TikTok user reveals air fryer cleaning hack

This Tik Tok user's cleaning hack has gone viral. Photo / Tik Tok

Air fryers have become increasingly popular over the past few years, notably for making healthy alternatives to favourite meals in a fraction of the time

But if there's one thing that often frustrates users, it's cleaning the kitchen gadget.

One of the worst things you can do is let the grease and grime accumulate as it makes cleaning it even harder.

However, one woman has been praised online after she revealed the "genius" way she removed grime without the hassle of scrubbing.

In a TikTok that's been viewed 3.5 million times, the UK woman who goes by the handle @TanyaHomeInspo, revealed that all you need is a little bit of washing liquid and water.

"This hack is literally genius," she says in the clip.

TikTok user Tanya Home Inspo, based in the UK, who regularly shares cleaning tips, shared her "genius" air fryer cleaning hack. Photo / TikTok - tanyahomeinspo

She begins by taking out the drawer and squirting dishwashing liquid onto it.

She then adds a bit of water before locking the drawer back into the air fryer and setting the timer at three minutes to heat.

"Wow! It actually works," she captioned her post.

She rinsed the dirty water out of the drawer and tipped it into the sink before showing it to look "like new" again.

Thousands have since commented on her video, agreeing that the hack does work after trying it for themselves.

And then adds some water before setting the timer for three minutes. Photo / Tik Tok

"Just done this. Worked so well couldn't believe it," one TikTok user wrote.

"Thanks for the tip; this might come in handy one day. I typically line the bottom with foil for easy clean-up," another added.

"Ooohh yesss cleaning the air fryer is my WORST job," a third wrote.

Another woman said she uses the combo for pans.

"Boil water for a few minutes and it separates easier than endlessness scrubbing or using metal scrunchie."

She uses a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid. Photo / Tik Tok

However, others said it's easier to just line the drawer with foil as it helps prevent any build-up of grime.

Others pointed out not all air fryers are the same, with Tanya encouraging "everyone to read their manual" before trying her hack.

Colin Jones, category expert at Appliances Online said while you can use hot water in an air fryer when cleaning it out with a sponge, there isn't any indication from manufacturers that you can place water and detergent inside an air fryer and then turn it on for cleaning.

"Each air fryer is sealed differently, so if you place water and detergent into the air fryer and turn it on, the fan inside could push the water into other parts of the appliance, depending on how it's sealed and could potentially impact its performance going forward."

He said it is generally advised by manufacturers that the easiest way to clean the inside of the air fryer is with hot water and a non-abrasive sponge.

"Alternatively, some air fryers can have their accessories placed into the dishwasher, however, refer to your manual for the best cleaning practices and results."

He said the idea of an air fryer is to reduce the amount of oils and fats and collect a small amount of oil down the bottom, "so it should be easy to clean out".