How NOT to Clean an Air Fryer: 5 Mistakes That Damage Your Appliance
By Ty from Duronic
For months, I was convinced my first air fryer was fundamentally flawed. It started to smoke at lower temperatures. The non-stick coating developed strange, dull patches. The once-crispy chips began to taste vaguely of last week's fish. I blamed the machine. The truth was far more embarrassing: I was cleaning it all wrong. In my rush to wipe it down, I was silently ruining it. This is a story I hear all too often. Proper cleaning is not about aesthetics, it is about performance, safety, and longevity. A poorly maintained air fryer will fail you. It will undercook, burn food, and eventually become a kitchen hazard.
Today, I am turning my early failure into your clear advantage. Using the Duronic AF34 BK dual air fryer as our benchmark, a model engineered for easy maintenance, I will walk you through the five critical cleaning mistakes you must avoid. More importantly, I will show you the simple, correct method that keeps your air fryer cooking like new, every single time.
The High Cost of Cutting Corners: Why Bad Cleaning Matters
You bought an air fryer for convenience and healthy cooking. Neglecting its care undermines both goals instantly. Burnt-on grease and food debris are more than unsightly. They become a heat barrier, causing the appliance to work harder and cook unevenly. Old residue can carbonise and smoke at high temperatures, tainting your food with unpleasant flavours. Worst of all, a damaged non-stick coating can flake into your meals. The Duronic AF34 BK dual drawer air fryer is built with user-friendly cleaning in mind, featuring dishwasher-safe, non-stick baskets and removable trays. This design hands you an advantage, but it is not a free pass. You must still use the right techniques to protect that investment.
The 5 Cardinal Sins of Air Fryer Cleaning (And How to Correct Them)
Mistake #1: The Scouring Pad Sabotage
You bought an air fryer for convenience and healthy cooking. Neglecting its care undermines both goals instantly. Burnt-on grease and food debris are more than unsightly. They become a heat barrier, causing the appliance to work harder and cook unevenly. Old residue can carbonise and smoke at high temperatures, tainting your food with unpleasant flavours. Worst of all, a damaged non-stick coating can flake into your meals. The Duronic AF34 BK air fryer is built with user-friendly cleaning in mind, featuring dishwasher-safe, non-stick baskets and removable trays. This design hands you an advantage, but it is not a free pass. You must still use the right techniques to protect that investment.
The Correct Way:
Always use soft tools. A gentle sponge (the non-scratch side), or a soft cloth is all you need. For the Duronic AF34's air fryer baskets, a quick soak in warm, soapy water will loosen 95% of debris, making gentle wiping sufficient. For tougher spots, a paste of baking soda and water applied with a soft cloth works wonders without abrasion.
Mistake #2: The "While It's Hot" Hazard
It is tempting to clean the basket immediately after cooking, when the grease is still liquid. This is dangerously counterproductive. Pouring cold water or spray onto a searing-hot basket or drawer can cause thermal shock, warping the metal. It also poses a serious burn risk from hot steam and oil splatter.
The Correct Way:
Patience is your safest tool. Always unplug the digital air fryer and let it cool down completely. The Duronic AF34 BK's clever design helps here. You can remove the hot baskets using the cool-touch handles and place them on a heat-proof surface to cool separately, speeding up the process. Never submerge any part of the main unit in water.
Mistake #3: The "Dunk the Whole Unit" Disaster
Your air fryer is an electrical appliance, not a pot. Immersing the main body, control panel, or heating element in water will cause catastrophic electrical failure and is a severe safety hazard. Even excessive wiping around the digital controls with a sopping wet cloth can cause internal damage.
The Correct Way:
Clean by separation. Only the removable, non-stick baskets and trays of the Duronic AF34 dual zone air fryer are designed for contact with water. Wash these in your sink or, for ultimate convenience, place them directly into your Duronic DW5 BK tabletop dishwasher. For the main unit, simply unplug it, ensure it is cool, and wipe the exterior and the interior cavity (where the drawer slides in) with a slightly damp cloth, followed by a dry one. Never let water enter the vents or the rear heating element.
Mistake #4: The Ignored "Hidden" Residue
Cleaning just the air fryer basket is like washing only the plate and not the fork. Grease and tiny food particles collect in less obvious places: the underside of the basket, the interior walls of the drawer, and most critically, the heating element at the top of the main unit. This built-up residue is a primary cause of smoke and strange smells.
The Correct Way:
Adopt a full-system clean. Each time you wash the basket, flip it over and clean the underside. Wipe out the inside of the drawer shell. For the heating element, the Duronic AF34's design helps again. Once the large air fryer is completely cool and unplugged, you can often access the element. Use a soft, dry brush (like a clean paintbrush) to gently dislodge any crumbs. Never use water or cleaning spray directly on the element.
Mistake #5: The Harsh Chemical Reaction
Aggressive oven cleaners, bleach, or strong degreasers are overkill for an air fryer. Their caustic chemicals can permanently etch and degrade the non-stick coating, and their fumes can linger in the plastic and seals, potentially leaching into your food during the next cook.
The Correct Way:
Stick to mild, food-safe cleaners. Washing-up liquid and warm water are perfectly adequate for daily cleaning. For a deeper monthly clean, a natural solution of equal parts white vinegar and water can help dissolve grease and mineral deposits. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
The Proactive Solution: How to Clean Correctly in 5 Minutes
Let us build the perfect routine using tools designed for the job, like the Duronic AFL3 silicone air fryer liners.
Unplug & Cool:
Safety first. Always start here.
Remove & Empty:
Take out the baskets and trays. Discard any loose oil or crumbs from the main unit.
Soak & Wash:
Let the baskets and trays soak in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. Use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe them clean. For baked-on grease, a paste of baking soda works wonders. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Wipe Down:
With a damp microfibre cloth, wipe the interior cavity of the air fryer and the exterior. Dry immediately.
Reassemble:
Ensure all parts are completely dry before slotting the baskets back in.
The Ultimate Hack for Effortless Cleaning:
For near-zero cleanup, use Duronic AFL3 reusable silicone liners. Simply place a liner in the basket before cooking. It catches all drips and crumbs. After cooking, you just remove the liner, wash it (it's dishwasher safe), and your basket often remains spotless. It is the single best investment for preserving your air fryer's non-stick surface.
Product Deep Dive: Why the Duronic AF34 BK Makes Maintenance Simple
Cleaning is not an afterthought in the Duronic AF34 BK's design; it is integrated. Its triple-drawer system means you are often cleaning smaller, more manageable 5L baskets rather than one large, cumbersome unit. The non-stick, removable trays are explicitly marked as dishwasher safe, taking the manual labour out of the process. This is where pairing it with a Duronic DW5 BK portable dishwasher creates a powerhouse cleaning duo. You can place the air fryer baskets and trays directly into the compact dishwasher for a hands-free, hygienic clean.
Furthermore, its viewing windows with internal lights are not just for cooking. They allow you to spot spills and splatters immediately, so you can address them before they bake on during the next cycle. This proactive approach is key to easy maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can I put my air fryer baskets in the dishwasher?
Yes, absolutely. The removable non-stick baskets and trays of the Duronic AF34 BK dual air fryer are specifically designed to be dishwasher safe. Placing them in a Duronic DW5 BK tabletop dishwasher provides the most convenient and thorough clean.
How do I get rid of stubborn, baked-on grease in the air fryer basket?
Avoid abrasive scrubbing. Create a paste from baking soda and a little water. Spread it over the greasy areas and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. The baking soda will lift the grease. Wipe away with a soft cloth or sponge, then wash as normal.
The inside of my air fryer smells like old food. What can I do?
This is caused by residual oils in the main cavity. Ensure the air fryer is unplugged and cool. Place a bowl with equal parts water and lemon juice or white vinegar in the drawer. Run the air fryer at 180°C for 5-10 minutes. The steam will deodorise the interior. Afterwards, wipe it out with a damp cloth.
How often should I clean the heating element of my air fryer?
Check it monthly. Once the appliance is completely cool and unplugged, look at the heating coil at the top of the main unit. Use a soft, dry brush to gently dislodge any visible crumbs or debris. Never use water or cleaner on it directly.
Conclusion:
How you clean your air fryer directly determines how well it cooks, how long it lasts, and how safe it remains. The mistakes outlined here are common, but they are entirely avoidable. By choosing an appliance designed for easy care, like the Duronic AF34 BK double air fryer with its dishwasher-safe components, and adopting the correct techniques, you protect your investment.
Embrace the simple routine: cool, separate, soak, and wipe. Consider game-changing accessories like the Duronic AFL3 silicone liners for near-effortless maintenance. Your air fryer is not just a cooker; it is a kitchen partner. Treat it with the right care, and it will deliver perfect, healthy, and delicious results for years to come. Stop cleaning it wrong, and start cooking with confidence.
