I’m an appliance pro

AIR fryers might be nifty little kitchen gadgets but they’re a nightmare to clean, so it’s no surprise that #airfryercleaninghack boasts an impressive 6 million views on TikTok.

And if you’ve searched this, you’ve likely stumbled across the viral trick suggesting you should fill the tray with soapy water.

The easy method involves filling the air fryer tray with dish soap and water, and then turning it on for five minutes to let the heat and bubbles inside get to work.

But one appliance whizz has warned that this method is actually dangerous and could damage your beloved air fryer beyond repair.

Luckily, the Studio expert has shared some much safer and effective ways you can clean your grease-riddled trays.

One of them comes in the form of an old toothbrush.

“Do clean your air fryer with warm soapy water,” the Studio spokesperson said.

“But a great tip for getting in the hard-to-reach crevices is to use a small soft-bristled brush, such as a bottle brush, to scrub in the smaller spaces.

“An old toothbrush would also work for getting into the tighter spots.

“If some stains are proving tricky to clean, let the removable parts of the air fryer soak in hot soapy water before tackling.”

What’s more, you can even make your own cleaning solution that won’t damage the non-stick coating in your air fryer and costs less than 50p a pop.

“You can make a low-cost, non-abrasive cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle,” the expert said.

“This solution will not only cost less than 50p but also leave your air fryer shiny and clean.

“Simply spray over the appliance and then wipe away with a damp cloth.”

The expert also addressed the viral ‘fill with water and turn on’ hack, which they dubbed “very dangerous”.

“You should never add water to any kind of electrical equipment,” they explained.

“And especially in an air fryer where the steam could rise and come into contact with the heating element.

“This hack could be a costly mistake, damaging your air fryer beyond repair.”