Today's best air fryers can cook everything from crispy French fries to gooey cheesecake. Using far less oil than a traditional fryer and as easy to use as a microwave oven, I've been using an air fryer as my main appliance since its popularity exploded in 2017. Since then, I've become a seasoned enthusiast who cooks everything from moist salmon to tender Wagyu steaks in this gadget.

Over the years, I have learned how to get the most out of every air fryer. Different models have different power levels and layouts, but the following tips are universal. See how to achieve delicious results and reduce cleanup time.

Air frying requires much less oil than traditional frying. If a coating is needed, lightly spraying or brushing directly onto the food is the best way to achieve a crispy texture. Aerosol sprays will burn at low temperatures and damage the coating, degrading the nonstick surface over time. If you want your fryer to last longer, avoid aerosol sprays.

When cooking raw proteins like steaks, I probe the thickest cut of meat with this Govee meat thermometer ($25, Amazon) and drop it into a basket. The wire on this thermometer is thin enough to close the air fryer door, and it sends live updates to my phone. I set the target temperature five degrees lower than the desired doneness to account for carryover after the meat is removed. There are so many variables to consider with each cook, from the size of the meat to the range of energy the air fryer can output. With a thermometer, you can be sure of perfect doneness every time, so you don't have to guess how much you want to cook. For other options, check out our pick of the best meat thermometers.

I keep notes on my iPhone to record cooking times, temperatures, and overall results of recipes cooked in the air fryer. If I feel something is missing from the dish, I can tweak the timing or ingredients. And if you are satisfied with the finished product, you can write down the steps to reproduce it next time. Not all air fryers produce the same power level, so the cooking times in the recipe should be adjusted for your model.

It can be tempting to stuff several baskets of wings or filets in order to cook more food in a shorter amount of time. Don't do this. The wings and filets need plenty of room for the hot air to circulate. If the baskets become overcrowded, color and texture will suffer. Instead, arrange the ingredients in a single layer and cook them all at once.

After cooking is complete, it is important to clean the air fryer regularly for both hygiene and performance. After the fryer cools, wipe it down with a damp cloth, and don't forget to check the corners and the top of the fryer, where oil tends to splash. Before you start cooking, lay out aluminum foil to catch crumbs and sticky foods, making cleanup much easier. Be careful not to cover the element or fan, as this will reduce air flow. To keep your air fryer working as well as when you bought it, see our tips for caring for your air fryer.