How to Clean a Ninja AF101: Basket, Plate and Element

What Ninja's AF101 care instructions say about the basket, crisper plate and heating element, and what owners report damages the coating.

By Maksud · Published Sep 26, 2026 · Updated Sep 27, 2026

To clean a Ninja AF101, Ninja’s owner’s guide says to unplug it and let it cool, then wash the ceramic-coated basket and crisper plate in hot soapy water or the dishwasher. Soak them if food is stuck, brush the heating element to remove food residue, and wipe the main unit with a damp cloth. Never put the main unit in water or the dishwasher, and never use abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring pads.

What Ninja’s AF101 owner’s guide says about cleaning

Everything in this section comes from Ninja’s AF100-series owner’s guide, which covers the AF101:

• Clean the unit thoroughly after every use.
• Unplug it from the wall before cleaning, and let it cool before handling, cleaning or storing. The guide’s safety section says to allow about half an hour.
• Never immerse the main unit, cord or plug in water or any other liquid, and never put the main unit in a dishwasher.
• Wipe the main unit and control panel with a damp cloth.
• The basket, crisper plate and any accessories can go in the dishwasher.
• If food is stuck to the basket or crisper plate, soak them in a sink of warm, soapy water.
• Air-dry or towel-dry every part.
• Clean the heating element with a cleaning brush to remove food residue.
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring pads.

How to clean each AF101 part, per Ninja

Cleaning the AF101 basket and crisper plate

Ninja allows either the dishwasher or hand washing, so the choice is yours. The coating is the part that can wear, but owner reports don’t show a clear pattern.

Of the 631 written reviews on Target’s AF101 listing on Sep 27, 2026, two described the coating coming off. One owner saw it after three weeks despite no scouring pads and only silicone utensils; the other, after more than a year. Neither blamed the dishwasher, and a few other owners said theirs hadn’t flaked. That’s too few reports to call it a common problem.

If you want the coating to last, hand washing with a soft sponge is the conservative choice, and it’s within Ninja’s instructions.

Per SharkNinja’s parts store, the basket and plate are ceramic-coated, and the crisper plate is PTFE- and PFOA-free. TechGearLab also lists the AF101’s cooking surface as PTFE-free.

A stuck crisper plate is a common question, because small silicone bumpers hold the plate in the basket. In a Best Buy Q&A thread about the AF101, 26 owners answered. The usual advice was to pull firmly straight up on the center handle, grip it with tongs or a cloth, or run hot water over it to soften the bumpers. Some answers said it gets easier after the first few removals.

Ninja’s guide warns that the plate gets extremely hot during cooking and should go on a heat-resistant surface once removed. Do this after it cools.

How to clean the AF101 heating element

Ninja’s only instruction is to clean the element with a cleaning brush to remove food residue, with the unit unplugged and cool. The guide doesn’t say how to reach it or whether to use any liquid on it. Given that it says never to immerse the main unit, keep water away from the element and the inside of the housing. The guide also says not to overfill the basket, so food doesn’t touch the heating element, which is how residue gets there in the first place.

If the unit gives off black smoke, Ninja says to unplug it immediately and wait for the smoking to stop before removing the basket. If an “E” message appears on the display, Ninja’s troubleshooting guide says the unit isn’t working properly and to contact Customer Service.

What not to use on an AF101: abrasives, bleach, water

• Abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring pads on any part (Ninja’s owner’s guide).
• Bleach, ammonia or disinfectant sprays. LoveToKnow warns against these for Ninja air fryers generally; Ninja’s guide doesn’t mention them.
• Water anywhere in the main unit (Ninja’s owner’s guide).

What to do if the AF101 basket coating is damaged

A damaged basket or plate is a replacement part, not a warranty claim. Ninja’s guide doesn’t say what to do about a scratched or flaking basket, and its warranty treats the basket and crisper plate as wear parts that aren’t covered. On Sep 27, 2026, SharkNinja’s parts store sold a replacement AF101 basket for $33.99 and a crisper plate for $18.99. If the coating is flaking into food, replacing the part is cheaper than a new air fryer.

AF101 cleaning safety: unplug it and let it cool

• Unplug first and let it cool. TechGearLab measured the AF101’s hottest exterior point at 160°F during cooking, and the basket and plate get hotter than the outside.
• Dry every part fully before the next cook.
• Ninja’s guide says to stop using the appliance and call Customer Service if it malfunctions or is damaged in any way.

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