The airfryer: your kitchen buddy for everything that can get nice and crispy. From tofu and grilled vegetables to a veggie bitterball with drinks. But after all that deliciousness, you also need to clean up. Whose turn is it? Usually some water, ecological washing-up liquid and a soft brush will get you a long way. But what if your airfryer is really dirty? How do you clean the basket and pan without damaging the non-stick coating? And how do you safely tackle the fragile heating element? Saskia delved into her Philips airfryer and collected the best tips for cleaning it in an eco-friendly way.
Easy peasy that ecological cleaning
Cleaning your airfryer in an eco-friendly way is not complicated at all. It mainly means using less harsh cleaning products and relying more on simple home remedies. Your grandmother was right! With a little ecological washing-up liquid, lemon or baking soda, you can often get your airfryer spotless again. Better for the planet and a lot kinder on your wallet. When using washing-up liquid, look out for labels such as the European Ecolabel, Ecocert and the Nordic Swan label. These show that a product is made with natural ingredients obtained in a more environmentally friendly way, such as through organic farming. Note that such a label says nothing about the agent's impact on nature. So just neatly flush any suds down the sink - you were probably planning to do that anyway.
Airfryer parts in the dishwasher?
A word about using the dishwasher. Many instruction manuals state that the basket and pan of the airfryer are dishwasher-safe. Sounds easy, but those high temperatures and certain substances in dishwasher tablets can eventually damage the non-stick coating, especially if you use the airfryer often. To keep your appliance in good condition for longer, a suds by hand is actually a much better choice. Takes a few minutes, saves a lot of hassle (and a new pan).
Tips for cleaning your airfryer in an eco-friendly way
Trouble with grease or caked-on food residue in your airfryer? Don't stress, you really don't need to run straight to the supermarket for fancy cleaning products. Look in your kitchen cupboard first: a little baking soda or lemon (juice) will get your airfryer clean again in no time. Simple, effective and better for the environment!
Be careful though! The non-stick coating of the basket and pan can easily be damaged if you clean too roughly, and the heating element is also fragile. That is why I chop this cleaning job into two parts: first, clean the basket and pan (I do this after every cooking session with my Philips airfryer) and then the heating element (I do this about once a month).
Quick fix for your airfryer with baking soda and dish soap
Fill the basket and pan of your airfryer with boiling water. Add one or two scoops of baking soda and a few drops of ecological detergent. Leave to soak for ten minutes. Then throw the water away in the sink and easily wipe the residue clean.
Tackling stubborn stains
Are you really dealing with stubborn spots? Make a paste of baking soda and a little water. Apply this to the stains, let it soak in for a while and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. No baking soda in the house? No problem: pour the juice of half a lemon over the stains, let it soak in for a few minutes and scrub them away. Always rinse well with warm water. Important: Never - I repeat never - use a hard brush or a scouring pad when cleaning the basket and pan, as this can damage the non-stick coating.
You don't need any powerhouses for an airfryer at all, often ecological detergent, a bit of baking soda or a lemon is enough. Better for your airfryer and the planet.
Difficult to remove grease residue in airfryer
Do you have grease residue in places that are hard to reach, such as behind the heating element? Lemon is your best friend there too. Cover the bottom of the airfryer with aluminium foil, add a small layer of water (a few millimetres is enough) and add some lemon juice or put chunks of lemon on top. Does your airfryer have a basket? It can just stay with it during this cleaning session.
Then turn on the airfryer at 180°C for 10 minutes. The steam from the lemon helps loosen grease and it drips neatly onto the foil. Then let everything cool down thoroughly, remove the foil and lemon and wipe all parts clean with a soft cloth and lukewarm water. Dry the airfryer with a cloth and let it air dry further before reassembling it.
Cleaning the heating element
The heating element is a delicate part and should never be removed from its place. Clean it carefully with a soft sponge or toothbrush and a mild detergent. Do not use scouring pads or metal tools. To reach it properly, you can carefully turn the airfryer upside down, but only when it has cooled down completely. First remove the basket and pan. Then dry everything carefully with a tea towel.
Making your airfryer easier to clean starts with cooking
Do you really want to do yourself a favour? Then start smart cleaning while you are still cooking. With a heat-resistant tray especially for the airfryer, you can catch grease and food residues, making the pan and basket much less dirty. A super tip that my father - also an airfryer fan - gave me as a gift with my Philips Airfryer. These types of inserts come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and materials, such as silicone and stainless steel. In short, handy and a lot less scrubbing afterwards. You read: with a few simple tricks and natural remedies, your airfryer will stay nice and clean for longer. No damage to the non-stick coating, no aggressive mess down the sink, and still a fresh appliance that is ready for the next cooking adventure. Easy, green and budget-proof. Just do it this way!
Check out the review on this airfryer here.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
