Your air fryer makes weeknight meals quick and convenient—but the bottom pan can become coated with grease, burnt food, and sticky residue surprisingly fast.

If that buildup isn’t cleaned regularly, it can create unpleasant odors, affect cooking performance, and become much harder to remove over time.

Fortunately, you don’t need harsh chemicals for most messes. These simple cleaning methods can help restore your air fryer pan while protecting its nonstick finish.

Before cleaning, always unplug the appliance and allow it to cool completely.

1. Warm Water and Dish Soap

For everyday grease, this is usually all you need.

How to clean it:

• Fill your sink with warm water.
• Add a generous amount of grease-cutting dish soap.
• Place the bottom pan in the water.
• Let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Use a soft sponge or non-abrasive brush to remove loosened grease.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.

Quick Tip: Cleaning the pan shortly after cooking is much easier than waiting until grease hardens.

2. Baking Soda Paste

If grease has baked onto the surface, baking soda provides gentle scrubbing power without being overly abrasive.

Mix:

• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• Enough warm water to form a thick paste

Spread the paste over stubborn spots and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.

Gently scrub using a soft sponge before rinsing with warm water.

3. White Vinegar and Baking Soda

For tougher grease, baking soda and white vinegar can help loosen baked-on residue.

Sprinkle baking soda over greasy areas, then lightly spray or pour white vinegar on top.

Allow the mixture to fizz for several minutes before gently scrubbing with a non-scratch sponge.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all residue.

Good to Know: The fizzing action helps loosen grease, but gentle scrubbing is still necessary.

4. Soak in Hot Water and White Vinegar

When scrubbing alone isn’t enough, soaking often does most of the work.

Fill your sink with:

• Hot (not boiling) water
• About one cup of white vinegar

Allow the pan to soak for 30 to 60 minutes before washing with dish soap.

Many stubborn grease spots wipe away much more easily afterward.

5. Dishwasher Tablet (For Heavy Grease)

Some homeowners use dishwasher tablets to help remove stubborn buildup.

Wet the pan with warm water, then gently rub the tablet over greasy areas while wearing cleaning gloves.

Rinse thoroughly afterward.

Use Caution: Check your air fryer’s care instructions first, as some manufacturers recommend avoiding highly concentrated cleaning products on nonstick coatings.

6. Oven Cleaner (Only as a Last Resort)

If the grease has become extremely thick, an oven cleaner may help—but only if the manufacturer specifically states it’s safe for your model.

Always: