Are air fryers easy to clean? Most basket-style models are fairly straightforward to keep clean, especially when the cooking drawer and crisper plate lift out easily. But there’s a big difference between washing one smooth basket and scrubbing an oven-style machine with multiple racks, corners and a greasy door. If cleaning is a deal-breaker, we’d recommend choosing the design and removable parts carefully before worrying about extra programmes.
Our pick for the simplest everyday upkeep is usually a single-drawer air fryer with a smooth non-stick basket, a removable crisper plate and few awkward crevices. Glass bowls can be appealing because you can see residue, but their weight matters. A microwave with an air-fry function may save worktop space without necessarily saving cleaning effort.
Are Air Fryers Easy to Clean UK? What Should You Expect?
Most removable baskets can be washed in warm water with washing-up liquid and a non-abrasive sponge. A quick wipe of the cooled interior and outer surfaces helps prevent grease building up. We’d recommend cleaning after each use rather than leaving food deposits to harden over several cooking sessions.
Which? recommends wiping away grease, washing the removable basket and accessories and checking the interior after cooking. Its UK air fryer cleaning guide also points out that not all dishwasher-safe parts are best treated with repeated dishwasher cycles, particularly if a non-stick coating could be damaged.
Which Type of Air Fryer Is Easiest to Clean?
For most buyers, we’d suggest starting with a simple, removable-basket design rather than assuming all air fryers need the same amount of attention. The comparison below looks at the parts you actually have to wash.
| Type | Typical Cleaning Effort | What Makes the Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Single-drawer basket | Usually easiest | One removable basket and one plate |
| Dual-drawer model | Easy parts, twice as many | Two baskets and usually two plates |
| Glass-bowl design | Easy to see residue; heavier to wash | Glass bowl size, weight and dishwasher approval |
| Oven-style air fryer | Often more involved | Multiple trays, rack supports, door and interior walls |
| Microwave-air fryer combination | Varies by design | Shared cavity, accessories and splatter management |
| Multicooker with air-fry lid | More components to inspect | Lid, cooking pot, seals and accessories |
This isn’t a guarantee that every single-basket model is easier than every oven. Removable trays with dishwasher approval can make a well-designed oven-style machine surprisingly manageable. We’d still compare the real cleaning steps in the instructions for two or three shortlisted models.
Are Glass Air Fryers Easy to Clean?
Glass-bowl air fryers have an obvious advantage: you can see grease and baked-on residue without peering into a dark drawer. Smooth glass can also be pleasant to wash, and some removable bowls are dishwasher-safe. We’d check the specific manual rather than assume all glass parts can go in the dishwasher.
The trade-off is weight and handling. A large glass bowl may be awkward to lift into the sink, and a hot bowl needs safe space to cool. Some designs also have separate lids or heating heads that cannot be submerged. For people who prefer lighter parts, we’d recommend trying the bowl’s weight before buying.
Glass vs Non-Stick Baskets: Which Is Less Hassle?
Glass makes it easier to spot grime, while a good non-stick basket can make food release more readily. Neither wins automatically. A large glass bowl with an awkward lid may take more work than a small non-stick drawer, while a scratched or damaged coating can make an older basket frustrating to wash.
Are Microwave Air Fryers Easy to Clean?
A combination microwave-air fryer can save you buying and storing two separate appliances, but its shared cavity may collect both microwave splashes and air-frying grease. Some models have removable air-fry trays or racks, which add extra parts to wash. We wouldn’t assume one appliance means half the cleaning.
Check how the air-fry accessory fits, whether grease reaches the cavity roof or grill element, and how easily you can reach the corners. We’d recommend reading the manual for the exact model and checking which pieces are dishwasher-safe. If the appliance also has a turntable, that may need regular washing too.
If you’re comparing an air fryer with a microwave for everyday use, our air fryer versus microwave energy guide explores the different roles these appliances play.
What’s the Best Air Fryer to Get if I Don’t Want to Clean It All the Time?
We’d recommend a single, smooth basket with a removable plate, an uncomplicated handle assembly and easy access to the cooking cavity. Look for parts that rinse clean without having to scrub around screws, tight mesh or elaborate inserts. Being dishwasher-safe is a useful bonus, but straightforward hand-washing can be gentler on some non-stick surfaces.
- A smooth basket interior: fewer ridges and awkward corners where crumbs collect.
- A removable crisper plate: easy access underneath, where oil and food bits often settle.
- Simple handles and joins: fewer hard-to-reach crevices.
- Light removable parts: more comfortable to carry to the sink.
- A clearly accessible cavity: easier to wipe the top and sides when cooled.
- Replaceable baskets or plates: useful if the coating eventually wears or parts are damaged.
- Clear cleaning instructions: a good sign that upkeep won’t be guesswork.
The crisper plate can be a particular cleaning hotspot. Our guide to air fryer crisper plates explains what it does and why its design matters.
How Much Cleaning Do Dual-Drawer and Oven-Style Air Fryers Need?
Two drawers can be convenient for preparing different foods but they also mean two baskets, two plates and more surfaces to wipe. That’s not necessarily difficult; it is simply more washing up. We’d recommend checking that the drawers fit comfortably in your sink, especially with wider family models.
Oven-style air fryers tend to have more nooks and crannies: shelf rails, a glass door, drip trays and sometimes a rear fan cover. Removable parts can make these models easier, but grease on a cavity wall is less convenient than grease in a basket you can carry to the sink.
If you’re already considering a dual-zone appliance, our dual-basket air fryer buying guide covers the trade-off between convenience and extra components. For the size and footprint of different formats, see our complete UK air fryer sizing guide.
Is It Easy to Clean the Heating Element of an Air Fryer?
Usually it’s less convenient than washing the basket, because the heating element is fixed inside the appliance and may be difficult to reach. Grease and crumbs can build up around it, especially after cooking fatty foods. We’d recommend choosing a model with clear manufacturer cleaning instructions and accessible interior surfaces.
Always switch the appliance off, unplug it and let it cool completely. Follow the maker’s method for accessing and gently wiping the element; a lightly dampened cloth or soft brush may be appropriate on certain models. Never pour water into the electrical housing, scrape at the element with metal tools or dismantle protected components unless the manufacturer’s instructions expressly permit it.
Which? explains cleaning the area beneath the heating element in its detailed cleaning instructions. Some models require a different approach, so the manufacturer’s instructions take priority.
How Do You Clean an Air Fryer?
A little regular maintenance is usually easier than dealing with a thick layer of baked-on grease. We’d recommend this straightforward routine for most basket models, adjusted to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Switch off and unplug. Leave the appliance until it is fully cool before touching the basket or interior.
- Remove and wipe loose grease. Use kitchen paper to lift excess oil and crumbs rather than sending grease down the sink.
- Wash the basket and crisper plate. Warm water, washing-up liquid and a non-abrasive sponge are normally enough.
- Soak stubborn food residue. If the manual allows, leave removable parts in warm soapy water to loosen stuck-on food rather than scrubbing the coating.
- Wipe the cooled cavity. Use a slightly damp cloth to clean accessible interior surfaces without flooding vents or electrical parts.
- Dry everything. Reassemble only when the parts and interior are dry.
Electrical Safety First explicitly warns against running an air fryer with water and washing-up liquid in the basket as an online ‘self-cleaning’ trick. It can create electrical shock and fire risks. Read its UK electrical cleaning advice before trying any viral shortcut.
Are Dishwasher-Safe Air Fryers Actually Easier to Keep Clean?
Being able to put the basket and plate in the dishwasher can be convenient, particularly after greasy food. But ‘dishwasher-safe’ isn’t always the same as ‘best cleaned in the dishwasher’. Harsh cycles and contact with other dishes can gradually affect a non-stick finish. We’d suggest following the maker’s instructions and considering a quick hand-wash for lightly soiled parts.
Also check the fine print. Sometimes only the basket is dishwasher-safe, while the crisper plate, lid or particular accessories have different instructions. We’d recommend confirming each removable part, not relying on one claim printed on the box.
Do Air Fryer Liners Make Cleaning Easier?
A suitable liner can catch drips and prevent some food from sticking to the basket. Which? tested different liners and found reusable silicone baskets helpful for reducing mess, although they can restrict air circulation depending on their shape. We’d recommend checking the liner’s dimensions and using it only where the appliance manufacturer allows.
Loose paper is a particular concern. It can move towards a hot element if it isn’t weighed down by food. We’d avoid placing unsecured paper in an operating air fryer and follow the model’s accessory guidance.
For the pros, cons and different shapes, see our guide to silicone air fryer liners.
What Makes an Air Fryer Difficult to Clean?
- Fixed or awkward inserts: food residue collects where you cannot comfortably reach.
- Large wire-mesh trays: crumbs can stick around many small gaps.
- Heavy bowls or drawers: awkward to handle over a sink.
- Grease on oven walls: cleaning a cavity is more involved than washing a removable basket.
- Too many accessories: every rack, divider and plate adds washing up.
- Coating that scratches easily: makes gentle cleaning more important.
- Long gaps between washes: residue hardens and becomes more difficult to remove.
We’d suggest checking independent cleaning scores instead of relying only on a brand’s claim that a model is ‘easy clean’. Which? includes cleaning as part of its air fryer usability tests, so its testing explanation helps clarify what to look for.
Our Verdict: Are Air Fryers Easy to Clean?
For most people, yes—a well-designed single-basket air fryer is fairly easy to clean. We’d recommend choosing one with smooth removable parts, a sensible basket weight and a clear cleaning procedure. More elaborate models can still be excellent, but glass bowls, oven cavities, microwave combinations and extra cooking zones bring their own cleaning trade-offs.
So, are air fryers easy to clean in everyday UK kitchens? Usually, provided you wipe and wash the removable parts regularly. If washing up is the main reason you might regret the purchase, we’d prioritise design simplicity over another row of cooking presets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Air Fryers Easy to Clean UK Models Compared With Ovens?
Single-basket models often have fewer surfaces and removable parts, making regular washing straightforward. Oven-style designs can need more interior wiping.
Are Glass Air Fryers Easy to Clean in the Dishwasher?
Some glass bowls are dishwasher-safe, but not all lids or electrical components are. We’d recommend checking each part’s instructions and considering the bowl’s weight.
Are Microwave Air Fryers Easy to Clean After Greasy Food?
It depends on the cavity and accessories. Grease may settle on walls or near the heating element, and removable racks still need washing.
Which Type of Air Fryer Is Easiest to Clean for Everyday Cooking?
We’d recommend comparing straightforward single-drawer designs with removable crisper plates, smooth interiors and comfortable handles.
What’s the Best Air Fryer to Get if I Don’t Want to Clean It All the Time?
Look for a simple removable basket, minimal tight corners and parts that are easy to reach and wash. Regular quick cleaning still matters.
Is It Easy to Clean the Heating Element of an Air Fryer Safely?
It can be awkward. Unplug, cool completely and follow the exact model’s instructions for wiping or brushing accessible areas.
How Do You Clean an Air Fryer Without Damaging the Coating?
Use warm soapy water and a soft sponge for approved removable parts. Avoid metal scourers, harsh scraping and unsafe heated-water cleaning tricks.
UK Sources
- Which? — How to Clean an Air Fryer — basket, interior and element cleaning.
- Which? — How Air Fryers Are Tested — includes ease of cleaning.
- Electrical Safety First — Safe Gadget Cleaning — warning against water-filled air fryer hacks.