Air fryers have become a beloved kitchen appliance in many households, offering a simpler, more efficient, and economical way to cook. However, if the device is not properly maintained, its efficiency can suffer, especially when it comes to cleaning.
A Simple Solution for Stubborn Grease
To help tackle tough, burnt-on grime, cleaning expert and TikTok creator Anna Louisa recently shared some of her favorite tips learned from social media. Among the hacks was a straightforward yet effective method for removing stubborn grease stuck to air fryer baskets.
Instead of a long list of cleaning products, all you need is a dishwasher tablet and some boiling water. While it is recommended to clean air fryers after every use, sometimes this chore gets neglected.
How to Use the Dishwasher Tablet Hack
Anna Louisa explained: "Here are five cleaning hacks I learned from the internet that you might appreciate too." She added: "Coming from someone who is definitely guilty of leaving their air fryer from time to time, a dishwasher tablet can lift all that built-up grease easily."
To use this method, place a dishwasher pod into the trays of the air fryer. Then, pour boiling water from the kettle over the tablet, ensuring you do not overflow the tray so the water does not spill out through the grate. Allow the mixture to sit in the tray for as long as possible. Anna set a timer for just 15 minutes, but you can leave it to soak longer if needed.
If your air fryer has extremely stubborn grime, the longer you let the boiling water soak, the more it will help loosen the grease. Once you feel the trays have soaked enough, rinse away all the grime under the tap. You should not need to scrub, but you can add a small amount of washing-up liquid if necessary.
Why This Hack Works
Dishwasher tablets mixed with hot water effectively remove grease from the appliance due to the alkaline salts and other chemicals they contain. These chemicals break down grease and food residue, while the hot water helps loosen the grime for easier removal.
Expert Opinion
Kezia Reynolds wrote for Ideal Home: "I have to say I was a little apprehensive about just rinsing it. But it worked. The final result looked pretty good for minimal effort. Although there was a little bit of grease in some of the corners which I would have preferred to give a scrub."
She continued: "It's a handy hack but not one I feel I will use all the time. I feel it's far easier to wipe down my air fryer after every use with washing up liquid to maintain its cleanliness. Especially considering how easy to clean the best air fryers like the Ninja are to clean."
Reynolds concluded: "That's not to say the hack isn't without purpose - I think I will use it to do a deeper clean now and then. It works if you're short on time or have lots of cleaning jobs to get through, but for the most part, I think cleaning with soapy water after every use is the best way to keep on top of your air fryer maintenance."
