TikToker Shares Easy Way To Clean Greasy Air Fryer Basket, But Does It Actually Work?

Some TikTok content is genuinely helpful, providing neat tips and hacks for everyday tasks. Other content, like these hilariously useless TikTok cooking hacks, is so bad it can feel like you're getting trolled. Ultimately, it's up to viewers to investigate tips and determine if they have merit. That's precisely where we are with this air fryer cleaning hack that's been making the rounds on TikTok. One such clip posted by user @mcdbee recommends cleaning the air fryer basket by adding soapy water and heating it to 370 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes. Supposedly, the combination of water, dish soap, and heat/steam easily loosens food debris and allows it to rinse away. While this sounds pretty solid in theory, some commenters immediately spotted a few flaws.

@mcdbee

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"The instruction manual literally says not to fill it with water oil or liquids," one commenter noted, while another said, "Idk seems kinda dangerous lol." The problem is that this method could damage the device in some way. For instance, if the air fryer basket is nonstick, the hot water and soap could degrade the coating. Firefighters in the U.K. even warned people not to use the cleaning hack due to the electrical fire risk (courtesy of ITV News on Facebook), which is an even more compelling reason to proceed with caution.

If you're worried that you've been cleaning air fryers wrong your entire life, fret no more. We consulted the owner's manual for the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL for more insight into cleaning this kind of device, and to be fair, it doesn't explicitly say not to add oil or liquids to the basket. However, the manual's cleaning section does recommend hand-washing it for longevity's sake, even though it's also dishwasher-safe. While these general instructions are compatible with many appliances, check the owner's manual for your air fryer model to learn more.

Cleaning frequency is another crucial factor. One of the mistakes everyone makes with air fryers is failing to perform a monthly deep clean to eliminate hidden areas of grease and food debris. Of course, that doesn't absolve you from cleaning baskets and other removable components after every single use.

Back to the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL: The manual says the basket should be soaked in warm, soapy water to get rid of stuck-on food. You can also concoct a paste of dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda to break down residue. After letting the paste rest for a few minutes, food debris should scrub off easily.