How to Deep Clean an Air Fryer (Step-by-Step with Real Photos)

Your air fryer works hard — and grease, crumbs, and burnt-on food build up in places you can’t see, including the heating coil overhead. A proper deep clean keeps food tasting fresh, prevents smoke and bad odors, and protects the nonstick coating that makes the appliance easy to use. This guide walks you through the full process, step by step, with real photos — using the same approach recommended by manufacturers like Cosori and KitchenAid.

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Why Deep Cleaning Matters

Every time you cook, oil and food particles splatter onto the basket, the interior walls, and — most importantly — the heating element. According to Expert Reviews, a coil caked in grease compromises hygiene, causes bad smells, affects the taste of your food, and can even become a fire hazard if residue starts to burn and smoke.

Image credit: r/CleaningTips on Reddit

What You’ll Need

• Soft sponge or cloth (microfiber works well)
• Soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush
• Mild dish soap
• Baking soda (for stubborn, baked-on grease)
• Warm water
• Paper towels or a drying rack

Skip these: steel wool, metal scouring pads, harsh abrasive cleansers, and sharp tools — they scratch the nonstick coating, and once it’s damaged, food sticks and cleanup gets harder (Cosori; KitchenAid).

Step 1: Unplug and Let It Cool

Turn off and unplug the air fryer, then let it cool for 10–15 minutes before removing any parts. Cosori notes that leftover warmth actually helps loosen grease — but you should never handle hot components or risk burns. Safety first: never submerge the main air fryer unit in water; only the removable parts ever go in the sink (Cosori).

Step 2: Remove and Soak the Basket and Crisper Plate

Take out the basket, crisper plate, and any racks, and place them in the sink. Fill the sink with warm water and a little mild dish soap, then submerge the parts for about 15 minutes to loosen grease and food residue (Cosori).

Image credit: r/CleaningTips on Reddit

Baked-on grease concentrates on the perforated crisper plate, where food residue settles into the vents and center ring:

Image credit: r/airfryer on Reddit

Step 3: Tackle Baked-On Grease with Baking Soda Paste

For stubborn burnt-on oil, mix baking soda with warm water into a paste, apply it to the stains, and let it sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing gently with a soft sponge or brush. Cosori specifically recommends this method and warns against steel wool, which destroys the nonstick coating. A degreaser is an alternative on the heating element area — just make sure it’s suitable for your model (Expert Reviews).

Image credit: Wales Online

A viral variation tested by The Kitchn: add 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, and a couple of sprays of dish spray directly into the basket, then scrub after it has done its work. Rinse everything thoroughly with running water afterward so no detergent residue remains.

Step 4: Wipe Out the Interior

With the parts out, wipe the interior walls with a soft cloth dampened in diluted dish soap. For heavy splatter, use warm water on the cloth and scrub gently (KitchenAid). Here’s what happens if the interior is neglected for weeks:

Image credit: The Mirror

Finish by wiping with a clean, damp cloth to remove soap, then drying with a soft cloth.

Step 5: Clean the Heating Element (The Step Everyone Skips)

The heating element is the metal coil on the ceiling of the air fryer cavity — and it’s where grease buildup becomes a genuine fire risk. Follow the Expert Reviews method:

1. Unplug and cool completely before touching anything.
2. Remove all removable parts to access the element. Check your manual first: some coils sit behind a splatter shield — removable with a screwdriver on some models, fixed on others. If it’s non-removable, work around it with a brush.
3. Turning the unit on its side or upside down can make the coil easier to reach (if the model sits comfortably that way):

Image credit: Recipe This

1. Wipe the coil gently with a damp sponge or cloth — warm water, used sparingly. Never pour or spray water directly onto the element; Cosori warns this risks short-circuiting the unit.
2. For grease in the crevices, use a soft-bristle brush or toothbrush with a drop of dish soap or baking soda paste (about 60g of baking soda plus a few tablespoons of water):

Image credit: Expert Reviews

1. Wipe away all soap residue with a cloth and let the appliance air-dry, unplugged and empty.

Image credit: Pinch of Nom

Step 6: Clean the Exterior and Vents

Wipe the outside shell with a wrung-out damp cloth, clean the control panel with dry paper towels, and brush out the bottom vents with a soft-bristle brush so airflow stays unobstructed (Cosori).

Step 7: Dry Completely and Reassemble

Make sure every part — especially the interior and around the heating element — is fully dry before reassembling and storing the fryer in a dry, well-ventilated spot. Trapped moisture is how odors and even mold start.

Image credit: Tom’s Guide

The payoff is dramatic:

Image credit: Taste.com.au

How Often Should You Deep Clean?

Component	Frequency	Source
Basket & crisper plate	After every use	KitchenAid; Real Homes
Interior walls	Wipe after each use; scrub when splatter builds	Cosori
Heating element	Quick wipe after use; deep clean every few weeks with regular use	Expert Reviews
Full deep clean	At least weekly if you use the fryer frequently	E-Cloth

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Dishwashing the basket by default. Some baskets are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is typically recommended to preserve the nonstick coating — and reviewers warn dishwashers can degrade the coating over time. Always confirm in your manual (Cosori; Choice).
2. Submerging the whole unit. The housing contains the electrical components — the base is not sink- or dishwasher-safe, period (Clean Eating Magazine).
3. Using steel wool or metal scourers on nonstick surfaces.
4. Skipping the heating element for months — it’s the most common source of smoke and burnt smells.
5. Ignoring the manual. Cleaning instructions vary by model; the manual always wins.

If the coating is flaking or worn beyond cleaning, it’s time to replace the basket — or the fryer:

Image credit: r/airfryer on Reddit

FAQ

Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher? Only if your manual says so. Many manufacturers recommend hand washing to protect the nonstick coating; dishwasher detergents can degrade it over time.

How do I remove burnt-on grease from an air fryer? Make a paste of baking soda and warm water, apply it to the stains, wait about 15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft sponge or brush. For the heating element, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with the same paste.

Can I use vinegar to clean my air fryer? Yes — manufacturers suggest wiping the interior with a water-and-vinegar mixture to tackle odors. Never spray liquid directly onto the heating element.

How do I clean the heating element safely? Unplug, cool completely, wipe gently with a sparingly damp cloth, and use a soft brush for crevices. Never apply water directly to the coil, and check whether a splatter shield needs to be removed first (consult your manual).

Why does my air fryer smell burnt? Grease and food residue on the heating element burns off during cooking and produces smoke and odor. A deep clean of the coil, interior, and basket usually solves it.

How often should I deep clean my air fryer? Clean removable parts after every use, and do a full deep clean — including the heating element — every few weeks with regular use, or at least weekly for heavy users.

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Conclusion

Deep cleaning an air fryer takes about 30 minutes of mostly hands-off time: unplug and cool, soak the basket, lift stubborn grease with baking soda, wipe the interior, tend to the heating element, clean the exterior, and dry everything fully. Do the quick version after every cook and the full version every few weeks, and your air fryer will cook evenly, smell neutral, and last years longer.