Air fryers are one of the most convenient gadgets in the kitchen, but they can be tricky to keep clean and no one wants to cook with a dirty appliance.
While air fryers do not require any cooking oils to use, grease and food crumbs can still build up in the device which can become burned into the surface.
A really simple way to keep the air fryer clean is to wipe it down after every use but most people forget to do this, but luckily one clever cleaner has found a cheap but very effective solution.
On Reddit’s Cleaning Hacks forum, one cleaning fan has shared that dishwasher tablets are a great way to get rid of stubborn stains in air fryers.
One user said: “I’ve found leaving the drawers in the sink with a dishwasher tablet helps remove [air fryer stains] really quickly, so you could always try using a dishwasher tablet in some hot water and using a sponge to get it off.”
Dishwasher tablets have been designed to break down grease, oil and food residues on dishes so these stains can easily be washed away with water.
Many dishwasher tablets contain alkaline salts which can dissolve the acidic substances in these stains so you can remove any tough sticky marks without having to scrub at the air filter for ages.
All you need to do is fill the air fryer basket with warm water to loosen the grease, then place one dishwasher tablet in the basket.
Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to break down the grime, and then wipe it gently as the stains should come away easily.
However, other people on the forum shared that soaking air fryer parts in hot water and washing up liquid is another very effective way to get rid of grease.
Another user said: “I just use hot water and dish soap. A good scrub and job done. Even let it soak, topping up with hot water if required. Try and make sure it is cleaned after each use, and you won’t have this issue again”
One other disgruntled user on the forum said: “Why are there so many gross people who don’t clean after every use?!
“To answer your question, probably best bet is a bucket of warm soapy(dawn would be best bet) water, a stiff toothbrush (NOT wire) and a lot of time with elbow grease.”
Using a dishwasher tablet and washing up liquid are the best ways to get rid of grease, but simply air fryers wipe down once a week will food particles and other dirt to become lodged on the device.
It is incredibly important to clean greasy areas of the kitchen such as ovens, microwaves and air fryers regularly as they can become fire hazards.