Quick answer: unplug the air fryer, let it cool completely (Ninja and Philips say about 30 minutes), and take out the basket. Wipe the inside with a slightly damp, non-abrasive sponge or cloth, then clean the heating element with a brush or a damp cloth, depending on what your manual says. Dry the coil fully before the next use. Never immerse the main unit in water, and never use steel wool or scouring pads.
Grease travels upward with hot air and collects on the chamber roof and around the heater, so an air fryer can smoke even when the basket is spotless. Instant’s manual warns that splatter built up around the heating element can cause smoke and fire, so this is a safety job as well as a cleaning one. This page covers the inside of the appliance. For removable parts, see which parts are dishwasher safe.
What the Cosori, Ninja, Instant and Philips manuals say
The makers agree on the basics but differ on the tool for the heating element, so check the manual for your exact model code. The wording below is paraphrased from the manufacturer documents listed under Sources. We have not tested these methods ourselves.
| Manual | Cool-down | Inside the chamber | Heating element |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosori Pro LE CAF-L501-KUS Pro LE vs Lite |
Unplug and cool completely; pulling out the basket speeds cooling | Slightly moist, non-abrasive sponge or cloth | Clean the coil if needed to remove food debris; it must be completely dry before you turn the unit on |
| Ninja Air Fryer AF101 Review |
Unplug; about 30 minutes before handling or cleaning | The guide says to wipe the main unit and control panel with a damp cloth; it has no separate chamber step | Cleaning brush to remove food residue |
| Instant Vortex / Vortex Plus 6 Quart US Vortex Plus 6QT variants |
Unplug; cool to room temperature | Sponge or cloth with warm water and dish soap; for baked-on grease, a baking soda and vinegar mixture, then a damp cloth | Damp cloth as needed; completely dry before next use |
| Philips HD9212–HD9219, HD9250–HD9251 | Unplug; about 30 minutes before handling or cleaning | Hot water and a non-abrasive sponge; keep water from entering the appliance | Cleaning brush to remove food residue; take care around the upper chamber’s metal edges |
Two details to watch: Cosori’s blog says 10–15 minutes of cooling, while its Pro LE manual says to cool completely. Follow the manual, since the longer wait is the safer one. Instant’s baking soda and vinegar step is written for its own cooking chamber, so don’t assume it applies to another brand.
How to clean inside an air fryer, step by step
- Unplug it and let it cool. Pull the plug rather than just switching it off. Wait until it is completely cool; Ninja and Philips give about 30 minutes, and removing the basket speeds this up.
- Take out the removable parts. Remove the basket, crisper plate or tray so crumbs can’t fall back onto clean parts, and wash them separately.
- Look up into the chamber. A flashlight helps you see the roof and coil without reaching in deeply. Keep the unit on a stable counter.
- Clear loose debris from the element. Use a soft brush where the manual calls for a brush. Sweep gently, and don’t press on or bend the coil.
- Wipe the walls and roof. Use a slightly damp, non-abrasive sponge or cloth, with a little dish soap for grease. Wring it out so it can’t drip.
- Wipe away any soap. Go over the area again with a clean damp cloth. Several light passes are safer than one wet one.
- Dry it fully. Wipe dry and leave the basket out until the chamber and coil are completely dry. Cosori and Instant both require a dry coil before the next use. Don’t run the heater to dry suspected water inside the unit.
Can you clean the heating element with water?
Only with a damp cloth, and only if your manual allows it. Instant’s manual says a damp cloth is fine for the coil, while Ninja and Philips specify a cleaning brush. Cosori’s blog suggests a soft-bristle brush and warns against applying water directly to the element. If your manual says brush, use a brush. In every case, the coil should be dry before power goes back on.
Can you turn an air fryer upside down to clean it?
None of the four manuals above tells owners to turn the main unit upside down, so we don’t recommend it unless your own manual says to. The chamber roof and coil can usually be reached from the front once the basket is out. Grease could also run toward the fan and controls if the unit is inverted, and that risk is our reasoning rather than a manufacturer statement.
What never to use inside an air fryer
- Immersion or running water: Ninja, Cosori, Instant and Philips all prohibit immersing the main unit, and Instant and Philips also say not to rinse it under a tap.
- Steel wool and scouring pads: Ninja and Instant rule out scouring pads, and Ninja also names steel wool. Cosori warns that fragments from metal pads can touch electrical parts and create a shock risk.
- Harsh chemicals: Instant rules out harsh chemical detergents, and Ninja rules out abrasive cleaners.
- Metal tools: Don’t scrape near the coil or use metal utensils on coated parts.
- Taking things apart: The fan isn’t covered in the cleaning steps we read, so don’t remove a fan guard or push tools through it.
More common mistakes are covered in cleaning hacks: what not to do.
Residue inside an air fryer: what it suggests
This is our general guidance rather than manufacturer wording.
| Residue | Likely source | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sticky amber film | Oil carried up by the airflow | Wipe it off sooner and use less oil on fatty foods. |
| Black flakes or crumbs | Burned food on the roof or around the element | Brush it out, then check that a coated part isn’t peeling. |
| Melted material | A liner, packaging or plastic touched the heat | Stop using the appliance and contact the manufacturer. See our plastic burning smell guide. |
If smoke continues after cleaning, go through why your air fryer is smoking.
Stop and unplug: stop if the coil is loose or deformed, you see arcing marks or damaged insulation, or liquid has reached the fan or controls. Do not open the housing. Contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair service.
Interior-cleaning checklist
- Unplugged and completely cool
- Manual checked for your exact model code
- Basket and plate removed
- Brush or damp cloth, as your manual says
- Cloth wrung out so it can’t drip
- No pressure on the coil or fan guard
- Chamber and coil completely dry before power goes back on
Related guides
- How to Clean an Air Fryer
- Which Air Fryer Parts Are Dishwasher Safe?
- Air Fryer Maintenance Guide
- Air Fryer Parts Explained
Sources and method
Clara Bennett updated this guide on November 2, 2026. Instructions are paraphrased from the documents below, all accessed November 2, 2026. This is a manual-led explainer, not a hands-on cleaning test.
- Cosori Pro LE CAF-L501-KUS user manual: safeguards p. 4, cleaning p. 14
- Cosori: How to Clean and Maintain Your Air Fryer (April 3, 2025)
- Ninja Air Fryer AF101 Owner’s Guide: safeguards and cleaning
- Instant Vortex / Vortex Plus 6 Quart user manual: care and cleaning (copy hosted on ManualsLib, not by Instant)
- Philips Airfryer HD9212–HD9219, HD9250–HD9251 user manual (multi-region document listing 120V and 220–240V versions)
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean the inside of an air fryer?
Unplug it, let it cool completely and remove the basket. Wipe the inside with a slightly damp, non-abrasive sponge or cloth, using a little dish soap for grease. Dry it fully before the next use.
How do I clean grease from an air fryer heating element?
Once the unit is unplugged and cool, use the tool your manual names. Ninja and Philips specify a cleaning brush, and Instant allows a damp cloth. Don’t bend the coil, and make sure it is dry before the next use.
How long should an air fryer cool before cleaning?
Ninja and Philips say about 30 minutes. Cosori’s manual says to cool completely, and Instant’s says to cool to room temperature. Removing the basket speeds up cooling.
Can I spray degreaser inside an air fryer?
We advise against it. Instant rules out harsh chemical detergents and Ninja rules out abrasive cleaners, and spray can reach the fan and electrical parts. Instant’s manual does allow a baking soda and vinegar mixture in its own cooking chamber.
Can I use a steam cleaner inside an air fryer?
None of the four manuals above mentions one, so we advise against it unless your manual approves it. Philips says not to let water or other liquid enter the appliance, and pressurized steam could carry moisture into electrical parts.
Why are black flakes falling from my air fryer?
They are often burned food or grease from the roof or heater area, but a damaged coating is also possible. Unplug the unit and inspect it, and stop using a part if its coating is peeling.
About the Author
Clara Bennett
I write practical, model-specific air fryer reviews and comparisons. I focus on usable capacity, household fit, cleaning, materials, day-to-day ownership and value so you can choose the right appliance with fewer surprises.
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