Latest news with #Crispi
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Buzz Feed
This Gadget Is A Game-Changer For Reheating Leftovers
Whether you live in a small apartment and every inch of counter space counts, or you're trying to declutter your home and consolidate kitchen appliances, this all-in-one Ninja air fryer is the latest gadget that has the potential to elevate your meal prep. A non-bulky appliance that's actually effective is a big promise. But if ever there was one to live up to the hype, surely it's the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 portable glass air fryer that also doubles as a storage container for your leftovers. It's like a transformer toy, but for adults who cook. The compact gadget includes the Crispi 'PowerPod,' which fits in the palm of your hand but packs the punch of a full-sized 1500-watt air fryer. One could say that this is where the magic happens: The small contraption can bake, air fry, recrisp, or max crisp. You just snap it to one of the glass containers (included with your purchase), pick a mode, and set it to the desired temperature. An understated but much appreciated feature of this air fryer is that once all your cooking is done, you can easily store your meal in the very container you cooked it in. Both the six-cup and four-quart containers come with their own snap-lock, leak-resistant storage lids so that you can stow them in the fridge, or tote them for lunch or a potluck. And before you ask, yes, clean-up is a breeze. The adapter, glassware, and lids are all dishwasher safe! You can purchase it in one of six colors from Amazon where it currently has nearly 400 5-star reviews. Check out a few of them below or keep scrolling to get your hands on this device before it sells out again: Get it from Amazon for $179.99 (available in six colors).
San Francisco Chronicle
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
How a San Francisco ceramicist built a creative haven for artist-parents and their kids
When San Francisco artist Ilana Crispi had a baby in February 2019, she soon found herself facing a dilemma she knew was familiar to many of her creative peers: It was going to be difficult, if not impossible, to keep her art practice separate from her life as a parent. 'I would drive 45 minutes to my studio in Half Moon Bay, only to spend my time there pumping (breastmilk) instead of working,' recalls Crispi, who teaches ceramics at San Francisco State University. The COVID-19 pandemic only made the balancing act more of a struggle. Crispi's son, Davi, turned one just weeks before the world shut down in March 2020. Crispi, her woodworker partner Tim McGhee and their toddler found themselves sheltering in place in a one-bedroom apartment in the Mission, without a backyard or childcare. 'Separating my son from my practice wasn't possible,' Crispi reflected on a recent morning at the Good Ship Dodo, her new alternative art exhibition and community project space across the street from Precita Park. 'The only way to keep making art was for him to be a part of it,' she explained. 'If I was out sourcing local clay, my child came with me. If I was teaching a virtual ceramics demonstration, he came along.' More Information 'Mother of Collaboration': Mixed view through June 15. Free. By appointment only. Email TheGoodShipDodo@ The Good Ship Dodo, 3234 Folsom Street, S.F. Upcoming parent-child workshops: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, May 25. Cardboard and Paper Mâché Sculpture Workshop. Led by Hannah Ireland and Jasper Ireland 1-3 p.m. Sunday, June 1. Zine Making Workshop Led by Asa Glacier Hollander (assisted by Liz Worthy) 1-3 p.m. Sunday, June 8. Ceramic Cup Making and Exchange Led by Ilana Crispi and Davi Crispi McGhee 12-5 p.m. Father's Day, Sunday, June 15 CLOSING BBQ & outdoor Lego building Crispi is known for her site-specific installations that investigate local history and tell stories rooted to geology and place. Her Mission Dirt Project involved harvesting urban soil (rich in clay from the long-buried Mission Creek) from underneath her pre-1906 apartment building and inviting her community to sluice for gold in the middle of Valencia Street. She recalled how often as an artist she's run into fellow artist-parents and their children at Bay Area gallery events and openings. While the kids run around and play, the adults have shared stories of contending with a similar struggle of keeping up their creative practices while being hands-on parents. She acknowledged that work-life balance is a nearly universal quandary for working parents, but it can be especially challenging for artists who require unscheduled expanses of time to ideate and experiment. 'I got this idea that I wanted to create a space where we could be practicing artists and mothers at the same time, instead of pretending these parts of our lives were distinct or detached from each other,' she said. The result is the Good Ship Dodo, 'a space for creative action and gathering,' named after the made-up stories of friendship and exploration she's been telling Davi since he was three. Crispi cleared out the unused ground floor of her Victorian building on Folsom Street, formerly a 'hoarder's mess,' and transformed it into a modest, wood-walled space for installations, performances and exhibitions. A small sign in child's handwriting is visible from the sidewalk, where people often walk up Folsom to reach the top of Bernal Hill. The space opened on Mother's Day with its delightful inaugural show, 'Mother of Collaboration.' Crispi invited 15 interdisciplinary Bay Area artists to create work collaboratively with their children – to 'invite in the chaos and the mess,' she said. The young co-artists range in age from 10 months (Cathy Lu's infant, Mica, squeezed a cherry-sized lump of clay that's installed beside his mom's stoneware plate depicting the Chinese goddess Nuwa) to 17 (Chelsea América Torres let her three teenagers re-edit, to humorous effect, her MFA thesis videos). ' I'm taking your serious art and making it funny,' writes Torres' 13-year-old daughter, Frankie, in the exhibition's endearing handout guide. Most of the work on display is exhibited, appropriately, at child's eye height. Berkeley artist Julia Goodman, who teaches papermaking at California College of the Arts and currently has work in the group show, 'Fabrication' at Saint Joseph's Art Society, created with her six-year-old son, Irving, an abstract, semi-sculptural piece of hand-formed paper made from pulped bedsheets and colored T-shirts. Irving, she explained, has spent a lot of time in his mom's backyard studio, and 'was already very aware of my process. He knows when he wears down a shirt, it could go into an art piece.' But allowing him for the first time to not just observe, but work alongside his artist mom, making color and composition choices together for their piece 'Love Galaxy,' 'made for an unpredictably tender and joyful process,' Goodman said. 'I can be precious with materials, and I'm always navigating the balance between chaos and control, whereas Irving worked ecstatically. Watching him let loose was inspiring.' Crispi has heard similar comments from the artists who contributed to 'Mother of Collaboration.' 'Many of us had to open up our practices to our kids at some point by necessity,' due to time or space constraints, she explained, 'but I think we all learned from inviting in the chaos and mess that kids bring, but also their spontaneity and fearlessness, their willingness to see where things go, rather than having a plan from the beginning.' She pointed to the carvings on the ceramic urn she and Davi created for the exhibition using clay they dug up together at Alemany Farm and Fort Point. 'Look at his line quality,' she said in appreciation. 'When I'm carving in clay, my lines are so flat. Sometimes as we get older, we lose that energy and fluidity. I hope he holds onto it.' Artist and curator Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen co-created with her 10-year-old daughter, Sunny, a site-specific altar, 'Seeded,' made of Ankara fabric, seeds and shellsthat celebrates the creativity and spiritual traditions of African- American women. 'I wasexcited when Ilana told me about the new space and her idea of it being a place where you can show up as your whole family,' she said. 'That's really unusual in the art world.' Evans MacFadyen, a San Francisco native and founder of the arts nonprofit Black & White Projects, has fond memories of growing up in the Mission and 'experiencing art and culture in everyone's houses. It felt community-centered, rather than about making art to sell in an expensive gallery. 'If Ilana's wonderful space allows us to connect like that as a community, as artists and parents and families, what a valuable thing that is right now.'
CNET
20-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Tested: This Sleek Glass Air Fryer Is Our New Favorite Kitchen Gadget
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 9.2 / 10 SCORE Ninja Crispi $180 at Amazon $180 at Target $180 at Best Buy Pros Cook, serve, and storage capabilities Easy to clean: almost everything is dishwasher-safe Intuitive operation No concern about PFAS Ability to see cooking in progress Can buy additional glass vessels for maximum food prep Small storage footprint with nesting capabilities Portable Cons Price is on the high side for air fryers Some exposed hot elements during operation Ninja Crispi 9.2/10 CNET Score $180 at Amazon Late last year, Ninja dropped a new air fryer—and it's been turning heads here at CNET for one big reason: the cooking chamber is made of glass. Before it hit store shelves, two of us from the kitchen team got to test it out, and we both came to the same conclusion—despite the lofty $180 price tag, the Crispi is hands-down the best air fryer in 2025. If you're not super familiar with air fryers, here's the deal: they're basically mini convection ovens that blast hot air around your food to get it crispy without needing a ton of oil. They're great for everything from wings and fries to veggies and even reheating leftovers. Most air fryers do a solid job, but a lot of them have one annoying thing in common—the nonstick coating. It can be tricky to clean, and if it scratches or overheats, it can release chemicals into your food. Yikes. The Ninja Crispi is our new favorite air fryer. Ninja That's where the Crispi stands out. The all-glass cooking chamber is a game changer. Not only does it look super cool (you can actually watch your food cook), but it's way easier to clean—no flaking nonstick coating to worry about. You can toss it in the dishwasher or wash it by hand, and it won't stain or hang onto funky smells. And get this: the glass basket doubles as a food storage container. It comes with airtight lids so you can just pop leftovers in the fridge without dirtying another dish. Pretty smart, right? Read more: Air Fryer Fails: 8 Foods That Just Can't Handle the Heat After weeks of testing everything from crispy Brussels sprouts to late-night mozzarella sticks, we gave the Crispi our CNET Editor's Choice award. Bottom line: if you're in the market for an air fryer that's easy to use, easy to clean, and built to last, the Ninja Crispi is absolutely worth checking out. Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 portable glass air fryer at a glance Style : Modular air fryer with two sizes of glass cooking vessels and a separate cooking pod in three color options : Modular air fryer with two sizes of glass cooking vessels and a separate cooking pod in three color options Dimensions : 13.5 by 12 by 13.5 inches : 13.5 by 12 by 13.5 inches Power : 1,500 watts : 1,500 watts Weight : 15.74 pounds : 15.74 pounds Price $160 Ninja Crispi setup Here's everything that comes with the Ninja Crispi. Pamela Vachon/CNET Despite not looking anything like a typical air fryer, the Ninja Crispi was intuitive to set up and use. Each of the glass cooking vessels has a built-in stand with feet that keeps it off the counter surface. Side handles are also fitted on the stands of the bowls, which allow not only for easy transporting between the counter and the table (because the vessels can also be used to serve) but also make it easy to shake the contents as needed during the cooking process. The nonstick crisper plates were packaged separately and simple to place inside the bowls and to remove for cleaning. Lids for the 6-cup and 4-quart bowls were also included: a snap-on lid for the smaller and a simpler press-on lid for the larger. The cooking pod itself has an ergonomic shape for easy lifting and also has feet for safe placement on the counter when not in use. The cooking pod sits easily on top of the 6-cup bowl and a big-batch adapter frame fits the cooking pod onto the larger bowl. Between unwrapping and rinsing all of the washable parts, I was ready to go in about 2 minutes. Ninja Crispi operation Being able to visually track progress is one of the big draws for Ninja's new air fryer. Pamela Vachon/CNET The cooking pod itself includes crisp, bake, air fry and max crisp functions. Crisp is intended to revive leftovers, while max crisp is the ideal setting for packaged frozen foods. While it is tempting, given its baking dish look, the glass TempWare bowls are not intended to be used as the actual cooking vessels for batters in bake mode, because air still needs to circulate below the cooking vessels to be effective. (Will I try anyway? The temptation is real…) Pressing any button will indicate a digital timer to which you can add or subtract minutes. (The timer defaults to 10.) Below 1 minute, the timer changes into seconds and the device beeps to alert you when the cycle is complete. Overall, the sound level of the Ninja Crispi was similar to conventional air fryer models, with just a moderate whir when operating. What I liked about the Ninja Crispi The cooked food is ready to be packed away or brought to a party as soon as it's ready. Pamela Vachon/CNET As expected, the ability to see the cooking in progress was really satisfying, both from a nerdy perspective and also to be able to look for visual cues in terms of when to flip your items or to assess doneness. Both chicken parts and Brussels sprouts were cooked evenly and efficiently with little risk of over-cooking given the 360-degree window into the proceedings. The versatility, however, makes the Ninja Crispi tremendously interesting, especially for avid meal preppers. Full meals or individual cooked components can go right from cooking into the fridge, with the included lids for easy storage. (Although I am bound by refrigerator logistics to tell you to let it all cool first, so you don't inadvertently raise the temperature inside your fridge.) Additional cooking bowls in a variety of sizes can be purchased separately, allowing for the possibility of a multitude of individually cooked meals with no cleanup required in between use: just transfer the cooking pod from one cooking vessel to the next, assembly-line style. Sunday meal prep has never been easier, nor required fewer dishes. My brussels sprouts got a good char in the Crispi. Pamela Vachon/CNET The Ninja Crispi is also easy to store, with a footprint and height requirement that is far less than a lot of conventional models. It also makes for easy portability -- ideal for a potluck situation or even just a hot-meal self-care moment -- where you could even justify cooking on site. Either of the cooking bowls and the cooking pod could easily fit in a shoulder bag. If I worked in an office, it would thrill me to bring the whole thing with me to have a hot, healthful lunch without reheating. Although if you're contemplating being the person to cook fish directly at your desk -- maybe don't. Not only can the larger 4-quart bowl be used directly as a family-style serving vessel -- whose practical feet preclude the need for a trivet or pot holder -- but one could argue that the smaller 4-cup vessel can be used to eat out of directly, significantly reducing the number of dishes to wash. Speaking of washing, everything except the cooking pod itself is dishwasher-safe. What I didn't like about the Ninja Crispi Convenient as it, the glass cooking chamber does get hotter than your average air fryer base. Pamela Vachon/CNET As a modular device with a ton of built-in practicality and versatility, I do think the Ninja Crispi is a game-changer in the air fryer market. That said, at $180 it's on the higher side, price-wise, for an air fryer. Those with little ones in the house also may want to note: When the cooking pod is being used with the adapter for large batches, the adapter can become hot and is potentially exposed once the heating pod is removed. Never minding little ones, if you're an absent-minded cook yourself, it can be a hazard. Read more: 8 Foods That Go From Good to Great in an Air Fryer Final verdict on the Ninja Crispi If you're a disciple of air fryer cooking and, especially if you have a serious commitment to meal prepping, the Ninja Crispi is arguably one of the most versatile models on the market. It's satisfying to use and easy to store and clean. I may look for it on sale during Prime Days or the like, but even without a discount, its utility and the reputation of the Ninja brand merits its price tag.
CNN
18-04-2025
- Business
- CNN
The best sales to shop this weekend: Arc'teryx, Athleta, Ninja and more
This weekend, you'll find the first deal on a new portable Ninja air fryer, a discounted Arc'teryx jacket and savings at Athleta. All that and more below. Athleta Leggings Sale Athleta is heading into the weekend by discounting a collection of its most popular leggings. Select styles, including this best tested pair of Athleta Salutation Stash High-Rise Leggings, are getting in on the savings starting at $69. But wait, there's more! An extra 15%-off discount applies to select clearance colors. Ninja Crispi Air Fryer Ninja recently launched one of its most versatile appliances yet with the Crispi air fryer. My colleague and testing aficionado Michelle Rae Uy has been using it herself to assist with meal-prepping, and is impressed by how brilliant it is. Now, it's on sale for the first time at Amazon. Read our review ZeroWater 52-Cup Ready-Read 5-Stage Water Filter Pitcher When we tested all of the best water filter pitchers, we noted that ZeroWater's 5-stage system produced water that tasted nearly the same as bottled water. Today's discount drops the larger 52-cup pitcher to its lowest Amazon price our review Arc'teryx Outlet Sale Arc'teryx just refreshed its outlet with deep discounts on past-season gear. That includes everything from its renowned winter jackets and ski pants to thermal layers and hats. These limited-time deals take up to 35% off. Hisense 55-Inch U8QG Mini-LED ULED 4K Smart TV Hisense makes some of the best TVs we've tested. The brand stands out when value matters most, and its newest televisions are no exception. They just launched earlier in the spring, and are already seeing the first Amazon price cuts starting at $1,100 with the 55-inch model. Lands' End Weekend Sale Sometimes the juice really is worth the squeeze. At least, Lands' End seems to think so, and is naming its latest sale after the idiom. Through the weekend, you can apply the promo code EXTRA at checkout to take 40% off your entire order. Swimwear is the one exception, which is 20% off across the board with that same code. Bodum 34-Ounce Kenya French Press Coffee Maker Bodum may not have made the cut as one of the best French press coffee makers we tested, but today's discount changes things. Walmart is dropping the 34-ounce brewer to its best price of the year at $20. Lego Botanicals Lucky Bamboo Set Heading into the weekend, this buildable bamboo plant Lego set is dropping to its best price ever at $24 on Amazon. I simply love these buildable botanicals, and find they're a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. Plus, you won't have to worry about watering this set like a normal plant. Macy's Easter Weekend Sale Through the end of Sunday, save up to 50% across everything that Macy's sells. That includes spring-ready outfits for the whole family as well as shoes, handbags and so much more. Google TV Streamer 4K The very first discount on the new Google TV Streamer 4K has arrived. Amazon is taking 21% off with the new all-time low price cut, offering the Chromecast successor for a more reasonable price. If it has been this price at launch, we would have likely included it as a top contender for the best streaming media player. Google Pixel 9 Smartphones If you're looking to upgrade to a new smartphone before tariff pricing takes effect, Amazon has you covered with some Google Pixel deals. Several of the newest devices, including the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, are hundreds of dollars off. EcoFlow Mega Sale Several of the best solar generators we tested are now on sale as part of EcoFlow's latest sale. With hundreds of dollars in savings across different price points, now is the time to add a little extra portable power to your camping kit or emergency setup. There are also some extra perks for anyone who signs up for a free account. Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Vacuum A more affordable version of the best cordless handheld vacuum, this Black+Decker Dustbuster just dropped to $40 at Amazon for extending your spring cleaning endeavors beyond the limitations of a traditional vacuum. Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex Professional Hair Dryer System We're big fans of the Shark FlexStyle here at CNN Underscored, and we trust it to tame our tresses. Now the brand's SpeedStyle Pro Flex, made for bouncy blowouts and professional-grade styling, is 22% off at Amazon. Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro Portable Projector Xgimi has won our praise in the past for making one of the best projectors under $1,000. This projector is replicating that love by changing the way our associate testing writer Joe Bloss watches sports. Now the MoGo 3 Pro is on sale for the best price of the year. Cotopaxi Winter Wind Down Sale Grab duffel bags, cozy fleeces and flannels and packable puffers at some of the lowest prices of the year. For the next few hours, the outdoor brand is slashing prices on its winter apparel so you can stock your wardrobe for less. That even includes CNN Underscored's top-tested Fuego Hooded Down Jacket. Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner Since landing on the scene, the Bissell Little Green series has been beloved by cleaning enthusiasts. Our editors adore the lineup, including the new Little Green Mini. With this recent launch, we've spotted the original on sale for just $100. It's a smart buy for pet owners or parents who need to quickly and efficiently tackle spill-prone our review Supergoop! Mineral Sheer Screen If sunny days aren't enough of a sign, let this deal on a top-rated SPF brand inspire you to protect your skin this spring. Our editors appreciate Supergoop! formulas for their smooth consistencies that are easy to apply and reapply. Its formulas, like this one, hydrate your skin with a lightweight feel sans the usual white cast. Great Jones The Dutchess With Easter prep and Passover in full swing, you'll want a big pot that'll do big things. This 6.75-quart Dutch oven can handle stews, roasts, casseroles and more. Its on-sale bold cobalt blue design brings a pop of color to stovetops, ovens and tablescapes. Typically retailing for $205 at Great Jones, it just dropped to $125 in time for the holidays. Chefman 48-Ounce Obliterator Countertop Blender in Midnight From blending soups to mixing smoothies, the high-speed Obliterator can power through it all. Forego one of the biggest hassles of using a blender by simply tossing it into the dishwasher or setting it on the self-cleaning preset while filled with soap and water. It also comes with a travel jar to fuel your workouts. Best of all, our deals experts found it for $60 off at Amazon. Graza Add the most stylish bottles of olive oil to your countertop. Through April 21, cooking and dressing oils are marked 21% off during the Springsgiving Sale. The squeezy bottles make it super easy to mix into your cooking. Lands' End International Swimsuit Days Sale It's your cue to hit the beach. Coastal outfitter Lands' End just kicked off its swimsuit sale by knocking 50% off one-pieces, swim tops and bottoms, rash guards and more. It also takes up to 70% off sale items. Make sure to shop before the sale ends on today. Sony Ult Field 1 With Sony's latest two launches of the Ult, older editor-tested versions, like the Field 1, are getting rare discounts. We appreciated its reasonable price, portability and 360-degree sound. Snag it in four on-sale colors for 25% off, bringing some noise to your backyard gatherings. Kate Somerville Friends & Family Sale Get your mom a Mother's Day gift she won't return. The Friends & Family Sale just went live at Kate Somerville. With the site's promo code, take 30% off all skin care for mature skin types, including the bestselling ExfoliKate Treatment, the Sulfur Acne drying lotion and more. Apple 256GB iPad (10th Gen) While Amazon's Big Spring Sale came and went, our deals editors caught some rare deals topping some of those discounts. CNN Underscored's best iPad pick just dropped $29 below its spring Prime Day pricing for the 256GB model. We typically recommend the tablet at its full price for its fast performance and great value, so today's discount gives all the more reason to snag. Read our review Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 7000 With Toothbrush System 7000 This Philips Sonicare system is the total package. According to our experts, it comes with all the bells and whistles, including a water flosser and an electric toothbrush. If you've been eyeing an opportunity to upgrade your oral care routine for less, let this price drop from Amazon convince you. It just went on sale for the first time, meaning you can spruce up your pearly whites for less. Casper Birthday Sale It's Casper's birthday, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a sitewide sale. Take up to 30% off everything at the mattress-in-a-box brand. That includes the Snow models, which our pros appreciated for effectively keeping hot sleepers cool. These deals are better than the last sale offered by Casper. Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex in Mocha Silver We're big fans of the Shark FlexStyle here at CNN Underscored, and we trust it to tame our tresses. Now the brand's SpeedStyle Pro Flex, made for bouncy blowouts and professional-grade styling, is down to an all-time low price at Amazon. This model is meant for all hair types, has four attachments and touts a newly improved folding handle for easier our review Oura Ring Gen3 Heritage in Silver The more rugged version of the Oura Ring is matching its lowest price at Amazon. It's convenient for those looking to ditch wearable wrist fitness trackers in favor of something sleeker. It offers impressive health tracking in its easy-to-use app. Pro tip: Add it to your current ring stack for a streamlined our review Yana Sleep Overhaul your sleep routine with 20% off Yana Sleep's entire line of products until April 30. Our editors loved cozying up with the brand's body pillow and thought it helped them find the best sleep position during testing. Now it's down to $160 with this rare spring sale. SwitchBot K10+ Pro Robot Vacuum and Stick Vacuum Combo We typically know SwitchBot for its CNN Underscored-approved smart home upgrades. Now the brand released a versatile robot vacuum and stick vac combo that's seeing a $400 discount to celebrate its recent launch. The deals editors at CNN Underscored look out for your wallet on the daily, scouring sales at the top of every morning. We tap a range of techniques and consider a variety of factors to determine whether a deal is worthy of coverage, such as price history checks, available coupon codes and competitor pricing. Our team, consisting of senior editor Rikka Altland, editor Jacqueline Saguin and associate editor Elena Matarazzo, is passionate about unearthing deals that we ourselves would be tempted to shop, and we enjoy finding a great deal on a coveted item (especially one that's a top-tested by our experts) because it means that we're helping our readers make savvy buying decisions.
New York Times
21-03-2025
- New York Times
I'm Ditching My Gigantic Air Fryer for This Cute, Tiny One
Most air fryers I'm familiar with have a built-in container or a removable nonstick basket that pulls out like a drawer. The Ninja Crispi, on the other hand, is essentially a lid that attaches to either of two standalone glass containers: one 4-quart and one 6-cup. The containers are refrigerator-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe, and each comes with a corresponding lid that snaps on tight for storing leftovers. For size reference, four standard-size Russet potatoes fit comfortably inside the 4-quart glass container (left), while two standard-size Russet potatoes fit inside the 6-cup glass container (right). Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter Ninja claims that the 4-quart container can fit a 4-pound chicken. The 6-cup container is best for one or two people and can easily fit two standard-size Russet potatoes. Ninja also sells additional compatible glassware sizes online, including a 2.5-quart option, which can hold 2 pounds of chicken wings at a time. For context, my gigantic 5-quart air fryer can prepare about three salmon fillets at once. The Crispi has eight pieces that fit compactly inside one another for easy storage. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter The Crispi comes with eight individual pieces—a 1,500-watt air fryer hub with an attached 3-foot power cord, the 4-quart and 6-cup glass cooking containers and matching lids, large and small crisper plates, and an adapter (for the larger container)—all of which can be stored separately. You can use it in two configurations: the 4-quart setup, which weighs about 9 pounds, and the smaller, 6-cup setup, which weighs about 6.5 pounds. Overall, the components feel durable and sturdy, and the Ninja Crispi is covered by a one-year limited warranty if you purchase the appliance through an authorized SharkNinja retailer. The Crispi offers only four automatic presets for regulating the temperature: Recrisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Max Crisp. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter The heating console features a simple control panel with four buttons: start (to power the machine on and off), mode (to select from its four cooking presets), and two additional buttons, a plus sign and a minus sign (to increase or reduce the cooking time). The four cooking presets activate four automatic temperature and fan-speed settings: Recrisp (380 °F to 400 °F), Bake (375 °F to 400 °F), Air Fry (400 °F to 425 °F), and the high-heat Max Crisp (425 °F to 450 °F). When you select a preset, the air fryer provides a suggested cooking time, which you can adjust depending on what you're making. The machine also can detect which container is underneath it and adjust the cooking preset to account for the difference in volume. Setting up the Crispi is simple. First, insert the appropriate crisper plate into the bottom of the glass container. Then, add the food. Next, attach the heating pod (if you're using the 4-quart option, place it on top of the adapter until it clicks) atop the glass container. Finally, select the cooking preset and toss the food occasionally for best results. I tested the Air Fry and Max Crisp modes by preparing two frozen foods: french fries and battered cod fillets. But right off the bat, I encountered one of the Crispi's most significant pain points: its nonadjustable temperature settings. Since you're limited to the four presets and their respective predetermined temperature ranges, you have no way to adjust the temperature according to a recipe. For example, if a recipe calls for air frying at 375 °F, you can't do that with the Crispi's Air Fryer preset, which automatically heats to a temperature range between 400 °F and 425 °F. However, since the fan circulates air on all four settings, not just when air frying, I'd recommend choosing a preset based on the closest temperature range, as opposed to the cooking technique. When in doubt, I found the reference charts at the end of the quick-start guide (PDF) included with the Ninja Crispi helpful for determining which preset to use, depending on what I was making. However, it could get cumbersome to have to dig out the manual or find it online each time you set out to cook something, rather than simply relying on the recipe's instructions. The four cooking presets are each preprogrammed with a temperature range. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter For example, the instructions for the store-bought frozen french fries I cooked called for air-frying the 2-pound bag at 400 °F for 12 minutes. However, Ninja's air fryer reference chart recommended that I cook the fries for 30 to 35 minutes in the 4-quart container using the Max Crisp setting, which is 425 °F to 450 °F). I opted for the latter approach and found that 30 minutes on the Max Crisp setting was the sweet spot for producing ultra-crispy, crunchy french fries. I was surprised, considering that it was 25 degrees higher and more than double the time that the packaging recommended. I was extremely pleased with the results and found that the fries were for the most part uniformly crisped, aside from one corner that I neglected to toss adequately halfway through the cooking time. Considering the Crispi's compact setup, I was impressed by its mostly even air circulation and heat distribution. Also, the more acquainted I got with each temperature setting, the easier it was for me to adjust a recipe without relying on Ninja's reference charts. A 2-pound bag of frozen french fries easily fit into the 4-quart container. However, the bottom-right corner turned out more browned, as I neglected to toss that area adequately halfway through cooking. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter I put the air fryer setting to the test by air-frying frozen battered cod fillets. This process went smoothly and required minimal futzing since the packaging instructions required no conversion to translate to the Crispi's automatic temperature presets. After cooking seven pieces of battered cod in the 4-quart container, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, I found that they were evenly crisp on all sides, golden, and thoroughly warmed. Each piece had a nice crunch as I bit into it, and it tasted as if it had been freshly fried. Seven pieces of battered cod comfortably fit inside the 4-quart container, and after 12 minutes of air frying, they were perfectly crispy and uniformly golden on all sides. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter I was surprised to find that the Crispi required no preheating whatsoever. However, the glassware gets very hot fairly quickly; the Crispi has several caution stickers that advise you to wear oven mitts when handling them. I'd recommend exercising caution when using this device anywhere near small children or pets. The plastic handles attached to the glass containers were safe to touch, and the feet on them prevented the countertop from heating up underneath. I detected only a small amount of residual heat after removing the glass container from where it had sat for about 15 minutes. (Ninja recommends using the Crispi only on granite, laminate, quartz, butcher block, and marble surfaces.) As the caution label states, you should wear oven mitts for safety when handling the hot glassware. However, the counter-safe feet are effective in preventing heat from transferring to nearby surfaces. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter When you lift the heating console from the glassware, it automatically pauses, which is a nice safety feature. (If you place it back on top and press the start button, it'll pick up where it left off.) The console is very warm right after cooking—so be sure to handle it carefully—but you can safely place it on a heatproof surface thanks to its footed design. Note that Ninja advises against using any non-Crispi glassware and to immediately stop using any damaged or cracked glassware. After preparing chicken meatballs both with and without the crisper-plate insert, I found that the crisper plate made all the difference in uniformly crisping and browning foods. First, I used the bake setting to cook the meatballs directly inside the glass container, no crisper plate, for 15 minutes while keeping a close eye on them to monitor browning. I also avoided tossing the contents halfway through the cooking time just to see what the results would be. As I anticipated, the tops of the meatballs were adequately browned, while the bottoms were completely colorless. I repeated the process with the crisper plate inside to keep the meatballs elevated from the glass surface. In this case, the meatballs came out perfectly cooked, with nicely browned bottoms. Even without my tossing the meatballs, the crisper plate was enough to promote even browning on all sides. The meatballs were colorless before they were baked (left). When baked directly in the glass container, they cooked unevenly (middle). When baked on top of the crisper plate, they cooked evenly (right). Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter One of Ninja's biggest claims about the Crispi is that it's portable, which makes it ideal for potlucks, camping, road trips, or a stay in a vacation rental. So I put it to the test by taking the 6-cup container setup along with the heating console on my hour-long commute home from the office (the Crispi had been delivered to Wirecutter's headquarters). I packed leftover meatballs and battered cod from the day's testing in the 6-cup container (atop the crisper plate) with its snap-on lid. After I chucked the container into a medium-size tote bag along with the heating console, I still had ample room to stash a quart-size deli cup, another small storage container, and my water bottle. Altogether, the bag wasn't too heavy, and it felt manageable to carry slung on my shoulder. Storing leftovers directly in the cooking container saves time when you want to reheat them. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter I was impressed by how well the Crispi traveled as I took it with me on the subway and a city bus. I'm sure my fellow commuters would've gotten a kick out of knowing what I had stealthily tucked in my bag. One thing's for sure: I could never do the same with the hulking air fryer I currently own. Once I got home, I used the reheat function to warm up the leftovers. They turned out just as good as, if not better than, the first time around. The food was evenly warmed, with no hot spots or singes. I took the Crispi on a joyride from our testing facility in Long Island City, New York, to my home in New Jersey. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter One of my favorite features of the Crispi is its ability to break down into smaller, more manageable pieces, which makes storing, cleaning, and commuting with it noticeably easier. For comparison's sake, I placed the Crispi and the Instant Mini Vortex 4-in-1 (the Wirecutter-recommended pick for single servings and small spaces) side by side. The Crispi was noticeably more compact and arguably cuter than the Mini Vortex. It also helps that you can stash all the individual pieces of the Crispi separately (or compactly together) and that the glassware doubles as storage containers. And since everything disassembles easily, cleaning the Crispi is much more seamless than the often tedious task of getting into the hard-to-reach areas of basket-style air fryers in my experience. The Vortex Mini features a 2-quart basket, which is half the size of the Crispi's large, 4-quart container. However, the Crispi, at a typical price of $180, is considerably more expensive than the $60 Mini Vortex. A side-by-side comparison of the Instant Mini Vortex and the Ninja Crispi. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter You can easily store the pieces of the Crispi separately, which is a nice perk. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter The Crispi (left) has a 4-quart max capacity, while the Mini Vortex's (right) is 2-quart. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter A side-by-side comparison of the Instant Mini Vortex and the Ninja Crispi. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter All of the Crispi's parts are dishwasher-safe, with the exception of the heating console, which you should clean by hand (while it's unplugged and cool enough to handle) using a damp cloth. You can wash the rest of the pieces by hand or in the dishwasher. Although washing the Crispi is extremely easy, drying it is a bit more tedious. My main frustration is that drying the gap between the heatproof handles and the glass container is nearly impossible. To remedy the situation, I had to prop the glass container at an angle to help the residual water droplets escape the narrow area more easily. The Crispi is dishwasher-safe, except for the heating console, which you should clean by hand using a damp cloth once it's cool enough to handle. However, one downside is that water droplets tend to accumulate in the difficult-to-dry space between the permanent handles and the glass container. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter I think the Crispi is a game changer for avid meal preppers or people with small kitchens. It's more spacious than other, comparable basket-style models, and during my testing it took on crisping large batches of french fries and reheating leftovers without any issue. It also lived up to its portability claims, commuting home from work with me without any hiccups. It's far less conspicuous than many air fryer pods, and it comes in several attractive colors. Although it's not as versatile as an air fryer toaster oven, it's more compact. I'm going to continue testing this Ninja Crispi, which Ninja sent to us for testing purposes, alongside my colleagues who cover air fryers, to see how it holds up over time and how it stacks up against our current air fryer picks. But as soon as it leaves my kitchen for one of my colleagues', I plan on buying a Crispi for myself. This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Marguerite Preston. We've tested dozens of pod-shaped air fryers, and the best is the Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L, which crisps and browns more evenly than the competition. If you want an appliance that's more versatile than a pod-shaped air fryer, we recommend the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro . We spent a few days with the viral Ninja Creami . We see the appeal, but we don't think this niche appliance is built to last or earns its price tag. The Slushi is not perfect, but it's worth the splurge if a nostalgia-inducing slushy is what you crave.
