I wanted one countertop cooker that could handle more than just grilling. I tested the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill to see how it works for daily meals. It can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. My take is simple: it is a useful all-in-one grill, but its large size may not suit every kitchen.
Ninja 6 in 1 Grill Reviews
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is made for people who want several cooking jobs in one machine. I like this idea because I do not always want to use the oven, grill, and air fryer for separate meals.
The six cooking modes give me a lot of ways to use it. I can grill meat, air fry fries, roast food, bake small dishes, broil meals, or dry food. This gives the grill more use than a basic indoor grill.
The grill uses hot air to cook food around the food. It also has a high-heat grill grate. This helps give meat grill marks while keeping indoor cooking fairly easy.
The Smart Cook System is one of the main features I noticed. It comes with a built-in food thermometer. I can use it to check the inside of meat while it cooks.
The thermometer is useful when I do not want to guess if chicken or steak is done. I can pick the food type and the level I want. The grill then helps guide the cooking time.
The XL size is also helpful for family meals. The grill grate is about 9 by 12 inches. The crisper basket and cooking pot each hold about 4 quarts.
I like the extra space when cooking for more than one person. I do not have to make tiny batches like I would with a small air fryer.
The grill can reach high heat. The grill and hot air system work together to give food a grilled feel without needing an outdoor grill.
The air fryer mode is useful for foods like fries, chicken wings, and other crisp foods. I like having this option in the same machine.
The cooking pot adds another use. I can use it for foods that need a deeper space instead of placing everything on the grill grate.
The controls are digital and fairly easy to follow. Once I understand the main modes, I do not need to spend much time figuring out what each button does.
The main drawback is the size. This is not a small appliance. It needs a good amount of counter space, so I would measure my kitchen before buying it.
Cleaning also takes some planning. There are several cooking parts, so cleaning can take more time than it would with a small air fryer.
Overall, I see this as a strong choice for someone who wants one machine for many cooking jobs. It makes the most sense when I plan to use several of its modes often.
What I Like
- Six cooking modes: I can switch between grilling, air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating.
- Built-in thermometer: I like having a simple way to check the inside of meat.
- Large cooking area: The XL design gives me more room for family meals.
- Good grill heat: It can create grill marks and a grilled taste indoors.
- Many daily uses: I can use it for meals, snacks, meat, vegetables, and crisp foods.
What Could Be Better
- Large footprint: It needs more counter space than a normal air fryer.
- More parts to clean: The extra cooking pieces mean more cleanup after some meals.
- Learning takes time: There are many modes, so new users may need a little time to learn each one.
My Personal Experience with Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill
I first liked this grill because it can replace several small kitchen tools. I do not need a separate grill and air fryer for every meal. Having both jobs in one machine makes my counter feel more useful.
For steak, the grill mode is the feature I reach for first. I like seeing grill marks on the meat. The high heat also gives the outside a nice cooked feel.
The built-in thermometer makes meat cooking less stressful. I do not have to keep cutting into the meat to check it. I can use the probe and watch the cooking level instead.
Chicken is another food I like making in this grill. I can set the food and let the cooking system do most of the work. This is handy on busy weeknights.
I also use the air fry mode for foods that need a crisp outside. Fries and similar foods are a good match for this setting. It gives me another way to cook without turning on my oven.
For family meals, the XL size is useful. I have more room than I would get from a small air fryer. This helps when I want to cook several pieces of food in one batch.
I like the roast mode when I want food with a more oven-like result. It gives me another choice when grilling is not the right fit for the meal.
The bake mode is handy for smaller baked foods. I would not treat it like a full oven, but it can handle many small jobs without heating the whole kitchen.
Broiling gives me another way to finish food. I find it useful when I want more color or heat on the top of a dish.
Dehydrating is a feature I would use less often. Still, I like having it when I want to dry fruit or make simple dried snacks. It adds another use without needing another machine.
The grill does take up space. In a small kitchen, I would not leave it out all the time. I would make sure I had a safe place to store it when I was not using it.
Cleaning is also part of the trade-off. There are more parts than a basic grill. I do not mind this when I use several cooking modes, but it can feel like extra work after a quick meal.
The indoor design is a big plus for me. I can make grill-style food without standing outside. This is especially useful on rainy or cold days when outdoor grilling is not fun.
I also like the way the machine fits into a busy home routine. I can use it for a quick lunch, a family dinner, or a crisp snack later in the day.
My main takeaway is that this grill works best when I use its many functions. If I only wanted to grill burgers, I would not need such a large machine.
Comparing With Other Brands
I would compare the Ninja Foodi Smart XL with other indoor grills and air fryers before buying. Some models focus on one job, while others try to combine several cooking modes.
Ninja vs Other Brands: Quick Comparison
For grilling, I prefer the Ninja when I want grill marks and indoor cooking in one machine. Its high-heat grill setup gives it a clear purpose beyond normal air frying.
For air frying, the Ninja gives me more space than many small air fryers. This can help when I cook for a family instead of one person.
For meat cooking, the built-in thermometer is a big help. It gives me more control over the inside of meat than a basic grill with only a timer.
For versatility, the Ninja has a strong edge. Six cooking modes give me more ways to use the same appliance each week.
For counter space, smaller air fryers have the advantage. I would choose a smaller unit if my kitchen had very little room.
For daily value, I think the Ninja makes the most sense for someone who will use several modes. If I only use one or two settings, a simpler appliance may be a better buy.
Recommendation
I would recommend the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill to people who want one appliance for many cooking jobs. It is a good fit for families, busy home cooks, and people who enjoy grilled food but do not always have access to an outdoor grill.
I especially like it for people who cook meat often. The built-in thermometer can make it easier to reach the level of doneness I want without cutting the food open again and again.
I would do more research if counter space is a big concern. This is a large appliance, and it needs a good spot to sit while cooking.
For a US home, I also like the indoor setup. I can make grilled-style meals during cold or wet weather without going outside.
My main advice is to buy it for its range of uses. If I plan to grill, air fry, roast, and bake with one machine, the size makes more sense.
FAQs for Ninja 6 in 1 Grill Reviews
What can the Ninja 6-in-1 grill do?
It can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. This gives it more uses than a basic indoor grill. I find the range useful for daily meals.
Is the Ninja 6-in-1 grill good for steak?
Yes. The grill mode is made for high-heat cooking and can give steak visible grill marks. The built-in thermometer also helps me check the inside of the meat.
Does the Ninja Foodi Smart XL have a thermometer?
Yes. It includes a built-in smart cooking system with a food thermometer. I find this helpful when cooking meat to a set level.
Can the Ninja 6-in-1 grill air fry?
Yes. Air frying is one of its six cooking modes. I like using it for foods that need a crisp outside.
Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL good for a family?
I think it can be a good fit for family meals because of its larger cooking area. The XL size gives me more room than a small countertop air fryer.
Is the Ninja 6-in-1 grill easy to clean?
The cooking parts can be cleaned after use, but there are more parts than with a basic grill. I would expect cleanup to take a little more time after larger meals.
Does the Ninja 6-in-1 grill take up a lot of space?
Yes. It is a large countertop appliance. I would measure my counter and storage area before buying it.
Conclusion
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is more than a basic indoor grill. I like its six cooking modes, large cooking area, and built-in thermometer. It works well for people who want to grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate with one appliance. My final take is that it is worth considering if I have the counter space and plan to use several of its cooking modes.