Hot air fryers are probably one of the best inventions. Mainly because they are versatile and a much healthier alternative to traditional frying pans and fryers. However, they are not problem free. That said, in many cases some people complain that their Air Fryer has started to rust. But why does this happen? In the next few lines, we’ll explain how to prevent rust from appearing on Air Fryers.
Air Fryers: do this to avoid rust!
Hot air fryers can rust over time, especially when metal components are exposed to water for too long. By the way due to water and other situations. But don’t worry because there are ways to avoid it.
The main reasons that lead to rust
Exposure to water for extended periods can cause the interior of your fryer to rust. That said, make sure it dries really well. But there are many other reasons that can lead to this.
Do not use parchment paper in the background
Rust can set in when you don’t put parchment paper in the fryer basket. It is important to remember that many foods contain water that passes into the air fryer basket during cooking, especially for those who like to prepare vegetables this way.
A sheet of aluminum foil or a drizzle of olive oil also works very well.
Air fryer does not dry properly
Failure to dry fryer components after cleaning is a common cause of rust. If you don’t dry the fryer properly, the remaining water will start to react with the metal over time and eventually it will start to rust.
Use abrasive elements
Using abrasives to clean the air fryer can lead to rust. Using things like a metal sponge to clean the fryer basket may be too rough for your appliance. In addition, it can create small holes that allow water or moisture to enter and eventually react to the metal and form rust.
How to prevent rust
As far as fryer maintenance is concerned, you should clean it at least every two days to avoid having to use more aggressive products later on. This is if you use it frequently. However, you should clean it right after using it.
The longer you go without washing your fryer, the harder it will be to clean. Think of those pots and pans that you have to soak to get rid of what’s encrusted.
Otherwise, only use soft sponges to clean the deep fryer.
However, as I mentioned above, you should always dry it very well.
In addition, it is always a good idea to put some oil on the bottom, such as olive oil or parchment paper or aluminum foil.
What if it already has rust?
Rust that forms on a deep fryer is more common than you might think. Fortunately, there are some ways to remove it.
Put lemon or lime juice and a salt solution on the rust
Lemon or lime juice is highly acidic and can do an excellent job eating rust. Salt is quite harsh and abrasive, so the two combined can make an excellent homemade rust removal solution!
Cover the rusty area with salt.
Pour lemon juice on top.
Let the solution “marinate” on the affected area for several hours.
Use the lemon peel for scrubbing.
Use white vinegar and water
Mix half a cup of distilled vinegar with 1 cup of water. Pour it into the fryer. Let this solution stand for about 10 minutes. After these 10 minutes have passed, let the fryer run for 5 minutes with this solution in it. When you reach the end, pour out the liquid and wipe the fryer with paper towels.