Safe & effective cleanser for toaster oven/air fryer?

June 22, 2024 6:46 PM

I have a stainless steel air fryer that is not non-stick as far as I know (link inside). It’s smoking after under 10 uses. How can I clean it now and how should I clean it after each use (or should I)? Note, I hate the smell of strong chemicals and I don’t care what anyone says, baking soda + whatever just doesn’t work. Or if it does I’m not using it, too many exhausting experiences.

This is the thing I have.

https://www.amazon.ca/Hamilton-Beach-31225-Countertop-Stainless/product-reviews/B07VC3M4JQ

Haven’t cooked anything greasier than potatoes with a light spray of oil on them.

posted by cotton dress sock to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

If it is brand new, it is likely burning off the chemical bonding agents used in the manufacturing. If this is the case cleaning won’t make much of a difference. You can either wait it out though a handful more toasting cycles or you can do a burn off cycle at high heat for a half hour or so with your windows open and a fan going for ventilation.
posted by donut_princess at 6:58 PM on June 22 [1 favorite]

You could try Barkeeper's Friend, it usually does a good job cleaning stainless steel. It has no strong chemical odor (at least to my nose which is usually fairly sensitive). My brand new stainless steel cookware set came with care instructions recommending Barkeeper's Friend for cleaning, suggesting that it may also work for your air fryer.
posted by biogeo at 7:32 PM on June 22 [2 favorites]

I have a similar style air fryer and find that whenever I have smoke issues it’s because some oil has dripped onto the heating element. If that’s the case for you and you have outdoor space with an outlet* I would take the air fryer outside and run it on max for a few cycles to burn it off.

(*for safety reasons, please don’t use an extension cord unless you know for a fact that it can handle your 1800W air fryer)
posted by btfreek at 8:37 PM on June 22 [5 favorites]

For cleaning my air fryer on a daily basis, I put everything that I can into the dishwasher. If I clean by hand, I use Dawn Power wash and elbow grease. I usually wash things right away, so nothing has had time to set further.
posted by tofu_crouton at 4:34 AM on June 23

Dawn Power wash is what works for me. Also, I line the tray at the bottom with tinfoil (the extra thick kind) and change that frequently.
posted by OrangeDisk at 10:09 AM on June 23

Check that something didn't fly up under the coils. In our house, sliced cheese and pepperoni are the most likely culprits, but the convection fans can turn anything flat into a sail. You should be able to clean it with regular dish soap and a toothbrush.
posted by Gable Oak at 11:32 AM on June 23

The technique shown in this video seems effective, and the strongest chemical it uses is Dawn PowerWash: Clean That Up: How To Clean Your Air Fryer Quick And Easy.
posted by Lexica at 10:37 AM on June 24