Which air fryer parts are dishwasher-safe?

Generally the removable basket, crisper plate or tray, and any racks are the parts labeled dishwasher-safe on most models — but only if your specific manual says so, because coatings differ. The main unit that houses the heating element and fan is never dishwasher-safe and must only be wiped with a damp cloth, since it contains electronics. When in doubt, check the manual or the manufacturer’s site by model number rather than assuming, since one brand’s basket may be dishwasher-rated while another’s is hand-wash-only.

Will the dishwasher ruin a nonstick air fryer basket?

It can shorten the coating’s life. The high heat, harsh detergents and long cycles of a dishwasher are tougher on nonstick surfaces than gentle hand washing, and repeated cycles can gradually dull or degrade the coating even on a basket rated dishwasher-safe. That is why many owners who want the coating to last choose to hand wash even when the dishwasher is allowed. If you do use the dishwasher, the top rack and a milder cycle are easier on it.

Why should the basket go on the top rack?

The top rack sits farther from the heating element at the bottom of most dishwashers, so it runs a little cooler and gentler, which is kinder to nonstick coatings and to any plastic components on the basket. The bottom rack’s greater heat and water force can accelerate coating wear and warp lighter parts. Placing the basket and crisper plate on the top rack, with room for water to circulate, is the standard recommendation for the parts that are dishwasher-safe.

How do you get stuck-on grease off an air fryer basket?

Soak it first. Fill the basket with warm water and a little dish soap and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes to loosen baked-on grease, then wipe with a soft sponge or cloth. Avoid steel wool, abrasive pads and scouring powders, which scratch nonstick coatings and create the flaking that ruins a basket. For stubborn residue, a paste of baking soda and water applied gently lifts it without scratching. Regular cleaning after each use prevents most heavy buildup.

How often should you clean the air fryer basket?

After every use, once it has cooled. Grease and food particles left in the basket can smoke, smell and even become a fire risk on the next run, and buildup gets harder to remove the longer it sits. A quick wash of the basket and crisper plate after each cook keeps it easy, and the main unit only needs an occasional wipe-down plus a check of the heating element area for splatter. Let all parts dry fully before reassembling.

Can You Put an Air Fryer Basket in the Dishwasher?

Written & researched by Derek Holt Home & Appliances Editor

Updated October 2026

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Usually yes — most air fryer baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe, but only if your model’s manual says so, and hand washing makes the nonstick coating last longer. The removable basket, tray and racks are typically the dishwasher-safe parts; the main unit with the heating element and fan is never dishwasher-safe and only gets wiped with a damp cloth. If you do run the basket through, use the top rack and a gentler cycle. Owners who want to protect the coating tend to hand wash even when the dishwasher is permitted.

How do you know if yours is dishwasher-safe?

Check the manual or the manufacturer’s listing for your exact model, because it genuinely varies by brand and coating. Many popular air fryers label the basket and crisper plate dishwasher-safe, but some specify hand wash only, and the difference comes down to the type of nonstick finish used. Do not go by what a friend’s air fryer allows — go by your model number. The one universal rule is that the base housing the electronics, heating element and fan must never go in water or the dishwasher; it is cleaned only with a damp cloth and dried before use.

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Which parts can and can’t go in

Part	Dishwasher?	Note
Basket / drawer	Usually, if manual confirms	Top rack; hand wash extends coating life
Crisper plate / tray	Usually, if manual confirms	Top rack
Racks / accessories	Often yes	Check individual pieces
Main unit (element + fan)	Never	Damp cloth only; contains electronics

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Why hand washing protects the coating

Even a dishwasher-safe rating is a permission, not a promise of longevity. Dishwashers combine high heat, aggressive detergents and long cycles, and all three are harder on nonstick coatings than a few minutes of gentle hand washing. Over many cycles that wear shows up as a dulled, less effective surface, and once a nonstick coating starts to degrade or flake the basket is effectively done. That is the practical reason so many owners hand wash the basket regardless of the label: it is the single biggest thing you can do to keep the coating intact for years rather than months.

Over-the-shoulder view of a person's hands lifting food from a countertop appliance in a bright kitchen, in warm evening lamplight

The cleaning routine that keeps a basket good

Let the basket cool, then soak it in warm soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes to loosen baked-on grease before wiping with a soft sponge or cloth. Skip steel wool, abrasive scrub pads and scouring powder entirely — they scratch the coating and start the flaking that ruins nonstick. For stubborn spots, a gentle baking-soda-and-water paste lifts residue without scratching. Clean after every use, because leftover grease can smoke or even pose a fire risk on the next run, and buildup only gets harder to remove. Dry every part fully before reassembling.

Where to go next

Shopping for one, or replacing a worn basket? The best air fryers ranks current models on the ratings and complaints owners report, including how easy each is to clean. For running costs, see how many watts an air fryer uses and whether air fryers use less electricity than an oven. Everything sits under the small kitchen appliances hub.

We never buy or physically test the products we rank — recommendations come from aggregated owner reviews and expert consensus, and the method is on how we rank. Always follow your appliance’s manual, which is the authority for your specific model.