How To Clean Air Fryer Heating Element? [4 Quick Ways]
To clean air fryer heating element take a soft sponge, a solution of lukewarm water, dishwashing liquid, and hand-wash it.
A heating element is central to the working of any air fryer. Keeping it clean is essential so it performs the heating function properly and prevents any unwanted smells of burning residue.
You are not required to deep clean the air fryer element after every use. However, using your air fryer repeatedly without cleaning the heating element can break it or damage the appliance.
How To Clean Air Fryer Heating Element? [4 Quick Ways]
To clean the heating element, flip the air fryer upside down to have a clear view of the heating element. Use a non-abrasive sponge or a soft kitchen towel with dishwashing soap to wipe the surface. This will remove any baked-on grease or stuck-on food particles.
Below I will share a few methods that I have tried to remove debris and grease from the air fryer heating element. You can use these methods if you have Cosori, the Ninja Foodi, Philips, or any other air fryer.
Method 1: Warm Water and Sponge
This method is suitable for cleaning the air fryer heating element right after use when the grease is not stubborn. Gently scrub the air fryer heating element and the surrounding area with a non-abrasive sponge soaked in warm water. Warm water will loosen up the grease, and it will come off easily. You may have to replace the cloth with a clean one a few times until its stainless finish is restored.
Method 2: Soap and Water Mixture
Another way to gently clean the air fryer heating coil is using a soapy mixture made by mixing mild detergent or dishwasher with water. You can use a non-abrasive sponge, a piece of microfiber cloth, or an old toothbrush with soft bristles to gently scrub the greased area.
Repeat this a few times until the heating element looks clean. Don’t forget to clean the soapy residue on the heating element with a clean damp cloth.
Method 3: Baking Soda and Water
A heating element requires more than gentle cleaning, use baking soda and water paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and let it stay for a few minutes.
Later, gently scrub the area with your fingers (don’t forget to use protective gloves) or a small brush with soft bristles. Once all the gunk loosens up, wipe it off with a damp towel. Make sure the heating element and the surrounding area are completely dry before plugging the air fryer again.
Method 4: Degreaser, Baking Soda, and Vinegar
Another way to make a homemade cleaning agent is by mixing baking soda, degreaser (blue dawn), and vinegar/hydrogen peroxide in a ratio of 1:1:2.
Find an old toothbrush, and apply and scrub the mixture on the air fryer heating element. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a damp paper towel. Later, take a wet microfiber cloth to wipe clean the area.
This homemade cleaning solution can effectively remove baked-on grease sitting on the air fryer heating element for quite some time. Here is how I cleaned our air fryer:
Cleaning Area Behind The Air Fryer Heating Element
Cleaning the air fryer heating element might look easier than the area above it. But you must clean it as Oil splatters often reach the area above the heating element and make it stained and dirty.
This is a hard-to-reach area as the space between this area and the heating element is quite narrow. Nevertheless, you must clean it once in a while. You can use the following methods for cleaning the narrow areas around and above the eating element.
Use Test-Tube Scrubber Brushes
One way to reach the narrow area under the heating element is using a test-tube scrubber brush. With its small head, it might be able to reach and fit the narrow area above the air fryer heating coil.
Dip the brush in the homemade cleaning mixture of baking soda and water. Try to insert the brush deeper to clean as much gunk as possible.
Later, wrap the head of the brush with a clean damp paper towel and use it to wipe off the soapy residue.
Use Wooden Chopstick
Another way is to wrap several thicknesses of a paper towel over the tip of a wooden chopstick and reach the area above the heating coil to remove the build-up grease.
- First, dip the paper towel in a soapy mixture to clean off the grease. Follow it with a clean damp paper towel scrub.
- Scrub the area with a dry paper towel wrapped around the tip of the chopstick.
- Repeat the above two steps for dislodging the grease and gunk build-up.
TIP: Change the sides of the paper towel to ensure that you always insert a cleaner portion to absorb more of the dirt and oil build-up. You can repeat this process a few times.
Tips for Keeping Your Heating Element Clean
- Don’t clean the air fryer heating element while it is still plugged into a power outlet
- Clean the air fryer heating element with a damp towel after every use as it does not let the grease build-up
- Repeatedly using the air fryer without cleaning the heating element can impact the heating ability of the air fryer or break it altogether. Therefore, even if cleaning after every use is impossible, you must scrub off the residue build-up after a few cooking attempts
- Don’t use a hard and abrasive sponge, metal wire, or kitchen utensils such as knives or forks to clean the heating element as it can damage the coating over it
- Avoid using any air fryer cleaning sprays to clean the heating element; it will destroy the non-stick coating
NOTE: If you don't grease and debris from the air fryer's heating element soon you will be searching for heating element replacement.
RELATED: To get the most out of your air fryer, check out our tips for beginners.
Wrapping Up!
Cleaning your air fryer heating element is indispensable for keeping your air fryer in mint condition. A dirty heating element gives off smoke and foul odors when the air fryer is turned on. The smoke and odor are unpleasant to experience and can also impact the taste of the food cooked in the unit. Therefore, keep the air fryer heating element free from grease and stuck-on food.