Domakihub How to Clean an Air Fryer: Keep It Fresh After Every Use
A simple routine that removes grease, kills odours, and extends the life of your machine.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
Air fryers circulate hot oil-laden air at high speed, which means grease builds up fast — on the basket, the drawer, the heating element, and even the interior walls. The video above walks through the process visually; this article gives you the exact steps and the reasoning behind each one, so you can make it a quick habit after every cook. Whether you manage a Greek holiday villa, a hotel kitchen, or your own home, a clean air fryer is safer, smells better, and cooks more evenly.
Why Regular Cleaning Actually Matters
Leftover grease and food particles don't just smell bad — they smoke at high heat, transfer bitter flavours to the next meal, and can become a fire hazard if left long enough. For holiday rentals and hotel rooms in Greece, where guests change frequently, an air fryer that smells of old oil is an instant complaint.
A quick clean after each use takes under five minutes and avoids the need for a lengthy deep-clean session later. Think of it the same way you would a frying pan: rinse it while it's warm and the residue hasn't hardened.
What You Need Before You Start
You do not need specialist products. Dish soap, warm water, a soft non-abrasive sponge or cloth, a small brush (an old toothbrush works well), and a microfibre drying cloth are enough for routine cleans. For a periodic deep clean, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of washing-up liquid cuts through baked-on grease without scratching non-stick coatings.
Avoid steel wool, abrasive scourers, and harsh chemical oven cleaners — they strip the non-stick layer from the basket and the interior coating, making every future clean harder and potentially contaminating food.
How to Clean Your Air Fryer in 5 Steps
- 1
Let it cool, then unplug
Never clean an air fryer immediately after cooking — the heating element and metal parts stay dangerously hot for longer than they look. Wait at least 30 minutes, then unplug from the wall. This is both a safety step and a practical one: warm (not hot) residue is easier to lift than cold baked-on grease.
- 2
Remove and wash the basket and drawer
Pull out the basket and the outer drawer. Wash both in warm soapy water with a soft sponge. Most baskets are dishwasher-safe — check your model's manual — but hand-washing preserves the non-stick coating longer. For stuck-on food, soak the parts in warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing gently with an old toothbrush.
- 3
Wipe down the interior cavity
Turn the air fryer upside down so crumbs fall out, then use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe the interior walls and the bottom of the cavity. A baking-soda paste applied with a soft brush tackles any dark grease stains. Wipe clean with a second damp cloth, then dry thoroughly — moisture near the heating element is a risk.
- 4
Clean the heating element
The coiled heating element at the top of the cavity is where odours usually originate. With the unit upside down, use a soft brush or damp cloth to gently brush away debris from around the coils. Do not scrub aggressively or use liquid directly on the element. If there is baked-on grease, a small amount of baking-soda paste on a brush, wiped off carefully, is the safest approach.
- 5
Dry everything fully and reassemble
Moisture is the enemy here. Use a dry microfibre cloth on the basket, drawer, and interior before reassembling. Leave the drawer slightly open for 10-15 minutes to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate before the next use. Run the empty air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 180 °C once a month after deep-cleaning to ensure it is completely dry and odour-free.
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FAQ
- Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
- Many baskets are labelled dishwasher-safe, but frequent dishwasher cycles degrade non-stick coatings faster than hand-washing. Check your manual first, and if dishwasher-safe, use the top rack on a gentle cycle. Hand-washing with warm soapy water and a soft sponge is always the safest option for prolonging the coating's life.
- How do I get rid of a bad smell from my air fryer?
- Persistent odours usually come from grease baked onto the heating element or interior walls. After a thorough clean, cut a lemon in half, place it in the basket, and run the air fryer at 200 °C for 3 minutes — the citrus steam neutralises residual smells effectively. A bowl of white vinegar left inside with the drawer closed overnight can also help with stubborn odours.
- How often should I deep-clean my air fryer?
- A quick wipe-down of the basket and drawer after every use is the minimum. A full deep-clean — including the heating element and interior cavity — should be done every 4-6 uses, or immediately if you notice smoke, unusual smells, or visible grease build-up on the coils. In holiday rentals or hotel settings with daily use, a weekly deep-clean is recommended.