I cooked every day... How to thoroughly clean the air fryer, which is dirtier than a toilet?

Air fryers, which cook ingredients with high-temperature air without oil, have firmly established their status as a 'national cooking appliance.' According to a survey conducted by Korea Gallup, as of 2023, seven out of ten households own an air fryer. If not cleaned properly after use, it can be four times dirtier than a toilet bowl.

In 2022, on tvN's '70 Billion Choices,' an experiment was conducted to measure the bacterial count in air fryers. The experiment focused on the fact that most air fryer users place paper foil inside, use it, and then discard the dirty foil without cleaning the air fryer itself. As a result, the bacterial count detected in an actual in-use air fryer was 14,73 RLU, which was about four times higher than that found in a toilet (2,596 RLU).

 

In the broadcast, Dr. Jung Seung-eun, a specialist in family medicine, said, "The kitchen is often dirtier than the bathroom," and "The air fryer used daily can be dirtier than a toilet." Generally, having more bacteria does not necessarily lead to more serious illness. However, some people who are sensitive to bacteria may experience skin conditions, abdominal pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms.

 

Janeline Huchings, a certified food safety expert (CP-FS) from the American media outlet StateFoodSafe, stated, "Even a small amount of oil or food residue can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth and promote pests such as ants and cockroaches. It is best to minimize the risk of infection as much as possible. Salmonella bacteria that can be transmitted through chicken can survive up to 32 hours on dry surfaces and may cause cross-contamination with other ingredients placed in the air fryer." She added that bacteria can be transferred through hands, utensils, and other objects via contaminated air fryers. Additionally, some bacteria can survive high-temperature cooking depending on the type, and heat-resistant toxins may remain.

Since grease tends to accumulate mainly on the fan and basket, it is advisable to wash these parts thoroughly after cooking. The cleaning method is simple. First, separate the basket and fan, then wipe off the grease with a paper towel. Sprinkling flour can effectively remove remaining grease. The flour absorbs the grease, forming clumps. After discarding the flour clumps, wash the parts once more with warm water and dish soap to maintain a grease-free, clean condition. At this time, do not use a rough scrubbing pad. According to tests by the Korea Consumer Agency, the abrasion resistance of the air fryer fan was only one-tenth that of a frying pan. If the coating on the fan peels off, harmful substances may leach out.

 

The inside of the main body and the heating element should be cleaned approximately once every three months. Mix soju and lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it onto the inside of the main body and the heating element. Wait for about 10 minutes, then wipe with a kitchen towel. The vent where heat escapes can be cleaned using a cotton swab. The air fryer should be assembled only after all moisture has been completely removed to prevent rusting.

 

Meanwhile, besides the air fryer, electronic devices that harbor more bacteria than toilets include smartphones, tablet PCs, game controllers, computer keyboards, and remote controls. According to a study reported by Forbes, toilets in typical households had 50 to 300 bacteria per standard area (2.54 cm by 2.54 cm), while an iPad was found to have 600 Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Game controllers contained five times more bacteria than toilets, and computer keyboards had three times more. Remote controls, which are frequently touched when watching TV, had about 70 bacteria per standard area, similar to the level on clean toilets. The highest was the smartphone, with the number of bacteria detected reaching up to 83 times more than on toilets. To maintain cleanliness, it is advisable to regularly wipe electronic device screens with a dedicated cloth.

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Today, I left some home appliances at a certain place during COVID.

While wiping with disinfectant, the air fryer is

Since it was neglected, the moment I saw the interior ceiling

I am shocked and surprised, and the child is providing information.

They are looking for you.

I cleaned diligently.