An air fryer oven earns its place on the worktop by being used most days, and that is exactly why it needs a simple cleaning habit. Crumbs gather in the crumb tray, fat spits onto the glass door and the racks pick up a sticky film that bakes on a little more each time you cook. A few minutes after cooking and a short session once a week keep the oven fresh, stop burning smells and save you a big scrubbing job later.
This guide explains how to clean an air fryer oven step by step: the quick reset after each use, washing the racks, trays and basket, clearing the glass door and dealing with burnt-on grease. The examples use the Fridja f77 Super Oven Pro and the compact f66 Super Oven, but the routine suits most worktop air fryer ovens. Always check your own manual first.
Before you start: safety and what you need
Switch the oven off at the wall, unplug it and let it cool completely. Racks, trays and door glass hold heat for a surprisingly long time, so give it at least 30 minutes after cooking. Never put the oven itself in water.
You do not need special products:
- Warm water and a little washing-up liquid
- A soft sponge or cloth and a non-scratch scourer
- Bicarbonate of soda, mixed with a splash of water into a paste
- A spray bottle of white vinegar and water, half and half
- A soft brush or old toothbrush for mesh and corners
- A dry microfibre cloth for the glass and the outside
Skip wire wool, harsh scouring powders and heavy-duty oven cleaner sprays. They can scratch accessory coatings and leave fumes you will smell the next time the oven heats up.
After every use: the two-minute reset
- Empty the crumb tray. It sits below the cooking area and catches crumbs and drips. Tip it into the bin and give it a quick wipe.
- Wipe the interior. The f77 and f66 both have a five-sided stainless steel interior that wipes clean with a soft, damp cloth. Fresh splashes come off easily; the same splashes cooked three more times do not.
- Soak whatever you cooked on in warm soapy water if you can't wash it straight away, so nothing dries on.
- Leave the door open for a few minutes so steam and cooking smells can escape.
How to clean the racks, trays and air fry basket
On the f77 and f66, the baking tray, grill rack and air fry basket are dishwasher safe on the top rack at a maximum of 40°C. If your dishwasher has a programme that stays at that temperature, it is the easiest option. If not, wash them by hand.
Washing by hand
- Soak the accessories in hot water with a squeeze of washing-up liquid for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Use a soft brush on the basket mesh and the grill rack bars, working along the wires rather than across them.
- Use a sponge or non-scratch scourer on the baking tray. The Fridja baking tray is enamel-coated steel, so avoid anything abrasive.
- Rinse and dry straight away with a tea towel to avoid water marks.
The crumb tray
The crumb tray is the exception: on both Fridja ovens it should be washed by hand, not in the dishwasher. Empty it often, because a tray full of crumbs and fat is a common cause of smoke and burning smells. A wash in warm soapy water once a week is plenty for most kitchens.
If a tray or basket is past saving, genuine replacements for the f77 are in the f77 spare parts collection.
How to clean the glass door
Fat vapour settles on the inside of the glass and slowly turns brown, which makes it harder to check on your food.
- With the oven cool and unplugged, open the door fully.
- Spread a thin layer of bicarbonate of soda paste over the inside of the glass, focusing on the brown patches.
- Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Wipe it off with a damp cloth, rinsing the cloth often.
- Mist with the vinegar spray and buff dry with a microfibre cloth for a streak-free finish.
Keep the paste away from the door seal and hinges, and do not let water run into the base of the oven.
Weekly clean: a 10-minute routine
- Unplug the oven and check it is fully cool.
- Put the dishwasher-safe accessories in the dishwasher or a sink of hot soapy water.
- Wash the crumb tray by hand.
- Wipe the interior walls, ceiling and floor with a soapy cloth, then again with a clean damp cloth.
- Wipe the inside of the glass door. Save the bicarbonate paste for monthly cleans.
- Wipe the outside, handle and control panel with a barely damp cloth, then dry.
- Put everything back once it is completely dry.
Deep cleaning burnt-on grease
After a run of roasts or a batch of crispy roast potatoes, you may find darker marks that a cloth will not shift.
- Interior walls: apply bicarbonate paste, leave for 20 minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth. A spritz of vinegar lifts any white residue.
- Stubborn tray marks: soak overnight in hot soapy water with a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda, then wash as normal.
- Heating elements: never spray, soak or scrub them. If something is stuck to an element, check your manual or contact the manufacturer before trying to remove it.
How to keep your air fryer oven cleaner for longer
- Line the baking tray, not the oven. Foil on the baking tray is fine on the f77, but never cover the bottom of the oven, the vents or the heating elements, as that blocks airflow.
- Catch the drips. Put the baking tray on the shelf below the basket when cooking marinated or fatty foods.
- Do not overfill. Food that touches the top elements burns and splatters. Our guide on how to use an air fryer oven covers spacing and shelf positions.
- Reheat in a dish. Saucy leftovers are much tidier in an ovenproof dish; see how to reheat leftovers in an air fryer oven.
- Clean after party food. Batch cooking, such as our Halloween party food, leaves more crumbs than usual, so empty the crumb tray the same evening.
Choosing an oven that is easy to clean
A stainless steel interior is easier to wipe than a coated one, and dishwasher-safe accessories save real time over a year. All food contact parts on the f77 and f66 are made without chemical non-stick coatings and are PFAS, PTFE and PFOA free. Compare both in our digital air fryer ovens collection, or read our complete air fryer oven guide.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you clean an air fryer oven?
Empty the crumb tray and wipe the interior after every use once the oven has cooled. Wash the racks, trays and basket after any messy cook, and do a fuller weekly clean if you use it most days. A deeper clean with bicarbonate paste once a month keeps the glass door and walls looking new.
Can you put air fryer oven trays in the dishwasher?
On the Fridja f77 and f66, the baking tray, grill rack and air fry basket are dishwasher safe on the top rack at up to 40°C. The crumb tray should be washed by hand. Other brands vary, so always check your manual before putting accessories in the dishwasher.
What is the best way to clean the glass door of an air fryer oven?
Let the oven cool, open the door and spread a thin paste of bicarbonate of soda and water over the inside of the glass. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, wipe off with a damp cloth, then mist with diluted white vinegar and buff dry with a microfibre cloth. Keep liquid away from the seal.
Can I use oven cleaner in an air fryer oven?
It is best avoided. Heavy-duty oven cleaner sprays can damage accessory coatings, are hard to rinse from a small cavity and can leave fumes when the oven next heats up. Warm soapy water, bicarbonate of soda paste and diluted white vinegar handle most grease safely. Never spray anything onto the heating elements.
Why does my air fryer oven smell of burning?
The usual cause is a full crumb tray or fat that has dripped onto the bottom elements and burns off each time the oven heats. Empty and wash the crumb tray, wipe the interior and cook fatty foods over the baking tray. If the smell continues after a thorough clean, contact the manufacturer for advice.