Dinner was easy. Now there’s barbecue sauce baked onto the basket, and you’re tempted to leave it until tomorrow.
Tomorrow usually makes it worse. Grease hardens, smells linger and the next meal can start smoking before it’s even cooked.
You’re busy, though, and nobody wants to spend twenty minutes scrubbing after a quick dinner. You need a routine that’s fast, gentle on the coating and easy enough to do every time.
Knowing how to clean an air fryer properly keeps it cooking well and protects the nonstick coating you paid for. This guide covers the quick routine after each meal, the occasional deep clean and the mistakes that quietly ruin baskets.
What You’ll Need
Item | Why it helps | Avoid |
Warm, soapy water | Lifts grease safely | Oven cleaner |
Soft sponge or soft brush | Protects the nonstick coating | Steel wool |
Damp microfiber cloth | Wipes the inside and outside | Abrasive scrubbers |
Baking soda | Loosens stubborn spots | Harsh chemicals |
Step 1: Let It Cool
Unplug the air fryer and give it time to cool. Cosori’s cleaning guide suggests waiting about 10 to 15 minutes, and notes that a little leftover warmth helps loosen grease.
Step 2: Wash the Basket and Crisper Plate
The part that collects the most mess is the part you’ll wash most often. To clean air fryer basket grime without scratching it, soak the basket and crisper plate in warm, soapy water for about 15 minutes, then wipe with a soft sponge.
Use a soft brush for corners and holes. Rinse well and dry completely.
Many baskets are dishwasher safe. Cosori’s TurboBlaze manual lists the basket and crisper plate as dishwasher safe, while Cosori’s cleaning guide suggests handwashing to help the coating last longer. Check your own manual before using the dishwasher.
Step 3: Wipe the Inside
Once the basket is out, look inside the cooking chamber. Wipe away crumbs and splatter with a slightly damp, non-abrasive cloth or sponge.
Check the heating element at the top. Cosori advises never putting water directly on it, and instead brushing away debris gently with a soft-bristle brush once the unit is cool.
Never put the main unit, cord or plug in water. Cosori’s manual is clear on this, because the electrical parts can’t get wet.
Step 4: Wipe the Outside
A damp cloth takes care of fingerprints and oil splashes on the outside. It only takes a few seconds and keeps the appliance looking new on your counter.
Step 5: Dry Everything
Let every part dry fully before you reassemble it. Cosori’s manual asks for this before you use the air fryer again.
Going Deeper Every Few Weeks
Regular use calls for a fuller clean now and then, especially if you cook bacon, wings or burgers often. To deep clean an air fryer, remove every detachable part, soak and wash each one, wipe the whole chamber and check around the heating element.
For stubborn spots, Cosori suggests a paste of baking soda and warm water. Let it sit about 15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft sponge.
Mistakes That Damage Your Basket
Mistake | Why it’s a problem | Better choice |
Using steel wool | Scratches the nonstick coating | Soft sponge or brush |
Cleaning while it’s hot | Risks burns | Let it cool first |
Soaking the main unit | Damages electrical parts | Wipe with a damp cloth |
Aerosol cooking spray | Can wear down the coating | Pump bottle or brush |
Cosori’s manual also warns that metal scouring pads can leave fragments that touch electrical parts. That’s one more reason to stick with soft tools.
The spray issue is easy to miss. Cosori’s cooking guide recommends a pump bottle or propellant-free spray, since propellant sprays can damage the basket coating.
Habits That Make Cleaning Easier
A few air fryer cleaning tips save you real time:
- Wash the basket after every meal, before grease hardens.
- Use a liner for sticky sauces, with food always weighing it down.
- Wipe the inside every time, not only when it looks dirty.
Liners only help when they’re used safely. Can You Put Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer? explains how to use them without blocking airflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my air fryer?
Clean the removable parts after every use. A deeper clean every few weeks helps if you cook often or cook greasy foods.
Can I put the basket in the dishwasher?
Many baskets are dishwasher safe, but check your manual. Handwashing is gentler on the coating.
Why does my air fryer smell?
Old grease or food residue is usually the cause. Wiping the inside after each meal prevents most odors.
Why is my air fryer smoking?
Cosori’s manual says white smoke usually comes from heated fat or grease under the crisper plate. Dark smoke means food is burning or there’s a circuit problem, so unplug it right away.
What’s the best habit for keeping it clean?
The simplest way to learn how to clean an air fryer is to make it part of the dinner cleanup. A five-minute wash while the plates soak keeps buildup from ever starting.
Conclusion
A quick wash after each meal, a soft sponge and a regular deep clean keep your air fryer cooking well for years. Skip the steel wool and harsh cleaners, and your nonstick coating will thank you.
If smoke or uneven cooking keeps happening even with a clean basket, Common Air Fryer Mistakes covers the other habits that cause it. And if your basket is past saving, Best Air Fryers of 2026 can help you pick a replacement that’s easy to clean.
You don’t have to decide today, and you don’t have to remember any of this. Pin the images from this post to my Pinterest, @sianahskitchenguide, so they’re waiting when you’re ready, and follow me there too. If you’d rather browse everything I’ve picked in one place, my Amazon storefront, Sianah’s Lifestyle Finds, is open anytime. It has the recommendations from both my Lifestyle Blog and this blog.
I’m glad you were here.