Keeping your air fryer clean is key to ensuring it works efficiently and lasts a long time. While air fryers are designed to be easy to clean, over time, grease, oil, and food debris can build up, making cleaning more difficult. Fortunately, there’s a super simple hack that makes cleaning your air fryer a breeze – using baking soda and vinegar!
Why Regular Air Fryer Cleaning is Important
Cleaning your air fryer regularly is important for several reasons:
- Prevents Grease Buildup – Every time you use your air fryer, grease, oil, and food particles get dispersed throughout the fryer basket and chamber. If not cleaned regularly, this buildup can become caked on and very difficult to remove.
- Eliminates Odors and Bacteria – Leftover food debris in your air fryer can start to smell and even grow mold/bacteria if not cleaned out. Regular cleaning keeps odors and bacteria at bay.
- Maintains Efficiency – A dirty air fryer prevents hot air from circulating properly, resulting in uneven cooking. Regular cleaning maintains airflow and ensures your food cooks evenly and comes out crispy.
- Extends Lifespan – By removing grease buildup, you prevent deterioration of the non-stick coating on the fryer basket. This keeps the basket functioning properly for longer.
- Improves Taste – Lingering old food and grease residue in an air fryer can transfer flavors you don’t want to your next meal. Regular cleaning gives you fresh, great tasting food every time.
Why This Baking Soda and Vinegar Hack is So Effective
Using baking soda and vinegar is one of the most effective ways to clean an air fryer for several reasons:
Baking Soda Loosens Grease and Grime
Baking soda is mildly abrasive without being too harsh. When mixed with a little water or vinegar, it forms a gritty paste that helps scrub off and dissolve grease and carbonized grime.
Vinegar Cuts Through Residual Oils
The acetic acid in vinegar cuts through oil and fat quickly and easily. It acts as a grease-removing solvent.
Reaction Helps Lift Debris
When baking soda and vinegar combine, they create a fizzing chemical reaction. This helps lift and dissolve baked on food particles.
Leaves Surfaces Sparkling
Used together, baking soda and vinegar get the air fryer basket, grill plate, and interior chamber cleaner than using either ingredient alone. Surfaces are left sparkling!
Natural and Safe
Both baking soda and vinegar are non-toxic and pet/kid safe. You don’t have to worry about any strong fumes or residue left behind.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Air Fryer with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Follow these simple steps to quickly and easily clean your air fryer with baking soda and vinegar:
1. Unplug and Cool the Fryer
Before cleaning, always unplug your air fryer and let it fully cool down. The metal and non-stick surfaces can damage hands if hot.
2. Remove the Basket and Grilling Plate
Take out the fryer basket and grilling plate/insert. These are the most likely areas for grease to cake on.
3. Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar into a Paste
In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. You want enough paste to lightly coat the fryer basket and plate.
4. Scrub the Basket and Plate
Use a damp sponge or cloth to apply the baking soda paste to the basket and plate. Gently scrub to lift grease and debris. Rinse clean.
5. Wipe Down Fryer Interior
With a clean damp cloth, wipe out any grease or food residue from the heating element and chamber walls.
6. Rinse Accessories and Dry
Rinse the basket and plate with clean water. Dry all parts fully with a towel before replacing in the fryer.
7. Freshen with Lemon Juice
For an extra fresh scent, put 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in the empty air fryer. Turn on for 5 minutes then let cool before wiping dry.
8. Replace Parts and Enjoy
Once fully dry, return the basket and plate to the air fryer. Your air fryer is now clean and ready to use again!
Pro Tip: For tough baked-on gunk, let the baking soda paste sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing. This gives the ingredients extra time to work their loosening magic.
Alternate Cleaning Methods
While the baking soda and vinegar technique is highly effective, here are a couple alternate methods you can try:
Dishwasher
Most air fryer accessories are dishwasher safe. Simply remove and wash in the dishwasher as needed. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners.
Hot Water and Degreaser
Fill the fryer basket with hot water and a few drops of liquid dish detergent. Let soak 5-10 minutes then scrub clean. Rinse thoroughly.
Air Fryer Cleaner Spray
Special cleaners like Pampered Chef Air Fryer Cleaner use natural citrus oils to dissolve grease. Simply spray inside the fryer, let sit 1 minute, then wipe away grime.
Steam Clean
Pour water into the fryer basin. Set temperature to 200F and timer for 5 minutes. Steam helps loosen food debris for easier wiping.
Handy Tips for Keeping Your Air Fryer Clean
Here are some extra tips for keeping your air fryer in great shape between deep cleans:
- Wipe the basket and interior with paper towels after each use to remove excess grease.
- Clean the filter monthly by soaking in hot water and scrubbing clean.
- For smelly fryer, air fry lemon wedges for 3-5 minutes then wipe down.
- Use baking sheets or foil liners under food to catch drips and crumbs.
- Fry a thin coat of oil weekly to season the inside of the fryer. Wipe away excess when cool.
- Avoid overloading the basket which can lead to overflowing grease and food.
- Open windows or turn on hood vents when frying strong smelling foods.
- Refer to manufacturer instructions before using any harsh or abrasive cleaners.
FAQs About This Air Fryer Cleaning Hack
Here are answers to some common questions about using baking soda and vinegar to clean an air fryer:
Is it safe to use baking soda and vinegar in my air fryer?
Yes, baking soda and vinegar are completely safe for cleaning all parts of your air fryer when used as directed. Avoid getting liquid cleaner inside the electrical elements. Always unplug before cleaning.
How often should I clean my air fryer with baking soda and vinegar?
Aim to use this cleaning hack every 2-4 weeks for regular maintenance. Clean more frequently if cooking lots of greasy foods.
What ratio of baking soda to vinegar should be used?
An equal mix of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of vinegar is effective. Adjust amounts as needed to make a spreadable paste.
Should parts be washed before or after soaking in the paste?
It’s best to scrub accessories with baking soda paste before placing in the dishwasher or hand washing. This pretreats any stuck-on debris.
What’s the benefit of finishing with a lemon juice freshening?
Lemon juice kills odors, adds a fresh citrus scent, and helps rinse away any vinegar smell lingering inside the fryer.
Can I use other acids like lemon juice instead of vinegar?
White vinegar is preferred for its grease-cutting acidity. Lemon juice can be used alone but may require more scrubbing power for tougher grease deposits.
What should I do if scrubbing doesn’t remove baked-on grease?
For heavy stuck-on grease, spray with oven cleaner, let sit 15 minutes, then scrub off. Avoid harsh cleaners on the coating.
How do I clean the air fryer heating coil safely?
Use a dry cloth or cotton swab dampened slightly with rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the heating coil clean of debris.
Get Sparkling Air Fryer Results with This Cleaning Hack
This simple baking soda and vinegar cleaning hack keeps your air fryer looking and working like new. The natural fizzing reaction helps lift away grease, grime, and leftover food particles for a deep clean.
Be sure to unplug, fully disassemble, and scrub all parts of the fryer basket, plate, and interior chamber for best results. Then enjoy fast and convenient air frying for finger foods, fries, chicken wings, and more all week long. With this quick deep cleaning method, your air fryer will always be ready for the next use!