Grease and oil can build up in an air fryer over time, but one part of the useful applicance can be neglected. It is important to remember to clean the heating element
Millions of Brits use an air fryer and one key trick will keep the trusty machine odour free.
Grease and oil can build up in an air fryer over time, especially after cooking foods that are rich in oil and high in grease. This can lead to the grease getting stuck on the heating element and it can be very hard to get off. People should make sure to inspect the air fryer after each time it is used to try and make sure there is no buildup of grime. Experts at Studio told the Irish Examiner that residue on the heating element can lead to potential damage, burning and even unpleasant smells.
People can keep the air fryer in good condition by cleaning it with a cloth or toothbrush to remove grease. TikTok user @cleaningwithdanielled, meanwhile, told her followers she uses dishwasher tablet. Danielle said that a person simply needs to “pop one dishwasher tablet in each drawer”, and then “leave them to soak in boiling water for around half an hour”. They should then empty and rinse the appliance.
“The dishwasher tablets will actually break down all the fats and oils”, she said. “So it can go down your drain.” Danielle also warned against putting air fryer trays in the dishwasher because it “breaks them quicker”. Handwashing, she said, is important for the air fryer’s life span. Air fryers are now the third most-used appliance in British kitchens after toasters and microwave ovens, according to an annual survey.
The Good Food Nation study – which surveyed 2,003 UK adults – found that air fryers are now used more often than conventional electric ovens and conventional gas ovens. A total of 58 percent said they now use one, up from 46 percent last year, with 33 percent of respondents no longer using conventional ovens.
Sales of air fryers soared as their energy-saving credentials appealed to households during the cost-of-living crisis, and they are now more often used than conventional electric ovens and conventional gas ovens, the Good Food Nation study found. However, despite air fryers commonly claiming to make perfect toast, the toaster is still used by 77% of those polled, just slightly ahead of the 75% who use a microwave. Lily Barclay, content director for Good Food, said:“The Good Food Nation findings also confirm our long-held instincts that air fryers, almost unheard of two years ago, are now part of everyday life for the majority of households in the UK.”
