Latest news with #CosmoGrillOutdoorXLSmokerBarbecue
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
'I tried the Ninja Woodfire and it's a total game changer for BBQs'
The outdoor electric Ninja oven will change the way I BBQ from now on. With temperatures warming up, many are gearing up for BBQ season. Summer is the perfect time of the year to start enjoying outdoor life and what better way to do that than eating meals in the garden. Householders will have taken the time over the spring to clean and decorate their gardens for upcoming summer fun with friends and family. However, one thing that should be on top of your summer list is a BBQ. Ensuring you have the right equipment to cook for your guests will elevate your parties. When we think of a barbecue, we think of the smoky flavours and charcoaled meat, but with that comes a bit of a mess. It can sometimes feel like a chore to stand for hours making sure your charcoal is at the right temperature before adding your meat, only for you to turn your back for a split-second and realise you have burnt the burgers. It's a faff that some people might not think is worth it. So, what if there is a way of still having what feels like an authentic BBQ, with the fuss? Ninja is known for being king of the air fryers for your kitchen, but it's outdoor cooking equipment is less well known. Reporter Chris Hall recently tested the Ninja Woodfire, which describes itself as an 'electric BBQ grill and smoker', to see if it was any good. Chris said he was 'blown away by the experience' and believes the garden appliance is worth the price tag. The Ninja Woodfire usually retails for £299.99, but there's currently a £50 discount from Ninja that makes it more attractive – and cheaper than it's retailing on Amazon. If you are after a more traditional barbecue, the Weber compact kettle charcoal grill is currently £87 on Amazon, down from £114.99. The retail giant also has the CosmoGrill Outdoor XL Smoker Barbecue for £159.99, which offers extra cooking space. Writing about his experience for Chronicle Live. Chris said: "The Ninja Woodfire is a versatile device, offering a wide range of cooking functions. These are controlled by the dial and buttons on the front, so it's really easy to preheat and cook exactly to your specifications. "Unlike a charcoal barbecue, like the traditional Weber you could buy from Amazon, lighting it is no hassle at all, so you'll be ready to cook in about 15 minutes. The clever part – and the bit that gives the Woodfire its name – is that there's a hopper on the side of the lid where you can add flavoured wood pellets. "These will ignite and burn, with the smoke being drawn into the Ninja and circulated with your food. That adds a great aroma, it adds flavour and it adds a little excitement to your outdoor cooking. "Yes, it's not like a charcoal BBQ, but it's closer than a normal electric BBQ like this plug-in model from B&Q." Explaining how the Ninja Woodfire works, Chris said: "There's a heating element in the bottom and one to the top of the lid, so it can cook from both sides. There's a fan in the lid to circulate the heat like an air fryer and that also circulates the smoke for that BBQ flavour. "The base of the Ninja Woodfire has a griddle plate for cooking on, meaning your steaks or burgers will be seared like they are on a BBQ, but there's no open flames, you're not going to have a grease fire – in fact, excess fats drain off into a tray underneath." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Chris said the Woodfire comes "mostly assembled" so "getting started takes no time at all". While there is a model that includes a stand, Chris revealed that he has just been using it on his garden table. And "best of all", according to Chris, the Ninja gadget comes with a recipe book "that's not only filled with great ideas to feed the family, but it also tells you what settings to use for a full range of foods – ribs, wings, veggies – as well as telling you how to use the Woodfire's other functions." Chris continued: "Because it's versatile, you can use it as a smoker, using those wood pellets (you get two packets free) to flavour your food with a long and low temperature cook, while you can also roast a whole chicken (it's big enough), bake, dehydrate or reheat your food. "All you need is an external plug socket – no gas, no charcoal – and there's very little mess. The cooking plate comes out for easy cleaning, but it's not dishwasher safe, so you'll have to do it by hand. "If there's a downside to the Ninja Woodfire, it's the size of the grill. You'll just about feed a family of four using it, but if you're planning a BBQ in your garden, then you can only cook about 16 sausages at a time, so for a large gathering, you might need something bigger." The Ninja Woodfire is sure to be popular this summer, so shoppers can snap it while there's £50 off the price.
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Amazon's XL BBQ that you 'cannot beat' is 'brilliant' for garden parties in upcoming heatwave
"Honestly, for the price… you cannot beat it. Used twice over the Easter weekend when having friends and family over." With our days getting longer and hopefully warmer, many families are gearing up for BBQ season and dreaming about hearing their ingredients sizzle on a sunny afternoon. As many people have taken the time to clean and decorate their gardens for upcoming parties with friends and family, buying the right BBQ is the icing on the cake. And with another mini-heatwave expected at the start of May, there has never been a better time to buy one. For those who have a large family and need the space to accommodate all the food that will be swifty consumed, we recommend having a look at the CosmoGrill Outdoor XL Smoker Barbecue on Amazon. Usually retailing £169.99, this 4.6 star rated BBQ is now slightly cheaper at £159.99. You won't need to worry about lack of space with the CosmoGrill, as it can cook over 10 burger patties as well as 10 sausages all at the same time. If this wasn't good enough, you also have the option to smoke or grill a variety of meats, such as steaks and chicken, to spruce up your menu. Most importantly, you won't need to worry about food poisoning as the CosmoGrill comes with a built-in thermometer which will help make sure that everything is fully cooked. Additionally, the BBQ comes with an adjustable chimney, vent and coal tray to help control the heat depending on your latest recipe. You won't need to worry about leaving anyone hungry as you cook other foods, as the CosmoGrill is equipped with various heat zones, allowing you to cook different foods at a variety of temperatures at the same time. This means everyone gets to sit back and eat at the same time in the glorious sunshine. The Express also reports that the CosmoGrill is built with convenience in mind as it features a built-in bottle opener, as well as four hooks to hold extra equipment. There is also a removable ash tray and bottom storage shelf available. As for the size, the dimensions are 66D x 124W x 113.5H in centimetres. For those looking for something a little bit cheaper, you can get the Outsunny Charcoal Barbecue Grill from Amazon for £96.99. Alternatively, if you are looking for something smaller, you can buy the Ninja Woodfire BBQ Grill and Smoker for £249.99. This BBQ usually retails for £299.99, but has had a £50 swipe in the Ninja sale. But if it's the CosmoGrill you're after, then you're not alone as more than 900 people have bought one in the last month. And the XL BBQ boasts a 4.6 Amazon rating from over 2,900 reviews. One delighted shopper wrote: "This is a brilliant BBQ. Very easy to build although it's a little long. The ease of use is greater and even the temperature gauge is spot on as well. It's extremely sturdy as well and does a brilliant job of keeping the heat in and doing a good BBQ. I love it!" Another added: "Honestly, for the price… you cannot beat it. Used twice over the Easter weekend when having friends and family over. It's still early days but I wouldn't swap it for anything else even if you tried." While a third five-star reviewer praised: "What a great little BBQ. Bought as you can move it around the garden unlike the bigger, heavier gas versions. Very pleased, well made, easy to put together and all the little extra bits are well thought out and make it a great experience." Homewares deal of the week With summer on the horizon, you'll be wanting to spend more time in your garden relaxing. To help keep you protected from harmful UV rays, a stylish parasol can really refresh your outdoors space. Fortunately, Asda has just bought back its sell-out item that shoppers can't stop raving over. The supermarket's highly coveted Riviera Stripe Parasol was so popular when it first launched in 2024 that it apparently "sold out in nine weeks." Now, it can be yours for just £59 when you buy it here. The supermarket's summer garden staple is said to "bring a slice of the Riviera into any garden" thanks to its trendy striped canopy and intricate tassel edging that offers a "boho touch" to the design. It's not just a stylish addition to your garden, as the FSC-certified wood pole has a lean function that allows you to tilt the canopy whenever you feel the position sun shift. Meanwhile, the polycotton canopy is said to be "weatherproof", making it suitable for unpredictable UK summers. Since the Riviera Stripe Parasol sold out within just over two months last year, it's expected that it will be popular once again this year. It's also no surprise to hear that it has managed to amass glowing five-star reviews on the George at Asda website. One delighted customer wrote: "I'm blown away by how amazing this product is. I've been wanting to get a patterned parasol with a boho touch for a while, but unwilling to spend the £150+ that they normally are. I thought I'd give this one a go, but didn't expect much for the price. "It is exactly what I wanted. Furthermore it also tips and has a lovely case. It is stylish, good, waterproof fabric and looks like something you would get from a much fancier, 'bespoke' store. I could not recommend it more." The Riviera Stripe Parasol can be bought online at George at Asda for £59 here. Despite these raved reviews, some shoppers weren't as pleased, with one shopper writing: "The fixtures are of very poor quality. The instructions are not clear. The BBQ grill is excellent and serves the purpose very well. The grill as a whole is wonderful, just have an issue with its fixtures and the instructions." While another shopper also noted: "It took a few hours to put this grill together. Not all the pieces were labelled and the instructions could be easier especially around attaching the charcoal pan crank handle."
