As we age, the tasks that once seemed trivial can become more challenging, and cleaning is no exception.

For those of us who have embraced modern kitchen gadgets like air fryers, the convenience of cooking is offset by the dread of cleaning up afterwards.

To make our cleanups easier, a cleaning expert just shared a game-changing tip that will make cleaning your air fryer as easy as pie–without any strenuous scrubbing.

Claire Jenkins, a professional cleaner from Kirkintilloch, Scotland, is one-half of the social media sensation known as the Wee Scotty Cleaners.

Alongside her ‘partner in grime’ Hazel McKinnie, their page has become a go-to source for practical and easy cleaning advice, amassing 92,000 followers on social media.

In a recent video, Claire showcased her effortless method for getting an air fryer to sparkle after cooking up some sizzling bacon.

Her approach is simple yet effective: don't let the grease set in.

Before sitting down to enjoy her meal, Claire removes the air fryer's detachable compartment and fills it with hot water straight from the tap. This preemptive soak ensures that grease and food particles will not harden and stick.

'Let's just turn that hot water on and this way there will be no scrubbing involved because it's still hot and it's still wet, so you're not giving it time to dry in okay.'

Claire's go-to tool for this task is a Dishmatic sponge on a stick, which cleverly allows you to fill the handle with washing-up liquid.

This is what Claire’s air fryer looked like after applying her cleaning tip—clean and grease-free. Image Credit: Claire Jenkins/TikTok

After letting the compartment soak while she eats, Claire returns to find that the previously greasy surface is now ready to be wiped clean with minimal effort.

The bacon residue, which would have been a pain to scrub off if dried, now slides off effortlessly.

'Now look how easy this is going to come off. This [sponge] has got washing up liquid in it and it's going to take no scrubbing at all.'

The result? A gleaming air fryer, ready for its next use, and no sore arms or hands from scrubbing.

Claire's demonstration is a testament to the power of tackling messes before they become stubborn, and the clever use of a Dishmatic sponge makes the process even easier.

Although met with positive comments, some viewers of the video expressed concerns about potential home hazards.

'Grease down the plug hole,' one comment read.

To avoid possible blockage, cool the hot water first and dispose of the grease in the garbage before rinsing the compartment.

'Just get a b***** air fryer liner. It keeps it safe and looking great for longer,' another comment insisted.

Source: @theweescottycleaners/TikTok​

Claire's air fryer cleaning tip is a perfect example of how a little foresight and the right tools can save time and energy—something we all can appreciate.

Key Takeaways

• Claire Jenkins, a professional cleaner, shared an easy cleaning tip for air fryers that doesn't require hard scrubbing.
• The method involves soaking the removable compartment in hot water immediately after use to prevent food residue from drying.
• A Dishmatic sponge on a stick filled with washing-up liquid is used to easily clean the compartment after soaking.
• Some social media users expressed concern about the potential for grease to block drains when the greasy water is poured down the plughole.

Do you have any cleaning tricks that have made your life simpler? Share them with us in the comments below.

 

[Andrew]

Prevention is better than cure. I make a liner with baking paper, which is also greaseproof. There are readymade liners, paper and silicone. Paper one's are a throwaway.

 

[Catherines]

Common sense - wipe out the ‘fresh’ grease with kitchen paper towel first, then soak if any grease residue remains, then wash with hot water and some detergent. Do that for all, and any, non-stick pots and pans or other greasy items also. Just common sense, no need to go on TikTok!! I always use either grease proof, baking paper or foil as a liner as well. Have just also bought some round paper liners but have yet to use them.

 

[wendell]

Common sense - wipe out the ‘fresh’ grease with kitchen paper towel first, then soak if any grease residue remains, then wash with hot water and some detergent. Do that for all, and any, non-stick pots and pans or other greasy items also. Just common sense, no need to go on TikTok!! I always use either grease proof, baking paper or foil as a liner as well. Have just also bought some round paper liners but have yet to use them.

Yes makes sense Catherine I do exactly the same , should we go on tik tok commonsense !!!

 

[elaine41]

Commonsense has been lost to the young generation. Of course you soak something that has food stuck to it. I do this with anything that has food stuck to it so that I don't have to scrub the pots & pans later.

I wonder what the younger generation would do without Tik Tok & similar to find out how to do basic chores around the home. When I was young my mother taught me the basics of all housework & I have adapted those methods to suit me & keep adapting them as I get older & sometimes struggle to do some of the simpler chores e.g. washing up.

 

[kramx]

i find silicone pyramid baking sheet cut to size is excellent

 

[Catherines]

i find silicone pyramid baking sheet cut to size is excellent

I haven’t seen these anywhere. Doesn’t some grease collect, to some extent, in the hollows of the pyramid sheet? Just asking.
My air-fryer is round so I bought a round silicone one (like a shallow fluted cake pan) for just $3.30 from a Daiso store in Brisbane. They also had a pack of round paper ones (10, I think) for the same price.

 

[hdhensel]

Have 2 or 3 silicone inserts ready to go. But mostly stains and residue are easily cleaned from the inserts.

 

[IAN3005]

I haven’t seen these anywhere. Doesn’t some grease collect, to some extent, in the hollows of the pyramid sheet? Just asking.
My air-fryer is round so I bought a round silicone one (like a shallow fluted cake pan) for just $3.30 from a Daiso store in Brisbane. They also had a pack of round paper ones (10, I think) for the same price.

Can't afford them....

 

[hdhensel]

Ian, better not turn the lights or the air fryer on. It will cost you ! Power is expensive these days

 

[IAN3005]

Ian, better not turn the lights or the air fryer on. It will cost you ! Power is expensive these days

I don't believe it or not.....

 

[Jest]

and this is news. I can go back 60 0dd years when we knew hot water and soaking were the correct things to do.

 

[kramx]

I haven’t seen these anywhere. Doesn’t some grease collect, to some extent, in the hollows of the pyramid sheet? Just asking.
My air-fryer is round so I bought a round silicone one (like a shallow fluted cake pan) for just $3.30 from a Daiso store in Brisbane. They also had a pack of round paper ones (10, I think) for the same price.

i usually get from aliexpress or temu .the one pictured i found at the salvos

 

[Daibhin]

Prevention is better than cure. I make a liner with baking paper, which is also greaseproof. There are readymade liners, paper and silicone. Paper one's are a throwaway.

That's what I use, simple isn't it?