A method of using an aerosol-generating device is provided, including bringing a heating element of the aerosol-generating device into contact with an aerosol-forming substrate, raising a temperature of the heating element to a first temperature to heat the aerosol-forming substrate sufficiently to form an aerosol, removing the heating element from contact with the aerosol-forming substrate and heating the heating element to a second temperature, higher than the first temperature, to thermally liberate organic materials adhered to or deposited on the heating element. An aerosol-generating device is also provided, including a heating element coupled to a controller configured to heat the heating element to the first temperature and to the second temperature.