Air fryers are meant to be low-fat, but grease still spits up on to the heating element and along the housing — especially with sausages, wings and anything battered. UK households cooking daily in a Ninja, Tefal or Instant Pot Vortex quickly notice a smoke smell, slower cooking, and a fine brown film on the fan cover. Learning how to clean an air fryer — basket, drawer and top-side element — restores airflow, stops the smoke smell and keeps chips crisp. Done properly it takes fifteen minutes and needs nothing more than washing-up liquid and bicarbonate of soda.
Quick answer
To clean an air fryer, unplug it and let it cool completely. Wash the basket and drawer in warm soapy water; scrub stuck-on grease with a bicarbonate-of-soda paste applied for 20 minutes. Wipe the cooking chamber interior with a damp cloth. To clean the element on top, invert the unit over a towel and gently wipe with a barely-damp cloth. Never submerge the motor base or spray oven cleaner inside — the residue is toxic when heated.
Tools you need
- Warm soapy water and washing-up liquid (Method or Ecover if you prefer eco-friendly)
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Soft-bristle brush and microfibre cloths
- Cotton buds for corners around the element
- A wooden skewer to poke debris from vents
- White vinegar in a spray bottle for the exterior
Cleaning the basket and drawer
- Unplug the appliance and wait until fully cool — an hour is safe.
- Empty any loose crumbs into the bin.
- Submerge the basket and drawer in warm soapy water for 10 minutes.
- For stubborn residue, make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water and spread over the greasy patch.
- Leave for 20 minutes, then scrub with a soft brush — never wire wool, which strips the non-stick coating.
- Rinse thoroughly and air dry upside down.
- Wipe dry with a clean microfibre before refitting.
Read also: How to descale a coffee machine
Cleaning the heating element
The element sits at the top of the cooking chamber and takes the brunt of splatters. Once fully cool, turn the fryer upside down over the sink or a towel. Wipe the element with a barely-damp cloth — water dripping into the housing is what kills air fryers, so keep it just moist enough to lift grease. Cotton buds get into the metal fins around the fan cover. On Ninja and Tefal ActiFry models, the element is protected by a fine mesh; brush this gently with a dry pastry brush before wiping. Never immerse the top housing or run it under a tap.
Read also: Small kitchen appliance cleaning checklist
Removing burnt-on grease
When food carbonises on the element, run the empty fryer at 200 °C for five minutes to soften the deposit, then unplug and let it cool. Reapply the bicarbonate paste and gently loosen the burnt patch with a wooden skewer. Never scrape with metal — the coating flakes. For heavy build-up around the fan, fill the base drawer with hot water and one dishwasher tablet, close the fryer and leave overnight (unplugged) so the steam softens the residue. Do not run this as a cycle.
Cleaning the exterior
The plastic housing picks up grease splatters from the vent on the back — spray a light mist of 50:50 vinegar and water on a microfibre and wipe. Stainless-steel finishes (Instant Pot Vortex Plus, Ninja Foodi Max) polish nicely with a drop of olive oil on a soft cloth after cleaning. Never spray liquid into the control panel or vents.
Common mistakes
- Putting the drawer in the dishwasher when the manual advises against it — check first
- Submerging the whole unit in water
- Using oven cleaner sprays inside — the aerosol residue is toxic when reheated
- Leaving the drawer wet before storage — this rusts the metal frame
- Scraping the non-stick coating with a knife or metal spatula
Preventing future build-up
- Wipe the drawer after each use once cool
- Line the basket with a small piece of parchment paper for very greasy foods — bacon, chicken wings
- Preheat rather than starting cold with fatty food to reduce spitting
- Deep clean every two weeks with heavy use, monthly with light use
- Use a light spray of oil rather than pouring it over food
Model-specific care notes
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone drawers are safe in the dishwasher on the top rack. Tefal ActiFry paddles must be washed by hand and re-oiled lightly with vegetable oil after cleaning. Instant Pot Vortex baskets have a ceramic non-stick that is harder wearing than PTFE — but the same rule applies: no metal utensils. Always check your model’s manual before assuming dishwasher safety.
Storing an air fryer between uses
Always leave the drawer open for an hour after cleaning to let internal moisture evaporate — a sealed unit traps humidity and grows the same musty smell that plagues washing machines. Store the fryer with the drawer fully closed only when everything is bone dry. In smaller London flats, the air fryer often lives on a shelf near the hob; a light cover or dust bag keeps oil splatters from the hob off the exterior between deep cleans.
Read also: How to clean an oven
Conclusion
A clean air fryer cooks faster, smells better and lasts longer — the element in particular needs regular gentle care. Fortnightly is the sweet spot for most UK households. If your kitchen appliances are all overdue attention, book a professional at Maggie’s appliances cleaning in London.
