I wanted an indoor grill that could do more than just grill meat. I spent time with the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill to see how it fits real home cooking. It can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate in one unit. My take is simple: it is a handy choice for busy homes, but its large size may not suit every kitchen.
Ninja Foodi Smart 6 in 1 XL Indoor Grill Reviews
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is made for people who want many cooking jobs in one machine. It has six cooking modes and a large grill surface. I like this setup when I want to cook a full meal without using several kitchen tools.
The grill uses a high heat system made for indoor cooking. It can reach up to 500°F, which helps give meat a more grilled look and taste. I found this useful when I wanted steak without going outside.
One feature that stands out is the Smart Thermometer. I can place the probe into meat and track the inside temperature. This helps me avoid guessing when chicken, steak, or other meat is ready.
The XL grill grate gives me more room than a small indoor grill. I can cook several pieces of food in one batch. That makes the size useful when I am feeding my family.
The unit also works as an air fryer. I can use it for fries, chicken wings, and other foods that I want to cook with less oil. This gives the machine more value in my kitchen.
The roast and bake modes add another layer of use. I can prepare foods that I would normally make in an oven. This is handy when I do not want to heat the whole kitchen.
The broil setting is useful for foods that need strong heat from above. I like having this option when I want a browned top on a dish.
The dehydrate mode is another nice extra. I can use it for foods that need slow drying. It is not a feature I use every day, but it adds another job to the same machine.
The control panel is fairly easy to learn. I can choose the cooking mode, set the time, and adjust the heat. The display also helps me keep track of the cooking process.
The main drawback is the size. This is an XL indoor grill, so it takes up a fair amount of counter space. I would measure my kitchen before buying it.
What I Like
- Smart thermometer: I like having a way to check meat temperature without cutting it open.
- Large grill area: The XL size lets me cook more food in one round.
- Six cooking modes: I can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate.
- High heat: The grill can reach up to 500°F for strong indoor grilling.
- Useful for family meals: The large cooking space works well when I need several servings.
What Could Be Better
- Large footprint: It needs a good amount of counter space.
- Many parts: The extra trays and grill pieces can take up storage room.
- Learning takes time: The many cooking modes can feel like a lot when I first use it.
My Personal Experience with Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill
I like using an indoor grill when the weather is bad. I do not have to wait for a warm day or set up an outdoor grill. I can make grilled food right in my kitchen.
Steak is one of the first foods I would try in this machine. The high heat helps give the outside a nice sear. The smart probe also gives me more control over the inside.
Chicken is another food where I find the temperature probe useful. I do not need to keep opening the meat to check it. I can watch the temperature and wait for the target level.
For a busy weeknight, I like having several cooking modes in one machine. I can grill the main food and use the air fry setting for a side. That can cut down on the number of pans I need.
The XL grill area is helpful when my family wants the same meal. I can cook several pieces at once instead of standing near the kitchen for many rounds.
I also like the air fry option for frozen foods. Fries and wings are simple choices for this setting. It gives me another way to use the machine when I do not want grilled food.
When I roast food, I like having a separate appliance from my main oven. This can help on days when I am already using the oven for another dish.
The bake mode adds more range for small baking jobs. I would not replace my full oven with it, but it can handle some smaller tasks.
Broiling is useful when I want more color on the top of a dish. I can use strong heat without turning on my full-size oven.
The dehydrate mode is less important in my daily cooking, but I still like having it. It gives me one more way to use the appliance instead of letting that space sit unused.
The smart thermometer is the feature I would use most with meat. It gives me a clearer way to judge doneness than cutting into food and hoping it is ready.
The size is still something I would think about. I need a clear counter spot for the grill and another place to store the parts. In a small kitchen, that can be a real issue.
I also would not buy this just for simple grilling. If I only wanted to grill burgers once in a while, a smaller grill may make more sense.
My main takeaway is that this Ninja works best when I want one machine to cover many cooking jobs.
Comparing With Other Brands
I would compare this Ninja with indoor grills from brands such as Cuisinart, George Foreman, and other Ninja models. The right choice depends on how much cooking space and how many modes I need.
Ninja vs Other Brands: Quick Comparison
For grill space, I like the XL design because it gives me room for larger meals. A smaller grill may be easier to store, but I would need more cooking rounds.
For temperature control, the smart thermometer gives the Ninja an advantage for meat. I can track the inside temperature instead of relying only on time.
For cooking range, the Ninja offers more than grilling. The added air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate modes make it more useful for daily meals.
For ease of use, I like the clear cooking choices, but there are more settings to learn than on a basic grill. Someone who wants one simple button may prefer a smaller unit.
For counter space, a basic indoor grill will often be easier to fit. The Ninja’s XL design is better when cooking room matters more than compact storage.
For value, I think the Ninja makes the most sense when I will use several of its modes. If I only need a grill, paying for all the extra functions may not be worth it.
Recommendation
I would recommend the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill to US buyers who want one appliance for many cooking jobs. It is a good fit for families, busy cooks, and people who want indoor grilling without an outdoor setup.
I think it is especially useful for people who cook meat often. The smart thermometer makes it easier to track doneness, while the large grill area helps with bigger meals.
I would do more research if I had a very small kitchen. The XL size needs a clear counter and storage space for the extra parts.
For an American home, I also like that it can take the place of several smaller cooking tools for some meals. Before buying, I would check the current Amazon price and make sure I have enough room to store it.
My choice would be this Ninja if I wanted grilling plus air frying and several other cooking modes in one machine.
FAQs for Ninja Foodi Smart 6 in 1 XL Indoor Grill Reviews
What can the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 do?
It can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. That gives it more uses than a basic indoor grill. I like this range when I want one appliance for several types of meals.
Does the Ninja Foodi Smart XL have a thermometer?
Yes. It comes with a smart cooking thermometer. I find this useful for checking the inside temperature of meat while it cooks.
How hot does the Ninja Foodi Smart XL grill get?
The grill can reach up to 500°F. That high heat helps with grilling meat and getting a better sear on the outside.
Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL good for steak?
Yes. Steak is one of the foods I would use it for first. The high heat and smart thermometer make it easier to cook steak to the level I want.
Can the Ninja Foodi Smart XL air fry?
Yes. It has an air fry mode along with its other cooking functions. I can use it for foods such as fries, wings, and other small items.
Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL good for a small kitchen?
I would be careful with it in a small kitchen. The XL body takes up a good amount of counter and storage space. I would measure the area before buying.
Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 worth it?
I think it is worth considering if I will use several of its cooking modes. The grill, air fryer, thermometer, and other settings give it more range than a basic indoor grill. If I only want to grill, a smaller and simpler model may be a better fit.
Conclusion
After using the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill, I see it as a useful all-in-one cooking tool. I like the large grill area, high heat, smart thermometer, and mix of cooking modes. Its main downside is the large size, so I would check my counter and storage space first. For someone who wants grilling, air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating in one appliance, this Ninja is a strong option.