If you're like me, there's one appliance in your kitchen that's become a staple — the air fryer.
I love how it lightens the load of hands-on cooking during busy weeks. Chuck on a roast, or some lamb cutlets, a quiche, or roast veg.
But when it comes to cleaning it, it's not so simple.
We asked some experts to explain the easiest methods to clean your air fryer without scrubbing.
A quick note on food safety
Senaka Ranadheera, a food scientist and associate professor at the University of Melbourne, says proper cleaning of kitchen appliances helps to stop the spread of harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
"Cleaning helps to remove food particles from cooking appliances," he says.
"Otherwise, harmful pathogenic microorganisms and food spoilage microorganisms can grow."
The soaking method
Fiona Mair has cleaned many different types of air fryers in her role as kitchen expert for consumer group Choice.
"Like many bench-top appliances out there, cleaning air fryers can be a little bit of a pain because of their parts," she says.
Although they use little to no added oil, the grease and fat still accumulates inside the cavity of the air fryer which can become quite difficult to clean.
Kristen Menard's 'how-to' video on cleaning an air fryer notched up more than eight million views last year.
The content creator from the UK uses dishwashing liquid, bicarb soda and boiling water in the air fryer basket as soon as she's finished cooking.
She leaves it to soak for 5 minutes, then rinses with water and wipes it out.
"I then use a damp cloth for the elements (once they've cooled) and a multi surface spray for the outside," she says.
CHOICE's Fiona Mair says it's a method she also recommends, but she says you can opt to use vinegar instead of bicarb soda to help remove oil and sticky residue.
Start by draining off any of the oil that's accumulated.
"If you've done marinated chicken or something like that, and it's quite sticky or baked on, just soak it in warm soapy water.
"I would probably use the bicarb or vinegar... with the water."
"Then they're quite easy just to wipe out after a little bit of soaking."
The heating-up method
Ms Mair says you can use a similar method to not only clean the basket but also inside the appliance.
Start by putting warm water, detergent and some bicarb or vinegar in the draw and return it to the air fryer.
"Just heat it on like 100 degrees for 5 or 10 minutes, and let the steam clean the interior of the air fryer.
"It'll just help remove any residue and get rid of some of the odors that buildup… if you're cooking meats and marinated foods."
She says you can use a 'soft type scrubber' if you need to clean cracks and crevices on the basket, before you give it a good rinse.
How to clean the inside element
Caution is recommended for this part of the cleaning process.
Ms Mair says when you're cleaning around the heating element, it's best to have it cooled down completely.
"Unplug the electrical cord, and all you need is a microfiber cloth, a bit of warm water or soapy warm water, and just wipe around the element and inside the cavity."
"I would recommend getting a little paint brush or brush and trying to clean around those hard-to-reach parts of the element."
Avoid the dishwasher or dishwasher tablets
This is a big no-no for a few reasons.
Using dishwasher tablets or detergents to clean your air fryer can break down the non-stick coating and create exposure to toxins, according to Choice.
"Dishwasher detergents are quite harsh, so if you regularly clean your baskets and drawers in the dishwasher, eventually it will sort of weaken that non-stick coating," Ms Mair says.
"So, it won't work anymore and then when you're heating it, it can release some toxins."
"Just avoid using the dishwasher, and if you regularly clean it after each use, it's just going to extend the life of your air fryer, and it's going to be more efficient for you."
Ms Mair doesn't recommend using baking trays or baking paper to try to minimise the clean-up after cooking.
"All air fryers are designed to blow the air around, and that's why that grill plate is perforated, so it allows the heat to come up and under the food."
"Avoid things that block that, even baking paper, can sometimes inhibit that heat coming from underneath."
