Why This Water Hack For Cleaning Your Air Fryer Is So Controversial

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Air fryers are incredible appliances that combine the convenience of a microwave with the cooking power of a traditional oven. Convenient as they are, though, they're no more fun to clean than any other kitchen appliance, especially if you make mistakes like overcrowding your air fryer. The internet is full of cleaning hacks designed to take some of the pain out of cleaning, but they can be hit or miss. One air fryer cleaning hack in particular has gained a bit of controversy due to its results.

The hack goes like this: You fill your air fryer's basket with soapy water and let it run for a few minutes. The idea is that the soap and water will break up any debris and grime that's left after cooking, and that the water can be poured out after to leave your air fryer squeaky clean without scrubbing. However, the actual results aren't promising. This hack doesn't appear to actually work, with some sources reporting that it was unsuccessful in actually removing grime.

At best, this hack results in disappointment. At worst, though? It can actually be dangerous. An air fryer in Bournemouth, U.K. caught fire after someone purportedly used this hack (via BBC). While this is very much a rare case, water and electronics don't mix well, so next time you cook garlic bread in your air fryer or reheat fried chicken and need to clean it, we recommend skipping this hack, and always cleaning your air fryer while it is switched off.

So, if this hack isn't a good way to clean your air fryer, what is? The answer is soap, water, and some good old-fashioned elbow grease. Internet hacks are fun to try, and some can even be useful, but when it comes to something like this, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. Baking soda and water can get off sticky messes, while dish soap is good for tackling tough grease. Each air fryer is different, so refer to your manual if you're unsure how to take apart and clean yours.

That's not to say that there's no way to make cleaning easier, though. If you want to avoid having to clean your air fryer as often, you can line the bottom of your air fryer with food grade parchment paper or tin foil to protect the tray, or you can invest in a silicone liner.

Another good way is to get ahead of cleaning. When you're finished cooking with your air fryer, remove the basket or tray right away and let it soak in some soapy water for a little bit before scrubbing it. Soaking immediately will loosen the dirt and grime and make cleaning much easier.