To deep clean an air fryer, unplug it and let it cool, then soak the basket and tray in warm soapy water, lift baked-on grease with a baking-soda paste and a soft brush, wipe the heating element with a barely damp cloth, rinse away any residue and dry every part fully before reassembling. This goes further than a routine wash and is worth doing every few weeks, or sooner if the unit has started to smell or smoke.
If you just need the everyday version, see how to clean an air fryer. This guide is for the buildup a quick wipe leaves behind.
When a deep clean is worth it
A basic clean after each use keeps most air fryers fine. Reach for a deeper clean when you notice any of these:
- Sticky, browned grease that won’t wipe off the basket, tray or drawer.
- A burnt smell or smoke when the empty unit heats up (grease on the element is the usual cause — more on that in why is my air fryer smoking).
- Food debris stuck around the coil or in the base.
- You’ve cooked a lot of high-fat food like bacon, wings or sausages.
What you’ll need
| Item | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| Warm water and dish soap | Soaking and washing removable parts |
| Baking soda | Making a mild paste for baked-on grease |
| Soft brush or old toothbrush | Working paste into crevices without scratching |
| Non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth | Wiping surfaces and the element |
| Dry towel | Drying every part fully before reassembly |
Skip steel wool, wire brushes, scouring pads and harsh chemicals. Air fryer baskets usually have a non-stick coating, and abrasives scratch it, which makes food stick worse and can shorten the life of the coating.
Step-by-step deep clean
1. Unplug and cool down. Always unplug the air fryer and let it cool completely before you start. Never put the main unit, with its electrical parts, in water.
2. Remove and soak the parts. Take out the basket, tray, drawer and any accessories. Fill a sink or basin with warm water and a squirt of dish soap, and let the removable parts soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Soaking loosens grease so you scrub less.
3. Make a baking-soda paste for stuck grease. For spots that won’t budge, mix a little baking soda with a few drops of water into a spreadable paste. Dab it onto the baked-on grease, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then work it gently with a soft brush. Baking soda is mildly abrasive but safe on most non-stick surfaces when you use a soft brush and light pressure.
4. Wash, rinse and check. Wash each part with the sponge, rinse thoroughly so no soap or baking soda is left behind, and check the mesh and corners where debris hides. Repeat the paste step on any stubborn patches rather than scrubbing hard.
5. Wipe the interior and heating element. With the unit cool and unplugged, wipe the inside chamber with a damp, well-wrung cloth. The heating element sits at the top — turn the air fryer over or tilt it so you can reach it, and gently wipe away grease with a barely damp cloth or soft brush. Use only water here, keep moisture away from any electrical openings, and never soak or spray the element.
6. Wipe the exterior. Clean the outside and the control panel with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Don’t let water get into the vents or controls.
7. Dry everything fully. This step matters. Let every part air-dry, or dry it with a towel, and make sure the chamber and element are completely dry before you plug in and reassemble. Trapped moisture can cause odors or steam on the next use.
How often to deep clean
For light use, a deep clean every three to four weeks is plenty. If you cook fatty foods often, aim for every one to two weeks. The routine wipe-down still happens after each cook — the deep clean just catches what builds up over time.
A note on safety
Only ever clean the parts a manufacturer says are washable, and check your manual for dishwasher-safe labeling before putting anything in the dishwasher. If the unit still smokes or smells after a thorough clean, or if you see damage to the element, cord or housing, stop using it and contact the manufacturer. Don’t attempt any electrical or internal repair yourself.
Related questions
Can I put air fryer parts in the dishwasher? Many baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe, but not all, and repeated dishwasher cycles can wear the non-stick coating faster. Check your manual, and hand-washing is gentler if you want the coating to last.
How do I get rid of the burnt smell? A burnt smell usually means grease on the heating element or in the chamber. Do a full deep clean including the element, dry everything, then run the empty unit for a few minutes to clear any lingering odor. Persistent smoke points back to why is my air fryer smoking.
Is baking soda safe on a non-stick basket? Yes, in moderation. A mild baking-soda paste with a soft brush and light pressure lifts grease without the scratching you’d get from steel wool or a scouring pad.
Keep buildup from coming back with our routine air fryer cleaning guide, and if you smell burning between cleans, check why is my air fryer smoking.