Ninja | Indoor Grill and Air Fryer| Foodi Smart XL | 6-in-1 Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate & Crisp |Smart Thermometer & Splatter Shield | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Black/Silver | FG551

TLDR Review: Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill

Published: September 15th, 2024

Score

The Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill receives a moderate score due to its impressive cooking versatility, delivering excellent results particularly when air frying and grilling. However, it faces criticisms over its bulky design that can be cumbersome to clean, uneven cooking when the unit is not level, and varying user experiences with quality control and customer service. Despite these issues, many customers appreciate the convenience and functionality it offers for indoor grilling.

8.8/10
Expert
7.6/10
Consumer

Scores

design
8/10
performance
9.5
cleaning
9/10
price
8.5

Pros

  • •n-1 functionality (Air Fry, Grill, Roast, Bake, Broil & Dehydrate) covers a wide range of cooking needs.
  • •Smart Thermometer ensures precise cooking, preventing overcooking or undercooking.
  • •Dishwasheafe parts make cleanup easy and convenient.
  • •Sleek and stylish black/silver design fits well in most kitchens.
  • •Provides versatility with multiple cooking functions, reducing the need for multiple kitchen appliances.

Cons

  • •The unit is quite heavy at 31 pounds, making it less portable.
  • •Large size may not be suitable for smaller kitchens or limited counter space.
  • •Some users might find the Smart Thermometer feature complex to use initially.

Bottom Line

The Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is a versatile and efficient kitchen appliance that can replace multiple devices with its wide range of cooking functions. While it is on the bulkier side and may require some getting used to with its advanced features, it offers precise cooking and easy cleanup, making it a great choice for those looking for a multi-functional indoor grill.

Product Score

Based on professional reviews and customer feedback

8.2/10
Overall
8.8
Expert
7.6
Consumer

Why this score?

The Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill receives a moderate score due to its impressive cooking versatility, delivering excellent results particularly when air frying and grilling. However, it faces criticisms over its bulky design that can be cumbersome to clean, uneven cooking when the unit is not level, and varying user experiences with quality control and customer service. Despite these issues, many customers appreciate the convenience and functionality it offers for indoor grilling.

8+ Excellent
6-8 Good
4-6 Average
<4 Poor
Lowest at Amazon
$199.99 at Amazon
How we researched this

About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 2 retailers to give you the short version.

Where to Buy

Prices last updated: October 5th 2026 3:30 am
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More Answers

If you're still curious about the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill, here are some other answers you might find interesting:

Cleaning the Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is pretty hassle-free. Based on our research, the non-stick grill plate is a breeze to clean after using it. Plus, the grill plate, splatter shield, and other accessories are dishwasher safe, so you can just toss them in, and that speeds things up.

A handy tip from what we've found is to let the parts cool down a little before washing, as this helps loosen any stuck-on bits, making them easier to remove. The splatter shield, which does a good job controlling smoke, is also removable and can go in the dishwasher, which is super convenient.

The manufacturer points out that these features aim to offer the benefits of outdoor grilling without the usual mess. They also suggest using a soft sponge and skipping abrasive pads to keep the non-stick surface in good shape.

Our research shows that people appreciate how this grill makes cleaning straightforward, fitting well with its user-friendly design. The idea of cleaning a multifunctional device might sound a bit overwhelming, especially after grilling, broiling, or air frying, but the easy-clean design ensures it doesn't become a chore.

If cleaning ease is a big deal for you,

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Yep, you can definitely use olive oil with the Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill. This grill is super flexible, acting as a grill, air fryer, roaster, baker, broiler, and dehydrator.

Olive oil can add some nice flavor, especially when you're grilling or air frying. Just keep in mind that olive oil can smoke at high temperatures, so a light brush might be all you need.

The grill does a great job with a mix of meats and veggies, so if you're playing around with different flavors, olive oil could be a tasty option. Plus, the Smart Cook System, with its built-in thermometer, helps you nail the right doneness for meats.

Just remember, the grill cooks everything at the same temperature, so you'll need to time things well when cooking different types of foods together. It might take some trial and error, but according to our research, folks find it a great all-in-one solution for a small kitchen.

If you often need to cook foods at different temps simultaneously, you might want to look at options like a dual-basket air fryer, such as the [Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-qt. XL 2-Basket Air Fryer](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB08Q7KRB

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From what we've found, the Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is pretty solid when it comes to cooking steaks. It's got a bunch of features like air frying, baking, and broiling, but for grilling steaks, folks seem especially happy with it.

People really like how it can sear the steak nicely on the outside while keeping it juicy inside, thanks to the built-in smart thermometer and the high heat it can reach.

The manufacturer talks up its Smart Cook System—which is basically a thermometer that helps you get your steak cooked just the way you like it. So, whether you want your steak rare or well-done, it takes out the guesswork.

There is something to watch out for, though. To get the best results, the grill needs to be on a stable, level surface. We've seen mentions that if it tilts even a little, your steaks might not cook evenly since the unit could wobble or tip when you open the lid.

So, make sure your counter is nice and even or use a heat-resistant mat to sort it out.

All in all, if you set it up right, it sounds like the Ninja FG551 does a great job giving you those nice grill marks and a good crust. While there are the usual little quirks like stability t

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