How to Clean an Air Fryer (Without Damaging the Nonstick Coating)

To clean an air fryer, unplug it and let it cool. Pull out the basket and tray, and soak them in hot, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe them with a soft sponge, never steel wool. Then wipe the inside and the heating element with a damp cloth. For baked-on grease, use a paste of baking soda and water. A quick wipe after each use keeps the big clean easy.

The key word in that answer is soft. Most air fryer baskets have a nonstick coating. Scrub it with something rough and you scratch it for good. Once it's scratched, food sticks more, grease builds up faster, and the coating can start to flake. This guide shows how to clean every part without damage, how often to do it, and why grease build-up is more than a looks problem. Ezi Home Services books kitchen cleaning in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and other cities, so these are the same gentle methods a pro would use.

Why air fryer cleaning matters

An air fryer is a small, powerful fan oven. It blows hot air around food at up to about 200°C. Fat drips into the basket and tray. Tiny drops of oil also get blown up onto the heating element and the top of the cooking space.

That grease bakes on over time. If you don't clean it, three things happen:

• Food starts to taste off. Old fat burns and smokes, and that flavour gets into fresh food.
• The machine smokes. A dirty basket or element can send out white or grey smoke while cooking.
• Fire risk goes up. Grease and crumbs near a hot element can catch fire.

That last point is real. In January 2026, an air fryer started a kitchen fire in Huntsville, Ontario. The Town of Huntsville says it caused about $80,000 in damage. The air fryer had been used shortly before and was still plugged in.

What you need

You don't need special products. Most of this is already in your kitchen:

• Dish soap.
• Baking soda.
• White vinegar.
• A soft sponge or non-scratch pad.
• A soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush.
• Microfibre cloths.
• Wooden or silicone utensils for scraping.
• Paper towels.

Skip these: steel wool, metal scrapers, harsh scouring powder, and oven cleaner. They all damage nonstick coatings. Oven cleaner is also too strong for the plastic outer shell. Our guide on cleaning chemicals you should never mix explains why to keep strong cleaners apart, too.

How to clean an air fryer, step by step

Plan for a full clean about once a week if you use it daily. It takes about 20 minutes of work, plus soaking time.

Step 1: Unplug it and let it cool

Always unplug the air fryer first. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes. The element and basket stay hot well after the timer ends.

Step 2: Take out the basket and tray

Remove the basket, the crisper plate or tray, and any racks or liners. Shake loose crumbs into the trash.

Step 3: Soak the removable parts

Fill the sink or a basin with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Put the basket and tray in to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. For heavy grease, soak for up to an hour.

Step 4: Wash with a soft sponge

Wipe each part with a soft sponge. Use a soft brush or toothbrush to get into the holes of the crisper plate. Rinse well and set aside to dry.

If grease is still stuck, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and rub gently. Or make a paste of 2 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Spread it on the stuck spots and leave it for 15 minutes. Then wipe and rinse.

Step 5: Wipe the inside

With the basket out, look inside the main unit. Wipe the inside walls with a damp cloth and a drop of dish soap. Then wipe again with a clean, damp cloth to remove the soap.

Don't pour water into the main unit. Don't put it in the sink. It holds electrical parts.

Step 6: Clean the heating element

Turn the air fryer upside down, or tilt it back, so you can see the element on top. Make sure it's fully cool. Brush it gently with a soft, dry brush to knock off loose bits. For baked-on grease, wipe it with a cloth that's damp, not wet. A little baking soda paste on a toothbrush works for stubborn spots. Wipe off all the paste after.

Step 7: Wipe the outside

Wipe the outer shell and handle with a damp cloth and a little dish soap. For a stainless steel front, wipe with the grain. Dry it with a microfibre cloth.

Step 8: Dry everything fully

Let every part dry fully before you put it back together. Trapped water can rust parts or cause a burnt smell next time you cook. Leave the basket out for an hour, or run the empty air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes to dry it.

Can you put an air fryer basket in the dishwasher?

Some baskets are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing makes them last longer. Check your manual first.

Even when a basket is labelled dishwasher-safe, heat and strong detergent wear down the nonstick coating over time. Many manufacturers suggest hand washing for everyday cleaning and saving the dishwasher for an occasional deep clean.

If you use the dishwasher:

• Put the basket on the top rack if it fits.
• Use a gentle cycle.
• Skip the heated dry.
• Don't put the main unit in the dishwasher. Ever.

For more on keeping the machine itself clean, see how to clean and deep-clean your dishwasher.

How to get rid of baked-on grease

Brown, sticky grease on the basket or under the element is the toughest part. Try these in order, from gentlest to strongest.

1. Longer soak. Soak the basket in hot, soapy water for an hour. Most grease softens enough to wipe off.

2. Baking soda paste. Spread a thick paste of baking soda and water over the grease. Leave it for 15 to 30 minutes. Scrub gently with a soft brush.

3. Vinegar boost. After the paste, spray a little white vinegar on top. It will fizz. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe and rinse.

4. Steam clean. Put a heat-safe dish with about a cup of water and a splash of vinegar in the basket. Run the air fryer at about 120°C for 3 to 5 minutes. The steam softens grease inside the unit. Let it cool, then wipe it out.

If grease is still stuck after all four, don't reach for steel wool. Repeat the paste. A scratched basket costs more to replace than an extra 20 minutes of soaking.

For more on breaking down grease around the kitchen, see our guide on how to remove grease stains from kitchen surfaces.

Why is my air fryer smoking?

Smoke is the most common sign your air fryer needs a clean. Here's what the colour usually tells you.

White smoke often comes from fat dripping onto a hot surface. It's common with bacon, wings, and burgers. Add a few tablespoons of water to the drawer under the basket to stop fat from burning. Clean the basket and drawer after cooking.

Grey or bluish smoke often means old grease is burning. It's usually on the heating element or the top of the cooking space. Unplug it, let it cool, and clean the element with a damp cloth and baking soda paste.

Black smoke is a warning sign. It can mean food is burning or there's an electrical problem. Unplug the air fryer right away. Don't use it again until you've found the cause. If it's not burnt food, contact the maker.

A plastic or chemical smell is normal for the first few uses of a new air fryer. Run it empty for 10 minutes before you cook in it. If the smell doesn't fade, or comes back later, stop using it and call the maker.

How often should you clean an air fryer?

Task	How often
Empty crumbs and wipe the basket	After each use, once cool
Wash the basket and tray	After each use, or every 2 to 3 uses for dry foods
Wipe the inside walls	Weekly
Clean the heating element	Every 2 to 4 weeks, or when you see build-up
Wipe the outside	Weekly

Clean it right away after cooking fatty foods like bacon, wings, or sausages. Those leave the most grease. Dry foods like toast or frozen fries leave less.

The underused angle: what Canadian air fryer recalls tell us

Most cleaning guides skip safety. But air fryers have been part of some big recalls in Canada.

In 2023, more than 2 million Cosori air fryers were recalled across Canada, the US, and Mexico, CTV News reported. A wire connection could overheat. The company had 56 reports from Canada of units catching fire, burning, melting, or smoking. Earlier, nearly 800,000 Insignia air fryers were recalled in Canada and the US, according to the Times Colonist. There were 36 reports in Canada.

Those recalls were about wiring faults, not dirty baskets. But they show something useful. An air fryer is a high-heat appliance that sits on your counter, often near cabinets. Grease and crumbs add fuel if something does go wrong.

Here's how to lower the risk:

• Check if your model was recalled. Search the Government of Canada recalls site by brand and model.
• Keep it clean. Empty crumbs and grease after each use.
• Give it space. Leave at least 10 to 15 cm around it. Don't use it under low cabinets.
• Plug it into a wall outlet. Not a power bar or extension cord.
• Unplug it when you're done.
• Never leave it running when you go out.

If an air fryer catches fire, unplug it if you can do so safely. Keep the basket closed to cut off the air. Never use water on a grease fire. If the fire doesn't go out right away, leave and call 911.

Should you use liners?

Parchment liners and silicone inserts catch drips and make cleanup faster. They can be a good choice for messy foods.

A few rules:

• Never preheat with a loose paper liner. With no food to hold it down, the fan can blow it into the element, where it can catch fire.
• Use liners with holes, so hot air can still move around the food.
• Don't cover the whole basket floor with foil. It blocks airflow and can make food cook unevenly.
• Wash silicone liners after each use, the same as the basket.

Liners don't replace cleaning. Grease still gets onto the walls and the element. But they cut down how often you need a deep soak.

Methodology

Cleaning steps reflect common manufacturer guidance for nonstick air fryer baskets and drawers. Dishwasher advice reflects common manufacturer care instructions. Fire data comes from the Town of Huntsville. Recall data comes from Health Canada recall notices as reported by CTV News and the Times Colonist. Fire safety tips reflect advice from Canadian and US fire departments. Always follow the steps in your air fryer's own manual first.

When to call a professional

Air fryer care is a quick job you can do yourself. But if the rest of the kitchen has a grease film on the cabinets, range hood, and backsplash, it may be time for a deeper clean.

Ezi's deep cleaning service covers greasy kitchens from top to bottom, including the oven when you add it. See what's included in a professional kitchen cleaning service. You can book with Ezi in a few taps, with an upfront price and a set arrival window.

The bottom line on cleaning your air fryer

Unplug it and let it cool. Soak the basket and tray in hot, soapy water, and wipe them with a soft sponge. Wipe the inside and the heating element with a damp cloth. Use baking soda paste for stuck grease, never steel wool.

Empty crumbs after each use, and do a full clean about once a week. Check that your model isn't on a recall list. If your full-size oven needs help too, see how to clean an oven without harsh chemicals.