Air fryers have become a staple in many kitchens, making cooking faster and easier.
The same cannot be said about cleaning them.
With all the grease that can build up in an air fryer basket, you’d be forgiven for wanting to throw it in the dishwasher and call it a day.
Before you toss your greasy basket in with the dinner plates, here’s everything you need to know about safely cleaning your air fryer without damaging this handy appliance.
What parts of the air fryer are dishwasher safe?
Most air fryers have removable components, such as the basket, crisper tray, and drawer. These are typically made of metal with a non-stick coating and may be dishwasher-safe, depending on the model.
For example, Phillips says, “The pan, basket or frying insert of your Philips Airfryer is dishwasher safe.”
However, it also advises using warm, soapy water to clean these items (and not the dishwasher).
Is it safe to put an air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Technically, yes, if your basket is labelled dishwasher safe. But even when it is, repeated exposure to hot water, harsh detergents, and high-pressure spray can wear down the non-stick coating over time.
This coating is essential for easy cleaning and even cooking. Once it starts to peel or flake, your air fryer basket won’t just be harder to clean; it could also affect the quality of your food.
How to clean an air fryer basket (the safe way)
Even if your basket is dishwasher-safe, many experts recommend handwashing. Here’s how:
1. Unplug and cool down
Always unplug your appliance and let it cool completely before cleaning.
2. Soak in warm, soapy water
Fill your sink with warm water and dishwashing liquid, and soak the basket for 10–15 minutes to loosen grease and baked-on food.
3. Scrub gently
Use a soft sponge to wipe away residue. Avoid abrasive brushes that could damage the non-stick surface.
4. Rinse and dry thoroughly
Rinse with warm water, then dry completely with a clean cloth before returning it to the unit.
For tougher baked-on grime, the Phillips website also notes using a degreaser.
“If there are fat stains on the pan or the basket and you have not been able to remove them with the cleaning liquid, use a more powerful liquid degreaser. Follow the instructions on the packaging.”
Air fryer dishwasher safety: what the experts say
According to CHOICE experts Fiona Mair and Chantelle Dart, dishwashers can degrade the non-stick coating inside air fryer baskets. That can lead to:
- Food sticks more easily.
- Coating flaking into your meals
- Potential exposure to PFAS chemicals (often used in non-stick coatings like PTFE/Teflon)
While it’s unclear whether these chemicals cause harm at low levels, damage to the coating increases their likelihood of leaching into food when heated to high temperatures.
Fiona says, “Dishwashers can damage your air fryer’s non-stick coating … which may release toxins or flakes of the coating into your food when your air fryer is heated to very high temperatures.”
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