Warning issued to any Brit who uses an air fryer regularly instead of an oven

The majority of people opt to use air fryers instead of ovens these days when rustling up some food.

Brits are pretty besotted with the gadgets, as they can cook things up a lot quicker while using less energy than a classic kitchen stove.

You've got to be careful when making certain foods in an air fryer, as well as being wary you don't overfill them, but apart from that, they are pretty easy to operate.

However, cleaning them is a different story - but although it's a slog, it's a necessary step in ensuring they are safe to use.

An expert has issued a reminder to air fryer lovers about taking care of their appliances, while also warning that sticking its components into the dishwasher is a big no-no.

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, explained that you need to 'deep clean' your air fryer at least once a month.

How should you clean your air fryer?

You should spruce it up after every meal you've cooked in it, but while you're washing all the bits and bobs, it's best to do it by hand.

"Even though some air fryers are labelled as dishwasher-safe, dishwashers can strip the non-stick coating on the air fryer components," Dr Anderson told the Express.

"For stubborn, baked-on grease, try filling the tray or drawer with water, drop in a dishwasher tablet and leave to soak overnight. Then, simply rinse clean the next day."

Make sure you don't submerge the air fryer's heating element though, as it might stop working.

You need to keep on top of the cleaning when it comes to your air fryer (Getty Stock Image)

Instead, dampen a clean cloth to wipe away the grease and grime, before going back in with warm soapy water and then repeating the first step.

Simple - so what cleaning routine should you be following to keep your air fryer in tip top shape?

The expert continued: "It’s recommended that you give your air fryer a light clean after every use and a deeper clean every month, or every few uses if you regularly cook greasy foods.

"For a monthly deep clean, you’ll need to clean all the accessories and inside the appliance more thoroughly to remove burnt-on food, grease and odours."

Obviously, you will need to make sure everything is dry before you start cooking up a storm in your air fryer again.

But after completing the usual safety checks, you'll have a squeaky clean appliance back at your fingertips.

For more information on your particular model, you can check the manufacturer’s instructions and advice.