How to Clean Your Air Fryer (And How Often) — The Fast Family Method

Why Cleaning Matters More Than You Think

The non-stick coating on an air fryer basket is its most important and most fragile feature. Baked-on food residue acts as sandpaper against the coating every time the basket is inserted and removed. Metal utensils scratch it. Harsh abrasive cleaners strip it. Once the non-stick is damaged, food sticks, cleaning becomes harder, and the appliance is essentially degraded permanently.

After 18 months and over 400 uses of my Cosori Pro II, the non-stick is in perfect condition. The method below is why.

After Every Use: The 2-Minute Clean

Do this while the basket is still warm (not hot — wait 5 minutes after cooking). Warm food releases more easily than cold baked-on residue.

What you need: Washing-up liquid, warm water, a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth. That’s it.

1. Remove the basket and crisper plate from the air fryer body
2. Rinse both under warm running water to remove loose debris
3. Apply a small amount of washing-up liquid with the soft sponge
4. Wipe the basket interior and the crisper plate in circular motions
5. Rinse thoroughly
6. Dry with a clean cloth or leave to air dry completely before replacing

Total time: 90 seconds to 2 minutes

The key is the soft sponge. Never use the scratchy green side of a washing-up sponge. Never use steel wool or any abrasive pad. Ever.

Dishwasher: Yes or No?

Most air fryer baskets and crisper plates are technically dishwasher safe. I put mine in the dishwasher about once a month for a thorough clean, but I handwash the other 29 days.

The reason: dishwasher detergent is more chemically aggressive than hand washing liquid, and repeated cycles gradually affect non-stick coatings over 12–18 months. Handwashing preserves the coating longer.

If you dishwasher your basket daily, expect the non-stick to degrade meaningfully by 18–24 months. Handwashing extends this to 3+ years.

Silicone Liners: The Biggest Time Saver

I use silicone liners inside the basket for approximately 60% of cooks — anything sticky, saucy, or fatty. The liner catches all drips. Cleaning the basket itself takes literally 30 seconds: rinse the liner under warm water, wipe the basket, done.

For the 40% of cooks where I cook directly in the basket (plain chicken thighs, chips, vegetables), the regular 2-minute handwash applies.

Every 2–3 Weeks: The Main Cavity

The main body of the air fryer — the interior where the basket sits — collects grease vapour, splatter from particularly fatty foods, and occasional food drips. It doesn’t need daily cleaning but should be addressed before grease bakes on permanently.

What you need: Damp cloth or kitchen paper, mild washing-up liquid, a soft brush (or an old toothbrush)

1. Ensure the air fryer is unplugged and completely cool
2. Remove the basket
3. Look inside the main cavity with a torch — check for splatter on the walls and the heating element area
4. Wipe the interior walls with a damp cloth + drop of washing-up liquid
5. For stubborn spots, a paste of bicarbonate of soda + water applied for 5 minutes then wiped clean works without scratching
6. Wipe again with a damp cloth (no soap residue) to rinse
7. Leave to dry completely before using

Total time: 5 minutes

Monthly: The Heating Element

The heating element sits at the top of the air fryer interior. Over months of use it accumulates a fine layer of grease that can smoke at high temperatures if not addressed. This is the most commonly neglected part of air fryer maintenance.

What you need: Soft brush (pastry brush, clean paintbrush, or dedicated appliance brush), damp cloth, optionally a soft toothbrush for stubborn spots

1. Air fryer must be unplugged and completely cold
2. Turn the air fryer upside down to access the heating element
3. Use the soft brush to gently brush away any baked-on deposits
4. Wipe with a barely-damp cloth — not wet, barely damp
5. Let dry completely (at least 30 minutes) before use

Do not spray water directly onto the heating element. Do not use any liquid cleaning product directly on it. A dry or barely-damp soft brush is the right tool.

If the heating element is smoking during use (a faint burning smell), this monthly clean addresses the cause. A new air fryer may produce a faint smell for the first 2–3 uses — this is the factory coating burning off and is normal.

Common Mistakes That Damage Non-Stick

Baked-On Grease: The Soak Method

For stubborn baked-on residue, before attempting abrasive cleaning:

1. Fill the basket with warm water + 2 drops washing-up liquid
2. Let soak for 20–30 minutes
3. The residue will have softened significantly
4. Wipe away with a soft sponge — in most cases it comes off with minimal effort

If some residue remains after soaking:
– Apply a paste of bicarbonate of soda + small amount of water to the affected area
– Leave 10 minutes
– Wipe with damp cloth
– Rinse

This removes virtually all baked-on grease without scratching. I have never needed anything harsher.

My Full Maintenance Schedule

Follow this and your air fryer will look and perform like new at 18 months, 2 years, and beyond. The 2-minute daily clean is the most important habit — everything else follows from that.