Quick answer: unplug the air fryer and let it cool, wash the basket and crisper plate after greasy cooks (Ninja, Cosori and Philips all list them as dishwasher-safe on the models below), wipe the main unit with a damp cloth only — never immerse it — and keep metal utensils and abrasive pads off the non-stick coating. White smoke usually means grease left in the drawer; dark smoke means unplug immediately. Check the cord, plug, handle and coating monthly, and leave the inside of the housing to the manufacturer.
Air fryer maintenance is mostly prevention: remove grease before it smokes, protect the coating before it lifts, and notice a loose handle or hot plug before it becomes a failure. There is no oil to change and no owner-serviceable motor. This guide combines a practical schedule with what the US owner’s manuals for three common models actually say about cleaning, first use and smoke. It is a manual-led guide, not a record of our own long-term testing.
After each greasy cook
Once cool, wash the basket, crisper plate and drawer; grease left behind is the usual cause of white smoke next time.
Weekly with frequent use
Look at the chamber roof and heating element for splatter, and wipe the interior with a damp, non-abrasive cloth.
Monthly
Check the cord, plug, handle, coating, feet, fan sound and the drawer or door fit.
Before the warranty ends
Record recurring error codes, uneven heating, noise or coating failure and contact support with the full model number.
What the manuals say: dishwasher, cleaning and first use
Cleaning rules differ by model, so the manual for your exact model number always wins. Here is what three widely sold basket air fryers specify:
| Model (manual) | Dishwasher-safe | Main unit | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Air Fryer AF101 | Basket, crisper plate and accessories | Wipe main unit and control panel with a damp cloth; never in the dishwasher, never immersed | Abrasive cleaners, steel wool, scouring pads |
| Cosori Pro LE CAF-L501-KUS | Basket and crisper plate | Wipe the inside with a slightly moist, non-abrasive sponge or cloth; do not immerse; heating coil must be completely dry before use | Metal utensils and abrasive cleaning materials on the non-stick coating |
| Philips Viva HD9220 / HD9225 / HD9226 | Pan and basket (plus baking tray or wire rack where supplied) | Clean the heating element with a cleaning brush to remove food residue | Metal kitchen utensils or abrasive cleaning materials, which may damage the non-stick coating |
Two practical points follow. For stuck-on residue, Ninja suggests soaking the basket and crisper plate in warm, soapy water, and Cosori suggests a baking soda and water paste left on for 15 minutes before washing with soap and water. And “dishwasher-safe” is about the removable parts only: none of these manuals allows the main unit, with its fan, heater and controls, to go in the dishwasher or under water.
Before first use
Both Ninja and Cosori tell you to remove all packaging, labels and tape, then wash the basket and crisper plate before cooking. Cosori also asks for an empty test run: preheat to 400°F for 4 minutes, then run the Steak function set to 5 minutes, and let the basket cool. A new appliance can give off a plastic smell; Cosori calls this normal from the manufacturing process and says to contact support if it persists after the test run.
White smoke, dark smoke and odors
| What you see or smell | Usual cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| White smoke or steam | Grease from fatty food, or residue from a previous cook (Philips, Cosori); some steam can occur on first use | Clean the pan or drawer properly after each use and keep the interior free of grease |
| Dark or black smoke | Burning food or, per Cosori, a circuit problem | Unplug immediately and wait for the smoke to stop before removing the basket (Ninja, Cosori); contact support if it wasn’t burnt food |
| Plastic smell on a new unit | Manufacturing residue | Run the empty test cycle; contact support if it persists |
| Burnt or rancid smell on an older unit | Splatter baked onto the chamber roof or heating element | Unplugged and cool, clean the accessible interior as your manual describes; see our heating element cleaning guide |
Air fryer maintenance routine
- Unplug and cool first. Every manual above starts cleaning with the appliance off, unplugged and cooled.
- Clean food-contact parts promptly. Remove grease and residue before it hardens. Raw-meat contact needs a proper wash, not a dry wipe.
- Inspect the chamber and heating element. Look for splatter, carbon flakes and loose crumbs. Clean only accessible areas, using the method in your manual, and make sure everything is dry before the next cook.
- Keep intake and exhaust vents open. Wipe exterior dust and keep the clearance your manual specifies from walls and cabinets. Never poke tools into vents.
- Protect the non-stick coating. Use soft sponges and silicone or wooden utensils, and do not store sharp racks loose in the basket. Our non-stick coatings guide explains PTFE and ceramic finishes.
- Check removable parts. Handles, crisper plates, drawer rails and racks should sit level and seat without force. A drawer that won’t close is covered in our basket door troubleshooting guide.
- Inspect the cord and plug. Look for cuts, crushing, discoloration and looseness. A hot plug or scorched outlet needs attention before another cook.
- Listen during operation. Steady fan noise is normal; new grinding, scraping or repeated stopping suggests debris, a shifted part or a fault.
- Check recalls. Search the CPSC recall database by the full model number, and keep the receipt and a photo of the serial label.
- Store dry and unstressed. Do not wrap the cord around a warm body or leave heavy items in the basket.
Air fryer maintenance schedule
Increase the frequency for daily or greasy cooking.
| Interval | Maintenance task | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| After greasy use | Wash basket, crisper plate and drawer; remove crumbs | Prevents white smoke, odor and baked-on residue |
| Weekly | Inspect chamber roof, heating element, rails and vents | Finds splatter and airflow restrictions early |
| Monthly | Check cord, plug, feet, handle, hinges and coating | Finds electrical or structural wear |
| Every 3–6 months | Review fan noise, heating consistency and replacement-part availability | Creates a baseline before a failure |
| After any fault | Record the code, food load and support advice | Avoids unsafe trial and error and helps a warranty claim |
Maintenance owners should not do
Do not open the housing to oil the fan, bypass a drawer switch, bridge a thermal fuse or splice a damaged cord unless you are a qualified technician following the manufacturer’s service procedure. These parts protect against heat and electrical faults; an appliance that seems to work after a bypass may be more dangerous. For fault codes and repair decisions, see Air Fryer Error Codes and Repairs.
When replacement makes more sense than repair
Replacement may be the safer choice when the housing is heat-damaged, the correct basket is no longer available, several safety parts have failed, or a professional repair approaches the price of a supported new unit. Replace a basket or crisper plate only with the exact part for your model; our parts guide explains what each component does.
Stop and unplug: stop using the appliance for a damaged cord, sparking, dark smoke that isn’t from burnt food, repeated breaker trips, melted housing, a badly warped basket, uncontrolled overheating, a persistent electrical smell or a failed safety interlock. Contact the manufacturer before using it again.
Monthly maintenance checklist
- Basket and crisper plate sit flat
- Coating has no peeling, deep scratches or corrosion
- Handle, door and feet are secure
- Vents are clear and wall clearance maintained
- Cord and plug show no heat or crush damage
- Fan sounds steady
- Familiar foods cook within their usual times
- Model checked against current CPSC recalls
Related guides
- How to Clean an Air Fryer
- Cleaning the Inside and Heating Element
- Air Fryer Safe Containers and Utensils
- Air Fryer Error Codes and Repairs
- Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart
- Ninja Air Fryers: Model Reviews and Buying Guide
Sources used
- Ninja Air Fryer AF101 Owner’s Guide (US): Before First Use, Cleaning & Maintenance, Important Safeguards (accessed October 27, 2026)
- Cosori Pro LE CAF-L501-KUS user manual (US): Before First Use p. 9, Cleaning and Care p. 14, Troubleshooting p. 15 (accessed October 27, 2026)
- Philips Airfryer HD9220 / HD9225 / HD9226 user manual: Cleaning and Troubleshooting (accessed October 27, 2026)
- USDA FSIS: Air Fryers and Food Safety
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls
Reviewed October 27, 2026. Instructions are quoted from the manuals above, not from our own testing; controls, removable parts, clearances and error codes are not standardized, so follow the use-and-care manual for your exact model.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
On many models, yes: Ninja’s AF101, Cosori’s CAF-L501-KUS and Philips’ HD9220 series all list the basket and plate or pan as dishwasher-safe. Check your own manual, and never put the main unit in the dishwasher.
Why is my air fryer smoking?
White smoke usually comes from fat in the food or grease left from a previous cook; clean the drawer and pan after each use. Dark smoke means burning food or an electrical problem: unplug immediately and wait for it to stop before opening the basket.
How do I clean the heating element?
Unplug and let it cool completely. Philips recommends a cleaning brush to remove food residue; Cosori says to use a slightly moist, non-abrasive sponge or cloth and make sure the coil is dry before the next use. Never immerse the unit.
Is a plastic smell from a new air fryer normal?
Cosori says a plastic smell from manufacturing is normal and recommends an empty test run; contact support if the smell persists.
How often should an air fryer be maintained?
Wash greasy food-contact parts after use, inspect the interior weekly with frequent cooking, and check the cord, plug, coating, handle and fan monthly.
When should I replace an air fryer basket?
Replace it if it is badly warped, will not seat securely, has corrosion or extensive coating failure. Use the exact compatible part for your model.
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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