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Air Fryer Cleaning

(56 Posts)
dalrymple23 Sun 31-May-26 16:15:06

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?

Cossy Wed 03-Jun-26 08:29:36

We love ours. It’s the same all singing, all dancing.

We use very hot water, with little squirt of fairly liquid to clean all the bits which don’t come off. Toothbrushes are great in the kitchen aren’t they!

I like the sound of the lemon and water using the pressure cooking function, will try this?

Never had anything like cockroaches inside my air fryer or kitchen!!

MissAdventure Wed 03-Jun-26 08:23:29

Still nothing that would entice me to get one.
I don't want kits, tools, homemade cleaning solutions and instruction videos on something that's supposed to be simple.x

And i definitely don't want any air fried earwigs!!

Dorrain Wed 03-Jun-26 05:39:39

Doodledog

What do you all do in them to get the element so dirty? Mine is used a lot, and I’ve never felt the need to do more than wipe the bottom of the lid (which, in a Ninja, contains the element, ferry).

Cockroaches?? 😳 Are you in the UK, Dorrain?

No I'm in Sydney Australia, Doodledog and the cockroach problem started at the end summer and continued into an unseasonally warm autumn.

I love airfrying (it is basically a mini fan oven), so don't be put off people, just be aware. I was surprised when I checked online that so many others had the same problem!

Doodledog Tue 02-Jun-26 15:40:59

Mine has one lid, which is hinged to the base. The cooking pot is deep, so you’d have to try hard to get splashes on the lid - I can’t picture how that would happen at all.

dalrymple23 Tue 02-Jun-26 14:55:45

I am with AmberG on this and the fire hazard is what concerns me. There seem to be four pozidrive screws holding on the grid, which protects the fan. Head says "unscrew" but there is something niggling which tells me there might be n issue. Cannot pinpoint it. Ninja instructs not to do this but aren'tt rules there to be broken?!!

Luckily, my electrician is coming on the 8th, so I shall ask him and let you know.

AmberGran Tue 02-Jun-26 14:41:31

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.

Doodledog Tue 02-Jun-26 14:31:45

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.

Mojack26 Tue 02-Jun-26 14:25:12

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

MissAdventure Tue 02-Jun-26 12:13:52

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" blush

Sparky51 Tue 02-Jun-26 12:11:24

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

MissAdventure Tue 02-Jun-26 10:55:19

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.

henetha Tue 02-Jun-26 10:50:25

Thanks BlueBelle smile

Jane43 Tue 02-Jun-26 10:21:23

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.

Mauduit24 Tue 02-Jun-26 09:59:34

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

Greciangirl Mon 01-Jun-26 16:19:17

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.

avalon123 Mon 01-Jun-26 14:54:04

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.

Nannan2 Mon 01-Jun-26 14:38:15

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.

Nannan2 Mon 01-Jun-26 14:35:56

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.

Nannan2 Mon 01-Jun-26 14:30:33

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.

Mollygo Mon 01-Jun-26 14:21:15

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.

Jojo1950 Mon 01-Jun-26 14:04:12

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

MissAdventure Mon 01-Jun-26 13:13:49

Thanks, Mollygo smile

Astitchintime Mon 01-Jun-26 13:06:35

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

Mollygo Mon 01-Jun-26 12:57:07

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? smile

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.

MissAdventure Mon 01-Jun-26 12:21:39

grin