Have I destroyed my air fryer? Advice needed please

😁

Another nice gadget to admire!

I'm not afraid from a safety angle, more afraid that it will sit on the side and gather dust!

gransruleok

Have any of you got a magical way of cleaning the airfryer basket? I wash mine after every use using hot washing up water (fairy liquid) and pan brush but it doesn’t come up as clean as I would like. I have tried soaking overnight with a dishwasher tablet but still not happy. Am I too fussy. Tefal have been useless with their ‘advice’.

There was a warning on the news the other day about filling them with water and washing up liquid then turning them on.
It's a fire hazard apparently.

For stubborn, burned-on food, you can create a paste of baking soda and water, apply it, let it sit for 20 minutes, then gently scrub with an old toothbrush, or let the parts soak in hot soapy water for a few minutes.

StripeyGran

I'm not sure about the idea of an AF. Bit stuck in my ways perhaps.

I'm wary of them too.

I was going to buy one because we have a new oven and I didn't want to dirty it but there are a few scare stories about air fryers in the news every now and then.

So far, no.

I'm not sure about the idea of an AF. Bit stuck in my ways perhaps.

Have any of you got a magical way of cleaning the airfryer basket? I wash mine after every use using hot washing up water (fairy liquid) and pan brush but it doesn’t come up as clean as I would like. I have tried soaking overnight with a dishwasher tablet but still not happy. Am I too fussy. Tefal have been useless with their ‘advice’.

I also love my AF - the only thing I will add is that I’ve also had it happen (more than once) e.g. that baking paper that I’ve cut too big (for lining) touches the element and I discover it when I smell burning. The fan is very strong. I’m careful now never to put anything in there that can ‘fly up’.

I regularly clean the element when it is cool, using kitchen towel.

I'd agree with Ziplock - there's nothing to fear. Since I got my airfryer I haven't used the oven at all, apart from heating plates for hot food and that only takes a few minutes.

Try it - you'll be surprised at how quick, handy and easy it is.

There’s nothing to fear using an air fryer welbeck. Just think of it as a small oven. Obviously, there are some things you can’t cook in it because you can’t, for example heat up a large amount of fat or oil to roast potatoes like you can in the larger cavity oven which has more space for the roasting dish you’d cook them in.

However, you can use oil, just small amounts coated on the food you wish to cook, if the recipe calls for oil, and you can have roast style potatoes which you coat in a small amount of oil after par boiling which makes them crispy.

Do give yours a try - it will probably have come with a few recipes to get you started, but you can find plenty on line. I find it cooks salmon fillets and chicken breast beautifully, for example.

welbeck I haven't used the oven for years. I love my air fryer and am now on the 3rd. I am careful about what I cook in it. I am no cook, but the only disaster was a huge leg of turkey.

I bought one but haven't dared use it.
Think I'll stick with microwave and kettle.
And sandwiches. And milk.
Peace of mind.

Useful to know as I'm planning on buying one...

That’s good news Supernana1. I’m pleased you’ve been able to clean it off.

Panic over. I let it cool down, picked the little bits of burnt plastic off the element, wiped it over with a damp cloth and bingo! It's okay again.

Thanks everybody for your advice.

Something similar happened to me although I did catch it really quickly. I think it was a Good Housekeeping article that recommended using a soft toothbrush or cleaning brush to gently brush the element - it did loosen some stuck on bits and I've had no trouble since then. I just bought a soft bristle toothbrush.

I’ve had a quick Google, typing in “removing plastic residue from air fryers” and one method is the one I’ve suggested (unplugging air fryers of course). The other method advises moving the air fryer to a well ventilated spot, away from smoke detectors, even outdoors, then remove all the baskets and turn on fryer to 200 degrees C for about 20 minutes which should burn off any plastic residue. It will smoke. Then, once cooled, clean with washing up liquid on a well wrung out cloth.
I hope you have success 🤞

Have you tried gently cleaning the element with some ordinary washing up liquid put onto a well rung out dishcloth? It might help to soften and remove any residue. It might need several applications before everything comes ff.
You can also buy, from Lakeland, cleaning spray for air fryers. I’ve never used it, but it might do the trick - might be more cost effective than buying a new air fryers.