The air fryer has become a fixture on Singapore kitchen counters, turning out chicken wings, frozen snacks and reheated leftovers with very little oil. The catch is that grease and crumbs build up fast, and a neglected one starts to smoke, smell and cook unevenly. If you want to know how to clean an air fryer properly, this guide covers the quick clean after each use, a deeper weekly clean, how to care for the heating element without damaging it, and the fire safety habits that matter for any cooking appliance.

The good news is that air fryer cleaning takes only a few minutes when it is done regularly. The trouble starts when a layer of fat is left to bake on, cook after cook, until it turns sticky, then brown, then hard.

Every model is a little different, so keep your manual handy. Some baskets are dishwasher safe and some are not, and some heating elements are exposed while others sit behind a guard. The steps below are general and safe for most basket-style and oven-style air fryers, but the manufacturer’s instructions come first.

Before you start: safety first

Unplug the air fryer and let it cool completely before cleaning. The basket, drawer and element stay hot for some time after cooking.
Never immerse the main unit in water or put it under a running tap. It contains the electrics and the fan.
Do not use steel wool, metal scourers or sharp tools on non-stick baskets and trays. They scratch the coating.
Do not use oven cleaner or harsh degreasers on the basket or inside the unit unless the manual allows it, and never spray any cleaner directly onto the heating element.
Never mix cleaning chemicals, especially bleach with ammonia or acidic products, and ventilate the kitchen while you clean.
Test any new cleaner on a hidden spot on the outer casing before using it more widely.

How to clean an air fryer after each use

A two-minute routine after cooking prevents almost all the hard work later.

Let it cool. Unplug the machine and wait until the basket is safe to touch.
Empty the drawer. Pour off any fat collected in the bottom into a container or onto paper towel and put it in the rubbish. Do not pour oil down the sink, as it can clog the pipes.
Wash the basket and drawer. Use warm water, a little dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge. Pay attention to the mesh or perforated base, where crumbs collect.
Rinse and dry fully. Dry with a cloth or let the parts air dry before putting them back. Leaving water in the drawer in our humid climate encourages smells.
Wipe the inside. Use a damp, well-wrung cloth to wipe the inside walls of the cooking chamber, avoiding the element.
Wipe the outside. A damp cloth removes greasy fingerprints from the handle and casing.

If your basket is labelled dishwasher safe, you can use the dishwasher, though many people find hand washing is gentler on the non-stick coating over time.

Deep cleaning the basket and drawer

Once a week for heavy users, or whenever you notice a sticky layer or a lingering smell, give the removable parts a deeper clean.

Soak. Fill the drawer with hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid, place the basket inside it, and leave it to soak for 15 to 30 minutes to soften baked-on grease.
Scrub gently. Use a soft brush or non-scratch sponge. A soft-bristled toothbrush that you keep for cleaning works well for the mesh holes and corners.
Tackle stubborn spots with a paste. Mix baking soda with a little water into a thick paste, spread it on brown or sticky patches, leave it for 15 minutes, then scrub gently and rinse. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, so test it on a small area first and use it lightly on non-stick surfaces.
Rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent and paste.
Dry completely before reassembling.

If the non-stick coating is peeling or flaking, stop using that basket and contact the manufacturer about a replacement part rather than continuing to cook on it.

Caring for the heating element and fan area

The heating element sits in the top of the cooking chamber. Grease splatters upward during cooking and can build up on it, causing smoke and burning smells the next time you cook.

Unplug and let it cool completely. This is not optional.
Turn the unit over or tilt it carefully, if your manual allows, so you can see the element. Some models are designed to be cleaned from below with the basket removed.
Brush away loose debris with a dry, soft-bristled brush.
Wipe gently with a barely damp cloth or sponge to remove grease. Never soak the element or let water drip into the fan or electrics.
For stuck-on grease, if your manual allows it, apply a little baking soda paste with a soft brush, leave it briefly, then wipe it off thoroughly with a damp cloth until no residue remains.
Let everything dry completely, ideally for a few hours with the drawer out, before plugging it back in.

If the element is damaged, or the fan makes grinding noises, do not attempt a repair. Stop using the appliance and contact the manufacturer or an authorised service centre.

Fire safety with air fryers and kitchen appliances

Air fryers are generally safe, but they are still cooking appliances that produce intense heat. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), in its home fire safety advice, makes several points that apply directly:

Never leave cooking unattended. SCDF warns that unattended cooking can result in kitchen fires, and advises not to be distracted when cooking.
Keep cooking appliances clean and free of grease. SCDF specifically advises keeping cooking appliances, including stove tops, cooker hoods and ovens, clean and grease free. A greasy air fryer is a fire risk as well as a hygiene one.
Unplug appliances when not in use and never overload electrical outlets.
Keep wires away from hot surfaces, and have frayed or cracked cords replaced or repaired by licensed electricians.
Never store combustibles near heat sources. Keep paper, cloths and packaging away from the air fryer’s vents.

A few practical habits follow from this. Place the air fryer on a stable, heat-resistant surface with space around it, not under a low cabinet or against the wall where hot air from the vents is blocked. Do not let parchment liners float loose in an empty basket, where the fan can lift them towards the element. Avoid running an air fryer through a crowded extension cord with other high-power appliances.

If the air fryer starts smoking heavily or you see flames, switch it off and unplug it at the socket if it is safe to do so. Do not throw water on it. In an emergency, leave the area and call 995. SCDF also recommends installing smoke detectors at home for early warning.

Getting rid of smells and keeping it fresh

A lingering fishy or burnt smell usually means grease is trapped somewhere, most often on the element or under the basket.

Deep clean the basket and element as above. Odours usually go once the grease does.
Wipe the chamber with a lemon and water solution on a damp cloth, then wipe again with plain water and dry.
If your manual suggests it, run it empty for a few minutes after cleaning, once everything is dry, to burn off any moisture, with the kitchen ventilated and the appliance attended.
Store it with the drawer slightly open for a while after cleaning so it airs out.

To reduce future build-up, use a liner or tray only as the manual allows, avoid overfilling the basket, and wipe up spills while they are fresh.

Making air fryer cleaning part of the kitchen routine

Air fryer cleaning fits naturally alongside the other kitchen jobs. The quick wash belongs with the daily washing-up, the soak and element wipe in the weekly clean, and a check of the cord and plug in a monthly round. If you employ a helper, show her your model’s specific instructions once, especially which parts can and cannot get wet, and add it to the written cleaning routine.

Our household cleaning schedule shows where kitchen appliances fit across the week. For similar appliances, see our guides on cleaning a microwave, cleaning a toaster and cleaning an oven, and for greasy extraction, cleaning kitchen hood filters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my air fryer?

Wash the basket and drawer after every use once they have cooled, and wipe the inside of the chamber at the same time. Give the basket a longer soak and check the heating element about once a week if you use it daily, or whenever you notice smoke, sticky residue or a lingering smell.

Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher?

Only if the manufacturer says it is dishwasher safe, which is usually printed in the manual or on the basket. Even when it is allowed, gentle hand washing with warm soapy water and a soft sponge is kinder to non-stick coatings over time. Never put the main unit in the dishwasher.

Why is my air fryer smoking?

The most common cause is grease and food residue burning on the heating element or in the drawer, or fatty food dripping a lot of oil. Unplug the appliance, let it cool, and clean the drawer and element. If it keeps smoking after cleaning, or you notice sparks or a burning electrical smell, stop using it and contact the manufacturer.

Can I use baking soda to clean an air fryer?

Yes, a paste of baking soda and water helps loosen stubborn baked-on grease on the basket, drawer and, carefully, the heating element. Apply it with a soft brush, leave it briefly, then wipe or rinse it off completely. Test it on a small area first, scrub gently on non-stick coatings, and never let water drip into the electrics.

Is it safe to leave an air fryer running while I step away?

SCDF advises never leaving cooking unattended, as it can lead to kitchen fires, and that applies to air fryers too. Stay in or near the kitchen while it runs, unplug it after use, and keep paper and cloths away from its vents.

Conclusion

Knowing how to clean an air fryer comes down to a simple rhythm: a quick wash of the basket and drawer after every use, a soak and gentle scrub weekly, and careful, dry-ish cleaning of the heating element when grease builds up. Always unplug and cool the machine first, never immerse the main unit, and avoid metal scourers and harsh chemicals on non-stick parts.

A clean air fryer cooks better, smells better and is safer. Following SCDF’s advice to keep cooking appliances free of grease and never leave cooking unattended makes it a reliable part of the kitchen rather than a fire risk.

When the rest of the kitchen needs the same attention, our oven cleaning and kitchen degreasing add-ons cover the heavier jobs. Femme5 also offers home cleaning in Singapore by the hour and deep cleaning for kitchens and bathrooms. Message our team for a quote.

The Femme5 Team
Home cleaning team, Femme5 Agency
Femme5 provides part-time home cleaning, deep cleaning and post-renovation cleaning for HDB flats, condominiums and landed homes across Singapore.

Femme5 Cleaning Team

Written by the home cleaning team at Femme5 Agency Pte Ltd, which provides part-time home cleaning, deep cleaning and post-renovation cleaning across Singapore.

How to Clean an Air Fryer: Basket, Drawer and Heating Element