Ninja AF400 Cleaning Guide (With or Without Liners)
The Ninja AF400 / AF400UK Dual Zone is a workhorse, but the more you use it, the more you notice how quickly residue builds—especially after fatty foods, sticky sauces, and cheese. This guide explains how to keep the AF400 clean with the least effort, and where liners make the biggest difference.
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Cleaning isn’t glamorous, but it’s the difference between a fresh-smelling AF400 and an air fryer that starts to smoke or taste ‘old’. Liners can’t replace washing, but they reduce the worst baked-on mess.
For more liner choices, see Best liners for Ninja AF400. If you’re building a more complete setup, browse Best Ninja AF400 accessories.
Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick side-by-side using the three products listed for this post. Links open on Amazon UK.
| Product | Best for | Key features | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120Pcs Air Fryer Liners for Ninja Dual, Stone TH Disposable Airfryer Parchment Paper Liners Accessories Compatible with Ninja AF300UK AF400UK SL400UK AF500UK, Other Dual Zone Air Fryer | Best Overall pick for most AF400 owners | Pre-shaped bowl liner; quick disposal; designed for dual-zone baskets | £8.99 | Check today’s price on Amazon UK |
| BYKITCHEN Air Fryer Parchment Paper Liner, 50PCS Square Air Fryer Liners Disposable, Greaseproof Paper, Compatible with COSORI, Ninja, Tefal, Russell Hobbs Fryers (Unbleached) | Best Budget choice for value-focused shoppers | Simple parchment-style liner; low cost; good for lighter, less oily meals | £5.65 | Check today’s price on Amazon UK |
| Silicone Air Fryer Liners 2 Pack for Ninja Foodi Dual AF300UK AF400UK/KCP, AF451UK, Tower, Keplin, COSORI, Russell Hobbsand, Instant for 7.6L 8L 9.5L Baskets, Reusable Airfryer Accessories | Best Reusable option for wash-and-reuse routines | Reusable silicone tray; sturdy walls; great for saucy foods and easy rinsing | £8.99 | Check today’s price on Amazon UK |
Winners: Best Overall (P1), Best Budget (cheapest), Best Reusable (silicone). Jump to the picks: Check today’s price on Amazon UK, Check today’s price on Amazon UK, Check today’s price on Amazon UK.
Why the AF400 gets messy fast (and where residue builds)
Dual-zone cooking doubles the opportunities for drips: sausages in one basket, salmon in the other, both leaving oils behind. Over time, grease can harden on the basket base and in corners, and that residue can re-burn on future cooks, leading to smoke or smells. Liners help by catching fresh drips before they bake on.
A simple weekly cleaning routine for dual-zone baskets
After each cook: remove food, bin paper liner or rinse silicone, wipe the drawer base if you see grease, and wash baskets when needed. Once a week: do a deeper wash and check corners for build-up. Keeping on top of residue is usually easier than rescuing a heavily baked-on basket later.
Ninja AF400 Fit & Size Notes
Because the AF400 baskets are wide, liners that don’t fit can create folds that trap food bits. A flatter fit makes cleaning easier because there are fewer creases where grease can hide. In dual-zone cooking, you can also choose where to use liners: line the messier basket and keep the other basket bare for maximum crisping.
Common cleaning mistakes (and quick fixes)
Mistake: letting grease sit overnight. Fix: a quick wipe while warm saves a lot of effort later. Mistake: running paper liners during empty preheat. Fix: add paper only with food, so it stays weighed down. Mistake: using harsh abrasives. Fix: use non-scratch tools to protect coatings.
With liners vs without liners: what changes in clean-up
Without liners, grease and crumbs can bake onto the basket base and corners, especially over repeated cooks. You’ll often need soaking to remove stuck-on spots.
With liners, most drips sit in the liner, so the basket usually needs a quicker wash and a wipe rather than heavy scrubbing. It also makes it easier to keep the drawer base free of residue that can cause smoke.
CTA: If you want faster clean-up tonight, start with the Best Overall liner: Check today’s price on Amazon UK. If you cook lots of sauces, consider silicone: Check today’s price on Amazon UK.
FAQ
Do liners prevent smoke in the AF400?
They can help by reducing baked-on grease, but regular cleaning is still key—smoke often comes from residue re-burning.
Is silicone easier to clean than paper?
Paper is ‘clean’ because you bin it. Silicone is reusable but needs washing; many people like it for sauces and sticky foods.
How often should I deep clean the baskets?
It depends on use, but a weekly deeper wash is a good habit if you cook fatty foods or use the AF400 daily.
Can I use liners for every cook?
You can, but for ultra-crispy cooks you might prefer no liner or minimal liner coverage to keep airflow strongest.
Keeping the AF400 smelling fresh between cooks
Smells build up when grease residue remains on the drawer base or basket corners. Liners help by catching fresh drips, but the winning habit is a quick wipe after cooking while everything is still warm. Over time, this reduces smoky re-heats and keeps flavours cleaner.
CTA: If your main goal is less scrubbing, the disposable pick is here: Check today’s price on Amazon UK. For sticky sauces, consider silicone: Check today’s price on Amazon UK.