They are one of the most popular kitchen applianes right now, but everyone who uses an air fryer is being warned over mistakes they could make when cleaning them which could end up breaking your expensive new gadget.

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially as the cost of energy bills has only gone up and up and running a full oven becomes ever more expensive. The all in one cooking appliances typically use less electricity than an oven, and many offer oil-free ways to make healthy food quickly. But households are being warned that they must ‘deep clean’ their air fryer at least once a month, and give it a lighter clean between each use - and when you do so, you cannot put any part of it in the dishwasher, even if it’s supposed to be dishwasher safe.

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, said: “It’s recommended that you give your air fryer a light clean after every use and a deeper clean every month, or every few uses if you regularly cook greasy foods.

“For a monthly deep clean, you’ll need to clean all the accessories and inside the appliance more thoroughly to remove burnt-on food, grease and odours.” 

Dr Anderson continues: “Even though some air fryers are labelled as dishwasher-safe, dishwashers can strip the non-stick coating on the air fryer components. For stubborn, baked-on grease, try filling the tray or drawer with water, drop in a dishwasher tablet and leave to soak overnight. Then, simply rinse clean the next day."

Because the heating element is part of the air fryer itself and cannot be detached, it must not be submerged in water or you risk breaking the appliance.

Use a clean, damp cloth or sponge to wipe grease and dirt off the heating element.

Rinse the cloth in warm soapy water and wipe again, repeating this action until no dirt is left on the heating coil.

For stubborn grease, use a soft bristled toothbrush and warm, soapy water to carefully scrub the heating element. Avoid getting it too wet so you don’t damage the element.

Leave the heating element to dry completely before switching the air fryer back on.

Some air fryers have built-in filters, which also need to be cleaned and maintained. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for more advice for your particular model.