Air fryers are becoming increasingly more popular than ovens as households strive to tackle the costly energy charges, with the versatile appliance whipping up everything from juicy chicken to scrumptious cakes and even an impressive roast.

Despite their rising popularity, owners find that cleaning them isn’t a piece of cake, especially since models vary.

The Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook community stepped in with savvy solutions when a member quizzed the group for advice on dealing with tough grease.

Tia Forde took her query online: “I clean my air fryer after every use but grease has built up around the sides, I’ve washed it out with washing-up liquid and just used a normal washing-up sponge, but it’s not budging.

“I’ve tried soaking it in boiling water and still can’t get rid. I don’t want to use anything abrasive as it’s got a non-stick coating, how can I get all of the grease off?

“Would a Scrub Daddy be okay to use? What cleaning spray would be best?” When an air fryer becomes a nightmare of sticky grease, the easy go-to of dish soap might not always cut it.

The solution? Mrs Hinch fans have a clever trick up their sleeve drown the gunky basket in steaming hot water, plonk a dishwasher tablet within, and give it anywhere from 60 minutes to an all-night soak.

Sammie Ann Currie said: “Hot water and dishwasher tablet. Let it sit for an hour then it works like magic and comes up like new with no damage.”

Debbie Clayton advised on a cleaning hack: “Hi. I’ve seen people put a dishwasher tablet in the drawer and cover it in hot water, then leave it to soak for approximately an hour.

“Then rinse and wipe and it should be clean. Obviously, this will only work if you have the pull-out drawer type of air fryer.”

Sharing her own trick, Michelle Weeks contributed: “Boiling water and dishwasher tablet left overnight will soak off the grease. It works like magic and on burned pots also.”

Gemma Eady shared her method, saying: “I use really hot water and a dishwasher tablet and leave it to soak, works a treat.”

Issuing an important safety tip, Maggie Callaghan cautioned: “Whatever you do please do not fill it with water and then switch it on. This can f*** your air fryer altogether, definitely pour boiling water in it with a dishwasher tablet and leave it sitting overnight.”

Sally Walker explained her preference: “I find that I always have to scrub the basket when using washing up liquid, but not when I leave it soaking with a dishwasher tablet.”

Die-hard Mrs Hinch fans are also championing another cult favourite for tackling grime Elbow Grease. Wendy Camden recommended: “Elbow Grease spray – spray on and leave for a while to work magic and then wash up as usual.”

Katherine Fletcher suggested: “Spray the basket in Elbow Grease and leave it for 15 minutes before wiping it away.”

Meanwhile, Yvonne Clark revealed her household’s go-to solution: “My husband is in charge of cleaning our air fryer and he swears by Elbow Grease.”