How To Clean Air Fryer Models Of Any Brand.
Do you cook all your favorite fried food in an air fryer? The equipment is convenient, and much to your surprise can last a considerably long time of well maintained. However, you need to ensure to care for it in the right manner. Are you wondering how to clean your beloved air fryer without any hassle?
Read on to find the perfect step-by-step method of cleaning an air fryer. Additionally, you will learn a few tips to maintain and keep the device cleaner, making your work super easy.
Before going ahead, you must know that the best way is to clean your air fryer regularly. Why so? Read on to know!
We’ve already covered the topic of cleaning effectively your air fryer basket, which you can read here, the full article.
Why Clean Your Fryer Regularly?
Most parts of an air fryer such as the pan, basket, and tray are removable and often dishwasher safe. Also, these are the sections that may be left with the maximum residues, grease, and other food leftovers.
Air fryers do not use a lot of oil, instead, they require little oil and hot air to prepare your food. Still, food chunks and oil droplets often drip through the food basket and into the pull-out drawer. You may not notice it 1-2 uses as the grease starts to build up slowly.
As a result, you will get unpleasant food odors as the grease sticks on the heating element over time. Additionally, the food stuck in the basket holes will burn over and over again.
If you clean your air fryer regularly, you can get away with the headache of removing the more rigid residues. Plus, you won’t find the need to deal with the foul odor every time you use the device. Moreover, when it is so easy to clean, why not do it after every use!
How to Clean Air Fryer – Step by Step Method
You may choose to clean your air fryer every time you use it or after a few uses. It entirely relies on the mess created while cooking. If you fry large quantities of food, the equipment gets dirtier easily, as compared to smaller portions.
Therefore, you can decide on the cleaning frequency based on the condition of the machine after you finish cooking. However, you must remember that easy, frequent cleaning will prevent you from the rigorous cleaning after months of use.
Find out how to clean your air fryer without any issues.
Remove the Plug
Never get to cleaning or washing your air fryer when it is on and plugged in. Make sure to turn off the device, plug it out, and let it cool down. You may need to be patient for 20-30 minutes for the machine to cool down properly.
Clean the Entire Appliance
Though you cannot wash the entire appliance, you can surely clean it. With a damp cloth (cotton or microfiber), thoroughly wipe the fryer from the outside. Next, you can use a non-abrasive sponge dipped in warm water to clean the interiors of the device.
Wipe the Heating Element
The heating element of an air fryer is present at the bottom. You can turn the device upside-down to clean this part with a non-abrasive sponge. It will remove any food particles that may have gotten into the bottom section.
Remove the Residue
Here comes the main part—getting rid of the residues. Your fryer may have hard-to-remove food particles on the inside, outside, or at the bottom. Do not worry! It is easy to remove with the paste of water along with baking soda.
Dip a non-abrasive sponge or a soft-bristle toothbrush in the paste and scrub off the stuck residues. Next, thoroughly wipe with a soft cloth.
Wash the Removable Parts
Most air fryers come with removable parts that are dishwasher safe. You can quickly wash the pan, basket, and tray by placing them in the dishwasher and using the standard washing method.
In case your equipment is not dishwasher safe, you can still wash these parts easily. Use hot water, soap, and a non-abrasive sponge to clean the pan, basket, and tray.
Soak the Dirty Equipment
In some cases, it is possible that you cannot get the grease and other food stuck on these removable sections. For such instances, the best way is to let them soak in warm water.
Do so for 10-15 minutes, followed by scrubbing with the non-abrasive sponge, and the harsh residues will come off easily.
Dry It Out
One thing that you must always remember is never to store the air fryer without drying it completely. You may leave to air dry for 1-2 hours or wipe with a soft, clean cloth.
Tips To Keep Your Air Fryer Clean
Now that you know the entire cleaning process, here are some ways to always keep the equipment cleaner. Doing this will ease your main cleaning work.
Using Parchment or Foil Paper: Frying food items dipped in sauce, or other similar foods may create a lot of mess. You can use parchment or foil paper on the air-fryer basket and place the food over it. Doing this will prevent the sauces from sticking on the basket or falling below. Parchment paper is an affordable way to help with your cooking.
Remove Unpleasant Odors: Despite the regular cleaning, your fryer may have some unpleasant odors. The best way to remove it is by soaking the basket and tray in soap water for about 30-60 minutes. If the smell persists, rub lemon on the basket and pan and let it rest for 30 minutes before rewashing.
Clean Before Using: Another way to maintain cleanliness is by cleaning the air fryer before using. You may wipe the entire appliance with a dry, clean cloth to remove any water droplets or residues.
Summing Up
Cleaning an air fryer is a pretty easy job, given you never use a wired, abrasive sponge. Also, remember not to use metal spatulas or cutlery to remove the residues as the appliance’s non-stick coating may come off.
Apart from that, try to clean the air fryer regularly, and if possible, after every use. Following these steps will prolong the life of your fryer and give you a clean, odor-free appliance every time!