How to remove burnt-on grease from an air fryer
Burnt-on grease is layers of oil that baked hard over several cooks. It comes off with time and chemistry, not force: a long soak, a baking soda paste, and a soft brush — repeated if the build-up is thick.
Step by step
- Unplug and cool. Remove the basket and crisper plate once everything is cool.
- Soak longer than usual. Hot water with dish soap for 30 minutes or more. For thick build-up, leave it to soak for a few hours.
- Apply a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with just enough water to make a thick paste and spread it over the brown, sticky areas. Leave it for 15–20 minutes.
- Scrub with a soft head, in circles. Use a nylon brush or sponge, not steel wool, on non-stick. On a spin scrubber the rotation does the scrubbing — move it slowly over each spot.
- Repeat on what's left. Thick layers usually need two or three rounds of paste and scrubbing. Stopping to repeat is safer than pressing harder.
- Rinse, dry, and keep it from coming back. Rinse well and dry. A quick wash after each cook stops grease from baking into a new layer.
Don't
- Don't scrape with a knife or metal utensil.
- Don't use steel wool or a scouring pad on non-stick coatings.
- Don't use oven cleaner on the basket unless the manufacturer says it is safe.
Questions
Does vinegar remove burnt-on grease?
Baking soda paste and a long soak in hot soapy water do most of the work on grease. If you want to use vinegar, check your air fryer's manual first.
The coating is already peeling. Can I still clean it?
Clean it gently with a soft sponge, but a basket with flaking coating is worth replacing — contact the manufacturer for a replacement basket.
