Are Air Fryer Parts Dishwasher Safe?

The only downside of cooking at home is the cluttered mess that stares into my face after eating.

I always fight the urge to procrastinate.

At the back of my mind, I know it will compromise my health and mental peace (Nagging thoughts of hard-crusted buildups) 

Thankfully, an Airfryer is a small and simple appliance that will not take up much time to clean.

I decided to find out whether air fryer parts are dishwasher safe, so I can do without cleaning them. Here is what I found.

Are Air Fryer Parts Dishwasher Safe? 

Yes, the removable components of an air fryer are dishwasher safe. However, never put the main body containing electrical components in the dishwasher. 

First, you need to refer to the manual that comes along with your model to be 100% sure what can be put inside the dishwasher and what cannot.

You can also directly contact the manufacturer and ask them. Most of the time, the basket and drawer are dishwasher-safe.  

Air fryers by brands such as Phillips, Farberware, NuWare, Ninja, Chefman, and Gourmia, etc. state the removable components as dishwasher safe. 

Proceeding with your query, allow me to tell you how to clean air fryer parts inside the dishwasher 

Also read: What Utensils Can Be Used in Air Fryer?

How to Clean Air Fryer Parts Inside a Dishwasher

Read the manufacturing instruction booklet carefully to find out what is dishwasher safe. 

  • Unplug the air fryer and let it cool down
  • Remove the dishwashing safe parts of an air fryer 
  • Place them over a folded towel on your countertop (to avoid dropping them) 
  • Place the removable parts inside the dishwasher. The basket will need a good amount of space so put it in the widest rack (depending on your model)
  • Let the dishwasher run a normal cycle  
  • Once cleaning is done, take them out from the dishwasher and towel the air fryer parts dry. They are now ready to be assembled back into the main machine. 

While you can wash air fryer parts easily inside a dishwasher, almost all brands recommend washing by hand .

Hand washing will give your air fryer a long life span.

Also read: Air Fryer Smells Like Plastic – How to Get Rid of the Smell?

Why Air Fryer Parts Should Not Be Cleaned in a Dishwasher? 

  • Frequent dishwashing slowly erodes your non-stick coating (no matter which brand you buy). The coating can start to peel or flake away leaving the exposed metal vulnerable to rusting. I must mention here that low-quality non-stick coatings peel off faster than good-quality ones. 
  • Some Airfryer parts also have rubber seals fitted inside that might wash away inside a dishwasher. 

If you want to increase the lifespan of your non-stick coating, let me tell you how to hand-clean your air fryer. 

Also read: 8 Benefits of Using an Air Fryer (Why Use an Air Fryer)?

How to Hand Clean Your Airfryer 

You will need some warm soapy water, a soft sponge, and a damp microfiber cloth for cleaning your Airfryer. 

Step 1 – Airfryer Parts You Want to Clean

Remove the drawer and basket from the air fryer.

Turn them upside down above the sink to drain off oil and food crumbs. 

Step 2 – Clean the Outer Body of Air Fryer

Clean the outside of the air fryer with damp microfiber.

The outer body is hardly ever dirty as it does not come in contact with food.

Just a good wipe with a damp cloth is enough to get it sparklingly clean

Step 3 – Soak the Removed Parts

Soak the basket and drawer in hot soapy water for a minimum of 15-20 minutes.

For tough buildups, let the parts soak overnight. You can also make a baking soda and water paste and apply it on tough buildups.

Leave overnight and scrub it with a soft sponge or a cloth the next day.

Another alternative is soaking in vinegar and water solution overnight.  

Step 4 – Give a Gentle Scrubbing

Use a soft sponge to scrub away the grease and food gunk.

Rinse away the soap with warm water. 

Let the basket and drawer dry out completely. Use a dry towel to wipe the parts clean. 

Step 5 – Clean the Heating Element

Take a folded towel and place your Airfryer upside down.

The towel will give your Airfryer a stable surface while you clean it up.

Take a soft sponge and remove grease and food particles gently from the heating element and surrounding areas.

Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away all the debris. You can also use an old toothbrush to remove gunk from hard-to-reach areas.

Turn the air fryer back in position and allow it to dry up.  

Step 7 – Assemble it Back

Assemble the removable air fryer parts and place them back into the main body. Your Airfryer is now as good as new.

Watch the below video to get an idea of how to go about cleaning your air fryer

What Not to Do When Cleaning Air Fryer Parts by Hand

  • Always unplug and let your air fryer cool down before cleaning. Use that time to eat your food. 
  • Never use metal scrubs or harsh abrasive soaps. It will damage the non-stick coating 
  • Do not submerge the main body with electrical components in water. 
  • It is not a good idea to use force on stuck on gunk. Better to let it soak in a warm soapy solution overnight. 
  • Follow your manual instructions when cleaning your particular model of the air fryer. The manufacturer is always right! 
  • Do not put wet parts inside the Airfryer. Your appliance is an electronic gadget that can easily malfunction. 

How Often Should You Clean the Air Fryer?

You don’t need to clean the Airfryer every single time you cook.

The answer to this question lies in the type of food you cook. 

If there is no oil drip/ grease or stuck food particle, just wipe the basket and drawer clean with a damp cloth followed by a dry wipe with a paper towel.

Do this after the parts have cooled down.  

For meats and battered foods, you will need to hand clean the basket and drawer to remove the grease and food. 

Conclusion 

Although most brands claim the removable air fryer parts to be dishwasher safe, it is always good to read your manual or speak directly with your manufacturer. 

Once you are sure the parts are dishwasher safe, let them cool down before placing them in the dishwasher rack.

Once they are clean, allow them to dry up before placing them back into the main body of the air fryer. 

For long shelf life, handwash the non-electric parts of your air fryer. Soak them in a warm soapy solution and then use a soft sponge to clean.

For tough buildups that have baked-on, soak the parts overnight in soapy solution or vinegar solution.

You can also apply a baking soda paste over the parts and leave them overnight. 

Use the dishwasher sparingly and hand wash the air fryer parts frequently to increase the life span of your Airfryer. Good luck! 

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