I cooked everything on the Ninja FlexFlame — and the results surprised me
Propane-powered but digitally controlled, this outdoor cooker isn't just a grill: it's also a smoker, a griddle, a pizza oven, and a roaster all built into one setup.
It's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, so I've spent a couple of weeks grilling, smoking and baking with the FlexFlame, trying to gauge whether it falls into the 'jack of all trades but master of none' category by trying to do too much. I went into testing thinking it was a gamble for Ninja to introduce its convention technology into the equation, touting a grill that can reach 600 degrees in as little as 7 minutes.
Without spoiling too much of my full Ninja FlexFlame review below, I'll tell you it earned a permanent place in my outdoor cooking setup for the summer — but not without some important caveats that will determine whether it's the best grill for you.
Ninja FlexFlame
Price
$999
Dimensions
59.57 x 48.31 x 25.08 inches
Weight
130 pounds
Electrical
400W watts, 120v-60hz volts
Fuel
Propane
Total cooking area
544 square inches
I've built a lot of grills in my time, and this was easily one of the most pain-free setups I've done. You attach the grill to the base, screw in the control panel, pop on the doors, slide in the grease trap, and that's basically it. I love how Ninja splits all the screws and smaller parts into individual bags that correspond with the assembly steps.
Even though this is one of Ninja's most advanced outdoor products, it doesn't make you work for the first cook. You can be up and grilling in under an hour. I would recommend giving the grates and cooking surfaces a good wash before your first use, and pay attention to whether your surface needs to be seasoned. For example, the full and half griddle accessories both require you to know how to season a flat top griddle first.
One of the most impressive things about the Ninja FlexFlame is how quickly it heats up. Thanks to a powerful built-in convection fan that circulates hot air from the flames around the cookbox, the grill can reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 7 minutes. The temperature is tracked in real-time on the digital control panel, and during my tests, it hit target temps faster than most grills I've used, including some much higher-end models.
Now, let me set expectations: it's loud. Not leaf blower loud, but not far off. The convection fan has an industrial whirr that's very noticeable when the lid is closed and the heat is circulating. That said, the fan smartly pauses whenever you open the lid, and as soon as you close it again, the fan kicks back on to quickly bring the grill back up to temp. I wouldn't call it dealbreaker by any means, unless of course you're worried about a noise complaint from close-proximity neighbors.
The FlexFlame isn't just about grilling. You can:
I tried every mode, and all of them worked as advertised. I grilled kebabs and steak, smoked beef ribs with a real bark and smoke ring, roasted a whole chicken to golden perfection, and cooked breakfast bacon on the griddle.
Every feature felt purposeful. I'm certain some people will purchase this and never use at least a few of the settings, but with the help of the comprehensive user guide that comes with the FlexFlame, there's guidance on how to get started.
I know I've already outlined the cooking modes, but there is one that surprised me the most. When I've tested Ninja's Woodfire products that have small smoke boxes, I've enjoyed the subtle touches of smoky flavor but I wouldn't say something like the Woodfire Outdoor Oven can genuinely smoke big cuts of meat.
But with a 2-pound pellet box, the FlexFlame doesn't just flavor your food with smoke, it actually smokes it. I got bark, smoke rings, and fall-apart ribs in three hours.
Yes, you'll need to refill the smoke box during longer cooks, but the fact that this kind of performance is coming from a gas-powered grill is seriously impressive. Just be ready to stock up on pellets because their sampler bags will run out quickly (and no, you don't have to use Ninja's brand).
The FlexFlame may be a propane grill, but it still needs to be plugged in. The electric power runs the digital controls and the internal fan (which is a key part of its performance).
If you're grilling off-grid, tailgating without a generator, or just don't want cords on your patio, this could be a dealbreaker. A lot of people don't think about needing electrical power when buying a gas grill, so I wouldn't be surprised if Ninja sees a majority of returns related to those expectations.
Out of the box, you get the basics: the main grill, a solid set of grates, and an average-sided elevated top rack. But to unlock all the modes I outlined above, you'll need accessories.
Some are more essential than others (like the cover), but if you want the full FlexFlame experience with smoking, griddling and pizza-making, expect to tack on another couple hundred bucks. As with any 'system,' your experience will be elevated based on how much you're willing to spend.
Considering the grill already costs $999, I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for 'just a grill.' If I had no interest or need in combining smoker or griddle functionality, I'd personally opt for the $799 Weber Spirit EP-425 for an appliance with basically the same amount of cooking area.
The Ninja FlexFlame is a serious cooking system for people who want serious outdoor cooking versatility. If you're just making burgers every weekend, this might be more of a system than you need, and the Weber Spirit I mentioned is still a better pick among the best grills for simpler needs and tighter budgets.
But if you're ready to cook a variety of meals outside, and like the idea of combining all outdoor cooking appliances into one system, the FlexFlame is worth the investment. It's not just a 5-in-1 appliance, it's five really good appliances in one.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
9 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 questions to ask yourself when buying a PC, from someone who reviews them for a living
I've been building, buying and breaking PCs for over 20 years, and I've learned a few things along the way about what (and what not) to do. Now that I write about computers for a living here at Tom's Guide, I often have to tap that painfully-earned expertise to answer questions from readers and colleagues about how to navigate the modern PC market without running into trouble. If you're currently in the market for a new computer and aren't sure what to buy yet, I have a few tips and considerations to keep in mind before making a purchase. When you're ready to make a purchase, you can also scope out our regularly updated list of the best computers and best gaming PCs we've reviewed for some more buying advice, as well as our in-depth hands-on reporting and testing results. Before you start budgeting, pricing out parts or looking at reviews, the first thing you should think about is simple: why do you need this PC, and what will you use it for? I know that sounds simple, so simple you've probably already done it. But I have to ask because I often get questions from readers like "what's the best all-in-one for gaming?" or "what's the best mini PC for working remotely?" These questions aren't bad or wrong, but they do force me to ask: what do you want this for? Because I can recommend an all-in-one that's good for gaming or a mini PC that you can technically travel with (thanks to my colleague Anthony Spadafora's portable mini PC setup), but I would rather recommend the ideal PC for your needs. Plus, figuring out what you want to do with your PC will help set a price range for what you'll spend. Really cheap PCs often can't do much more than browse the web and do basic productivity work, but that's perfect for a young student or an older parent. If you want a gaming PC, however, you should expect to spend at least four figures to get something decent. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. So before we go any further, ask yourself: Am I getting this PC to do basic work and homework, to play games, to create demanding content (like apps, games and videos), or something else? Next step: What's your budget? Knowing how much you'd like to spend will help you effectively search for and find the PC (or parts) you need. And while prices of electronics tend to fluctuate more than usual these days, depending on supply and demand, I can still give you some rough estimates of how much you can expect to get for your money. If you can't afford to spend more than $1,000, you can still get a decent desktop or a nice all-in-one PC, but it probably won't be great at running modern games or demanding apps. One of the outliers is Apple's Mac mini M4, which packs a surprising amount of processing power into a tiny box that's easy to fit on your desk and starts at $599. You can even get a decent gaming PC, though you may have to break past the $1,000 barrier by a few hundred to achieve it. The Dell XPS 8960, for example, packs modern gaming PC power into a nondescript PC case for roughly $1,100 to start. If you can afford to spend between $1,000-$3,000, you can afford basically any PC you want besides a top-of-the-line gaming PC. But if cutting-edge PC gaming is your goal, expect to spend $2,000 - $5,000 for the best of the best. Next question: do you need a discrete graphics card in your new PC? Before we dig in, let me remind you that a discrete graphics card is typically a big, expensive PC component that's effectively a bundle of processors that are optimized for graphics. They're one of the primary things to care about when buying a gaming PC, but having a decent discrete GPU (graphics processing unit) is also important if you plan to edit video, develop games or do serious AI work. On the other hand, if you don't care about that kind of work or serious PC gaming, you might be able to get by with a cheap, outdated GPU or no GPU at all. Most PCs have CPUs that come with an integrated graphics chipset, so if there's no GPU in the PC, your CPU can still do a decent job of generating images and video. You'll know whether or not a PC you're buying has a GPU by looking at the specs, and there are three main manufacturers to choose from: AMD, Intel and Nvidia. While Nvidia has a reputation for selling the most powerful and most expensive graphics cards (looking at you, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090), AMD also makes some great GPUs that tend to be a better value if you're not gaming in 4K. Intel recently re-entered the GPU market, and its GPUs (like the Intel Arc B580) have proven surprisingly effective for 1080p gaming on a budget. You might think the next thing I'm going to make you worry about is the CPU, but actually, I think you should care more about RAM. Because if you're buying a new (not used) PC these days, you're likely going to get a half-decent CPU onboard if you spend at least $600-$1,000. It won't be as good as the M4 chip in the Mac mini, admittedly, but it probably won't be a problem. What's more likely to give you headaches over time is not having enough RAM for your needs. I say that because I've noticed PC manufacturers tend to skimp on RAM, and a paltry 8GB is still depressingly common to see among budget PC listings. Now, if you're running ChromeOS or Linux, you might be able to get away with 4GB of RAM. But if you're using macOS or Windows, I think you want at least 8GB of RAM and probably 16GB, just to be safe. 16GB of RAM is the sweet spot for most home and office PCs, but if you're going to do more demanding work than basic tasks, you might want more. RAM (Random Access Memory) is key when doing things like multi-tasking, playing games or editing video, and not having enough of it can cause your PC to feel sluggish, hang or even crash. So if you're going to do serious gaming, editing or coding work, I highly suggest you try to find budget for at least 32GB of RAM. If you really want to splurge, you can even get modern PCs with upwards of 48-64GB of RAM, but that's overkill that nobody but hardcore PC game players and video editors really needs to worry about. Now that you've got a good idea of what you're going to do with this PC, how much you have to spend and what you need inside it, it's time to ask: what operating system do you want it to have? The two big contenders are Windows 11 and macOS Tahoe, but you could also consider using ChromeOS or Linux if those are appropriate for your needs. It's easy to know if the latter two are right for you: ChromeOS is a lightweight operating system that requires Internet access to do much of anything, while Linux is an open-source OS that's capable but requires some significant time spent learning how to use it—being comfortable with working from a command line is also a big help when learning Linux, and neither is great for gaming. If those aren't right for you, it's time to choose between macOS and Windows. I've reviewed both, and in my mind, they're fairly comparable, as both are easy to learn and support most apps and games you'll ever want to run. So if you just need a general-purpose PC, feel free to pick whichever you're most comfortable with. But if you want to do something more demanding, like gaming or video editing, there are reasons you might want to lean towards Windows or Mac. While Apple has made significant strides in improving the state of gaming on Mac, Windows PCs still support more games natively and generally offer more options for gaming than Macs. On the other hand, while you can get a perfectly powerful Windows PC and load it up with video editing apps, Apple's close partnership with companies like Adobe has led to Apple selling Macs and MacBooks that are specifically optimized for video editors. So if you want a gaming PC, I suggest you go with Windows. If you're more interested in starting your YouTube career by cutting together some sick videos, I think you'll have an easier time getting started with a Mac. And if you just need a cheap, simple PC for an older family member to browse Facebook, a cheap ChromeOS desktop or mini PC should be more than good enough. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
New York Post
10 hours ago
- New York Post
10 Ninja kitchen products we tested (and now refuse to live without)
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. There's no shortage of kitchen gadgets claiming to 'change your life' — and no shortage of them ending up in your donation pile a month later. But Ninja has managed to build a product line that not only survives Post Wanted's test kitchens but earns a permanent place on our countertops, patios, and even on our camping trips. From blenders that know exactly how to pulverize our acai bowls without turning our chia seeds to dust, to outdoor ovens that crank out wood-fired pizza in under 7 minutes, Ninja's product lineup somehow nails performance, design, and usability across the cutting board. These aren't just gimmicky 'TikTok buys.' They're well-built, thought-through appliances that do what they promise (and then some). Our team put a range of Ninja products to the test. We grilled, blended, churned, crisped, dehydrated, and carbonated. Below, you'll find our honest results: what wowed us, what could be improved, and the details you'll want before adding to cart. Why is Ninja so good? Ninja has built its reputation by doing two things exceptionally well: combining multi-functionality with intuitive design, and delivering pro-level performance at a consumer-friendly price. Unlike brands that focus on one specialty (like just blenders or just air fryers), Ninja excels in nearly every appliance category — from countertop cookers to portable coolers. Their gear often packs multiple functions into a single appliance — air fryers that also roast, bake, and dehydrate; blenders that automatically adjust speed and time; ovens that flip to save space. And crucially, Ninja's control layouts are simple enough for first-time users to master without a manual. The brand also doesn't skimp on build quality: from thick insulation in their FrostVault cooler to metal gears in their blenders, Ninja gear feels sturdy and lasts. Our favorite Ninja appliances Amazon Pros: Custom flavor and mix-in control Creamify Technology for smooth texture Multiple dessert modes Cons: Requires 24-hour base freeze The CREAMi turns pre-frozen bases into creamy, customizable ice cream in minutes. Ideal for dietary restrictions or adventurous flavors, it's as much a creative tool as it is a dessert maker. 'Essentially, the Ninja CREAMi works in reverse from all of the other major ice cream makers because it requires a completely frozen base, whereas the other ones start with a liquid mixture,' explained commerce streaming reporter Angela Tricarico. Instead of freezing your ice cream maker's bowl and refrigerating a base, the CREAMi uses proprietary Creamify Technology to shave away at the pre-frozen block and mix it into the creamy texture we recognize as ice cream. Angela Tricarico 'I've been using the Ninja CREAMi for about three weeks [editor's note: now months!], and in that time, I haven't even wanted to get ice cream from the grocery store or my local ice cream shops. It's that good. As someone who's spent the last few years getting more and more comfortable in the kitchen, I've really enjoyed getting to mix my own bases, creating flavor combos with mix-ins like strawberry cheesecake with graham cracker pie crust, Froot Loops milk with cereal mix ins, cinnamon bun, orange creamsicle, chocolate with Italian rainbow cookies, and my entire family's personal favorite so far: a classic mint chip. Angela Tricarico 'If you've seen any Ninja CREAMi videos on TikTok, you'll already know everything there is to know about the machine by the time it arrives at your door. It's that easy to use. There's no real learning curve. The appeal of the CREAMi, to me, is the ability to get creative with flavors and mix-in combinations. 'It's a steep price, but for people who either need to make customizations for food restriction reasons (dairy and gluten intolerances, for example) or who just want to know what exactly goes into the ice cream they're eating, it's well worth it. Even if you think you'll only be frequently using one or two programs on the appliance, we recommend adding the Ninja CREAMi to your cart.' Modes: Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Mix-In, etc. | Capacity: 1 pint Ninja Pros: Makes tofu, veggies, and more come out perfectly crisp without being greasy Easily fits in tight spaces like my New York countertop Fits up to a 12-inch pizza or 4 pounds of ingredients Cons: Gets hot quickly, so handle with care Don't overstuff it with food, or it won't cook evenly Perfect for small kitchens, this space-saving toaster oven/air fryer combo flips upright when not in use. It delivers crispy, evenly cooked results in minutes and offers a variety of functions for everything from quick breakfasts to light dinners. 'As they say, when you enter church, 'skeptics welcome.' That was me when it came to air fryers,' said commerce reporter Emma Sutton-Williams. 'Are they really all that? After watching them go viral during the pandemic, I always assumed the hype would die down. But the Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer turned out to be the kitchen upgrade that I'll be using even on extremely hot days, as it made my meals taste so much better. 'The setup was plug-and-play. As someone who has never used an air fryer before, I expected a learning curve or complicated controls. Instead, I found it intuitive and refreshingly easy to operate. I was shocked to discover it preheats in under a minute, so make sure your ingredients are prepped and ready to go before you even turn it on. Emma Sutton-Williams 'For my first test run, I air-fried some breadcrumb-coated tofu and broccoli for a quick rice bowl lunch. The tofu came out crispy, not soggy or rubbery like it does when I bake it forever in a conventional oven. 'As a New Yorker living in a small apartment with limited kitchen space, the flip design, which doesn't take up counter space and slides under cabinets, was a chef's kiss. It has 8 functions, including air fry, toast, pizza, broil, bake, and even dehydrate. I'd argue that some of the functions are the same, like 'bagel' is not a function, that fit should fit under the category of 'toast' or 'pizza' under the category of 'bake,' but potato, po-tah-toe.' Functions: Air Fry, Toast, Bagel, Pizza, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate | Preheat: <1 min Ninja Pros: Powerful blending Smart sense technology does all the work at the push of a button Simple assembly and ease of use Great value with 3 cup sizes Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup Cons: Large appliance can take up valuable storage space Relatively heavy appliance This isn't your standard smoothie maker — it's an all-in-one blending powerhouse. The BlendSense Technology automatically detects what's in your container and fine-tunes the speed, time, and power to get the perfect texture, whether you're pulverizing frozen fruit for smoothies or blending silky soups. The included 72-oz pitcher is ideal for batch drinks, while the 24-oz single-serve cups are perfect for grab-and-go mornings. 'I'm blown away by the smart technology and power of this blender every time I use it,' Meaghan Roche, commerce SEO manager, said. 'Its BlendSense Technology automatically adjusts power, speed, and time based on any ingredients you toss in, so all the work is done for you with up to 1800 watts cutting through even the toughest ingredients. 'Plus, it comes with a huge 72-ounce full-size pitcher (hello batch made frozen margs) and two 24-ounce single-serve cups (for the green juice you and your partner need post-margaritas). I love using just the single cup for a post-workout treat with less cleanup, but as a bonus, all the containers, lids and even blades are safe for the top rack of the dishwasher.' Motor: 1800 watts | Accessories: 72-oz pitcher, 2× 24-oz cups with spout lids | Dishwasher safe: Yes (top rack) Pros: 6-in1 cooking capabilities No preheating Large capacity Smart cooking with optional separate heating zones Easy cleaning Cons: Larger appliance that may command permanent residence on your kitchen counter The DualZone design means you can air fry salmon in one basket while roasting veggies in the other — and they'll finish at the same time thanks to Smart Finish. The 8-quart capacity is great for family meals, and the no-preheat feature shaves serious time off dinner prep. 'Air frying, roasting, broiling, dehydrating, and more — this Ninja air fryer can replace half of your kitchen appliances while cooking in half the time,' said Roche. My highlights include no preheating time, smart finish capabilities so that your whole meal is ready at once, dishwasher-safe plates, and a large capacity. 'If you've been thinking about finally getting an air fryer or upgrading to a higher-tech appliance, this is the one for you. It's easy to use, while also still having all the impressive bells and whistles that will wow you as much as the tasty dinners you'll make with it.' Capacity: 8 quarts (2 baskets) | Functions: Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate | Dishwasher safe: Yes (crisper plates) Amazon Pros: Two texture modes (drinkable/spoonable) Preset programs for different recipes Handles frozen ingredients with ease Cons: Smaller capacity than full-size blenders Designed for precision texture control, the TWISTi offers drinkable and spoonable settings with targeted presets. It blends thick smoothie bowls as effortlessly as thin sauces, with blades that cut through frozen ingredients without overheating. 'The Ninja TWISTi is a super smooth product to use, pun very much intended,' mused former commerce reporter Sophie Cannon. 'As someone who was very used to smoke coming from my $20 blender every time I tried to crush ice or fruit, this was a dream. The TWISTi knows exactly what is needed from a blender — the ability to create perfect consistencies when blending up a juice vs. a smoothie bowl and a sauce vs. a delicious oil. That's where both the settings and the unique cap come into play. Sophie Cannon 'The blender itself has two different options: drinkable and spoonable. From there, choose an option like extract, smoothie or frozen or go for spread or bowl. Then, the blender knows exactly what to do, with a built-in preset and timer, making for a practically hands-free experience. To put this to the test, I made both a bowl and a drinkable juice to test their 'total texture control' claim on the front of the blender. I was impressed by how well the blades easily cut through a completely frozen block of acai and hunks of ginger, while also knowing not to totally pulverize the chia seeds. 'One more thing to mention: when using the larger 34-ounce high-speed pitcher, the cap at the top twists — maybe a nod to the name TWISTi? — and pushes everything down to the blades to ensure an even blend, leaving no chunks or lumps to be found.' Modes: Drinkable, Spoonable | Programs: Extract, Smoothie, Frozen, Spread, Bowl Amazon Pros: Compact size is perfect for small kitchens Easy to store Removable grill plat and lids for ease of cleaning Even and quick heating Grease catcher reduces mess Cons: Nonstick grill grates can be tough and cumbersome to clean Indoor grilling without the smoke — Ninja's grill delivers even heat from edge to edge, producing juicy proteins and crisp vegetables. The smoke-control lid and removable plates make cleanup easier, and the flat griddle plate expands its versatility for breakfast favorites. 'This is one of my favorite wedding registry gifts that has truly transformed home-cooking in my NYC apartment,' raved Roche. 'Nothing beats fresh-grilled meats and veggies in the summer, and now I don't have to escape the five boroughs to enjoy them. 'Ninja's countertop indoor grill fits enough to feed a family (or meal prep for the week). Its perforated lid controls smoke and messy grease, while the edge-to-edge heating cooks food quickly and evenly. I have yet to use the flat top griddle plate, but I look forward to using it for pancakes and bacon on the weekends. The lid and grill are removable to allow for easier cleanup, but I do recommend getting a small grill brush to scrub off grease and residue.' Cooking surface: Family-size capacity | Functions: Grill, Griddle | Dishwasher safe: Yes (lid and grill plate) Amazon Pros: Woodfire flavor with minimal pellets High heat for charring and fast cooking Multiple cooking modes Cons: Larger footprint for outdoor space From Neapolitan-style pizzas to charred steaks, this outdoor oven delivers real wood-smoke flavor with just a handful of pellets. The wide temperature range supports baking, roasting, and searing — all in one durable outdoor appliance. 'I'm not going to lie, I dove right into trying the Ninja Woodfire. Totally cool, retro-inspired look aside, it has a slew of unique features worth noting,' said commerce reporter Victoria Giardina. 'For one, there are some suggested recipes to follow inside its manual that make the entire package a nice touch, especially for beginner pizza-makers and outdoor grillers. Victoria Giardina 'With a range of 105-700°F, the Ninja Woodfire can add that coveted, authentic wood-fire flavor (making this outdoor appliance aptly named) to anything you decide to divvy into its durably coated frame. Impressively, it does it all with just a 1/2 cup of pellets (which are included upon purchase), thanks to its unique technology. 'It's also compatible to cook a 12-lb turkey, 9-lb pork shoulder, 12-lb prime rib dinner with veggies (perhaps by ordering from our best meat delivery services guide), a full sheet-pan meal, and a standard 8×11 casserole dish. It's pretty incredible — and, as a result, you'll want to have all of your meals outside. And, because of its high temperature threshold, the Ninja Woodfire is said to make high-heat char on steaks in less than seven minutes, helping to make full meals (as you would indoors) up to 40% faster. Victoria Giardina 'Ninja truly thought of everything. In just 30 minutes, I had two filling, fresh, aromatic, and rustic Italian-inspired pies. Overall, the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Pizza Oven is well worth the splurge. Not only does it enhance your outdoor dining experience tenfold, but it allows you to try your hand at savory, tasty, and truly scrumptious pizza (among other dishes, which I have yet to try).' Temp range: 105–700°F | Fuel: ½ cup pellets (included) | Capacity: Fits 12-lb turkey or full sheet-pan meal Amazon Pros: Multiple cooking styles in one unit Crisping tray for texture control Easy switch between modes Cons: Bulky size The Speedi can crisp fries, steam veggies, or bake a souffle in under 25 minutes. Its simple switch toggles between rapid cooking and air frying, while the crisping tray adjusts for different recipes. 'This device seriously turns up the heat,' commented Cannon. 'Although not literally, as this multifunctional rapid cooker and air fryer phenomenon didn't get too hot to the touch, even when dehydrating fruit for eight hours or grilling up juicy burgers on a high heat setting. That was just the first feature I fell in love with. 'The next was the ease of use, once you understand the mechanics. There is really only one switch, flipping from its air fryer capabilities to the rapid cooker settings, and once you know what you want to cook, the rest is self-explanatory. The only other addition is the crisping tray inside, which can be propped up or flattened down depending on what's cooking. New York Post 'For my tests, I wanted to try as many settings as possible, making sure the fryer yielded crunchy french fries, the steam and bake settings were up to snuff to bake a fluffy souffle and tried my hand at dehydrating just for fun. Even as an amateur chef, I don't think I could have made a more professional-looking (and tasting) souffle if I tried, moreover in less than 25 minutes. New York Post 'The one downside to this machine is simply the sheer size of it. Since it really does replace the need for other appliances like a steamer, a frying pan, a dehydrator, and honestly an entire oven range, I do think it is worth the money, if you can find the counter-space, of course.' Functions: Air Fry, Steam, Bake, Dehydrate, Grill | Capacity: Family-size This heavy-duty cooler keeps ice cold for days while offering a dry compartment for snacks or raw proteins. With rugged construction and lockable lids, it's built for serious outdoor use. Amazon Pros: Dry storage compartment Ice retention up to 5 days Durable build Cons: Pricier than budget coolers 'This cooler offers a separate compartment that keeps select drinks and snacks dry at food-safe temperatures, meaning that you can grab your favorite items hassle-free without opening the cooler lid,' stated Miska Salemann, commerce reporter. 'Upon testing this out, I was very impressed with how cool the items stayed in the dry storage zone, but I should also note that items stay even cooler for longer when placed on ice. Plus, you won't have to subject your hands to digging through freezing ice just to find what you need. Miska Salemann 'This separate area is also ideal for adults looking to keep alcoholic drinks in a separate area for family-friendly use. Or, use it to keep raw protein out of the way. It's exceptionally convenient. The ice storage section holds ice for up to five days. This is ideal for people planning longer trips, as there is no need to worry about constantly changing out the ice. I hardly noticed any condensation or sweating after a day of packing this cooler with ice and drinks. If you're looking for a sturdy cooler that can withstand some blows, tumbles, and drops, you've found it. Miska Salemann 'The Ninja FrostVault Cooler is worth the splurge. You may be spending more money on this cooler than you would for something from Amazon, but you're paying for high-quality, long-lasting materials, durability, convenience, and security. Not to mention, Ninja offers a five-year limited warranty, so you can be reimbursed if you run into any issues. Between that, free shipping, and a surprise gift, this cooler certainly gets the check from me.' Sizes: 30-quart (48 cans) or 50-quart (80 cans) | Insulation: Up to 3″ | Warranty: 5 years Amazon Pros: Adjustable carbonation Mixes flavors during carbonation Multiple drink sizes Cons: Water tank needs chilling before use The Thirsti turns still water into sparkling flavored drinks in seconds, with adjustable fizz levels and mix-in flavor pods. It's perfect for seltzer fans or anyone bored of plain water. 'I've been using the Ninja Thirsti since October, and it's been a lot of fun to whip up new drink combinations quickly and easily,' Tricarico said. 'Because all of the functions are spelled out on the appliance's buttons, it's easy to get it up and running, and there's not much of a learning curve. Angela Tricarico 'The Thirsti gets its water from an attached water tank, similar to coffee makers like Nespresso and Keurigs. Still, the major difference here is that the Thirsti doesn't change the temperature of the water at all. Whatever temperature the water is when you add it to the tank is how it'll dispense after the CO2 and flavoring processes. To combat this, Ninja recommends storing the tank inside your refrigerator or filling it with water and ice. There's a handy indicator inside the tank that turns a bright blue when the water reaches an optimal temperature for carbonation. 'As for the flavors, I find that I like the Vitamins and Hydrate lines best, partly because I try to curb my caffeine intake as the day goes on and because the Splash flavors aren't bold enough most of the time. If I want just the hint of a flavor, I'll use a Splash pod, and it ends up tasting like a flavored seltzer, but most of the time, I want a more substantial flavor. Angela Tricarico 'This, to me, is what makes the Thirsti worth the money; I'm able to customize my drinks on demand by making new flavor combinations. Some of my favorites so far are Orange Tangerine + Summer Strawberry, Watermelon Lime + Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi on its own, and Tart Lemon + Summer Strawberry for a subtly sweet blend. But, for what it's worth, I've also used the Thirsti to make plain, unflavored sparkling water for my seltzer-loving grandma, and she prefers it to the canned stuff now!' Functions: Sparkling, Still, Flavored Drinks | Drink sizes: 4 options | CO2 compatible: Yes How we tested Our Post Wanted team didn't just unbox these Ninjas and call it a day — we put them through weeks (in some cases, months or years) of everyday use, in real kitchens, apartments, and backyards. Each tester was either assigned a product and asked to use it exactly how they would if they'd bought it themselves — no staged recipes, no test-lab perfect conditions — or they actually did buy it themselves (which was generally the case). This meant blenders got fed everything from frozen acai bricks to fibrous ginger, air fryers handled weeknight chicken thighs and last-minute frozen fries, and the Woodfire oven went from homemade pizza to pizza to pizza in a single weekend. We tracked how intuitive each product was to set up, how well it delivered on its promised functions, and whether it actually earned permanent counter or storage space. We also paid attention to the little things: cleanup time, noise levels, countertop footprint, durability of parts, and whether the included accessories were useful or just filler. And because our testers live in a mix of small NYC apartments and suburban homes, we could assess how each appliance fits into different lifestyles — whether that means folding up to slide under a cabinet or withstanding a full weekend camping trip. The result? Only the Ninja products that proved their worth made this list. Check out New York Post Shopping for more content. This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to cooking classes that will level-up your skills to new dinnerware to upgrade your holiday hosting. Prior to joining the Post's shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith's Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.
Tom's Guide
12 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Sam Altman's bold prediction: Gen Alpha grads could skip the cubicle and head right for high-paying jobs in space
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes the next generation of college graduates won't just be working in offices, their careers could take them to space. In an interview first reported by Fortune, Altman predicted that by 2035, Gen Alpha graduates may step into 'completely new, exciting, super well-paid' jobs that blend space exploration and AI technology. Speaking with host Cleo Abram on the Huge Conversations podcast, Altman framed today's college grads as the 'luckiest kids in all of history.' According to him, AI will do more than disrupt the workforce, it will rewire it, creating opportunities unimaginable just a few years ago. By 2035, Altman envisions young professionals leaving university and heading off on missions to explore the solar system, engaged in highly lucrative and fulfilling careers that blend space and AI technology In Altman's vision, a 2035 graduate might just as easily be boarding a spacecraft to work on an asteroid mining project as joining a tech startup in San Francisco. But Altman's prediction isn't universally shared. Former Google X executive Mo Gawdat has warned that AI could wipe out nearly half of entry-level white-collar jobs in the next five years, potentially leaving younger generations scrambling for footing in a volatile Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei claims AI will cause mass unemployment but also help us live longer. On the other hand, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang offered a more hopeful perspective at the 28th annual Milken Institute Global Conference, encouraging workers to see AI as a tutor and collaborator, not a rival, to unlock new skills and career opportunities. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Altman's forecast is a provocation to rethink how we define work in the coming decades. His comments open up questions about where careers could exist, who will benefit from these changes, and how society should adapt. Altman's vision may read like sci-fi, but it underscores a real shift. AI is advancing so fast that tomorrow's careers could be unlike anything we've known, with some measured in light-years. As a mom of three gen alpha kids, I just hope those high-paying space jobs come with powerful Wi-Fi and a way to do their own Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
