How do I clean an air fryer basket without ruining the coating?

The coating usually gets damaged by too much force, not by the food itself. Philips says to unplug the air fryer, let it cool, remove the basket and pan, and use hot water, dish soap, and a soft sponge. Ninja’s support pages say many baskets are dishwasher safe, but only if the manual for your model says so.

What you want to avoid is the stuff that feels efficient in the moment and expensive later. Metal scrubbers, hard brushes, knives, and abrasive powders can scratch the nonstick surface. Once the coating starts to peel, the basket is harder to clean and easier to keep damaging.

If you want a low-friction routine, wash the basket right after it cools, soak stuck bits, and use a soft brush for the corners. A non-scratch brush or sponge set is the kind of boring tool that pays for itself fast.

• non-scratch sponges

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