Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill Review: The Ultimate All-in-One Kitchen Appliance

For anyone who loves grilling but doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of an outdoor grill, the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is an excellent solution. This powerful appliance is more than just a grill it also functions as an air fryer, roaster, baker, broiler, and dehydrator. After using this product extensively, I can confidently say it has transformed the way I cook, making meal prep more convenient and enjoyable.

Smart Cooking with Advanced Technology

One of the standout features of this indoor grill is the Foodi Smart Thermometer, which takes the guesswork out of cooking. It offers four protein settings and nine customizable doneness levels, ensuring that meats come out perfectly cooked every time. Whether I’m making a rare steak or well-done chicken, the smart thermometer eliminates the need for constant monitoring. With just the push of a button, I can achieve my preferred level of doneness without hassle.

Additionally, the Cyclonic Grilling Technology sets this appliance apart from standard indoor grills. By using 500°F hot cyclonic air combined with a 500°F grill grate, it delivers authentic char-grilled marks and deep, rich flavors. The grill heats up quickly, allowing me to cook meals in record time while still achieving that outdoor-grill taste.

Versatility at Its Best

What I love most about the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL Grill is its versatility. It offers six different cooking functions, including:

• Grill – Delivers perfect searing and char-grilled flavor.

• Air Crisp – Uses little to no oil for crispy, delicious results.

• Roast – Great for meats and vegetables, providing tender and juicy outcomes.

• Bake – Perfect for homemade bread, muffins, and other baked goods.

• Broil – Adds a crisp, caramelized top layer to dishes.

• Dehydrate – Ideal for making dried fruits, jerky, and chips.

With this range of functions, I’ve replaced multiple kitchen appliances with just one, saving valuable counter space. Whether I’m grilling burgers, roasting a whole chicken, or making crispy French fries, the Ninja DG551 does it all.

Healthier Cooking Without Sacrificing Flavor

Another significant advantage of this grill is its air frying capability, which allows me to enjoy fried foods with up to 75% less fat than traditional deep frying. I tested this with French fries, chicken wings, and even onion rings, and the results were incredible—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor without excess oil. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to eat healthier without compromising on taste.

Smoke Control for an Odor-Free Kitchen

One common concern with indoor grills is the amount of smoke they produce, but the Ninja DG551 has a Smoke Control System that minimizes smoke output. The temperature-controlled grill grate, splatter shield, and cool-air zone work together to keep my kitchen smoke-free, even when cooking at high temperatures. This feature is a game-changer for apartment living or homes where ventilation is limited.

Convenient and Easy to Clean

Cleaning up after cooking is often a tedious task, but this grill makes it simple. The ceramic-coated grill grate, crisper basket, and cooking pot are all dishwasher safe, which significantly reduces cleanup time. Unlike traditional grills, where scrubbing grates can be a nightmare, this model is designed for hassle-free maintenance. After several uses, I’ve found that a quick wipe or a cycle in the dishwasher keeps everything spotless.

From Frozen to Grilled in Minutes

One feature I find particularly impressive is its ability to cook frozen foods without needing to defrost them first. I tested this by grilling frozen steaks and chicken breasts, and in under 25 minutes, they were cooked to perfection with a beautiful sear. This is a lifesaver for those last-minute meals when I forget to take meat out of the freezer.

Spacious Design for Family-Sized Meals

The XL capacity of this grill is another reason I love it. The 9” x 12” grill grate provides enough space to cook for a whole family in one go. I’ve easily grilled four large steaks or six burgers at once, which is perfect for entertaining guests or meal prepping for the week.

Value for Money

At its current price of $169.99 (marked down from $279.99), this grill is an absolute steal. With six cooking functions, a smart thermometer, and advanced grilling technology, it offers incredible value for its cost. Instead of purchasing multiple appliances, this one device handles nearly all my cooking needs.

Final Verdict

After using the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill, I can confidently say that it’s one of the best kitchen investments I’ve made. It combines multiple cooking functions into a single, compact unit while delivering outstanding performance. Whether I’m grilling, air frying, or roasting, the results are consistently excellent. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill has not only simplified my cooking process but has also enhanced the flavors of my meals, making it a must-have for any home cook.

If you’re looking for a versatile, high-performance indoor grill that can replace several kitchen appliances, I highly recommend the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill. It’s an all-in-one solution for quick, flavorful, and healthy meals with minimal effort.

Top reviews from the United States

• 

  GmaDar

  5.0 out of 5 stars The Gold Standard For An Indoor Grill

  Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2023
  

  I have 2 Cosori Airfryers, an Instant Pot and have tried other similar appliances. This one is the real deal but before I go on, make sure if you are planning on buying a Ninja Grill Foodi that you do your research first as there is more than one option. Spend time watching YouTube videos.
  
  So, first of all No Smoke! If you are grilling inside, read the directions and follow them because that's the key. I use 100% Choice Avocado Oil spray or brush some from the bottled type which has a high smoke point. Certain oils should not be applied.
  
  Second, controls are easy to use and offer every option one would need. I have not air fried yet, as I have had no need to, but grilling was great. It helps to rearrange food at the flip point if you are filling the grate but that's to be expected.
  
  Third the filter is an amazing feature which traps much of the spatter making clean up much easier than an air fryer for things like hamburgers. You can put the filter directly into the dishwasher however I soak mine in hot water with a little soap when it is very dirty and has bits of food trapped. I then take the brush they included with the grill and scrub it down before I put I in the dishwasher.
  
  Fourth, the griddle/pans are ceramic coated so no Teflon. Rinsing off first in sink and then soaking the griddle in the pan, filled with hot water & soap, makes cleaning them easy. I don't use the brush they provided just a Dobbie pad and toothbrush on those parts.
  
  Fifth, the preheat gets the grate sizzling hot but after cooking the unit cools down relatively quickly as long as you leave the lid open.
  
  Sixth, the included thermometer really shouldn’t be trusted however, once you use it awhile, you get to figure out what it's inaccuracy factor is and it helps one not overcook food.
  
  This unit requires a lot of space so measuring the area you want to put it in is paramount. We ended up having to modify a kitchen cart as when opening the lid it must rest on a solid surface behind the main body.
  
  I do not hesitate to recommend this grill to anyone who has the space for it. Beginner cooks or advanced cooks will find it a useful and fun appliance to use. Will it replace an outdoor grill? For die hard outdoor grill devotees … of course not … well maybe in those cold months in the northeast. However, if that's not you and you want to grill (or air fry) rather than using the broiler in your oven and smoking up the house … well heck yeah this is for you. Just remember you are still going to smell that food cooking throughout your house so if you have a exhaust fan nearby you can use that to tame that somewhat.
• 

  Pepe the Programmer and More

  5.0 out of 5 stars Makes side dishes and certain meals easy and fast

  Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024
  

  This grill is so far one of the best purchases I've ever made for kitchen use. In the hands of a relatively experienced home cook (me) it's a super tool. First of all, it makes side dishes extremely easy and fast to prepare. Most frozen casual bagged finger foods such as french fries, egg rolls, pizza rolls, chicken nuggets, et al come out of the air fry function both much faster and much more crisp than you can achieve in the oven even using wire racks. Self made side dishes such as roasted vegetables and potatoes likewise cook faster than any other appliance and with better color and crisper results. Grilling is a mixed bag. Generally, proteins such as burgers or whitefish filets finish with great marking and color fast, but you need to check the doneness diligently. Hot dogs and sausages are easy and superb on this grill. I was skeptical of the Foodi considering it excessively over engineered, but the main benefit it has over other methods is that all cooking or grilling is enclosed, so spattering of even messy foods is non existent. It also grills consistently and cleanly so I can get better results of small tender items such as fish than I can with a gas grill outdoors. I love that the control panel pretty much lets you do anything. Bypass preheating and changing time or temperature on the fly are all standard. You open the cover anytime you like to check on doneness. I will ding the Foodi on easy of cleanup of the appliance itself. The screen pops out for cleaning, but you're on your own to clean the dried grease that builds up on the underside of the top lid. That's the downside of the shielding of the rest of the kitchen from spatters. I consult Youtube videos to find out best ways to clean this thing. Overall, if you know cooking already, this grill can pretty much do anything in terms of dry heat cooking.
• 

  Karen Calagna

  5.0 out of 5 stars Effortless, perfectly grilled food right in your kitchen!

  Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
  

  Omg, I am in love with this thing! I’ve used it almost daily since I got it. I’ve bought many “miracle” appliances in the past but none ever lived up to the hype and were quickly forgotten. I moved from a house where I grilled or used a cast iron grill pan on a gas stove almost daily. Now I have a glass top stove and can’t use cast iron and no grills allowed in the balcony. So far, I’ve used it for grilling steak, chicken, fish, and veggies and air frying potatoes, frozen fries, and frozen chicken strips and everything has turned out flavorful, moist, and cookbook-picture perfect. Honestly, the thermometer makes sure it’s perfect and the food turns out even better than my beloved grill (don’t tell Weber!). It almost feels like cheating somehow. The smoke alarm has gone off a couple of times, but only when I have the lid open and it’s stopped quickly. In a small apt practically everything sets off the alarm so I’m actually pretty impressed that it has only rarely activated it.
  
  I’m excited to try the other functions, like roasting and dehydrating. The grill, air fryer basket, and drip pan/roasting pan are very well made and dishwasher safe. They have been a total breeze to clean, which makes it even easier to use frequently.
  
  Bottom line: it’s not cheap, but absolutely worth every penny. Especially if you like grilled and air fried food, those functions alone make it absolutely with the cost and counter space. I’m not usually one to take pics of my food but I did take one of a cedar planked salmon and grilled Mexican street corn made on the ninja grill. Both were perfect with practically no effort and steaks and chicken were just as beautiful.