Cleaning an air fryer well takes about five minutes and pays you back three ways: a residue-free basket stops smoke, keeps food tasting right, and protects the non-stick coating so the machine lasts for years. Most people either over-scrub and wreck the coating or under-clean and end up with a smoky kitchen. This guide shows the right routine after every use, how to shift baked-on grease, and the handful of things that quietly kill an air fryer basket. Written for August 2026.
How we assess: this guide is based on manufacturer documentation, official cleaning instructions, and verified owner reports.
How do you clean an air fryer? Unplug and cool it, remove the basket and tray and wash them in warm soapy water (or the dishwasher if labelled safe), wipe the interior and heating element with a damp cloth, and dry everything before reassembling. For baked-on grease, soak the basket or use a baking-soda paste. Never use abrasive pads or aerosol sprays.
Why you should clean after every use
Grease is the enemy. Every cook leaves a film on the basket and splatters tiny droplets onto the heating element above. Leave it and two things happen: the next cook smokes as that grease burns, and the residue slowly hardens into a layer that is far harder to remove. A quick clean after each use keeps the job to two minutes and stops the buildup that leads to smoke, odours, and a worn coating.
The 5-minute after-use routine
1. Unplug and cool. Give it 20-30 minutes; the element and interior get very hot.
2. Wash the basket and tray. Warm soapy water and a soft sponge, or the dishwasher if the manual allows. This is where most grease lives.
3. Wipe the interior. A damp cloth around the inside walls.
4. Wipe the heating element. Once fully cool, gently wipe the element at the top where grease splatters and burns on.
5. Dry and reassemble. Dry every part before slotting it back in.
Shifting baked-on grease
For stubborn residue, soak the basket in hot soapy water for 10-15 minutes to loosen it, then wipe. For burnt-on spots, make a paste of baking soda and a little water, spread it on, wait a few minutes, and scrub gently with a soft brush. The baking soda lifts carbonised grease without the scratching that a metal scourer would cause. Repeat rather than reaching for something abrasive – patience protects the coating.
Cleaning the heating element safely
The element is the part people forget, and it is the main source of smoke. With the unit unplugged and completely cool, tip it gently or reach in with a damp cloth to wipe the coil at the top. For baked-on splatter, a soft brush with a little baking-soda paste works, wiped clean afterward with a damp cloth. Never spray water directly into the unit or submerge the body – only the removable basket and tray go in water.
Air fryer cleaning do’s and don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Wash the basket after every use | Use aerosol non-stick spray |
| Use warm soapy water and a soft sponge | Use metal scourers or abrasive pads |
| Wipe the heating element when cool | Submerge the main unit in water |
| Soak baked-on grease before scrubbing | Stack food so grease bakes onto the element |
| Dry fully before reassembling | Put it away damp |
Fixing smoke and lingering smells
If your air fryer smokes, it is almost always old grease on the basket or element, or fatty food dripping onto the element during a cook – add a tablespoon of water to the drawer beneath high-fat foods to stop that. For smells, wash every removable part, wipe the element, then run the empty unit at 350°F for a few minutes with a small oven-safe dish of water and a slice of lemon inside to freshen it. Consistent cleaning prevents both problems in the first place.
A simple cleaning schedule
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| After every use | Wash basket and tray; quick interior wipe |
| Every few uses | Wipe the heating element for splattered grease |
| Weekly (heavy use) | Full deep clean incl. soak for baked-on residue |
| Monthly | Check basket coating and vents for buildup |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Aerosol non-stick sprays – they pit and peel the coating.
- Metal scourers and utensils – they scratch it.
- Submerging the main unit – it holds the electronics.
- Leaving grease on the element – the number-one cause of smoke.
- Putting parts away damp, which causes odours.
- Unplug and cool before cleaning.
- Wash the basket and tray after every use.
- Wipe the heating element – burnt grease there causes most smoke.
- Use baking-soda paste for baked-on spots, never metal scourers.
- Skip aerosol sprays and never submerge the main unit.
FAQ
Can you put an air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Many baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe – check your manual or for a dishwasher-safe symbol. If in doubt, hand-wash in warm soapy water, which is gentler on the non-stick coating and extends its life.
How do I clean baked-on or burnt grease?
Soak the basket in hot soapy water for 10-15 minutes, then apply a paste of baking soda and a little water to burnt spots, wait a few minutes, and scrub gently with a soft brush. Avoid metal scourers, which scratch the coating and make future grease stick worse.
Why does my air fryer smoke?
Smoke is usually grease left on the basket, tray, or heating element from a previous cook, or high-fat food dripping onto the element. Clean after each use and add a tablespoon of water to the drawer under fatty foods to stop it.
Can I use cooking spray in my air fryer?
Use a refillable oil mister or brush, not aerosol cooking sprays. The additives and propellants in aerosols build up and damage the non-stick coating over time, a common cause of premature basket wear.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
Wash the basket and tray after every use, wipe the interior and heating element every few uses, and do a full deep clean weekly if you use it heavily. Regular light cleaning prevents smoke and tough baked-on buildup.
Can I submerge my air fryer in water?
No. The basket and tray can be washed, but never submerge the main unit – it contains the heating element and electronics. Wipe the interior and exterior with a damp cloth instead.
How do I get rid of a smell in my air fryer?
Wash all removable parts, wipe the element, then run the empty unit at 350°F for a few minutes with a small oven-safe dish of water and a slice of lemon inside. Cleaning after every use prevents most lingering smells.
What is the best way to protect the non-stick coating?
Avoid aerosol sprays and metal utensils, hand-wash rather than always using the dishwasher, and never scrape with anything abrasive. Treated gently, a quality basket coating lasts for years.
Sources
Compiled from manufacturer cleaning manuals and verified owner guidance. Checked August 19, 2026.
Last updated: August 2026.
Naveen Kumar Durai is the founder of Naveen AI Automation and the editor of TrendifyReview. He writes practical home and kitchen gadget guides from manufacturer documentation, official instructions, and verified owner reports.
