The essentials in 30 seconds
Unplug the air fryer and let it cool for about 30 minutes. Wash the basket, pan or crisper insert with hot water, washing-up liquid and a soft sponge; if food is stuck, soak it in hot soapy water first. No metal utensils, scouring pads or abrasive cleaners: they damage the non-stick coating. For the inside and heating element, turn the empty unit upside down on a soft cloth and use a soft sponge with hot water, and a soft to medium brush for stuck bits, never a wire brush. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Never immerse the main unit or let water into it. Whether the basket can go in the dishwasher depends on the model: Philips says its pans and baskets can, Tower says its basket must not.
- Clean it after every use, as Tower recommends, so grease does not bake on.
- Dry every part before using it again.
- Run the empty air fryer for a few minutes after cleaning the element.
How to clean an air fryer
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01
Unplug and cool
Switch off, unplug and wait about 30 minutes.
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02
Take out the removable parts
Basket, pan, crisper plate or grill insert.
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03
Soak if needed
Philips suggests filling the pan with hot water and detergent for five to ten minutes; Tower says stuck residue can soak for a few hours or overnight.
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04
Wash
Hot water, a washing-up liquid that removes fat and a soft, non-abrasive sponge or brush.
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05
Stubborn grease
Philips suggests a stronger liquid degreaser if washing-up liquid is not enough, following the instructions on the pack.
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06
Inside and element
Clean with hot water and a soft sponge (see below).
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07
Outside
Wipe with a damp cloth.
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08
Dry
Make sure every part is completely dry before putting it back.
Cleaning the basket and pan
The basket and pan are coated with non-stick, so the main rule is gentle tools. Philips and Tower both say not to use metal kitchen utensils or abrasive cleaning materials, as they damage the coating; Tower adds caustic cleaning agents and scouring sponges to the list. Philips recommends a cleaning liquid that removes fat, and a soak to loosen residue stuck to the bottom.
| Part | Use | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Basket, pan, insert | Hot water, washing-up liquid, soft sponge; soak for stuck food | Metal utensils, scouring pads, abrasive or caustic cleaners |
| Heating element | Soft sponge with hot water; soft to medium bristle brush | Steel wire brush, hard bristle brush |
| Inside of the unit | Hot water and a soft, non-abrasive sponge | Letting water run into the unit |
| Outside | Damp cloth | Immersing in water, rinsing under the tap |
| Window in the top front | Soft sponge with hot water, unit upside down | Abrasives |
Can air fryer baskets go in the dishwasher?
It depends on your model, so check the manual. Philips says the pan, basket or frying insert of its air fryers is dishwasher safe, and a window on the pan can go in the dishwasher too. Tower's manual for one of its 6-litre air fryers says the opposite: its cooking basket is not dishwasher-proof and must never go in the dishwasher. If the manual is lost, look up the model number on the manufacturer's website before trying it.
Cleaning inside the air fryer and the heating element
Philips' method for the inside:
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01
Unplug and cool
Make sure it is no longer hot.
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02
Remove the basket and pan
The chamber should be empty.
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03
Turn it over
Lay a soft cloth down and place the appliance upside down on it to reach the element without scratching the unit.
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04
Clean
A soft sponge with hot water for the inside and the element.
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05
Stuck food
A soft to medium bristle brush; not a steel wire or hard bristle brush, which can damage the element's coating. A flexible brush reaches behind the element.
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06
Run it empty
Put it back upright and run it for a few minutes with no food, so loosened residue falls into the pan.
Tower likewise says to wipe the inside with hot water and a non-abrasive sponge, clean the element with a cleaning brush and not let water or other liquids into the unit.
Windows and steam cleaning
- Window on top: clean it like the inside, with the unit upside down on a soft cloth and a soft sponge with hot water.
- Steam clean function: some models have one. Philips describes a steam clean program on certain models that dissolves grease in the pan, followed by drying; follow your manual.
Cleaning an air fryer: frequently asked questions
How do I clean an air fryer basket?
Let it cool, then wash it with hot water, washing-up liquid and a soft sponge. Soak it first if food is stuck, and never use metal utensils or abrasive pads.
Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Only if your manual says so. Philips says its baskets and pans are dishwasher safe; Tower says its basket must never go in the dishwasher.
How do I clean the heating element of an air fryer?
Unplug it, let it cool, turn it upside down on a soft cloth and clean the element with a soft sponge and hot water, using a soft to medium brush for stuck food. No wire brushes.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
Tower recommends cleaning it after every use, which stops grease baking on.
Can I wash the whole air fryer in water?
No. Never immerse the main unit, the cord or the plug. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth and the inside with a soft sponge.
What removes baked-on grease from an air fryer?
A soak in hot water with washing-up liquid. Philips suggests a stronger liquid degreaser for fat stains that remain, used as the pack directs.
Sources
Air fryer manufacturer instructions, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Philips · How to clean my Philips Airfryer ↗Basket and pan with hot water, washing-up liquid and a soft sponge; cool about 30 minutes; no metal utensils or abrasives; 5–10 minute soak; liquid degreaser; dishwasher safe pan and basket; inside and heating element with the unit upside down on a soft cloth, soft to medium brush, no wire brush, run empty afterwards; window cleaning; steam clean function on some models. Read in the browser.
- Tower · T17175 6L air fryer instruction manual (PDF) ↗Do not immerse the appliance; unplug and cool about 30 minutes; clean after every use; no metal utensils, caustic or abrasive cleaners or scouring sponges; soak for hours or overnight; outside with a damp cloth; inside with hot water and a non-abrasive sponge; heating element with a brush; basket not dishwasher-proof; children and cleaning.
Coating peeling off?
Stop scrubbing and check with the manufacturer about a replacement basket or pan for your model.