Hi all,
I’ve been in a weird spot the last little bit. I recently bought an air-fryer at the thrift shop for a decently cheap price. The thing works like a charm, and I’m excited to start using it on the regular to make recipes like falafel and beet and potato chips.
The issue I’m currently having is just cleaning the damn thing. Clearly it had a lot of use from the previous owner, and I while I want to do the same myself, there’s this tough to clean spot on the base that I can’t figure out how to clean.
The model is a T-Fal Actifry 2-in-1, so rather than being the typical air fryer I’ve seen with the basket, this one has a rotating piece in the centre that can either be used to stir ingredients to keep them from sticking using a paddle, or have a rotating pan attached instead which keeps things in place.
The area in question I’m having trouble cleaning is in the base here, behind the plastic filter:
I’ve tried using an all-purpose cleaner, as well as a stronger cleaner that claimed to have degreasing properties (Vim Pureboost Power Shine), and neither of them have removed any of the mess. It was suggested by someone I try baking soda and vinegar, but I’m not even going to think about that, as I’m worried about things getting behind the slots there and frying the circuitry.
Thanks in advance.
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That looks like “seasoning” you’d get on baking sheets and cast iron. Seasoning is polymerized oils that end up having a high temperature breakdown point, quite a bit higher than the original oil. It’s not an issue, and if you’re willing to put up with it, might actually make it easier to clean since it has non-stick properties.
Otherwise, you want to use a basic (as in acid-base) cleaning agent, ammonia, oven cleaner, etc. should work; bleach might not be a strong enough base. Oven cleaner is made for cleaning this type of thing, but it’s one of those cleaning agents where the precautions are absolutely required, not just a company liability thing because idiots.
In my opinion, if soap and water and scrubby pad don’t remove it, it’s not worth further effort.
Honestly, what’s left looks harmless. I wouldn’t worry about it.
I know you’re apprehensive about using vinegar, but it is quite a potent degreaser. And I mean, don’t give it a bath, but wiping it down with a rag or a toothbrush shouldn’t be too bad. That’s how I clean my air fryer
You could try something like isopropyl alcohol if you’re concerned about the electronics. If you use a high purity then it actually evaporates on its own and is non-corrosive. It’s my goto cleaner for electronics parts.
Rag damp but not dripping with ammonia sitting on greasy spot over night should loosen the grime and allow it to be washed off. You’ll need to put it in a trash bag to keep the smell in.
I’ve used ammonia in a trash bag for greasy oven racks.
