How to Clean Your Air Fryer the Right Way (2026 UAE Guide)
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A clean air fryer cooks better, smells better, and lasts longer. Skip the cleaning for a few cooks and you get smoke, lingering smells, and greasy buildup that's hard to shift. The good news: cleaning an air fryer takes only a few minutes if you do it regularly — and even a neglected one can be rescued. Here's exactly how.
How often should you clean it?
- After every cook: the basket and tray. This is the two-minute rinse that prevents everything else.
- Weekly: a deeper clean including the interior and the heating element area, if you use it often.
- As needed: the exterior and any smells or stuck-on grease.
What you'll need
- Warm water and a little dish soap
- A soft sponge or non-abrasive brush (no metal scourers)
- A microfibre cloth
- Optional: baking soda and half a lemon for stubborn grease and smells
Step by step: the everyday clean
- Unplug and let it cool. Never clean a hot unit — wait until the basket is warm at most.
- Remove the basket and tray. Most are non-stick and dishwasher safe, but hand-washing keeps the coating in better shape long-term.
- Wash in warm soapy water. Use a soft sponge. For stuck-on bits, let them soak for 10 minutes first rather than scrubbing hard.
- Wipe the interior. A damp cloth around the inside chamber removes grease splatter. Get into the corners.
- Dry everything fully before putting it back — trapped moisture can cause odours.
The weekly deep clean (including the heating element)
Grease drifts upward and collects on the heating coil at the top. Left alone, that's what causes the burning smell and smoke.
- With the unit unplugged and cool, turn it over or tilt it so you can see the element.
- Gently wipe the coil with a damp (not wet) cloth or soft brush. Never use water directly on the electrical parts.
- For baked-on grease, make a paste of baking soda and a little water, apply, wait a few minutes, then wipe away.
Do's and don'ts
- Do let it cool before cleaning.
- Do use soft sponges and non-abrasive tools to protect the non-stick coating.
- Don't ever submerge the main unit in water — only the removable basket and tray get washed.
- Don't use metal utensils or steel wool; they scratch the coating, which then flakes and sticks.
- Don't use aerosol cooking sprays — they leave a residue that degrades the coating over time.
Getting rid of smells
If your air fryer holds onto the smell of the last thing you cooked, rub the basket with half a lemon, or run it empty at a low temperature for a few minutes with a small dish of water and lemon slices inside. A baking-soda-and-water soak also neutralises odours.
The easiest trick: stop the mess before it starts
The single biggest reduction in cleaning time comes from using a liner. A reusable silicone liner catches grease and crumbs so the basket barely gets dirty — you lift the liner out, rinse or dishwasher it, and you're done.
Our Silicone Air Fryer Liner (2-pack) is food-grade, non-stick and dishwasher safe, with a ridged base that drains excess oil. If you want the full rundown of what's worth buying, see our guide to the best air fryer accessories in the UAE, and to get the right fit, check our air fryer liner size guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put the air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Most baskets are dishwasher safe, but frequent dishwasher cycles can wear the non-stick coating faster than gentle hand-washing. Check your model's manual.
Why does my air fryer smoke?
Usually it's grease built up on the heating element or dripping from fatty foods. Clean the element and use a liner to catch drips, and the smoke stops.
How do I clean a very greasy, neglected air fryer?
Soak the basket in warm soapy water, use a baking-soda paste on stubborn spots, and wipe the element carefully. It may take two rounds, but it will come clean without harsh scrubbing.
Shopping in the UAE? Our air fryer liners ship across the UAE in 1–3 business days with Cash on Delivery — pay when your order arrives.