After every use (2 minutes)
Once the air fryer has cooled and is unplugged:
- Wash the basket and tray in warm soapy water with a non-scratch sponge (or the dishwasher if your model says it’s safe — hand-washing is gentler on the coating).
- Wipe the interior with a damp cloth to catch splatter.
- Wipe the heating element — the coil on the ceiling of the chamber — with a damp cloth. This is the step most people skip, and it’s the one that prevents smoke and smell.
Frequent light cleaning is the whole game: five easy minutes now beats a baked-on scrub later.
Baked-on grease
When grease has hardened:
- Make a paste of baking soda and a little water.
- Spread it on the grease and let it sit for a few minutes to soften.
- Lift it with a soft brush or non-scratch sponge, then wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry.
Never use metal scourers, wire brushes, or abrasive powders — they scratch the nonstick coating, which then flakes and sticks worse. Patience and baking soda, not muscle.
The heating element and smells
Grease that splatters onto the heating element burns on the next use — that’s the source of most air-fryer smoke and smell. Unplug, cool, tilt the unit to reach the element, and wipe it (a little baking-soda paste on the brush for stuck-on spots), keeping water away from the electrical parts. For very fatty foods, add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the drawer to catch dripping fat before it smokes. A lingering smell usually clears after a thorough clean and a short empty run.
What not to do
- Don’t submerge the main unit or put it in the dishwasher — only the removable basket and tray (and only if marked safe).
- Don’t use metal utensils or abrasives on the coating.
- Don’t stack it away wet — dry everything first to avoid odor and corrosion.
The supplies that make it easy
How often
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| After each use | Wash basket & tray, wipe interior + element |
| Weekly (frequent user) | Deep-wipe the heating element, check for grease buildup |
| Smoking or smelling | Clean the element now — it’s burnt-on grease |
| Cooking fatty foods | Add water to the drawer to catch dripping fat |
Keep the basket, tray, and element clean and the air fryer keeps crisping the way it should — grease buildup is the main thing that degrades both performance and taste.
Where to go next
- How does an air fryer work — why grease on the element causes smoke
- What size air fryer do I need — bigger baskets, more to clean
- Air fryer vs oven — the trade-offs