Cooking with little or no added fat does not, in itself, mean less cleaning. With repeated use, fat released by food and small residues can accumulate in the basket and in the air fryer bowl, creating persistent odors and dirt that is more difficult to remove.
According to Consumer Reports, regular maintenance generally involves washing removable parts with warm water and dish soap, using a sponge or soft cloth and avoiding abrasive materials. When food is stuck, the same publication states that leaving the items to soak for a while usually helps to loosen the dirt before scrubbing.
The basics that help avoid accumulation
A simple routine after each use tends to reduce work later. Instead of “attacking” dirt when it has already hardened, cleaning with warm water and washing-up liquid, followed by rinsing and drying thoroughly, helps prevent grease from settling on surfaces and turning into crusts.
Furthermore, drying deserves attention: residual moisture in less visible areas can contribute to unpleasant smells between uses, especially when the appliance is closed again and stored with traces of water still present.
What manufacturers recommend to avoid damaging the coating
In a service guide, Philips describes cleaning the basket and bowl with hot water, detergent and a soft sponge, highlighting care not to scratch the non-stick coating. The brand also points out that the appliance must cool down and be unplugged before starting to wash, and that the interior and heating element must be cleaned with soft materials.
This point is repeated in several maintenance guidelines: steel wool and aggressive scouring pads can cause scratches on the non-stick surface, making it more vulnerable to the accumulation of grease over time and making cleaning difficult during subsequent uses.
Baking soda for stuck-on fat, a common aid
A simple paste made with baking soda and a little water is often used as support when grease becomes more “sticky” to surfaces. Good Housekeeping, a North American website focused on home and well-being, refers to this type of approach for dealing with more difficult residues, including dirt close to the heating element, always using soft utensils to avoid damaging the material.
In practice, the application is usually localized: the paste is placed on problem areas, left to act for a few minutes and then removed with a soft sponge or damp cloth. Ultimately, rinsing and drying thoroughly will help reduce the likelihood of a damp or residual smell.
When the main problem is bad smells, some publications describe a short method with lemon or vinegar. Southern Living magazine points out the possibility of placing a small container with lemon juice or vinegar in the basket and turning on the appliance for a few minutes at a moderate temperature, referring to 350°F, which corresponds to around 175°C to 180°C.
Still, it is important to distinguish this specific procedure from more aggressive practices. Better Homes & Gardens drew attention to a viral trend that involves running the air fryer with water and detergent inside, noting that manufacturers advise against this type of use due to potential risks to the equipment and safety. If in doubt, the safest guideline is to confirm what the model manual allows, especially when liquids are introduced inside.
The need varies with the type of food and frequency of use. A describes that deeper cleaning tends to make sense when the appliance starts to smell bad or emit smoke, signs often associated with the accumulation of grease and residue near the heating element.
In these cases, in addition to the basket and bowl, extra attention to the interior may be warranted, always with the appliance cold and switched off, and using non-abrasive materials. In the end, only reassembling the parts when they are completely dry helps prevent odors between uses and reduces the likelihood of residue “cooking” the next time the appliance heats up.
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