As mentioned, yes, you need to (ideally) wash everything after every use, per the instructions. The instructions do advise that a simple wiping down of the grease filter is enough if you’re doing back-to-back cooking. The only way this really felt limiting was, say, if I wanted to grill steaks and then also air-fry some green beans. While both methods use different inserts, they utilize the same cooking pan on the bottom, which needs to be removed and wiped down. This risks one dish getting cold or resting too long while the other is cooking. However, it helps that the grill and pan both have a nonstick coating, making a quick rinse possible.
Despite offering multiple cooking modes, I couldn’t help but wonder if an air fryer–toaster oven might be more worth the counter space, plus either a cast-iron skillet, a dedicated cooktop grill pan, or a countertop grill–slash–griddle for when you need it.
Is it smokeless?
If used as suggested, yes, my experience was almost totally smoke-free. Included with the grill is a guide as to what temperature setting (LO, MED, HI, MAX) to grill certain foods in order to minimize the risk of burning and smoke when not using the “smart” presets.
Ninja has two main recommendations for keeping this a smokeless operation. First: Use higher smoke point oils (canola, grapeseed, vegetable, etc.), not more easily burnable fats like olive oil or butter. Second: Clean the upper splatter guard insert of any grease after every use. Yes, every use. Luckily, it is dishwasher-safe, so that clean up can be easy.
Should you buy a Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill?
It comes down to how often you want grilled food and how comfortable you are using your existing stove and oven.
Any appliance that “does the same thing but differently” has finicky processes to learn. But with presets, a probe thermometer, and the included manual and recipe book, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill makes basic protein and vegetable cooking straightforward. Could you accomplish most of the same things with the tools you already own? There’s a good chance the answer is yes, especially if you have an air fryer. But it also puts all those features, plus a no-fuss grill, in one easy-to-clean place.
