An air fryer that hasn't been cleaned recently produces smoke, off-flavors, and eventually fails. The cleaning routine is straightforward — 5 minutes after each use, 15 minutes monthly. Here's the playbook.
Step-by-step
Unplug and let cool fully
Wait 30 minutes after cooking before any cleaning step. Hot heating elements can crack with cold water, and the basket coating is more vulnerable to scratching when warm.
Wash the basket and tray immediately after use
Hot soapy water and a soft sponge handle the day-to-day grease. Avoid metal scrubbers — they scratch nonstick coatings and shorten the basket's lifespan. Most baskets are top-rack dishwasher safe but hand-washing extends life.
Wipe the interior with a damp cloth
The compartment around the heating element accumulates spatter. A damp microfiber cloth (no spray cleaner directly on electronics) wipes most of it away. For baked-on residue, use a paste of baking soda and water; rub gently with a soft sponge.
Use air fryer parchment liners to reduce future cleaning
Disposable parchment liners with pre-cut holes for airflow catch most of the grease and food drips. Swap after each use — they extend basket life and cut weekly cleaning time in half.
Deep clean monthly
Once a month, remove the basket and tray, run them through the dishwasher (or wash by hand), and use Affresh appliance cleaner spray on the interior. Wipe with a clean cloth. Let everything dry completely before reassembling — trapped moisture in the heating area can damage the unit.
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Generic Brand Air Fryer Parchment Liners (150-Count, 8-inch)
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OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatula Set
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Affresh Kitchen Appliance Cleaner
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How often should you clean an air fryer?
Basket and tray after every use — grease left in the basket smokes the next time you cook. Wipe the interior weekly. Deep-clean (full disassembly, dishwasher or scrub, appliance cleaner) monthly. Skipping the after-use wash is the #1 cause of "my air fryer is producing smoke" problems.
Can you put an air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Most modern air fryer baskets are top-rack dishwasher safe — check the manual to confirm. Hand-washing with warm soapy water extends the nonstick coating's life significantly. If your basket has visible coating wear, switch to hand-wash only to slow further damage.
Why does my air fryer smell bad?
Accumulated grease in the basket, on the heating element, or in the drip area. Run the air fryer empty at 400°F for 5 minutes after cleaning to burn off any residual smell. If smoke or smell persists, the issue is likely the heating element — needs a deep clean with appliance cleaner spray and a soft brush.
Can air fryer baskets go in the dishwasher?
Most modern baskets are top-rack dishwasher safe — check the manual to confirm. Hand-washing with warm soapy water significantly extends the nonstick coating's life. If you see visible coating wear, switch to hand-wash only.
Want to dig deeper? See our guides to Best Air Fryer (2026), Instant Pot vs Air Fryer: Which Do You Actually Need?, and Indoor Grill vs Air Fryer: Which One Should You Buy?.