean without spending ages trying to scrub away at them.
The reason air fryers are difficult to clean is that food splatters and grease can burn into a surface over time, which leads to incredibly stubborn stains forming.
It may be tempting to turn to chemical cleaners but Kay Allinson, a cook and co-founder of Pinch of Nom, has shared that the best way to clean an air fryer is likely sitting in your kitchen cupboard.
Kay said: “Baking soda and water is a longstanding, tried-and-tested combination that’s effective for tackling all kinds of stains and smells, from dirty dishwashers to grimy ovens.
“Combine half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to make a paste that’s ideal for lifting really tough, baked-on bits of food from just about anywhere on your air fryer!”
Baking soda is mildly alkaline which means it can easily break down acidic grease and food stains which will make it easier to wash away.
It also has an abrasive texture which means baking soda physically helps to scrub the grease without scratching it when you wash it so you do not have to spend ages scrubbing.
How to properly clean an air fryer
You will need a baking soda, washing up liquid hot soapy water, a non-abrasive sponge, microfiber clothes and an all-purpose cleaner if you have one on hand.
To begin, take the air fryer trays and basket and place them in a sink full of hot soapy water. Make sure the air fryer is completely cool and has not been cooked recently before cleaning.
Kay said: “You should ALWAYS give your air fryer and its parts plenty of time to cool down after cooking. Bear in mind it can take at least half an hour for your air fryer to be at a safe temperature for cleaning, so don’t be tempted to rush the process!”
Leave the air fryer accessories to soak in the water, then after some time has passed combine baking soda and water in a bowl.
It will form a paste which you can use to clean away stubborn grease stains on the air fryer trays and also inside the interior.
Kay said: “Lather it onto the tricky areas. You can leave it to work its magic, or scrub lightly with an old toothbrush for quicker results.”
For particularly stubborn stains, spread the baking soda water solution on and leave it to sit for 30 minutes or longer. The grease stains should be wiped away easily once you begin cleaning.
When the air fryer grease is gone wipe the inside down gently with a little bit of washing-up liquid on a sponge and water then rinse to get rid of any soapy residue or baking soda paste.
Clean the outside with an all-purpose cleaner and a cloth and then leave the air fryer and accessories to dry thoroughly, making sure it is completely dry before using it to cook with again.
This quick and easy solution should leave you with a sparkling clean air fryer without having to spend lots of time scrubbing at it, and this simple baking soda trick will also work to clean oven doors.
