Do I Need to Clean My Air Fryer After Every Use?
There are so many different parts when it comes to an air fryer. It can sometimes be overwhelming when you see a mess pile up from all the different accessories and tools you’ve used to air fry your food. And sometimes it’s a big hassle to clean the entire thing after only making a few pizza rolls.
Sometimes we just want to clean up the bare minimum and hope that it will be enough for the next time we use it.
So, in this article, we’re going to talk about what part of an air fryer you need to clean and when you need to do it.
Do I need to clean my air fryer after every use?
Yes. It is recommended to clean your air fryer after each and every use. If you don’t clean your food after every use, there will be small amounts of food from last time that will build up. It will be cooked over and over again until it begins to burn and create smoke or even a fire. Fortunately, you only have to clean the parts of your air fryer that come into direct contact with the food. Other parts of the air fryer can be cleaned less frequently.
Because there are so many different parts to an air fryer, you will likely get lost and confused about which parts of the air fryer you need to clean now and which parts you are allowed to clean later.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
Cleaning your air fryer is essential to keeping it running optimally. The frequency with which you should clean it depends on how often you use it and what type of food you cook in it. If you cook heavily greasy foods, you will need to clean the air fryer more often.
Ideally, all the removable parts should be cleaned after every use. These typically include the pan, basket, and tray, as well as any other accessories that are used during the cooking process, such as the rotisserie rack, etc. You can place the removable parts in the dishwasher for a quick rinse. But, this will depend on the make and model. Some parts may need to be washed by hand. Keep in mind that if you are cleaning the moveable parts, you should at least wipe down the interior of the air fryer as well. There are some parts that may only require occasional cleaning, such as the heating coil and the exterior of the air fryer.
When should I do a regular cleaning of an air fryer?
There may be food debris left on the inside of the air fryer after use. If these particles are not cleaned out, they will continue to cook with every use afterwards and may eventually burn. According to a 2020 Korean study, a toxic compound known as acrylamide forms when over-cooking food with an air fryer. It should be noted that The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) considers acrylamide serious enough to place it on their list of human health concerns. Furthermore, the European Food Safety Authority stated in 2015 that acrylamide may increase the risk of cancer. It’s best to clean out the air fryer after each use, or alternatively, after a few uses. Burnt food particles may alter the taste of the food you are cooking and the longer you wait to remove previous food particles, the harder it will be to remove them.
When should I clean the outside of the air fryer?
Kitchen appliances tend to collect dust very quickly. If you frequently use your air fryer, it is a good idea to wipe down the surface of the appliance every time after use. If you do not regularly use the air fryer, it would be best to include wiping down the surface in your regular kitchen cleaning schedule, which may be every other day. But, this will depend on how quickly dust is collected on top of the appliance.
When should I do a deep clean of the air fryer?
This largely depends on how often the air fryer is used and what it is used for. Everyday use may mean that you should do a deep clean in addition to cleaning after each use, at the very least, once every two weeks. If you only use it a few times a week or a month, then the cleaning schedule may be more relaxed. Deep cleaning is in addition to cleaning after each use. Never submerge the main component of the air fryer in water or put it in the dishwasher.
How to tell if you need to clean your air fryer
There are two clear indicators that you need to clean out your air fryer: smoke and odor. If there is built-up grime on the inside of the air fryer or on the heating element, you may notice either smoke emitting from the air fryer or an odor filling the room. Food particles may be stuck in the holes of the cooking basket. This will alter the taste of the current food item that you are cooking.
If you’re using your air fryer a lot, then you’ll probably need to clean it more often. However, there are some telltale signs that will let you know when it’s time to give it a good scrub. If the performance of your air fryer starts to slip, or if the food doesn’t taste as good as it used to, that’s usually a sign that it needs to be cleaned.
Should I use the dishwasher or hand-wash?
The first step is to check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. It will advise whether the removable parts of your air fryer are dishwasher safe. Most new air fryers are dishwasher safe. Keep in mind, though, that washing these parts in the dishwasher too often may cause damage to the non-stick coating of the parts. It would be more advisable to give the parts a gentle wash with your hands and to wipe down the interior of the air fryer using a cloth. Always unplug the air fryer when you are cleaning it.
There are a few things you should keep in mind. If you do choose to put it in the dishwasher, make sure you remove any food residue first. And if you’re hand-washing it, use hot water and dish soap to clean it thoroughly.
What accessories will help me keep my air fryer clean?
Using certain types of oil in the cooking process may be the first step to maintaining the cleanliness of your air fryer. Of course, the air fryer may still collect debris and food particles during the cooking process, but using oils such as olive oil spray, grapeseed oil spray, extra virgin olive oil spray, or coconut oil spray may be better and cause less excess grease to accumulate inside the air fryer after cooking, as well as less splatter.
Furthermore, there are cleaning supplies and utensils that help to gently yet effectively clean out your air fryer without causing any scrapes, marks, or damage to it. These include using a damp microfiber cloth, a soft-bristle scrub brush, or a non-abrasive sponge to wash and wipe the removable parts, as well as wiping down the interior and exterior of the appliance. All excess food particles and debris should be removed with a simple dish soap and baking soda solution. Additionally, a clean, dry cloth should be used to wipe down the parts after washing.
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