Air Fryer Cleaning

MissAdventure

Ok, well size matters, so how much space would anyone think a small ish one would take up, please?

Just for two people, max.

Do you need to leave space around it, and does it get greasy around where it stands, please?

Size varies - some are more 'squat' than other, so would take up more space, while others are taller but narrower, if that makes sense. Everything is contained in the air fryer itself, so you don't get grease round about them.
I agree with others about the name 'air fryer' being misleading though - they're not actually 'frying' anything.

I've just got an ordinary air fryer, not one as described in the OP.
I find it very easy to clean. If I've cooked meat or fish then I clean the drawers properly, although obviously no immersion in hot water. But if I have only cooked chips then I just wipe it with kitchen roll. I hope I'm doing it right. Or should I be delving into it's innards to clean it properly?

I wish I could hire one for a couple of weeks!
I have a tiny kitchen, which is beset with insect problems, and that's part of the issue too.
Air fried earwigs...

MissAdventure

I wish I could hire one for a couple of weeks!
I have a tiny kitchen, which is beset with insect problems, and that's part of the issue too.
Air fried earwigs...

sounds delicious MissA - with a side of ants

You are doing it right Henetha

MissAdventure

Ok, well size matters, so how much space would anyone think a small ish one would take up, please?

Just for two people, max.

Do you need to leave space around it, and does it get greasy around where it stands, please?

I had an all singing all dancing Ninja, but best one I’ve used for everyday cooking is a Breville VDF130 Halo Flexi 11L Dual Oven Air Fryer

It has two separate sections, like most, but with baskets and trays and has storage space for the trays.

Best part? You can take out the centre panel and use the whole space like a mini oven. I bought an extra whole width mesh tray so I can cook on several levels at once.

You have to shop around for the best price though. Argos are selling it for around £100 less than Currys.

ferry23

Peeps, RTT, dalrymple was asking about the element part, not the basket or any other moving parts.

I wipe around the element and then I use a soft toothbrush which seems to dislodge any stray bits caught in it. Recommended to me by ...,I can't remember! It seem to work though.

I did make reference to cleaning around the element

Thanks, Mollygo

Leave it alone if that’s what the booklet tells you!

dalrymple23
Sorry, I forgot about the cleaning bit.
The baskets on the shelves go in the dishwasher and I put a dish of water in, heat it for a few minutes, then wipe the sides down where necessary.

Is it the one which grills/ roasts as well? I have one,you can unclip the grid which covers the heating element,i pop mine in dishwasher, or you can scrub it with a metal 'scrubby' (NOT while its still snapped in the lid though!) It is very hard to unclip/clip back in though, i had to get my son to undo ours& snap back in.Make sure its completely dry too as it sits next to heating element.

Also, to everyone, DONT use normal oil sprays in the air fryers, ONLY the special Air Fryer oil sprays, as the usual ones the oil sticks on and then NEVER comes off as it bakes it on- the AIR FRYER ones are made differently.

I think ive the same ninja as op- as the heating element is in the lift up lid?🤔so yes it should be the grid in it unclips for cleaning,then clips back in again.

There are a lot of videos about this on YouTube. Also you should be able to download the instruction book from the maker's website.

I have a Ninja oven with the lift up lid.

The heating element in the lid gets very greasy, but I’m afraid to unscrew it and take it out in case I can’t get it back in again.
Otherwise I’m happy with it.
It doesn’t smoke at all.
I wash the tray regularly of course.

dalrymple23

I have a Ninja, which does everything - slow cook, pressure cook, roast, bake, air crisp and all bells and whistles. I am sure that someone must know to which model I am referring. (unable to find the booklet!).

Obviously, the base unit is easy to take out and wash, although getting everything off which is clarted on, is well nigh impossible. What concerns me is the accumulation of grease under the lid where the fan resides. I tried steaming it today, with no effect.

The instructions state that the lid should never be dismantled. So how is one supposed to get into that area?

Any solution to this conundrum would be gratefully received. Or is this just another example of built-in obsolescence?

If you are able to look up Nancy birtwhistle on social media. She used a homemade cleaning solution to clean her air fryer with . Think she is on fb , instagram etc well worth checking out

MayBee70

My son bought a larger one and gave me his old one. I’ve only used it a couple of times. I did a baked potato in it as they were supposed to be really delicious when cooked in one but it just tasted steamed, not baked. I must get into the habit of using it but don’t really know where to start.

I always finish off baked potatoes in the air fryer, I microwave them for four or five minutes depending in size, coat with oil and salt then put them in the air fryer for around 20 minutes on the highest temperature which is 210, the skin is crispy and the inside nice and fluffy.

Thanks BlueBelle

I put microwaved potatoes to crisp up in my oven for around 20 minutes.
I can't see whats better about an airfryer in thay particular case.

So the metal container goes in the dishwasher..and just wipe the outer case after each use..goodness.!!!

I haven't got a dishwasher, so it would mean washing in hot soapy water, i suppose?
Or, thinking "I'll do it next time"

I just have Ninja dual air fryer...easy to clean

MissAdventure

I put microwaved potatoes to crisp up in my oven for around 20 minutes.
I can't see whats better about an airfryer in thay particular case.

Just that they are faster, so cheaper to run. They don't need to be preheated, and as they are smaller than an oven they cook faster.

I have an all singing Ninja too - quite a few years old now. If you cook anything fatty like meat (sausages, bacon, steaks, joints) then the lid behind the element will get very greasy and can become a fire hazard. Not only that, the grease melts and drips down around the top of the pot. Ask me how I know.

I bought a kit from somewhere (Robert Dyas maybe) which has the proper tools to fit so the square bit can be taken off to show the actual element. Unplug the air fryer first! I use a small round brush and soapy water to get the grease off the lid, I only give the element a wipe over. The square bit gets a soak in hot soapy water then a good scrub. I had to use a plastic knife last time to get the baked on bits off. Then I put it back together and let it all dry off before I use it.

I'm not bothered about the Ninja warranty as it's well out of warranty now. It always amazes me that people talk about how easy it is to clean the trays but few talk about the actual lid. If you're a veggie or only use it to air fry meals in dishes it may be easier as there is less spatter.

The second lid, used for steaming and pressure cooking, is really easy to wipe around and take a couple of bits out.