Grease stuck across an air fryer basket can take more work than the food that created it, which helps explain the appeal of a cleaning shortcut shared by TikTok creator @mcdbee. Her method involves pouring water and dish soap into the air fryer basket, putting it back into the appliance, then running the air fryer at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes.
Heat is supposed to loosen the grease so the basket can be rinsed with less scrubbing. It sounds convenient, but turning on an electrical cooking appliance with soapy cleaning water inside is not a step to add to your routine unless the manufacturer of your specific model instructs you to do it.
Air fryers differ in basket construction, heating systems, removable parts, and cleaning requirements. Checking the manual matters more than copying a method that happened to work in someone else's appliance.
Soak the Basket Instead of Running the Air Fryer
Ninja's cleaning instructions for its basket-style air fryers provide a simpler approach for stuck-on food. The company says to unplug the unit before cleaning and soak the basket or crisper plate in a sink filled with warm, soapy water when residue will not come off. The parts should be dried before they are returned to the appliance.
That gives warm water and dish soap time to soften grease and food without using the air fryer's heating element as part of the cleaning process.
Start by unplugging the air fryer and allowing it to cool. Remove the basket and crisper plate, then wash them according to the instructions for your model. For stubborn residue, let removable parts soak in warm soapy water before using a soft sponge or another nonabrasive cleaning tool.
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Avoid treating every air fryer the same. Some removable baskets and accessories are dishwasher-safe, while manufacturers may recommend hand washing other parts to reduce wear.
Clean the Basket After Each Use
Waiting until grease has built up across several cooking sessions makes the basket harder to clean. Food particles and oil can bake onto the surface each time the air fryer heats again.
Ninja recommends cleaning its air fryer after every use. Its instructions also say the main unit should never be immersed in water; the exterior and control panel can instead be wiped with a damp cloth.
Heating soapy water inside the basket may look like an easy way to avoid scrubbing, but warm water, dish soap, and soaking can address the same stuck-on residue without running the appliance. When a cleaning hack requires using an air fryer in a way that is not described in its manual, check the manufacturer's instructions before trying it.
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