Households urged to put washing up liquid in air fryer

Air fryers are all the rage right now and for good reason. They're cheaper to run than a big box oven, they produce healthier food that requires less cooking oil and they are quicker to cook with.

But like with anything relating to food, there's always the downside - cleaning up afterwards. But it's vitally important you clean out an air fryer safely to avoid the risk of a damaging fire.

Air fryers might be easy to cook with but they can be hard to clean, with various elements and trays that all need to be pulled out and de-grotted, but which can be sensitive to cleaning chemicals or may even break if put in the dishwasher.

According to cleaning experts UK Cleaning Supplies, the best way to clean your air fryer is to use a washing up liquid solution and a soft sponge between every use. This ensures you don't damage the sensitive non-stick coating of the inside of the air fryer.

It says: "Clean each part with warm water and washing-up liquid solution, using the soft side of the sponge or cloth to avoid damaging the non-stick coating. Ensure thorough cleaning by working into the gaps of the basket.

"For a deeper clean, hand-wash the main unit of the air fryer with water and washing-up liquid solution or an eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner for less harsh chemicals. Pay special attention to the heating coil underneath, cleaning it with a sponge/cloth and ensuring it's well-rinsed.

"Dry all parts thoroughly before reassembling your air fryer."

Keeping your air fryer clean is actually vitally important for lowering the risk of fire.

According to fire safety firm Crusader Fires, regular cleaning helps lower the risk of a fire being started by your air fryer.

They told households that some insurance claims for air fryer fires had hit £80,000 in damage, based on Aviva home insurance figures.

They added: "Regular cleaning: Clean the air fryer regularly to prevent grease build-up, which can ignite during use."