Warning for Anyone Using an Air Fryer: There’s One Essential Part You Must Clean—but It’s Often Overlooked

Failing to clean this part of an air fryer can pose serious safety risks.

Air fryers have become a staple in many kitchens thanks to their speed, convenience, and reduced oil use. However, besides the frying basket that people regularly wash, there is another crucial part that many households unknowingly neglect—the area housing the heating element.

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The “Hidden” Dirt Trap in Air Fryers

According to experts and cooking content creators quoted by Express, most users focus only on cleaning the removable basket, which comes into direct contact with food and can be washed like regular cookware. In contrast, the heating element is rarely checked or cleaned.

The heating element is a metal coil typically located on the ceiling or inside the cooking chamber. It generates the high heat needed to cook food. If not cleaned regularly, grease and dust can build up around this area, yet many users completely overlook it.

Ciara, a cooking and kitchen-cleaning content creator, shared her firsthand experience on Express, asking:
“Have you ever really looked inside your air fryer? Right above the heating element, there’s a huge amount of grease buildup.”

According to Ciara, if this grease is not properly removed, it can become a potential fire hazard, making regular cleaning essential.

Cleaning with Just Two Simple Ingredients

To tackle grease around the heating element, Ciara shared a simple method using only water and lemon.

She places two heat-resistant bowls inside the air fryer basket, fills them with water, and adds a few slices of lemon. When heated, the steam helps loosen and soften the grease stuck above the heating element.

She recommends setting the air fryer to 200°C (392°F) for 10 minutes, then allowing it to cool completely before wiping it clean.

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Important Safety Tips When Cleaning

Ciara stresses never letting water come into direct contact with the heating element. She advises:
“Make sure there’s no standing water left. Clean around the element as carefully as possible.”

To reach tight spaces without touching the metal coil, she uses an old toothbrush. She admits this area requires much more effort than cleaning the basket and is not an easy task.

Even after cleaning, some grease or stains may remain due to how difficult the area is to access. Still, Ciara emphasizes that it will be far cleaner—and much safer—than before.

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As air fryers become increasingly common in households, thoroughly cleaning all components—especially those often ignored—not only extends the appliance’s lifespan but also helps ensure user safety. For hard-to-reach areas, users who are unsure or unable to clean them properly at home may consider professional appliance-cleaning services to reduce long-term risks.