I wanted one countertop cooker that could grill, air fry, roast, and more. I spent time using the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill to see how it fits my daily meals. The smart cook system stood out to me, mainly when I made steak and chicken. My short take is simple: this is a strong pick for busy homes, but it needs a good amount of counter space.
Introduction
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill is more than an indoor grill. I can use it to grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate food. I like having so many choices in one machine. For my kitchen, it works best when I want fast meals with less fuss.
Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill 6 in 1 Reviews
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill is made for people who want many cooking jobs in one appliance. The six modes give me a lot more choice than a basic indoor grill.
The grill mode is the main reason I would buy this model. It can reach up to 500°F, which gives me the high heat I want for steak, burgers, chicken, and other foods.
The smart cook system is another big plus. The included smart thermometer lets me check the food as it cooks. I can choose a level such as rare, medium, or well done, and the grill helps guide the cooking time.
I found this useful when cooking steak. I do not like cutting into meat again and again to see if it is ready. The probe gives me a better way to check the center.
The grill plate has an XL size that gives me room for family meals. I can cook several pieces of food at once instead of making many small rounds.
The air fry mode gives this machine another useful job. The 4-quart crisper basket works well for fries, wings, vegetables, and other foods that need hot air.
I also like the roast mode. It gives me a deeper space for foods that do not fit well on a flat grill. This is handy when I want to cook meat or vegetables as part of dinner.
The bake mode is useful for smaller baking jobs. I would not treat this as a full oven replacement, but it can help when I only need to cook a small dish.
The broil mode gives me extra heat from above. I like this when I want to add more color to the top of food near the end of cooking.
The dehydrate mode is a nice extra. It is not the main reason I would buy the grill, but it gives me another way to use the machine.
The controls are easy to understand. I can choose a mode, set the heat, set the time, and start cooking without dealing with a hard menu.
The unit is large and heavy. I would give it a fixed place on my counter rather than move it after each meal. This is one of the first things I would check before buying.
The cooking parts are also made for easy cleanup. The grill plate, crisper basket, and cooking pot can be cleaned in the dishwasher. I still wash the smart probe by hand.
Overall, I think this Ninja is best for people who want an indoor grill with many extra uses. It makes the most sense when I plan to use more than one of its cooking modes.
What I Like
- Smart cooking probe: I like having help when I cook steak, chicken, and other meat.
- High grill heat: The 500°F top heat is great when I want a strong sear.
- Six cooking modes: I can use one machine for many types of meals.
- Large cooking area: I have more room for family-size portions.
- Good air fry option: The 4-quart basket is useful for fries, wings, and sides.
What Could Be Better
- It needs counter space: The large body can be hard to fit in a small kitchen.
- It is heavy: I would not want to move it in and out of a cabinet each day.
- The probe needs extra care: I clean the smart thermometer by hand instead of putting it in the dishwasher.
My Personal Experience with Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill
I like using the grill mode when I want steak without going outside. I can heat the grill plate and place the steak right on it. The high heat gives the outside a nice sear.
The smart probe makes steak cooking easier for me. I can set the level I want and watch the progress. This takes away some of the guesswork that comes with using only a timer.
Chicken is another food where I like the probe. Chicken can dry out when I cook it too long. The smart system gives me a better way to watch the inside while the outside cooks.
I also use the grill for burgers. The flat grill plate gives me room to cook several at one time. This is helpful when I am making dinner for more than one person.
For quick meals, I like the air fry mode. I can make fries or wings while I prepare the rest of dinner. This saves me from using a large oven for a small side.
The 4-quart crisper basket gives me useful space. It is not tiny, so I can make a decent amount of food in one round. That makes it more useful for family meals.
The roast mode gives me another way to cook vegetables and meat. I like having a deeper cooking space when a food does not work well on the grill plate.
I also find the bake mode useful for small jobs. I can use it when I do not want to heat the main oven. It is a nice option for smaller meals.
The broil mode is helpful when I want a browned top. I can use it near the end of cooking instead of changing to another appliance. This can make the last step of a meal easier.
The dehydrate setting is more of a bonus for me. I would not use it every day, but it gives the machine another purpose. I like having that option when I want to try dried fruit or other foods.
The large size is something I notice each time I use it. I need a clear spot on my counter. If my kitchen were small, I would think twice before buying such a large cooker.
Cleanup is fairly easy after normal meals. The main cooking parts can go into the dishwasher. I still give the smart probe a separate hand wash.
I also leave space around the grill while it runs. It gets very hot, so I would not place it in a tight corner. Good counter space makes the whole cooking process more comfortable.
My main takeaway is that this Ninja works best when I want one appliance to handle several cooking jobs. I would choose it for steak, chicken, burgers, wings, fries, and many other daily meals.
Comparing With Other Brands
I would compare the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill with other indoor grills and air fryers before buying. Some models focus on one job, while this Ninja tries to cover several.
Ninja vs Other Brands: Quick Comparison
For grilling, I like the Ninja’s high heat. The 500°F setting gives me the heat I want for steak and burgers.
For meat control, the smart probe gives this model a useful advantage. I can focus on the inside temperature instead of only watching the clock.
For air frying, the 4-quart basket gives me enough room for common foods such as fries and wings. A small air fryer may be easier to store, but it will not give me the same grill setup.
For cooking choices, the Ninja has more range than a simple indoor grill. I can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate without switching to another appliance.
For counter space, smaller models have an advantage. The Ninja is large, so I would want a permanent spot for it.
For ease of use, I like the simple control panel. The cooking modes are clear, and the smart probe adds helpful guidance when I make meat.
Recommendation
I would recommend the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill to people who want an indoor grill that can do much more than grill. It is a good fit for families, busy home cooks, and anyone who wants fewer separate cooking tools.
I think it is especially useful for people who often cook steak, chicken, burgers, wings, fries, and roasted vegetables. The smart probe adds real value when meat is a regular part of my meals.
I would do more research if I had a very small kitchen. The large body needs a good amount of room, and I would not want to move such a heavy appliance every day.
I would also look at smaller options if air frying is my only goal. A small air fryer can take up less space and may fit better in a simple kitchen.
For me, the best reason to choose this Ninja is the mix of grill power and cooking options. I get a strong indoor grill plus five other ways to prepare food.
Before buying, I would check the current price and make sure I have enough counter space. If I plan to use several cooking modes often, the large size feels easier to justify.
Performance
I found the grill mode to be the main strength of this machine. The high heat gives meat a nice cooked surface and helps create a grilled taste indoors.
The smart probe also improves the cooking process. It is most useful when I want meat at a certain level without cutting it open.
The air fry mode adds another strong use. It works well for foods that I want crisp on the outside without deep frying.
The other modes make the appliance more flexible. I may not use every setting each week, but they give me more ways to cook when I need them.
Ease of Use
The control panel is simple. I can pick the cooking mode and then set the heat and time.
The smart probe is also easy to understand once I set it up. I like that it gives me more help with meat than a basic timer.
The cooking parts are easy to remove after the unit cools. Dishwasher-safe parts also make the cleanup step less tiring.
The only part that needs extra care is the smart probe. I wash it by hand and keep it away from the dishwasher.
Value for Money
I think the value comes from the number of jobs this one appliance can handle. I get an indoor grill, air fryer, roaster, baker, broiler, and dehydrator in one unit.
That makes more sense to me if I use many of the modes. If I only want grilled food, a basic grill may be a better fit.
I would also compare the current price before buying. A good deal makes the many cooking modes easier to justify.
Overall
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill is a large countertop cooker with a lot of range. Its smart probe and high grill heat are the features I like most.
The XL size is great for larger meals, but it also means I need enough counter space. The machine is not ideal for a tiny kitchen.
For someone who wants indoor grilling plus air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating, I think this is a very useful option.
FAQs for Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill 6 in 1 Reviews
What can the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill do?
It has six cooking modes. I can use it to grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate food. This gives me many ways to make meals with one appliance.
Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill good for steak?
Yes. Steak is one of the foods I would use it for most. The high grill heat helps create a strong sear, while the smart probe helps me check the inside.
Does the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill have a smart thermometer?
Yes. It comes with a smart cooking probe. I can place it into meat and use the cooking system to help reach the level of doneness I want.
Can the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill air fry?
Yes. It comes with a 4-quart crisper basket for air frying. I can use it for fries, wings, vegetables, and other foods that work well with hot air.
Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill easy to clean?
Yes, I find the main cooking parts easy to clean. The grill plate, crisper basket, and cooking pot are dishwasher safe. I clean the smart probe by hand.
Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill good for a family?
Yes. The large grill plate and 4-quart air fry basket make it useful for family meals. I can cook more food at once than I could with a small indoor grill.
Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill worth buying?
I think it is worth considering if I want one machine for grilling and several other cooking jobs. I would look at a smaller model if counter space is limited or if I only need an air fryer.
Conclusion
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill gives me six ways to cook food in one large countertop machine. I like its smart cooking probe, high grill heat, large cooking area, and useful air fry basket. It works well for steak, chicken, burgers, wings, fries, and many other meals. My final take is simple: if I want a large indoor grill that can do much more, this Ninja is a strong choice.