The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill has rapidly established itself as a versatile countertop appliance, aiming to deliver outdoor grilling results without the associated smoke or inconveniences. This device functions as more than just a grill, incorporating air frying and convection oven capabilities. Its design features a top lid that mimics traditional outdoor barbecues and a built-in mesh filter to minimize splatter and smoke, making indoor grilling a cleaner experience. The 'smart' aspect is enhanced by an integrated probe thermometer, which communicates with pre-programmed settings to automatically adjust cooking based on meat type and desired doneness, even accounting for carryover cooking after removal.
In practice, the grill offers a broad spectrum of cooking possibilities. Beyond typical grilled items like steaks and chicken, it can handle roasted pork tenderloins, vegetables, and even baked goods. The reviewer successfully prepared various dishes, utilizing both preset and manual controls. While the preset for steak yielded perfect results, the chicken, despite the smart features, tended to be overcooked, suggesting a learning curve with automated settings. The appliance proved flexible for manual cooking, allowing the user to achieve desired doneness for burgers and air-fried green beans, and even baked cookies and dehydrated apple slices, showcasing its multifunctional utility for diverse culinary tasks.
Ultimately, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill offers a convenient solution for those seeking year-round grilling and multi-functional cooking options. Its ease of use, once the initial learning phase is overcome, and its dishwasher-safe components simplify maintenance. However, its substantial footprint might be a consideration for those with limited kitchen space. While many of its functions can be replicated by existing kitchen tools like an air fryer or a cast iron skillet, the Ninja Foodi consolidates these capabilities into one appliance, providing a versatile and relatively smoke-free indoor cooking experience for a wide range of dishes.