How to remove air fryer grease (the easy way) | Tom's Guide

Cut through air fryer grease with this one household item

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If you’ve ever opened your air fryer drawer only to find a thick layer of baked-on grease clinging to the basket, you’re not alone. Air fryers might be one of the best air fryers to own for quick, crispy meals — but they’re still a pain to clean, especially after cooking something greasy like wings or sausages.

While there are plenty of tips on how to use an air fryer and keep it running smoothly, cleaning is where most people get stuck. That’s where this viral TikTok hack comes in. It promises to cut through grease with nothing more than a dishwasher tablet and boiling water.

We tested it ourselves. Here’s how it works and why it beats traditional methods for cleaning your air fryer.

TikTok is full of unexpected cleaning tricks, but this one took off for a reason. It promises to cut through air fryer grease using something you probably already have in your kitchen, and without all the scrubbing that usually comes with baked-on messes.

The video quickly made the rounds online, with many viewers curious whether it actually works and whether it’s safe for your appliance. It’s quick, oddly satisfying to watch, and surprisingly simple once you see it in action.

Generally, yes, as long as you don’t do this inside the air fryer unit itself. Always remove the basket and drawer and place them in the sink before adding boiling water. Never pour hot water into the appliance base.

If you're worried the dishwasher detergent might leave a soapy taste, don't. It’s no different from washing with dish soap or running the basket through the dishwasher — something many air fryer manuals recommend anyway.

If you haven't already, let your air fryer cool down, then remove the basket and drawer from the main unit.

You’ll be doing this hack in the sink, not inside the appliance, to avoid damaging any electrical components.

Place a regular dishwasher tablet (not laundry detergent) directly into the air fryer basket. Gel or powder tablets both work well for this.

Carefully pour boiling water from a kettle into the basket, covering the tablet. You can also top it up with more hot tap water so it reaches the rim. The goal is to fully dissolve the tablet and soak the basket in the hot, soapy water.

This two-pack of silicon air fryer liners will keep your air fryer cleaner, while cooking your food in the same time. They are made from food-grade silicone and can also be used in an instant pot, microwave and oven, up to a temperature of 450°F.

Leave the basket and drawer to soak for about 20 minutes. The steam and detergent will help loosen stuck-on grease and baked bits, especially around the edges.

After soaking, pour out the water and give the basket a rinse. Most of the grime should come off easily, but use a soft sponge or brush for any remaining residue. Then simply dry thoroughly before putting it back in the air fryer.

Now you've learned how to remove air fryer grease using a dishwasher pod, why not take a look at some other helpful guides? We have 5 top tips when using aluminum foil in an air fryer and for the safety conscious, here's 7 air fryer dos and don'ts.

And did you know that you can grill in your air fryer? Try these 7 steps for perfect indoor grilling, all year round.

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Kaycee is an Editor at Tom’s Guide and has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her journey into the tech world began as Cazoo's Knowledge Content Specialist, igniting her enthusiasm for technology. When she’s not exploring the latest gadgets and innovations, Kaycee can be found immersed in her favorite video games, or penning her second poetry collection.

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