Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP--after soaking in goo gone I was able to scrape quite a bit with a razor blade and then wash. Aluminum foil from now on. The deposits from dripping weren't as much the problem (that stuff mostly gave way to a soak in very hot water and detergent) as this film from oils that apparently aerosolized in the oven and then deposited and turned to varnish, like it has been sprayed in some areas, patches of residue in others. Seems like there's a stronger version using the same ingredient that goo gone does.

The inside doesn't seem to collect residue as much, and in any case I would not use the goo gone and have the nasty petroleum fumes.

This is the conclusion I have come to.

I have even considered not using my air fryer anymore. But it's now my toaster. My just get a toaster and go back to using my regular oven. Can't really justify heating that whole thing up though. There has also been a burning plastic smell every since I got it, but I'm sensitive to smells. This air fryer is a big Breville. I had a Ninja that I actually threw away because the burning plastic smell never went away.

DP. I use parchment sheets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm talking about small air fryers and toaster ovens. Probably others, but I avoid niche products.

They use metals so soft in some parts (like drip trays) that even a scotch scrubbing pad scratches them. My main frustration is with oils that turn into polymers. Clearly, this is a chemistry problem. No, vinegar does not soften this stuff up, nor does leaving dish soap or baking soda paste or whatever do anything. Right now I have a piece soaking in w film of goo gone. It has loosened some of the oil-turned-to-varnish (I can scrape some with my fingernail) after a few hours, and I'm going to wait until tomorrow, but I am not optimistic. The same deposits are in side the glass door.

Clearly, this is a chemistry problem. It also seems like there are more and more cheap metals/alloys being used, including as a surface layer over the underlying metal. Same thing with some of the oven pans places like Costco sell. Oven cleaner, even lye-free cleaner, discolors or pits the material. None of the gazillion cleaning products in stores seem to solve the problem.

Is there a solution here?

Ammonia will clean greasy goo. Dilute some ammonia in water, then soak the item and wipe with a sponge. If you need ot scrub, use one fo those gentle/non-scratch scrubbers for dishes.

Anonymous wrote:I'm talking about small air fryers and toaster ovens. Probably others, but I avoid niche products.

They use metals so soft in some parts (like drip trays) that even a scotch scrubbing pad scratches them. My main frustration is with oils that turn into polymers. Clearly, this is a chemistry problem. No, vinegar does not soften this stuff up, nor does leaving dish soap or baking soda paste or whatever do anything. Right now I have a piece soaking in w film of goo gone. It has loosened some of the oil-turned-to-varnish (I can scrape some with my fingernail) after a few hours, and I'm going to wait until tomorrow, but I am not optimistic. The same deposits are in side the glass door.

Clearly, this is a chemistry problem. It also seems like there are more and more cheap metals/alloys being used, including as a surface layer over the underlying metal. Same thing with some of the oven pans places like Costco sell. Oven cleaner, even lye-free cleaner, discolors or pits the material. None of the gazillion cleaning products in stores seem to solve the problem.

Is there a solution here?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP--after soaking in goo gone I was able to scrape quite a bit with a razor blade and then wash. Aluminum foil from now on. The deposits from dripping weren't as much the problem (that stuff mostly gave way to a soak in very hot water and detergent) as this film from oils that apparently aerosolized in the oven and then deposited and turned to varnish, like it has been sprayed in some areas, patches of residue in others. Seems like there's a stronger version using the same ingredient that goo gone does.

The inside doesn't seem to collect residue as much, and in any case I would not use the goo gone and have the nasty petroleum fumes.

This is the conclusion I have come to.

I have even considered not using my air fryer anymore. But it's now my toaster. My just get a toaster and go back to using my regular oven. Can't really justify heating that whole thing up though. There has also been a burning plastic smell every since I got it, but I'm sensitive to smells. This air fryer is a big Breville. I had a Ninja that I actually threw away because the burning plastic smell never went away.

Anonymous wrote:OP--after soaking in goo gone I was able to scrape quite a bit with a razor blade and then wash. Aluminum foil from now on. The deposits from dripping weren't as much the problem (that stuff mostly gave way to a soak in very hot water and detergent) as this film from oils that apparently aerosolized in the oven and then deposited and turned to varnish, like it has been sprayed in some areas, patches of residue in others. Seems like there's a stronger version using the same ingredient that goo gone does.

The inside doesn't seem to collect residue as much, and in any case I would not use the goo gone and have the nasty petroleum fumes.

Anonymous wrote:Oven cleaner. Spray, cover with cling wrap and leave overnight. Remember to wear rubber gloves.

Anonymous wrote:I just accept that the inside of the appliance won't look like shiny new metal after it's been used a bunch. I scrub off the layer that will come off. But the stuff that's baked on so hard that Barkeepers Friend won't even touch it... that just stays there. It's not going to cause any problems at that point.

I do line the drip tray with foil if I know I'm going to cook something particularly greasy.