People love eating fried food, like French fries and chicken tenders. Most of them enjoy eating this crunchy food, and it would be hard convincing them not to eat. However, ordinary food deep-frying may result in one gaining much weight. To prevent any further weight gain, opt for an air fryer.
An air fryer uses a small amount of oil, and you will still get your crunchy foods. An air fryer is a kitchen gadget that is useful to many people. The big reason why people love using it is because of its low oil consumption, and less time is taken to cook.
Also, while using it, oil does not pop out, and therefore the risk of getting burned is minimal. However, most people do not know how to clean an air fryer. The different steps of how to clean an air fryer are easy. If the air fryer is not cleaned, there is a risk of getting diseases. It will also not function properly due to the oils accumulated. Oiled air fryers smoke due to the accrued grease, which will, in turn, reduce the quality of food you eat.
How to Clean an Air Fryer: Step by Step Cleaning Guide
There are various methods that one can use to clean the air fryer but before cleaning the air fryer basket, know that the way to clean it is almost the same whether it is a big brand like Philips or a normal brand like Ninja, Todd English, Copper Chef, Nuwave, Farberware, and Chefman brand.
Below are the best ways on how to clean an air fryer basket and pan:-
Unplug the Air Fryer from the Socket
This is the first step you have to undergo before any cleaning begins. After unplugging it, leave it for about 30 minutes for it to cool off first before you start cleaning.
In case you are in a hurry and can’t wait for the 30 minutes, you should put on heat resistant gloves to prevent your hands from getting burnt. A point of caution is, when wearing oven gloves, it is good to be extra careful that it does not come into contact with water, as this may make them weak when it comes to protecting your hands.
Disengage the Pan and the Basket form the Gadget
This process will ensure that nothing is left hot, which is both in the interior and exterior of the appliance. Make the pan slide horizontally by grabbing its handle. After this, you will be able to lift the frying basket very easily.
The basket at a time carries the oil that has remained in the gadget, so you might want to place it on a sink so that the working table does not get too oily. This is one of the tips you should not leave out on how to clean an air fryer basket.
Remove the Oil and Grease from the Pan
This oil should be removed before any cleaning begins. Take a pan and an extra bottle or bowl where you will discard the oil. After you have had all the oil out, then seal the jar or bowl and throw it away. This is because the oil cannot be recycled. It is not fit for human consumption.
If the fats are too solid, then you might need to use a wooden spoon to scope the oil into the disposable container.
While using this gadget, it is good that you refrain from using metal items like spoons since they will scratch and remove the non-stick coating that has been used to make the appliance. Also, do not drain away from the oil down the sink as it will only clog the sink pipes. You do not want to have the stress of looking for a plumber to do the unclogging for you.
Soak in Soapy Water
Dip the pan and the basket in soapy, hot water. Leave them for about 5-10 minutes so that the oil is completely dissolved in the water. This will not give you a hard time cleaning the pot. This step is, however, not mandatory. This is because it depends on the level of oil that has accumulated on the bottom of the appliance. However, most people love using hot soapy water to get the best results.
Scrub Out the Oil
After you have finished soaking, use a soft brush or sponge to clean the remnants of the oil. Scrub on both sides of the mesh in the basket and ensure that no oil and food residues are remaining. Rinse this and put it aside. Similarly, scrub the pan until you are sure that there is no oil remaining. Rinse the pan and set it aside to dry.
Using rough brushes or even steel wire to clean the basket and pan will remove the non-stick coating. If the grease on the appliance is too much and you are having a hard time removing it, you can easily use a liquid degreaser to remove the oil. However, when cleaning this, you need to be extra careful with the way you handle it.
For those people who do not love doing hand washing, even though it is the recommended method, one can use a dishwasher to clean the air fryer basket and pan. With this step, you will still have to remove the grease manually before putting it in the dryer for efficient results. After you have done this, place the pan and basket facing downwards in the dishwashing machine.
Use dish detergent to wash with the normal cycle. If the pan and baskets are not dirty or oily, you can use a dishwasher instead of doing it manually. However, soaking the pan and basket in hot soapy water is a must so that you get the best results.
The appliance itself should not be put in a dishwashing machine, nor should it come into contact with water. This is why it is highly advised that you take precautions when handling it.
This means keeping it away from water. If it gets into contact with water, it might be hazardous to use it. Before re-inserting the pan and basket back to the pan, you should wait for 30 minutes for them to dry completely.
You can also use a towel to dry off the water. After they are dry, you can now go ahead and put them back on the appliance. Put the basket first then slide in the pan.
With the above-explained method, it wouldn’t be hard for you to know how to clean an air fryer. It is always advisable to take caution when dealing with electric appliances.
