Air fryers are now common in many kitchens, thanks to how quickly they cook meals with minimal oil. Their compact design makes them easy to use, especially for busy households. Cleaning them, however, can take more effort. Grease, oil splashes, and burnt residue often stick to the basket, making it harder to clean.
Grease buildup, splattered oil, and stubborn burnt bits tend to stick to the basket, turning cleanup into a bit of a chore.
To deal with that, two popular washing-up sprays—Fairy Liquid Skip The Soak and Elbow Grease—promise to cut through the mess and leave surfaces clean. Comparing how well they work can help determine which one delivers better results for less effort and cost.
Product Overview
Instagram | @amyzingclean | @savers.victoria.road | Fairy is priced at £3.75, while Elbow Grease delivers a similar cleaning effect at £1.19.
Fairy Liquid Skip The Soak is known for tackling grease effectively. It typically costs around £3.75 and is designed to break down stubborn residue without heavy scrubbing, making it a practical choice for regular air fryer use.
Elbow Grease Washing-Up Spray takes a similar approach, with a formula aimed at cutting through oil, burnt food, and grease. At about £1.19, it’s a much cheaper option, which makes it attractive for those watching their budget.
Both products claim strong cleaning power, but their results can differ depending on how they’re used and what kind of residue they’re dealing with.
Cleaning Test Procedure
A simple side-by-side test was set up to compare both sprays. Each was applied to an air fryer basket that had just been used to cook chicken. Ten sprays were used per basket, followed by a 10-minute wait to let the product work on the grease.
During application, a notable difference in scent was observed. Elbow Grease emitted a milder, more pleasant aroma, while Fairy Liquid had a stronger chemical smell. This difference may be relevant for users sensitive to strong cleaning scents.
After the 10-minute wait, a sponge was used to wipe away the remaining residue. Both products softened the grease effectively, but results varied in ease of removal.
Performance Comparison
Instagram | @ardahstore | Elbow Grease proved to be the better value because it cleaned faster and cost much less than Fairy Liquid.
Elbow Grease Basket
All grease was wiped away on the first pass, with no stubborn spots remaining. The cleaning process required minimal effort, and rinsing under running water left the basket completely clean.
Fairy Liquid Basket
Most of the grease came off easily, though a few spots in the center of the tray needed a bit more attention. After rinsing, there were still some faint greasy patches, but nothing that required heavy scrubbing.
Both sprays did what they were supposed to—cut through grease and lift residue from the air fryer basket. That said, Elbow Grease had a slight edge. It was easier to use, worked a bit faster, and delivered slightly better results, especially considering the lower price point.
Practical Considerations
When picking a cleaning spray for your air fryer, a few things stand out:
- Cost Efficiency - Elbow Grease is the more affordable option and still performs well.
- Ease of Use - Its lighter scent and solid grease-cutting ability mean less scrubbing and quicker cleanup.
- Effectiveness - While both sprays handle burnt-on residue, Elbow Grease leaves the surface cleaner with less effort.
- Compared to traditional soap and water, sprays are simply more convenient, particularly if you use your air fryer often. They let you target problem areas directly and speed up the cleaning process.
- Both Fairy Liquid Skip The Soak and Elbow Grease get the job done, but Elbow Grease stands out for its ease of use, milder scent, and consistent results.
- Using a good degreasing spray regularly helps keep your air fryer clean, extends its lifespan, and keeps food tasting as it should—making Elbow Grease a practical, budget-friendly choice.
