I Tested the Viral TikTok Hack for Cleaning My Air Fryer—Here's What Happened.

Air fryers are often marketed as easy to clean, but anyone who enjoys sticky marinades like honey or hoisin knows that stubborn stains are inevitable.

Typically, I clean my air fryer by soaking the basket in warm, soapy water for about 30 minutes. Then I scrub away any remaining grime with a sponge. It’s not glamorous, but it usually works.

However, the internet has a different approach. One popular TikTok cleaning hack involves filling the basket halfway with soap and water, then air frying it at 350°F for five minutes. In video after video, greasy baskets come out sparkling clean. But does it really work? I decided to put it to the test.

Testing the TikTok Air Fryer Cleaning Hack.

I’m always up for a clever hack, especially if it means avoiding dish duty. So when I saw this TikTok cleaning method, I was eager to give it a try. After air frying marinated chicken thighs, I opened the drawer to find dark, stubborn stains. But instead of feeling defeated, I looked at the grimy fryer with hope. "This is going to work!" I thought, trusting the advice of online strangers.

I filled the basket halfway with water, added a generous amount of dish soap, and popped it back into the fryer. I set the temperature and timer, then sat back with a glass of water, pet my dog, and enjoyed doing anything but scrubbing stubborn stains.

After five minutes, I eagerly pulled out the drawer and poured out the water. True to the videos, the water was brown. I figured this was a positive sign that the TikTok hack had worked.

The Unfortunate Truth Behind the TikTok Hack.

Unfortunately, the hack didn’t work. The stains were still there, and the basket looked almost identical to how it had before I tried the method.

I gave the chamber one more rinse, but it was no use. The bottom and sides were still stained with burnt sugars and stubborn grime. I sighed, filled the basket with soapy water for a soak, and accepted the fact that I’d be scrubbing it later.

After soaking and scrubbing, my air fryer looked as good as new. While the TikTok hack didn’t work, the good news is that I didn’t damage the drawer or appliance. The best part? I’ll live to air fry another day.