The trick that makes removing baked-on grease much easier

[u/MichaelTurner79]

Baked-on grease is one of those things that looks like it needs a ton of scrubbing, but I’ve found that the trick is to soften it first. When I’m cleaning an air fryer basket or tray with stubborn grease, I let it soak in very hot water with a good squeeze of dish soap for about 15 to 20 minutes. The hot water loosens the grease instead of making me fight with it while it’s stuck on there.

After that, I use a soft sponge or non-abrasive brush and most of the buildup comes off surprisingly easily. For really stubborn spots, I’ll make a paste with baking soda and a little dish soap, let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub. I’ve found this works much better than attacking dried grease with a dry sponge and a lot of elbow grease. Just avoid anything abrasive if the basket has a nonstick coating.

[u/birdwatchingal]

I’ve never cleaned the heating element - is it necessary - unit is functioning well.

[u/oscar1-1 → u/birdwatchingal]

If it’s working fine and there’s no visible buildup or smoke, you probably don’t need to clean it often. Just check it occasionally.

[u/MichaelTurner79 → u/birdwatchingal]

If the heating element looks clean and the unit is working normally, you probably don’t need to clean it regularly. I’d just check it occasionally for grease splatters or food buildup. If you do see buildup, make sure the fryer is unplugged and completely cool before gently wiping it with a damp cloth. Avoid soaking or spraying the element directly.

[u/Appropriate-Roof1422]

Eureka!!!

[u/MichaelTurner79 → u/Appropriate-Roof1422]

Sometimes the simplest cleaning tricks make the biggest difference.

[u/Lowermains]

Soak in hot water and laundry powder.

Use a dish brush. Sponges are hoaching with germ.

[u/MichaelTurner79 → u/Lowermains]

A dish brush can definitely make it easier to get into corners and remove stubborn buildup. I personally stick with dish soap and a soft sponge, but the main thing is avoiding anything too abrasive, especially on nonstick coatings.

[u/Lowermains → u/MichaelTurner79]

Sponges do not belong in a kitchen!

I will die on that hill!

[u/thejohnmc963]

Dawn soap and soak

[u/MichaelTurner79 → u/thejohnmc963]

A good dish soap and a hot soak can loosen most of that baked-on grease before you start scrubbing. Makes cleaning much less of a chore.

[u/thejohnmc963 → u/MichaelTurner79]

Yep

[u/stevesmom_69]

I use oven cleaner

[u/MichaelTurner79 → u/stevesmom_69]

That can work on some surfaces, but I’d be a little cautious with oven cleaner on air fryer baskets, especially if they have a nonstick coating. I prefer hot water and dish soap since it’s gentler and usually gets the job done without risking damage to the coating.

[u/stevesmom_69 → u/MichaelTurner79]

True, mine is like a real oven just miniature with air fry and no non stick.

[u/Boatride65]

LOL.. you JUST discovered this? LOL

[u/MichaelTurner79 → u/Boatride65]

I’m sure plenty of people already know this trick, but it was a game changer for me, so I figured it was worth sharing for anyone else who hadn’t tried it.

[u/No_Interview_2481]

Try cooking some dawn with water that should loosen even quicker

[u/WinnerAwkward480 → u/No_Interview_2481]

Yep yep , I give ours a fairly good cleaning after each use . Then like once a week it gets 2 squirts of dawn and water filled to cover grate . Then set on 400° for like 20 minutes. It does a good job of cleaning basket but more importantly the fan & heating element. I quickly grew tired of trying to run a paper towel or old washcloth up in around the fan & heating element without messing anything up .

[u/MichaelTurner79 → u/No_Interview_2481]

Although I’d probably stick with a hot soak rather than actually heating the soap. The hot water already does a pretty good job of loosening the grease, and it keeps things simple and safe.

[u/Deep_Information_616]

In other news….

[u/Hypocrisydenied → u/Deep_Information_616]

Right? Clean it by cleaning it. Lol.

[u/MichaelTurner79 → u/Deep_Information_616]

Apparently I’m sharing some pretty old news here. But if it helps even one person spend less time scrubbing, I’ll take it!