How to Clean a Frying Basket

A fryer.
  • 1 hours
  • Beginner
  • 10
What You'll Need
Water
Baking soda
Vinegar
Clean cloth
Bowl
Large sink/hose
What You'll Need
Water
Baking soda
Vinegar
Clean cloth
Bowl
Large sink/hose

If the frying basket in your deep fryer is dirty, you will need to clean it. While it is easy to put off this task, the truth is that cleaning your deep fryer's basket can be done without too much hassle. If you know how to clean the basket properly, you can do so in one try, with no wasted effort whatsoever. The following instructions should help you to do exactly that, keeping your deep fryer cleaner and in better working order from now on.

Step 1 - Set Up

Before you start to clean anything, unplug your deep fryer. If you have used it recently, allow it to cool down completely. Once you are satisfied that your deep fryer has cooled down to room temperature and is perfectly safe to touch, remove your frying basket. Set it aside and gather your materials.

Step 2 - Clean the Basket

You can perform a preliminary cleaning of your basket with the following steps. Start by mixing a solution that is 9/10 vinegar and 1/10 water. Dip your cloth in this mixture and wipe down the basket. You should be able to get it relatively clean with only a few wipes, but do not worry about getting every single particle of grime off just yet. Once you feel you have done a good job, rinse off the basket.

If you have a large sink or tub available that you can wash your fryer in, you can do it there. Otherwise, you will probably have to take it outside, unless you can improvise a solution with materials on hand. If you end up taking the basket outside, you should probably rinse it off with your hose.

Step 3 - Make a Degreaser

A deep fried turkey.

While it is possible to buy a commercial degreasing product, the truth is that there is almost never a need to do this. Chances are high that you already have all of the ingredients you need to make your own in your home. First, you will need a bowl. Put baking soda in the bowl. The exact amount is not that important. Gradually add water to the baking soda, mixing as you go. Stop adding water when the baking soda has the consistency of toothpaste. Stir thoroughly to make sure no pockets of pure water or baking soda have snuck by.

Step 4 - Apply the Degreaser

You can apply your grease removing mixture with a clean cloth. Scrubbing is fine, but you will be letting the mixture sit and do the work for you, so focus on simply covering the entire basket with the mixture. Allow it to sit, then wipe it off, taking this opportunity to give the basket a good scrubbing. Rinse the basket again to wash away the remainder of the grease removing mixture.

You will have to clean your deep fryer separately if it is dirty. However, after your basket dries, you can put it back and use it again.