Cleaning The Ninja Foodi Air Crisp Lid

Ninja Foodi recipes, ideas, experiments and more.
Clean clean clean....
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[@addiebambridge3965]

Very helpful, Scott. I agree with Robert that Ninja should seriously look at making this cleaner-friendly, especially as it's such a great product.

[@ScottCooks]

Couldn't agree more

[@robinsesko3139]

Agreed. I was given one of these, but would never buy one. Too much maintenance. Ninja wasn't thinking when this was produced.

[@noel888]

Ninji knows what its doing....they want you to keep buying another one and another and etc.

[@youcancallmefly]

But it's so heavy! And needs lots of storage spsce. 😕

[@robertbarnier45]

Good job Scott. Ninja needs to think about making it easier to clean. Aussie Bob

[@ScottCooks]

I agree. If they made the element a plug in it could easily be removed. But it is what it is lol....

[@robertmotion]

Agree 1000% /Bklyn👑

[@lkayh]

No kidding!! What the heck were they thinking making that so hard to get to? Once it gets filthy, do they think people will just buy a new Foodi?

[@TheHalloweenKing]

@@lkayh they want people to do what he does and pray they break it

[@wilsonlim1892]

Ninja's not the only company that does this... My first Philips air-dryer is constructed the same way... It's disgustingly dirty after about a year, and there's no easy way to thoroughly clean the heater element & fan assembly... Unless you pull the wires out cut and install connectors on them...

[@littlenemo14]

I did mine just like Scott did yesterday. Unfortunately two of the screws were already chewed or whatever but I managed to get them out with small pliers. The other two came out ok. I also suggest that you put cling film or something over the pot because I dropped one screw and had to undo the plate underneath the ninja( easy enough to do btw) to get it out. When it came to replace the screws I used 3.5 mm x 10mm bolts and they do a real neat job. I used a mini steam cleaner as well and it sure made the job easier. My ninja looks really good now.

[@edlaskojr]

I used your method and it worked great! Thanks for sharing as my Ninja Foodi was a real mess. Looks great now!

[@user-pd2rd5bf1j]

Thank you, Scott. I use mine almost daily, sometimes several times a day so it does make it difficult to keep the lid clean. Glad to know how to do this without breaking it!

[@raelynn75]

THANK YOU so much for this video!! You are saving me! I made a cake in mine and it got too big and baked up and around the element! A total nightmare. I absolutely had to take it completely apart. I don’t even care about the warrantee because it was my fault and probably wouldn’t have been replaced anyway. The lack of having the name of the specific hex was what was so frustrating to me- and you saved the day!

[@in2why724]

You don't have to take it apart. Put lemons and water in the bottom turn it on dear let it come to a boil then close the lid. Let it steam for five to ten minutes. Then use a bottle brush that bends in place and scrub. It is super easy. You don't need soap because the steam loosened everything.

[@andream3079]

I'd considered vinegar but lemons would smell better.

[@gylgamesh5]

Heh. NOPE! That may work for some stuff but not mine.

[@marianne030]

How do you wipe clean those nooks and crannies? It's impossible....I tried

[@ellensoj]

What bottle brush? Nothing fit in there

[@in2why724]

@@ellensoj the bendable brush that is used to wash baby bottles.

[@Althreya]

Thank you !!!! I was battling this a lot ... this is so helpful :)

[@RurouniCjuro]

GJ....i started like you with soapy water...at the time when "elboy grease" was required I changed to Baking Soda and a bit of water to make a paste...that did the trick

[@ScottCooks]

Awesome solution! Thanks for that tip

[@leslieyowell7239]

Thanks for the detailed instructions. Really Ninja needs to do a better job here for accessibility.

[@kevinbeverlysr]

Just what I needed to know thxs Scott I felt their had to be away to clean it great job just got mine so going to stay on it

[@ScottCooks]

No problem 👍 Keep an eye out for my new video coming soon and some new ways to clean the lid!

[@gizmobloggs1745]

Thanks Scott , very useful , now I know its a T-15 bit , just what I needed to know.

[@DBee56]

Thanks so much for posting things, Scott! On my model, the screwdriver was impeded by a small "nob" in the center of the screw, so I used my snub-nosed pliers to remove the screws.

[@TheAmbassadorOfQuan]

that nob isn't in impediment, that's a particular type of screw that take a specific screw bit, it is not a standard Philips head screw

[@garylangford6755]

i used a dremel to drill out that stub. absolutely pointless that it requires a special screw

[@rick-jw2fl]

On my unit I had to get a Torx-15 (T-15) with a hole in the end to fit the screws.

[@buz0123]

you should use a bottle washing brush with plastic covered twisted wire and the bristles about 3/4" diameter.

[@misspotential]

In sweet savants video she used a brush cleaner for bottles to get in there without removing the lid and it worked great! I’m gonna use your lid removal method along with the bottle cleaning brush ! Thanks!

[@ScottCooks]

Great tip!

[@misspotential]

@@ScottCooks thank you for this video I was nervous to unscrew mine. Ninja should come out with a splatter guard attachment! I’ll tell em 😂

[@mikehopkins5155]

I spray a small amount of oven cleaner in the top of the air fryer put about 2 cups of water in the inter pot bring it to a boil close the lid and cut it off after about 2 minutes so the stem can pernitrate the air fryer let it set for about 15/20 munities all scum from the air fryer will have dripped off into the water in the inter pot just dump the scum down the drain leave the led on the air fryer open to dry the air fryer will look like it's never been used.

[@ScottCooks]

WOW! I will try that ASAP! Awesome tip.

[@Loady420]

@@ScottCooks have you tried this method yet?

[@monicacadagan6196]

Make a video doing this!

[@ballin302008]

@@monicacadagan6196 yea I need a video before I screw mines up

[@mikehopkins5155]

@@monicacadagan6196 Just cleaned mine again yesterday oven cleaned from dollar store like i said spray a small amount of oven cleaner in the top of the air fryer put about 2 cups of water in the inter pot bring it to a boil close the lid and cut it off after about 2 minutes so the stem can pernitrate the air fryer let it set for about 15/20 munities all scum from the air fryer will have dripped off in the inter pot just dump the scum down the drain. Don't need a video for that Simple task.

[@floydbanks173]

Thanks for the tips. My model doesn't have the guard in front of the heater element. I saw on another site that those are Torx type screws & that the right size is #15.

[@emelybtolentino]

Thank you for this video. .i cleaned mine today and it looks amazing ❤

[@ScottCooks]

You are so welcome!

[@publictoilet1970]

Great video!! Thank you

[@bkacr5006]

Great video. I needed that info. 🙌🏻

[@ScottCooks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@holliecoates-seamster8412]

Thank you for this video! I was about to throw it out and my husband said “I want to take it apart!” I lost our bet but I don’t have to replace my Ninja Foodi 😂

[@ScottCooks]

Glad I could help!

[@robynwilliams6185]

Been going back and forth between foodie and instant pot crisper. The difficulty cleaning the lid may be the deal breaker. If insta is easier to clean might go with that.

[@liverpoolpictorial]

Hi Scott, thanks for the T15 reference. I have two toolsets and there was nothing in there that fitted. Subscribed👍

[@rick-jw2fl]

On my unit I had to get a Torx-15 (T-15) with a hole in the end to fit the screws.

[@therainbowwarrior69]

Thanks for the upload Scott.Have just bought the Ninja foodi..great cooker but by the look of it not the easiest to clean ! When I do come to clean it I reckon instead of using a knife with the sponge i'll use it with a thin wooden spatula or wrap the sponge around some chop sticks,just abit worried the knife may slip through the sponge and cause damage.

[@ScottCooks]

A wooden object is a much better idea. I just grabbed the first handy thing lol

[@scotchbudmeister9018]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought taking apart would be beneficial to deep cleaning. Thanks. T15 =Torx bit #15

[@deadlydays3401]

sooooo, he has regular torx bits there. Those are secure torx screws, how the hell is he getting that to work.....

[@sylviah1234]

great job. Hopefully and I'm sure it s on their chopping block, this will be NF next generation line. One thats cleanable.

[@robertkarolak4037]

Hi Scott - Thanks for your great video. Can you send me what socket kit you purchased and where?

[@yeahnah3070]

great video. your heating element has the same dark marks at the bottom of it that mine has... clearly it's exposed to food debris, grease, etc... i wonder if that will be the ruin of it eventually no matter how well you clean the rest

[@HalUcci]

I wonder if a steamer like one people use on wrinkled clothes will help?

[@cheryll4440]

My cousin gave me one of these machines for free I heard they were life-changing but I have one that you cannot remove the lid it is impossible to clean. But when I flipped it upside down I saw all the grease. I instantly wanted to disassemble it to get all the grease out of there but now I know I should not do that so thank you for your video it gave me a jumpstart on how to clean my ninja air fryer. It’s a shame that it’s a mini stove that you can’t just replace the filter on. Thank you though I watched this before I actually disassembled my air fryer so I did not ruined something that is life-changing

[@ScottCooks]

This video was a worse case scenario. I let it get very dirty to show how to clean it. But in actual use I clean it off every time I use it. Usually just a soapy sponge and a quick wipe with a paper towel. If you wipe it off after every use I doubt your lid will get this bad :)

[@jhyde321]

Thanks Scott.

[@ScottCooks]

You're welcome!

[@stevewoolridge7383]

This is exactly whet I’ve been looking for! Pretty silly that Ninja didn’t make this easier to do. I first put a paste of baking soda & dawn, let it soak for a couple of minutes. Very little elbow grease required & this machine was nasty before cleaning. Thanks for the video!

[@ScottCooks]

Glad I could help!

[@susanbarthelow1796]

Could you get some of the dark on the fan with gentle moist sponge scrubbing on the side OPPOSITE the plug for the element so you can lift it slightly to clean it as it goes around. Jus asking ?

[@sherrybowser3345]

Very glad I found this video. Thank you so much. I just spent all morning air frying wings, so, splatter all over.

[@Sarah27281234]

I just tried cleaning mine and soooo nasty... This helped so much!!! Thank you

[@ScottCooks]

Glad it helped!

[@sharondickson1217]

Thanks not many are willing to tell their secrets about this machine cleaning but maybe no Ninja will make a machine that is easier to clean. The problem with a foodi is that once you own one thats all you use to cook with and that means your oven stays clean but the foodi needs attention. Thanks again

[@datdudetrent8938]

Mine ends up as a portable convection oven and I take it just about everywhere

[@debbiehurd1064]

You can put water in pot heat with a lemon in it. Take a bendable bottle brush round and stick it up under the cap the grease will come off easier when damp

[@ScottCooks]

Great tip! I will try that next time I clean the lid. Thanks!

[@Pk-hv1jr]

Thank you from Ontario Canada .

[@ScottCooks]

Thank you too!

[@mdamaged]

I just got one of these (slightly diff model) and I figure using my hand-held steam cleaner might work, what do you think?

[@jamesaddison3035]

The element will come out enough to remove the fan. There is enough slack in the wires. And you will need a security torx bit with the hole in the center.

[@mst9697]

Nice video Scott, try using a steam cleaner with a nozzle. Easy peasy. Keep up the good work. Peace. P.S. no need to disassemble. Just be sure to keep pot inside. Don't get water in electronics at the bottom.

[@adrianamingo9413]

Hello, have you ever had issues with the heating element not heating up? And if so, were you able to fix it?

[@jeanniek1498]

Thank You for this video Ninja needs to rethink (cleaning) the unit

[@ScottCooks]

Yes they do. It wouldn't be difficult, The element needs to plug in instead of being hard wired. Thanks for watching!

[@jeanniek1498]

@@ScottCooks I so AGREE

[@gazzfoth]

I removed the air Crisp lid before to clean it with no problem. I'm trying to clean it again but the T15 torx bit won't unscrew the screws. It looks like there is a bit in the middle of the screw raised out so the T15 would need a hole in it to unscrew. I have a pic but unable to out it on here

[@Iniamelendez]

The easiest way to clean it is by putting about 5 to 6 cups of hot water in the cooking pot (cooking pot have to be clean), set it to steam for 20 minutes, when time is up, turn off the unit, when it cool off wipe & dry everything. Do this after every used, you would never have to go through that type of cleaning you are showing in this video. Doing this process it will come out completely clean. For the newest model, remove the silicone Ring and wipe it clean without stretching the Ring after the steaming cycle is complete (always wait until the unit cool off to do this).

[@amybonds2769]

Thank you!

[@ScottCooks]

You're welcome!

[@justcookitwitholga2661]

Thank you for sharing. I love to cook in Ninja Foodi but cleaning the aircrisp lid is a bit problem.

[@ScottCooks]

Yes, true. Difficult. I hope they re-design it...Try a toothbrush

[@tymbreturner501]

This was very helpful. I need to find a way to clean mine, because it keep making my smoke alarms go off!!!

[@stc40]

Thanks for this Scott - another of life's great mysteries solved...!! My only concern is, if you did take those screws out and damaged the lid (in some way) would it invalidate the warranty? I agree the Ninja Foodi is one hell of a device but cleaning the air crisper lid is a branch of science all on its own...!!

[@726scooty]

How did you get the cover off the machine not the burner over but actual top

[@elizabethvierma5607]

Thanks so much!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ScottCooks]

You're welcome!

[@cameranmanner4701]

i dont thinks a issue of removing the heating element. once you remove the screw it's either wired or it has a slot connection. reason why it's good to remove the element is to access the fan so you can do a good clean up of the fan so it spins freely and balanced. if the fan becomes unbalanced from all that grease the bearings will eventually fail. and then you have a bigger problem.

[@nerycruz6456]

Brillo pads work great !

[@ScottCooks]

LOL now that's something I haven't tried yet! So simple jeez... Thanks!

[@Stars-us4gh]

thank you for the t 15 torx bit information , appreciate it

[@rick-jw2fl]

On my unit I had to get a Torx-15 (T-15) with a hole in the end to fit the screws.

[@Stars-us4gh]

@@rick-jw2fl thanks👍

[@chillvillianblues]

Nicely done.. something I do with my Ninja Air Fryer is to wrap a half or quarter of a sheet of paper towel around a clean used chopstick then tape it into place so it becomes like a large q-tip.. then I can clean around & under the fan unit better. I try to do it every time as mine doesn’t have a protective grate and I would have to remove the element every time.. its certainly not as clean as yours but does get the residual oil up so it doesn’t smell like burnt oil when using it.

[@ScottCooks]

That's a great idea! Awesome!

[@peterclark3029]

I bought my Ninja in December 2019 and mine needs a t15 security bit. The screw has a pin in the middle. Used a Wera Z Torx BO bit

[@ScottCooks]

I heard they started changing the screws on some models. Thanks for info!

[@milagrishernandez5764]

Hello Scott, Thank you for you video. It is helpful. I cleaned mine without talking the lid off. With a sponge and knife and I used Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray, and it comes out easy. How do you rise yours?

[@ScottCooks]

I just use a new clean sponge and water. Sometimes I dampen a paper towel and run it around a few times.

[@momomni5027]

Maybe try bbq grill cleaner...it's food safe.

[@Pluscelamemechose]

I LOVE MY FOODI. I need another, because steak isn't the same angelic meal without it.

[@crazydave1145]

Easy-off oven spray, then shove a few papertowels under the element & work them back & forth & around. It takes a while, but I didnt have to remove any of the torx screws😉

[@gorditobrasco310]

What if use a steamer to get in there?

[@deathstar73-ryan84]

Love the ninja but man I wish they made the top easier to clean... thnx 🤙

[@ScottCooks]

Yeah me too

[@itiswell]

GREAT VIDEO!!

[@ScottCooks]

Thanks!!

[@superbikechassisoffi]

It is a t15 safety torx. Do not ever use a regular torx on safety torx screws it will strip the head of the screw over time. We use them all the time and you can find them at Lowe’s and Home Depot.

[@kathyfann]

Do you know that element can be replaced in a service application so I’m sure it comes out but you’d have wiring than that you would have exposed so you know you don’t wanna put easy off on something like that you want you could get into that fan and everything. I wonder if a surface center could install a burner that unplugs

[@jimflynn466]

Hi Scott I use a tooth brush to get as close under the element as I can. I modified the tooth brush by steaming the handle over a boiling kettle spout, then plunging it into iced water to set the bend, and like you use hot soapy water to clean it with an abrasive sponge. I really enjoy your recipes and wouldn’t be without my ninja foodi, keep up the good work. Kind regards Jimf.

[@ScottCooks]

That's a great idea!

[@chrisharrell2449]

The t on the screwdriver bits stands for torx , So it's called a torx 15 screwdriver. Here in the UK. We can buy them separately. or as a kit.

[@noel888]

I find getting the Pot back to normal difficult even in a dishwasher which they recommend in their manual.

[@ScottCooks]

Hmm never had an issue with cleaning the pot. I have NEVER put it in the dishwasher. Just mild soap and water and elbow grease for me.

[@rick-jw2fl]

On my unit I had to get a Torx-15 (T-15) with a hole in the end to fit the screws.

[@otiscrawford8088]

you could also use bottle brushes from Amazon.

[@larryeaton7384]

The T15 TORX driver has to be hollowed out for this to work on the later models'. These screws have a pin in the center and you must buy a hollow TORX set to remove the newer one.

[@ScottCooks]

Thank you!

[@rafaelsilveira215]

What is the tool you used to take off the part at the time of 3:06 min

[@johnmcguire4422]

Good job

[@selmawrightson7990]

Burner needs to be a plug in like the old stoves that would it easy to clean

[@ScottCooks]

I agree. That would be perfect.

[@gita1649]

Can the whole lid be taken off. I don’t use the air fryer lid at all.

[@emelybtolentino]

Any suggestions on how to clean the fan?

[@kathyfann]

They could have made that burner unplug. Stoves uses burner, and they’ve unplugged for decades.

[@brendadiaz1740]

What if I took out those screws 😬 out to the element?? How would I reconnect it? HELP!!!!! PLEASE!!!!

[@LekaLeka2]

Has anyone tried a steamer to clean the fan area.

[@westside_kratos6487]

The screwdriver head you used, does it have kind’ve and indentation in the tip of it, cause of what kinda pokes out in the middle of those screws?

[@ScottCooks]

I have been told the Ninja has changed the screws on newer model. I think what you need now is call a "security torque" type

[@dt7987]

@@ScottCooks Yes he is correct. I have a newer model and it has that tip in the middle of the screws. Just like freaking apple does to keep us out lol.

[@Jamesnebula]

I think you could leave the grate cover off. A lot of air fryers have the bear element.

[@kingspal99]

steam lemon or vinegar water first to boil...use a regular lid that fits then bottle brushes and it works great

[@ScottCooks]

I'm trying to get my lid dirty enough to make an new video. I have lots of cool suggestions. I will film them all.

[@kingspal99]

@@ScottCooks thank you!!!!

[@monikaloke9963]

I use a chopstick and a dishcloth for the area behind the heating coil. First add lemon juice, detergent and water to the basket and let it run for 10 minutes at 200 degrees, this dissolves the grease better.

[@bottomburp]

I like the idea of the Ninja Foodi ,but if its going to become basically unhygienic after normal use I'll leave it well alone, Ninja has to radically rethink the design, I think the only way to get it looking spotless again would be to use a handheld steam cleaner with small brush attachments.

[@LatinoGrande]

Totally agree. That damn screen is the only thing I hate about it, a bit pain the rear to clean. Other than that is a great kitchen cooking ware

[@ccbowers]

That portion is the heating element. It maybe unsightly to many, but it is not "unhygienic" - it is perfectly safe from a health perspective. Just like the heating elements in ovens or toasters that people rarely clean, or the bottom of a grill. The heat kills any pathogens and your food doesn't rest up there

[@ccbowers]

I do wish the lid detached though and would be nice to access that area better for basic cleaning. It will just never be something we'll be able to stick in the dishwasher

[@andream3079]

Steam is a great idea!

[@crazydave1145]

I just used easy-off on mine, I'll definitely look into a steam cleaner for next time. Great idea, thanks for sharing

[@toleary6679]

Handheld steamer.

[@TheAmbassadorOfQuan]

you can pull the element out a few inches. they are connected to two braided cables. if you pull it out you can clean behind much more easily.

[@joelbell9082]

My ninja foodi has a filter in front of it I wash the filter it's a mesh filter and I have the same unit that you have picture of

[@youcancallmefly]

Exactly what I was looking for..I`m going to use a child`s toothbrush . I used it for the channel inside the lid and it filled the ticket. (the Foodi was gifted to me after they decided they didnt like it). Very hard kitchen gadget to clean.

[@ScottCooks]

Great idea!

[@sushi8204]

Will not work on the new machines. They use T-15 security screws so you need security bit T-15. Basically the same thing but with a hole in the middle.

[@ScottCooks]

Thank you for that info! Very good info

[@Stars-us4gh]

need to corect torx size i just wnet and bought a torx t 15 and got back and was to big , now have to go back and get a t 14 or smaller , and its not a hex it a torx bit

[@ScottCooks]

I have been told that newer models have had some changes.

[@Stars-us4gh]

Haa yea thats all good 😀

[@otiscrawford8088]

it's called Torx set , the T stands for Torx --T-15

[@lwwarren9485]

U can get those screws out with a small pair of pliers fyi.

[@bryanripple4484]

I use 91% rubbing alcohol. But these are great ideas too.

[@robmoore7378]

Scott, grest video but can you do one on cleaning all the junk & grease build up on the basket? The basket gets loaded with junk over time.

[@ScottCooks]

Sure! I clean my basket pretty often so I'll do a quick video on it. look for it soon

[@debrawatson8294]

I clean the basket with every use. If you take the pot, wipe out any oil that is in it, if any, put dawn and fill it with hot water and set the basket down in it and let it soak for a few hours, everything cleans off real easy.

[@cdmChase1]

A butter knife, haha 😅😂😂

[@vtyree4music]

I was told if we remove that guard it voids the warranty. But they do need to make something to clean it!!

[@mariamelendez519]

I RECEIVED ONE AIR FRYER, ON 2021 MOTHERS DAY, AT THE BEGUINING I WAS USINING A LOT BUT ALL THOSE VENTS MAKE THE HOUSE STINKY, I CLEAN IT AFTER EVERY USE WITH VINEGAR WATER I DONOT LET IT GET LAKE YOURS, BUT YES IS DIFICULT TO CLEAN THE FAN, I HAVE NOT USE IT FOR A WHILE I DONOT LIKE THE SMELL IN THE HOUSE. IN THE LINE UP I MEAN "LIKE NOT LAKE.

[@ScottCooks]

So far I have not experienced any extreme smells. There is usually some smells immediately after cooking but they seem to go away in a few hours and never too bad. Just the smell of whatever food I was cooking. Maybe try positioning the Foodi near a window or something.

[@clarkmaddox1410]

Use a wired bottle cleaner and bend it and you can get everything

[@kbaker5515]

I bought my Ninja Foodi August 2020 and my screws are not T15 they have a piece of metal in the center of the screw. Any idea what it’s called?

[@kbaker5515]

It’s called a CR-VT-15 bit. Has a pin hole in the center of the bit.

[@ScottCooks]

Thank you ...You beat me to it :)

[@stokerboiler]

Good thing this is a consumer appliance. If you tried to use it in a restaurant the health inspector (and maybe the fire marshal) would red-tag your Foodi - - even after you cleaned it as well as you did. The gunk on the fan rotor will eventually run it out-of-balance.