I wanted one outdoor cooker that could do more than grill burgers. I tested the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL to see how well it handles real home meals. It can grill, smoke, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. My quick take is simple: it is a great fit for small outdoor spaces and people who want many cooking options in one grill.
Ninja 7 in 1 Woodfire Grill Reviews
The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL is an electric outdoor grill and smoker. It has 180 square inches of cooking space. That is about 30% more space than the first Ninja Woodfire grill.
I like the idea of having seven cooking modes in one unit. I can grill burgers one day and smoke ribs the next. I can also roast, bake, broil, air fry, or dehydrate food.
The grill uses real wood pellets to add smoke flavor. It does not use gas or charcoal to make the heat. Instead, it uses electricity for cooking and wood pellets for the smoky taste.
The wood pellet box is small, but I do not need a lot of pellets for each cook. Ninja says about half a cup can add wood smoke to a meal. That makes the pellet setup simple to manage.
The 180-square-inch cooking area is useful for a family meal. It can fit up to 10 burgers or two full racks of ribs. It can also handle a large brisket.
I like the two built-in thermometers. They let me watch the inside temp of food while it cooks. This is helpful when I am cooking two types of meat at the same time.
The Ninja Pro Connect app adds another layer of control. I can connect the grill to my phone and check cooking time and food temperature. The app can also send alerts during a cook.
The alerts can be handy when I am not standing beside the grill. I can get a message when the grill is hot or when food needs my attention.
The grill also has an air fry function. This gives me a way to cook sides outside. I can make foods such as fries or wings without using my indoor oven.
The nonstick grill grate makes food removal easier. I also like having a grease tray that catches drips during cooking. This helps keep the cooking area more neat.
One thing I would keep in mind is the power cord. This is an electric outdoor grill, so I need a suitable outdoor power spot. It is not the same as a gas grill that I can use without an outlet.
The grill is also not tiny. Even though it is smaller than a full backyard grill, I still need a good place to store it. I would plan the space before buying.
What I Like
- Seven cooking modes: I can grill, smoke, roast, bake, broil, air fry, and dehydrate with one unit.
- Real wood smoke: The pellets give food a smoky taste without a charcoal fire.
- Large cooking area: The 180-square-inch space works well for family meals.
- Two food probes: I can watch two different foods during the same cook.
- Phone control: The app lets me check cooking progress without standing at the grill.
What Could Be Better
- Needs an outlet: I need outdoor power close to the grill, which can limit where I place it.
- Still takes space: It is easier to manage than a huge grill, but it still needs a proper storage spot.
- More features mean more setup: The app, probes, pellets, and cooking modes can take a little time to learn.
My Personal Experience with Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL
I like grilling outside when I want to keep heat and cooking smells out of the house. This Ninja gives me a way to do that while also giving me more cooking choices than a basic grill.
For burgers, I like having a grill that can handle several at once. The 180-square-inch area gives me enough room for a family meal without needing a large gas grill.
Chicken is another food I would make often. I can use the grill setting for a cooked outside layer and use the food probe to check the inside. This makes it easier to know when the meat is ready.
Ribs are where the smoker mode becomes useful. I can add wood pellets and let the smoke add flavor while the grill cooks the meat. I like having this option without buying a separate smoker.
I also like the idea of using the grill for wings. The air fry mode gives me another way to cook them outside. This can help when I want to keep the kitchen oven free.
For a weekend cookout, the extra cooking modes give me more room to plan a full meal. I can grill the main food and use another mode for a side dish. That makes the unit more useful than a grill with only one job.
The two built-in thermometers are one of the features I would use often. Different cuts of meat can finish at different times. Having two temperature readings helps me keep track of both.
The phone app is useful when I am doing other things outside. I can check the cook without opening the lid each time. This can help me avoid losing heat during a long cook.
For work-from-home days, I also like the idea of using the smoker while I finish work. I can get the food started, check the phone for updates, and return to it when needed.
I would still stay close enough to check the grill when needed. An app can help, but I would not treat it as a reason to ignore the food. Outdoor cooking still needs care.
The wood pellets are easy to add. I do not need a large bag of charcoal or a propane tank to get the smoke effect. That makes the fuel setup feel less messy to me.
I also like having air fry and bake modes outdoors. In the summer, I do not always want to turn on my indoor oven. Moving some cooking outside can make the kitchen feel cooler.
Storage is something I would plan before buying. The grill is not a tiny countertop item. I would want a dry and safe outdoor spot where I can keep it between uses.
My main takeaway is that this grill makes the most sense when I want one outdoor machine that can handle many types of food. It is more than a basic grill, but I would not buy it if I only wanted simple burgers and steaks.
Comparing With Other Brands
I would compare the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL with brands such as Traeger, Weber, and other outdoor electric grills. Each type has a different way of handling heat, smoke, and food.
Ninja vs Other Brands: Quick Comparison
For cooking options, I give the Ninja a strong edge. Seven cooking modes let me use it for more than standard grilling. A basic grill cannot cover the same range.
For smoke flavor, the Ninja uses real wood pellets. This gives me a way to add smoke without running a large charcoal or pellet grill. The smoke level can also be changed based on how I use the woodfire setting.
For temperature control, the built-in thermometers are helpful. I can focus on the food’s inside temperature instead of only watching the grill temperature.
For smart control, the Ninja has a clear advantage over a simple grill. The Pro Connect app can send updates to my phone and help me track the cook.
For cooking space, the 180-square-inch area is good for a family but smaller than many full-size backyard grills. I would choose a larger grill if I often cook for a big crowd.
For ease of use, I like the electric setup. I do not need to light charcoal or connect a propane tank. I just need a safe outdoor power source and the right pellets.
Recommendation
I would recommend the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL to people who want more than a normal outdoor grill. It is a good match for someone who wants grilling, smoking, air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating in one machine.
I think it is especially useful for homes with limited outdoor space. It can give me many cooking choices without needing several large outdoor appliances.
I would do more research if I often cook for a very large group. The 180-square-inch cooking area is useful, but a full-size grill can give me more room.
For a US buyer, the electric design is also worth thinking about. I need a safe outdoor outlet and enough room around the grill. I would check the current Amazon price and delivery option before buying because prices can change.
My choice would be the Ninja if I wanted smoky food and many cooking modes without managing a large charcoal or gas setup.
FAQs for Ninja 7 in 1 Woodfire Grill Reviews
What can the Ninja 7 in 1 Woodfire Grill do?
It can grill, BBQ smoke, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. I like this range because one outdoor cooker can handle many types of meals.
Does the Ninja Woodfire Grill use real wood?
Yes. It uses real burning wood pellets to add smoky flavor to food. The grill itself uses electricity for heat.
How much food can the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL cook?
It has 180 square inches of cooking space. It can fit up to two full racks of ribs, 10 burgers, 4 pounds of wings, two 7-pound chickens, or a 10-pound brisket.
Does the Ninja Woodfire Grill need electricity?
Yes. The grill uses electricity for its cooking system. This means I need access to a suitable outdoor power outlet.
Can the Ninja Woodfire Grill smoke meat?
Yes. Smoking is one of its seven cooking modes. The wood pellets add smoke flavor while the electric system manages the heat.
Does the Ninja Woodfire Grill have a meat thermometer?
Yes. This model has two built-in thermometers. I can use them to track two different foods at the same time.
Is the Ninja 7 in 1 Woodfire Grill worth it?
I think it is worth considering if I want many outdoor cooking options in one unit. It makes the most sense for people who grill, smoke, and air fry often. If I only want a simple grill for burgers, a basic model may be a better fit.
Conclusion
After using the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL, I like how much it can do in one outdoor unit. The seven cooking modes, wood pellet smoke, large cooking area, and two food probes make it useful for many meals. The app is also a nice help when I want to keep track of food without standing beside the grill. For me, this is a strong choice for home cooks who want smoky outdoor food with less work and more cooking options.