Unplug the Instant Pot air fryer and let it cool completely before you start. Then wash the removable basket and cooking tray by hand with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge, wipe the exterior and control panel with a barely damp cloth, and clean the heating element and fan with dry or minimally damp soft tools only, never by pouring or spraying water into the lid or base. That short version covers most cleaning sessions. The rest of this guide explains which parts can get wet, which must stay dry, and what to do about stubborn stains, odors, and problems.
Start Here: the Short Answer
A safe routine follows the same order every time. Unplug the unit first and give it time to cool fully, since the heating element stays hot after cooking. Keep water away from anything electrical, and use soft tools that will not scratch the non-stick basket or tray.
If you remember only one rule, make it this: liquids go on removable food-contact parts; the lid, heating element, fan, base, and control panel get wiped or brushed only. Everything else is detail.
Know Which Parts You Can Wet-Clean
Not every part of your air fryer tolerates water. Treating them all the same is how people damage coatings and electronics.
Wet-cleanable parts: The air fryer basket and cooking tray hold your food and are designed to be washed with soap and water. Wash them by hand with a soft, non-abrasive sponge to protect the non-stick coating. Whether they can also go in the dishwasher depends on your model, so confirm that in your manual before loading them.
Wipe-only or dry-clean parts: The main body, control panel, air fryer lid housing, heating element, and fan should never be submerged or sprayed with water. Moisture reaching electrical components can cause corrosion, short circuits, and fire risk. Wipe these surfaces with a barely damp cloth, or brush loose debris with a dry soft brush.
Why the distinction matters: A scratched coating cannot be repaired, only replaced, and water inside the lid or base turns a simple cleaning job into an electrical safety question. Both risks are easy to avoid once you know which category each part falls into.
What You’ll Need for a Thorough Clean
Gather these supplies before you begin so you are not searching for a clean cloth with greasy hands:
- Mild liquid dish soap for the basket and tray
- A soft sponge or cloth, plus a microfiber cloth for the exterior
- A non-abrasive scrubber, such as silicone or a non-scratch nylon brush
- A small soft brush (a clean toothbrush or pastry brush) for the heating element and fan
- Baking soda for optional stain and odor treatments
- White vinegar for optional deodorizing wipes
- Paper towels or a dry towel for drying
- Warm water
Avoid metal scrubbers, steel wool, and abrasive pads entirely, because abrasive cleaners and sharp objects can damage the heating element and scratch non-stick surfaces.
Step-by-Step: Cleaning the Basket and Cooking Tray
These parts see the most grease and food residue, so they get the most thorough treatment.
- Remove loose debris. Once the basket and tray are cool, tip out crumbs and wipe away excess grease with a paper towel.
- Soak if needed. For stuck-on food, fill the basket with warm water and a few drops of dish soap and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes to loosen residue.
- Wash by hand. Use warm, soapy water and a soft, non-abrasive sponge on all surfaces, paying attention to corners and edges. If your manual confirms dishwasher safety for your specific model, follow its instructions on loading.
- Rinse thoroughly. Rinse under warm running water until no soap film remains.
- Dry completely. Towel dry or air dry upside down before reassembling, since trapped moisture can cause odors over time.
Wiping Down the Exterior and Control Panel
The outside of the unit collects fingerprints, splatters, and dust, and it is the easiest part to clean correctly.
Unplug the appliance, then wipe the exterior with a damp cloth or sponge. For greasy spots, add a tiny drop of dish soap to the cloth or use a diluted vinegar solution. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scrub brushes, which can dull or scratch the finish.
For the control panel and display, wring the cloth out until it is barely damp. Wipe gently around buttons and screen edges so no liquid seeps inside. Finish with a dry microfiber cloth to prevent water spots and streaks.
Cleaning the Lid, Heating Element and Fan Safely
This is the step that deserves the most patience, because grease baked onto the heating element can smoke and smell during later cooking, and moisture here risks the electronics.
- Confirm the unit is unplugged and fully cool before touching anything near the heating element.
- Inspect the underside of the lid. Turn the air fryer lid upside down and look at the heating coil and fan area for splatters, grease, and crumbs.
- Dry-brush loose debris. Use a soft, dry brush to gently dislodge particles from the coil and fan area. Do not bend the heating coil.
- Wipe sticky spots sparingly. For greasy residue, use a barely damp cloth, wrung out extremely well. Never spray or pour water or cleaner directly onto the heating element or fan.
- Work carefully around the fan. Use the brush or a barely damp cloth around the fan blades without letting liquid drip toward the motor housing.
- Let it air dry fully before reusing the appliance, and give it extra time if you used any damp wiping.
Handling Stubborn Stains and Lingering Odors
The remedies below are optional home methods, not manufacturer-required steps. Confirm against your model manual that any product you apply is acceptable for its surfaces, especially non-stick coatings.
Removing Burnt-on Grease and Stains
A baking soda paste, made by mixing baking soda with a little water, can be applied to stubborn spots on the basket or tray and left for 15 to 30 minutes before gentle scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that lifts grime without the scratching caused by harsh scrubbers. Rinse fully and dry before reassembly. Baking soda soaks are a commonly recommended stain treatment for Instant Pot cookware, though they come from secondary guidance rather than an official manual.
Neutralizing Lingering Odors
Air fryers can hold onto smells from fish, garlic, and fried foods. Three approaches are commonly suggested:
- Baking soda absorption: Sprinkle baking soda in the clean, empty basket and leave it overnight, then discard it and wipe the basket.
- Vinegar wipe: Wipe non-electrical interior surfaces with a diluted white vinegar solution, then follow with a plain damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
- Soaking the sealing ring: If your model has a removable silicone sealing ring, wash it separately by hand and soak it in warm water with vinegar when odors or stains build up.
Odor treatments applied inside the cooking cavity are comfort measures, not disinfection steps. The essential job is removing the grease and residue that cause smells in the first place.
Common Cleaning Problems and How to Fix Them
Scratched non-stick coating. Abrasive scrubbers and harsh chemicals scratch the basket and tray, and once the coating is damaged it cannot be repaired; replacement is the only real fix. Prevent it by using only soft sponges, silicone scrubbers, or nylon brushes. The same care applies to metal utensils during cooking, not just cleaning.
Water reaching the electrical parts. If liquid gets into the lid or base, stop and unplug the unit immediately. Water-damaged electrical equipment should be evaluated by a qualified electrician before any attempt to restore or use it, because residual moisture can cause corrosion, short circuits, and electrical fires. Do not simply wait a few days and power it back on.
Soap residue. Leftover soap film can affect the taste of your next meal. Rinse basket and tray until the water runs clear with no slickness.
Damp parts put away. Storing the appliance with moisture trapped inside invites odors and, on exposed metal, corrosion. Dry every removable part completely, and leave the lid area open to air until fully dry.
Smoke during cooking. Smoking usually means grease or food particles have built up on the heating element or in the basket. Unplug, let the unit cool, and clean the heating element and fan area before the next use.
How Often to Clean Each Part, and When to Stop and Get Help
The schedule below is practical guidance based on how each part is used, not a manufacturer requirement. Adjust it to how often and how messily you cook.
| Component | Suggested Frequency | Cleaning Method |
|---|---|---|
| Basket and cooking tray | After every use | Hand wash with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge; dishwasher only if your model manual permits |
| Exterior and control panel | Every few uses, or when splatters appear | Wipe with a barely damp cloth; avoid abrasive cleaners |
| Silicone sealing ring (if present) | After each use | Remove and wash by hand; soak in warm water with vinegar for odors |
| Heating element and fan area | Every 1 to 3 uses, or whenever smoke or odor appears | Dry brush loose debris; wipe sparingly with a barely damp cloth; air dry fully |
Stop conditions. Stop cleaning and seek help if water has entered the lid or base electronics, since the unit needs professional evaluation before reuse. Stop and replace rather than repair if the non-stick coating is scratched or flaking badly. And if the heating element or fan looks physically damaged, do not brush or wipe it further; contact the manufacturer for guidance.
Model Differences Worth Knowing
Duo Crisp and Pro Crisp. These models pair an air frying lid with a pressure cooking base, and the Duo Crisp uses a single Ultimate Lid for both pressure cooking and air frying, with a removable pressure cooking cover for pressure functions. Use only the lids designed for the Duo Crisp cooker base, because fitting other lids poses an electrical shock hazard. Clean the air fryer lid following the dry methods above, and clean the pressure cooker base as you would any Instant Pot base, keeping its exterior dry.
Dedicated air fryers such as Vortex models. These units follow the same wet-versus-dry split: wash the basket and tray, wipe the housing, and dry-clean the heating element and fan.
Always check your own manual. Instant Pot publishes air fryer product manuals for its models on its website, and yours is the authority on dishwasher safety, approved cleaners, and part-specific instructions. Cleaning agents and coating care can vary by model, so treat general advice here as a starting point rather than a substitute for your manual.
A Quick Word on Timing and Supplies
A routine clean of the basket, tray, and exterior is a short job. Deep cleaning the heating element adds time because the lid must air dry fully afterward. Do not rush the drying stage to save minutes; it is the step that protects the electronics.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning your Instant Pot air fryer comes down to three habits: unplug and cool first, wash the basket and tray gently by hand, and keep liquids away from the lid, heating element, fan, and control panel. Check your model manual for dishwasher and cleaner approval, and treat any water contact with electronics as a stop-and-evaluate situation rather than something to dry off and ignore. Do those things and the appliance stays clean, odor-free, and ready for the next meal.
