THERE are a lot of things to love about air fryers, they can cook just about anything in a fraction of the time, and they can even offer a slightly healthier alternative cooking option.
But it’s no secret that keeping your gadgets clean can be a bit of a hassle, especially when you get back to the task hours later.
Not only that, but figuring out the best method to keep them spotless isn’t that easy, as there are many components you shouldn’t get wet.
Don’t worry, according to some home chefs, there’s a super simple way to get your trusty air fryer looking like new after every use.
However, there is a small problem – you cannot put off cleaning for too long.
On a popular Reddit forum, one person asked for tips on the “best/laziest way to clean your air fryer.”
Other foodies agreed that it all comes down to cleaning up sooner rather than later.
“You probably won’t like this though,” one person warned, “but if you want your basket to last, you’ll need to clean it as soon as you can after cooking.”
They suggested soaking the basket in “hot soapy water” while eating and then cleaning it properly immediately afterward.
“It will be super easy to clean,” they added.
A second agreed: “I mean it’s just a simple clean like you would do with any kitchen and it’s not at all onerous to be honest.”
“They are generally simple to wet, clean and dry before they are ready to be used again. Five minutes maximum”, a third interrupted.
If you’re still not sure how to get your handy fryer squeaky clean, check out the advice below.
How to Clean Your Air Fryer
Unplug it
This is very important because you don’t want water to splash on the electrical part, especially when it is plugged in.
Make sure it’s turned off and unplugged and has cooled down completely before you start taking another look.
Clean removable parts
Now it’s time to remove the pan, tray and basket.
These pieces can be washed like the rest of the dishes, with soap and water.
They can usually also be placed in the dishwasher if you have one, but check with the manufacturer beforehand.
Most air fryers have a removable tray that you can simply remove from the machine.
Others have different designs where you place the pan on top of the machine.
Clean the main unit
It is very important not to immerse the fryer in water as this could damage it.
For this part of the fryer, simply use a damp cloth to clean the control panel and the entire appliance to eliminate grease stains and food splatters.
Most air fryers collect fat from foods like bacon at the bottom of the tray and can become solid when cooled.
It’s best to try to get rid of these stains as soon as you cook your food.
The hotter the stains, the easier they are to remove and so they do not stick and make removal difficult.
Check device heating coil
Each time you use the fryer, check the heating coil.
Typically this can be found at the top.
If there is any residue or oil on it, make sure it is unplugged and has time to cool, then clean it with a dish brush or damp cloth.
Be very careful when cleaning buttons and controls.
Dry and reassemble
After cleaning the device, dry all parts with a towel or allow them to air dry.
After that, just reassemble it so it’s ready to use again!
How does an air fryer work?
Despite the name, hot air fryers do not fry food because no hot oil is used.
The appliance works like a convection oven.
Hot air is created by the heating element that is circulated around the food by a fan.
The meat or vegetables you put in are trapped in the basket, which allows very hot air to circulate on all sides.
Through this process, you can ensure that your food is browned and crispy without needing to use a lot of oil, although you can use a little to prevent food from sticking to the basket.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story