How to Remove Grease from Air Fryer

Why Air Fryers Get So Greasy

Air fryers work by circulating extremely hot air at high speed around food — which means grease and fat from food gets aerosolized and deposited on every interior surface: the basket, the drawer, the interior walls, and the heating coil above. Fatty foods like chicken wings, bacon, sausages, and fries produce the most grease. Without regular cleaning, this grease bakes on through repeated cooking cycles and becomes increasingly difficult to remove.

Grease Levels: Match the Method to the Mess

• Light grease (after everyday cooking): Hot soapy water soak.
• Moderate grease (after fatty foods): Baking soda paste.
• Heavy baked-on grease (neglected cleaning): Degreaser spray.

What You'll Need

• Dish soap and hot water
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Degreaser spray
• Soft sponge or silicone brush
• Microfiber cloths
• Disposable grease bags

For heavy grease, Krud Kutter degreaser spray cuts through baked-on fat quickly and effectively. A paste of baking soda and dish soap handles moderate buildup without harsh chemicals. Always dispose of liquid grease in disposable grease bags — never pour it down the drain.

Step-by-Step: How to Remove Grease from an Air Fryer

Step 1: Cool Down and Disassemble

Allow the air fryer to cool completely. Remove the basket and drawer. Pour any pooled liquid grease from the drawer into a disposable grease bag before washing.

Step 2: Soak in Hot Soapy Water (Light Grease)

Fill the basket and drawer with hot water and a generous squirt of dish soap. Let soak for 20–30 minutes. The hot water and surfactant in the dish soap break the bond between grease and the non-stick surface. After soaking, wipe away with a soft sponge — most light grease comes off without scrubbing.

Step 3: Baking Soda Paste (Moderate Grease)

Mix baking soda with dish soap and a little water to make a thick paste. Apply to greasy areas and let sit for 20–30 minutes. The alkalinity of baking soda breaks down fat compounds while the dish soap acts as a surfactant. Wipe away with a soft damp sponge, rinse thoroughly.

Step 4: Baking Soda + Vinegar Fizz (Stubborn Grease)

Sprinkle baking soda generously over the greasy surface. Spray with white vinegar — it will fizz vigorously. Let the reaction work for 5 minutes, then wipe away. The fizzing action physically lifts grease from the surface.

Step 5: Degreaser Spray (Heavy Baked-On Grease)

For grease that has baked on through multiple cooking cycles, spray Krud Kutter degreaser directly onto the affected surfaces. Let it sit for 3–5 minutes — the degreaser penetrates and dissolves the carbonized fat. Wipe away with a soft sponge. Rinse very thoroughly — degreaser residue can produce fumes when the air fryer heats up.

Step 6: Clean the Interior Walls

Wipe the interior walls of the air fryer body with a damp microfiber cloth and a little dish soap. Grease vapors condense on the walls during cooking. For heavier buildup, apply baking soda paste, let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe away.

Step 7: Address the Heating Coil

Grease on the heating coil causes smoking. Turn the air fryer upside down and use a soft brush to gently clean the coil. Wipe with a barely damp cloth. Allow to dry completely before use.

Step 8: Rinse and Dry All Components

Rinse the basket and drawer thoroughly under warm water. Dry with a microfiber cloth and allow to air dry completely before reassembling.

How to Remove Grease from the Air Fryer Exterior

Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and dish soap. For greasy spots around the drawer slot, use a soft toothbrush to reach into the gap. For stainless steel exteriors, follow with a stainless steel cleaner wipe in the direction of the grain.

Prevention: Keep Your Air Fryer Less Greasy

• Use parchment paper liners to contain grease in the basket.
• Add 1–2 tablespoons of water to the drawer before cooking fatty foods — it catches dripping grease before it burns.
• Pat food dry before air frying to reduce moisture and grease splatter.
• Clean after every use — fresh grease is dramatically easier to remove than baked-on grease.

Final Thoughts

Grease removal from an air fryer is all about matching the method to the level of buildup. Hot soapy water for everyday cooking, baking soda paste for moderate grease, and degreaser for the tough stuff. Clean regularly and you'll never have to deal with heavily baked-on grease again.