Latest news with #NinjaKitchen
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
You can now buy the Ninja Slushi XL — and it's cheaper than the original
When Ninja first launched its viral Slushi machine, the brand hinted that an XL model would be on the way. But over a year later, we've still not seen the Slushi XL drop on NinjaKitchen. But, because we're pretty eagle-eyed for all things Ninja here at Tom's Guide, we've spotted the elusive machine available to buy for the very first time. There's only one catch — the 96-oz Slushi XL is a Costco member exclusive. And while you can't see the price until you log into your account, we're seeing the price at $329 — that's $20 less than the standard model Ninja Slushi, available at Amazon for $ we're excited to hear about Ninja's Slushi XL, the frozen drinks maker is not that easy to get your hands on unless you're a Costco member. Still, we're hopeful that this is a sign it will be more widely available soon, and we'll keep you posted about the latest stockist news. So, what makes the Ninja Slushi XL such a good buy? The professional-level frozen drinks maker can turn all sorts of liquids into servable slush in 15 minutes, thanks to its RapidChill technology. But unlike the standard Ninja Slushi, which only launched in July last year, the Slushi XL increases on the standard capacity of 64-ounces to 96-ounces. That's a whole lot more slush for a crowd. What's more, for $329 you don't just get the Slushi XL, you come away with two highly desirable slushy cups, so you can sip your iced drink in true Ninja style. The cups match the Ninja Slushi colorways, and have clear lids and drinking straws. As with the standard Ninja Slushi, you get five settings to choose from, including slush, spiked slush (for those who like to add a drop of alcohol), frappé, milkshake and frozen juice. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Whatever chilled or ice drink you or your guests fancy, there's a whole load of choice and you'll be guaranteed a perfect summer party.
CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
I Tested Ninja's New $1,000 Grill with Built-in Smoker and Convection Fan
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 8.3 / 10 SCORE Ninja FlexFlame $1,000 at Ninja Kitchen Pros Built-in smoker can add smoky flavor to food with the push of a button Convection fan provides fast preheating and heat recovery, and even cooking Feels well built and includes a 10-year warranty Griddle attachment offers mess-free cooking of flaky fish and vegetables Large 424 square-inch grill top Cons A big grill means a lot of grill to clean Must be plugged in to operate, and the power cord is short Accessories are sold separately Expensive Ninja FlexFlame 8.3/10 CNET Score $1,000 at Ninja Kitchen Grills aren't just simple machines with iron grates over hot coals or burners like they used to be. There are smart grills with top-down broilers, pellet grills that burn at ultra-precise temps and those mobile apps to manage your ribs and brisket without leaving the pool lounger. Ninja, ever the innovators in kitchen gear, has launched its first-ever full-sized gas grill and it's one of the most feature-heavy we've tried. The $1,000 FlexFlame Grill is a beast of a BBQ with large cooking surface, built-in smoker box and convection fan to mimic the evenness and precision of an indoor oven. There are also attachments to turn the grill into a griddle or pizza oven, making it one of the most versatile on the market. The Ninja's clean appearance hides a dynamic grill top that can turn into a griddle, smoker, roaster or pizza oven. David Watsky/CNET So is the Ninja FlexFlame really worth $1,000? I tested it for weeks and was wholly impressed with the form and function but a grill this expensive only makes sense for someone who takes advantage of all it has to offer. Here's everything you need to know about the flashy new Ninja FlexFlame. What's different about the Ninja FlexFlame? The FlexFlame looks like your average outdoor three-burner gas grill but unique features include: A convection fan for even cooking and precise temperature control. A built-in pellet smoker allows you to impart smoky flavor into any food. The dynamic grill top transforms into a flat-top griddle, roaster and pizza oven with attachments (sold separately). The built-in smoker box sets the FlexFlame apart from most of the grills we've tested. David Watsky/CNET Design and build quality The FlexFlame is sturdy and designed for easy cooking. All the add-on attachments, including the roasting rack, cast-iron griddle top and pizza stone, fit squarely in their places and are well-made. The grates and griddle are enameled cast iron and the under-cabinet space is roomy. Similar to industry leader Weber, it has a 10-year limited warranty. The grill is solid, once assembled. Adding pellets to the hopper is slightly awkward but there are no other obvious design flaws. David Watsky/CNET The stainless steel and porcelain-coated finish looks nice, but the aesthetics are nothing special. If smudgy stainless steel isn't your thing, there's a matte black edition available from Ninja or The Home Depot. Assembly and setup Assembling the grill should take one hour or more. The instructions are user-friendly and include video tutorials. In most regions, a white-glove service is available to have the grill delivered already set up for an extra cost. Cooking performance A built-in convection fan helps with evenness and efficiency The CyclonicHeat fan helps distribute air evenly over food and keeps the temperature consistent. David Watsky/CNET Once the grill is set up and plugged in (yes, it requires electricity to operate) and ignited using the ignition system, all the burners are ignited, and a built-in convection fan begins to pump away, I was able to choose a cooking method ranging from a precise low and slow cook or roaring high heat as hot as 600 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for pizza. Preheating the oven to its hottest 600 degrees Fahrenheit takes about 10 minutes, which is fast for a grill. A temperature readout on the dial lets you know when it is ready. The CylonicHeatIQ -- aka a convection fan and heat sensors -- circulates heat evenly throughout the chamber and keeps the temperature consistent. I saw this feature on display when I roasted a whole chicken with a can of light lager up its rear. It was done in less than 45 minutes and the skin was crispy and the bird was evenly cooked. Lightning-fast temperature recovery Even if the lid was opened, the FlexFlame recovered the set temperature much faster than other grills. David Watsky/CNET The convection fan also gives this grill quick temperature recovery via powerful burners and a convection fan. If I opened the lid to check cooking progress, I typically returned to temperature within a few seconds of closing it again. Grilling: This grill gets screaming hot and the temperature readout helps determine when it's ready for action. I found it easy to get a great sear on the burgers, salmon and chicken I cooked on it. Grilling on the FlexFlame wasn't much different from grilling on other quality grills I've used. The Ninja FlexFlame's smoker and a low, slow heat from the burners combined to make some mighty tasty ribs. David Watsky/CNET Smoking: The FlexFlame's marquis feature is the built-in smoker box. All it takes is to drop a cupful of wood pellets into the hopper. Once the grill is fired up, either on low/slow mode or a higher heat, you close the hood and tap the woodfire flavor button and the system starts pumping smoke inside. These were some of the better ribs I've made and it couldn't have been easier. David Watsky/CNET I used the smoker to cook a rack of pork ribs at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours. They were tender and juicy with a pleasant, light smoky flavor. I then cooked beef ribs at a lower temperature but for a longer time and the smokiness was more pronounced. I let the beef ribs smoke for even longer and it totally paid off. David Watsky/CNET Griddle: As much as I enjoyed the smoker, the feature I found myself using most was the half or full griddle insert and I recommend buying those add-on accessories. While beef and chicken are often the stars of a barbecue menu, I love cooking the whole meal out there. That often includes veggies, potatoes or flaky fish that can break apart and fall through the grates onto the burners and into a wretched mess. If you get the Ninja FlexFlame, the half griddle attachment is a must. David Watsky/CNET The FlexFlame griddle sits firmly next to the grill grates, so you can use both surfaces at the same time. Chicken and beef get kissed by the flames and attractive grill marks, while salmon enjoys a fierce sear yet stays intact on the griddle side. Toss broccoli or diced mushrooms drizzled with olive oil with them, and you've got a meal in less than 15 minutes. You can grill flaky fish or make a diner-style breakfast on the FlexFlame's griddle. David Watsky/CNET Pizza: Because the oven can reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit and hold its temperature consistently, it's an ideal grill for making pizza, especially if you order the pizza stone attachment ($50). Precision heat for expanded outdoor cooking The grill cooked my beer can chicken evenly in less than 45 minutes. David Watsky/CNET Along with the griddle insert and option to smoke, a feature of the FlexFlame I fell for was the digital control panel with precision temperature settings ranging from 200 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. With most grills, the temperature inside the grill is a guessing game and it often doesn't correspond directly to the setting on the dials. FlexFlame's precision allows you to use it like a traditional convection oven, even in summer, a great foil for keeping the kitchen cool on lasagna night. Perfect grill for steaks and thick cuts of meat The FlexFlame allows you to cook using different methods and surfaces at the same time. David Watsky/CNET Fussy carnivores know that the best way to cook a thick cut of meat like ribeye, filet or pork chop is to sear the outside on both sides and finish it with indirect heat in the oven. Because this grill can imitate an oven with more precise convection cooking, you can do both right in the FlexFlame's cooking chamber. Simply move the seared steak up to a roasting rack to finish and stick it with a meat thermometer to nail the doneness. It's a beast to clean A grill big enough to accommodate all those features and functions means there is a lot of real estate to clean afterward and maintain. That's especially true after a long, slow, low cook such as ribs, brisket or pork shoulder. None of the grill's components are advertised as dishwasher safe, requiring manual cleaning. Slow cooking combined with convection heat can result in a good deal of mess to clean up after. David Watsky/CNET Fatty foods ooze grease and the convection fan blows air around so things can move more than in a typical grill. There's a grease trap and management system, which is particularly useful when griddling, but it can only do so much. All grilling requires cleanup but expect a relatively robust cleaning session after each use of the FlexFlame. Read more: How to Clean Your Grill like a Pro It must be plugged in to work, which is kind of annoying This is my first grill to require electricity, and there were times I wished it didn't. The power cord attached to the grill is short -- I assume for safety -- so you'll need an extension cord. My home doesn't have outdoor outlets, so running a cord out the back meant I could not close the storm door. Within a few minutes of using the smoker feature, much of that smoke had snuck its way into the house. Not exactly where you want it. Conclusion: The pricey FlexFlame is worth it for the right person The new Ninja FlexFlame has all the makings for a delicious summer. David Watsky/CNET The Ninja FlexFlame offers more than most gas grills, including impressive temperature control, a dynamic grill top and the option to smoke your food with the push of a button. At $1,000 for the grill only, it costs more than most, especially if you nab the add-ons. (I like the half griddle pan best.) Because of this, you'd be wise to consider all that the Ninja offers and whether you'll use these features regularly to justify the cost. If you're smoker- or barbecue-curious or have been considering an outdoor pizza oven or flattop grill, the FlexFlame can stand in valiantly for all three outdoor cooking appliances. Plus, it delivers all the trappings of a sturdy and high-functioning gas grill. If you're not in the market for those other tools, just a great grill; the exceptional Weber 3-Burner Spirit E-33 or E-321 can be yours for roughly half the price.
15-05-2025
- Business
Memorial Day 2025: Kitchen deals you can shop now
Shop Memorial Day kitchen sales on brands like Ninja, Staub and more. Early Memorial Day deals are here, and the news is that additional sales are on the horizon. We're keeping track of some of the biggest Memorial Day weekend sales, including discounts on kitchen must-haves and upgrades. This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26, but some brands have already started sales: The Container Store, for example, now has 30% off storage solutions, including pantry bins and drawer organizers. Its Memorial Day sale kicks off May 22. Sur La Table is running a Weekend Cookware Sale with up to 50% off brands like Staub and Le Creuset, and The Home Depot just kicked off its Memorial Day sale, running now through May 28. Continue below for more information and early deals to add to cart! By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave and and these e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. SOME PRICES ARE DYNAMIC AND MAY CHANGE FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Have questions about ordering or a purchase? Click here. Memorial Day kitchen sales From May 22-28, shop 30% off online at The Container Store. From May 16-27, take 20% off sitewide at Lulu and Georgia. Lulu and Georgia has beautiful, functional kitchen décor like an artisanal stoneware colander, hand-carved kitchen utensils and robust kitchen islands. GE will offer deals on refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, microwaves and more for its Memorial Day appliance sale. The Home Depot's Memorial Day Deals kick off May 15. Shop deals on appliances from brands like LG, Frigidaire, Whirlpool and more. From May 17-26, shop Ninja Kitchen deals on the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven, Ninja Blast Portable Blender, cookware sets and more. Ruggable's Memorial Day sale will run May 19-26: Take 20% off sitewide with code MEMDAY and find a washable kitchen rug or runner that suits your home. "Can't wait? Shop early Memorial Day sales now" 32% off Wayfair Lark Manor Annibelle 67.5'' Kitchen Pantry Reorganize and redecorate your kitchen with this pretty pantry, now under $200. $162.99 $241 Wayfair Shop Now 23% off Amazon 15% off Ninja Kitchen Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Frozen Treat Maker & Waffle Maker Indulge in ice cream and frozen treats -- with a side of warm waffles -- thanks to this Ninja bundle. $279.98 $329.98 Ninja Kitchen Shop Now 8% off Ninja Kitchen 50% off Sur La Table 25% off The Container Store iDESIGN Linus Pantry Bins Organize your pantry snacks and staples with clear bins from The Container Store. $11.99 to $89.97 $15.99 - $119.96 The Container Store Shop Now
CNET
15-05-2025
- CNET
Ninja's First Full-Size Gas Grill Is 4 Appliances in 1. Here's My Review
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 8.3 / 10 SCORE Ninja FlexFlame $1,000 at Ninja Kitchen Pros Built-in smoker can add smoky flavor to food with the push of a button Convection fan provides fast preheating and heat recovery, and even cooking Feels well built and includes a 10-year warranty Griddle attachment offers mess-free cooking of flaky fish and vegetables Large 424 square-inch grill top Cons A big grill means lots of grill to clean Must be plugged in to operate, and the power cord is short Accessories are sold separately Expensive Ninja FlexFlame 8.3/10 CNET Score $1,000 at Ninja Kitchen Ninja is unabashedly one of our favorite producers of kitchen gear and gadgets. The innovators recently blessed us with our new favorite air fryer, complete with a show-offy glass cooking chamber. Then they dropped an upgraded version of their viral ice cream maker that had our New York office melting faster than a scoop in July. Now, Ninja's crashing the full-size grill party with the FlexFlame Grill, a beast of a BBQ that's as multitasking as your group chat on a Friday night. And just in time for May, a.k.a. the unofficial kickoff to grilling season. Coincidence? Not a chance. The Ninja's clean appearance hides a dynamic grill top that can turn into a griddle, smoker, roaster or pizza oven. David Watsky/CNET The five-in-one outdoor cooker is a powerhouse when it comes to grilling and roasting, easily converting into a sleek griddle and featuring a handy built-in pellet smoker to infuse meat, fish, and vegetables with rich barbecue flavor. To find out how well Ninja's bold entry into the large grill market holds up, I donned my best barbecue gloves and put the FlexFlame to the test for a month. So is it worth your $1,000 to take this feature-heavy grill home? Here's everything you need to know about the flashy new Ninja FlexFlame. What's different about the Ninja FlexFlame? The FlexFlame looks like your average outdoor three-burner gas grill, but unique features include: A convection fan for even cooking and precise temperature control. A built-in pellet smoker allows you to impart smoky flavor into any food. The dynamic grill top transforms into a flat-top griddle, roaster and pizza oven with attachments (sold separately). The built-in smoker box sets the FlexFlame apart from most of the grills we've tested. David Watsky/CNET Design and build quality The FlexFlame is sturdy and designed for easy cooking. All the add-on attachments, including the roasting rack, cast-iron griddle top, and pizza stone, fit squarely in their places and are well-made. The grates and griddle are enameled cast iron, and the under-cabinet space is roomy. Similar to industry leader Weber, it has a 10-year limited warranty. The grill is solid, once assembled. Adding pellets to the hopper is slightly awkward but there are no other obvious design flaws. David Watsky/CNET The stainless steel and porcelain-coated finish looks nice, but the aesthetics are nothing special. If smudgy stainless steel isn't your thing, there's a matte black edition available from Ninja or The Home Depot. Assembly and setup Assembling the grill should take one hour or more. The instructions are user-friendly and include video tutorials. In most regions, a white glove service is available to have the grill delivered already set up for an extra cost. Cooking performance A built-in convection fan helps with evenness and efficiency The CyclonicHeat fan helps distribute air evenly over food and keeps the temperature consistent. David Watsky/CNET Once the grill is set up and plugged in (yes, it requires electricity to operate) and ignited using the ignition system, all the burners are ignited, and a built-in convection fan begins to pump away. I was able to choose a cooking method ranging from a precise low and slow cook or roaring high heat as hot as 600 degrees F, perfect for pizza. Preheating the oven to its hottest 600 degrees Fahrenheit takes about 10 minutes, which is fast for a grill. A temperature readout on the dial lets you know when it is ready. The CylonicHeatIQ -- aka a convection fan and heat sensors -- circulates heat evenly throughout the chamber and keeps the temperature consistent. I saw this feature on display when I roasted a whole chicken with a can of light lager up its rear. It was done in less than 45 minutes, and the skin was crispy, and the bird was evenly cooked. Lightning-fast temperature recovery Even if the lid was opened, the FlexFlame recovered the set temperature much faster than other grills. David Watsky/CNET The convection fan also gives this grill quick temperature recovery via powerful burners and a convection fan. If I opened the lid to check cooking progress, I typically returned to temperature within a few seconds of closing it again. Grilling: This grill gets screaming hot, and the temperature readout helps determine when it's ready for action. I found it easy to get a great sear on the burgers, salmon and chicken I cooked on it. Grilling on the FlexFlame wasn't much different from grilling on other quality grills I've used. The Ninja FlexFlame's smoker and a low, slow heat from the burners combined to make some mighty tasty ribs. David Watsky/CNET Smoking: The FlexFlame's marquis feature is the built-in smoker box. All it takes is to drop a cupful of wood pellets into the hopper. Once the grill is fired up, either on low/slow mode or a higher heat, you close the hood and tap the woodfire flavor button, and the system starts pumping smoke inside. These were some of the better ribs I've made and it couldn't have been easier. David Watsky/CNET I used the smoker to cook a rack of pork ribs at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours. They were tender and juicy with a pleasant, light smoky flavor. I then cooked beef ribs at a lower temperature but for a longer time, and the smokiness was more pronounced. I let the beef ribs smoke for even longer and it totally paid off. David Watsky/CNET Griddle: As much as I enjoyed the smoker, the feature I found myself using most was the half or full griddle insert, and I recommend buying those add-on accessories. While beef and chicken are often the stars of a barbecue menu, I love cooking the whole meal out there. That often includes veggies, potatoes or flaky fish that can break apart and fall through the grates onto the burners and into a wretched mess. If you get the Ninja FlexFlame, the half griddle attachment is a must. David Watsky/CNET The FlexFlame griddle sits firmly next to the grill grates, so you can use both surfaces at the same time. Chicken and beef get kissed by the flames and attractive grill marks, while salmon enjoys a fierce sear yet stays intact on the griddle side. Toss broccoli or diced mushrooms drizzled with olive oil with them, and you've got a meal in under 15 minutes. You can grill flaky fish or make a diner-style breakfast on the FlexFlame's griddle. David Watsky/CNET Pizza: Because the oven can reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit and hold its temperature consistently, it's an ideal grill for making pizza, especially if you order the pizza stone attachment ($50). Precision heat for expanded outdoor cooking The grill cooked my beer can chicken evenly in under 45 minutes. David Watsky/CNET Along with the griddle insert and option to smoke, a feature of the FlexFlame I fell for was the digital control panel with precision temperature settings ranging from 200 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. With most grills, the temperature inside the grill is a guessing game, and it often doesn't correspond directly to the setting on the dials. FlexFlame's precision allows you to use it like a traditional convection oven, even in summer, a great foil for keeping the kitchen cool on lasagna night. Perfect grill for steaks and thick cuts of meat The FlexFlame allows you to cook using different methods and surfaces at the same time. David Watsky/CNET Fussy carnivores know that the best way to cook a thick cut of meat like ribeye, filet or pork chop is to sear the outside on both sides and finish it with indirect heat in the oven. Since this grill can imitate an oven with more precise convection cooking, you can do both right in the FlexFlame's cooking chamber. Simply move the seared steak up to a roasting rack to finish, and stick it with a meat thermometer to nail the doneness. It's a beast to clean A grill big enough to accommodate all those features and functions means there is a lot of real estate to clean afterward and maintain. That's especially true after a long, slow, low cook such as ribs, brisket or pork shoulder. None of the grill's components are advertised as dishwasher safe, requiring manual cleaning. Slow cooking combined with convection heat can result in a good deal of mess to clean up after. David Watsky/CNET Fatty foods ooze grease, and the convection fan blows air around so things can move more than in a typical grill. There's a grease trap and management system, which is particularly useful when griddling, but it can only do so much. All grilling requires cleanup, but expect a relatively robust cleaning session after each use of the FlexFlame. Read more: How to Clean Your Grill like a Pro It must be plugged in to work, which is kind of annoying This is my first grill to require electricity, and there were times I wished it didn't. The power cord attached to the grill is short -- I assume for safety -- so you'll need an extension cord. My home doesn't have outdoor outlets, so running a cord out the back meant I could not close the storm door. Within a few minutes of using the smoker feature, much of that smoke had snuck its way into the house. Not exactly where you want it. Conclusion: The pricey FlexFlame is worth it for the right person The new Ninja FlexFlame has all the makings for a delicious summer. David Watsky/CNET The Ninja FlexFlame offers more than most gas grills, including impressive temperature control, a dynamic grill top and the option to smoke your food with the push of a button. At $1,000 for the grill only, it costs more than most, especially if you nab the add-ons. (I like the half griddle pan best.) Because of this, you'd be wise to consider all that the Ninja offers and whether or not you'll use these features regularly to justify the cost. If you're smoker- or barbecue-curious or have been considering an outdoor pizza oven or flattop grill, the FlexFlame can stand in valiantly for all three outdoor cooking appliances. Plus, it delivers all the trappings of a sturdy and high-functioning gas grill. If you're not in the market for those other tools, just a great grill; the exceptional Weber 3-Burner Spirit E-33 or E-321 can be yours for roughly half the price.
CNET
12-05-2025
- CNET
Ninja Is Trying to Reinvent the Grill With Its $1,000 FlexFlame, and I Tried It
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 8.3 / 10 SCORE Ninja FlexFlame $1,000 at Ninja Kitchen Pros Built-in smoker can add smoky flavor to food with the push of a button Convection fan provides fast preheating and heat recovery, and even cooking Feels well built and includes a 10-year warranty Griddle attachment offers mess-free cooking of flaky fish and vegetables Large 424 square-inch grill top Cons A big grill means lots of grill to clean Must be plugged in to operate, and the power cord is short Accessories are sold separately Expensive Ninja FlexFlame 8.3/10 CNET Score $1,000 at Ninja Kitchen Ninja is on a roll. Not only has the brand given us our new favorite air fryer with a genius glass cooking chamber, but the next-gen version of its viral ice cream maker also had our New York office swooning. Ninja, famous for smart spins on classic kitchen tools and appliances, has entered the full-size grill chat with its monster, multipurpose FlexFlame grill. As we roll into May and outdoor cooking season, Ninja's timing is no accident. The Ninja's clean appearance hides a dynamic grill top that can turn into a griddle, roaster or pizza oven. David Watsky/CNET The five-in-one outdoor cooker grills and roasts like a beast, transforms into a slick griddle, and sports a nifty built-in smoker powered by pellets to add barbecue smoke flavor to meat, fish, and veggies. To see how Ninja's ambitious large grill debut performs in real life, I put on my best BBQ gloves and tried the FlexFlame for about a month So is it worth your $1,000 to take this Franken-grill home? Here's everything you need to know about the new Ninja FlexFlame. What's different about the Ninja FlexFlame? The FlexFlame looks like your average outdoor three-burner gas grill, but unique features include: A convection fan for even cooking and precise temperature control. A built-in pellet smoker allows you to impart smoky flavor into any food. The dynamic grill top transforms into a griddle, roaster and pizza oven with attachments (sold separately). The built-in smoker box sets the FlexFlame apart from most of the grills we've tested. David Watsky/CNET Design and build quality The FlexFlame is sturdy and designed for easy cooking. All the add-on attachments, including the roasting rack, griddle top, and pizza stone, fit squarely in their places. The attachments are also well-made. The grates and griddle are enameled cast iron, and the under-cabinet space is roomy. Similar to industry leader Weber, it has a 10-year limited warranty. The grill is solid, once assembled. Adding pellets to the hopper is slightly awkward but there are no other obvious design flaws. David Watsky/CNET The stainless steel and porcelain-coated finish looks nice, but the aesthetics are nothing special. If smudgy stainless steel isn't your thing, there's a matte black edition available from Ninja or The Home Depot. Assembly and setup Assembling the grill should take one hour or more. The instructions are user-friendly and include video tutorials. In most regions, a white glove service is available to have the grill delivered already set up for an extra cost. Cooking performance A built-in convection fan helps with evenness and efficiency The CyclonicHeat fan helps distribute air evenly over food and keeps the temperature consistent. David Watsky/CNET Once the grill is set up and plugged in (yes, it requires electricity to operate) and ignited using the ignition system, all the burners are ignited, and a built-in convection fan begins to pump away. I was able to choose a cooking method ranging from a precise low and slow cook or roaring high heat as hot as 600 degrees F, perfect for pizza. Preheating the oven to its hottest 600 degrees Fahrenheit takes about 10 minutes, which is fast for a grill. A temperature readout on the dial lets you know when it is ready. The CylonicHeatIQ -- aka a convection fan and heat sensors -- circulates heat evenly throughout the chamber and keeps the temperature consistent. I saw this feature on display when I roasted a whole chicken with a can of light lager up its rear. It was done in less than 45 minutes, and the skin was crispy, and the bird was evenly cooked. Lightning-fast temperature recovery Even if the lid was opened, the FlexFlame recovered the set temperature much faster than other grills. David Watsky/CNET The convection fan also gives this grill quick temperature recovery via powerful burners and a convection fan. If I opened the lid to check cooking progress, I typically returned to temperature within a few seconds of closing it again. Grilling: This grill gets screaming hot, and the temperature readout helps determine when it's ready for action. I found it easy to get a great sear on the burgers, salmon and chicken I cooked on it. Grilling on the FlexFlame wasn't much different from grilling on other quality grills I've used. The Ninja FlexFlame's smoker and a low, slow heat from the burners combined to make some mighty tasty ribs. David Watsky/CNET Smoking: The FlexFlame's marquis feature is the built-in smoker box. All it takes is to drop a cupful of wood pellets into the hopper. Once the grill is fired up, either on low/slow mode or a higher heat, you close the hood and tap the woodfire flavor button, and the system starts pumping smoke inside. These were some of the better ribs I've made and it couldn't have been easier. David Watsky/CNET I used the smoker to cook a rack of pork ribs at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours. They were tender and juicy with a pleasant, light smoky flavor. I then cooked beef ribs at a lower temperature but for a longer time, and the smokiness was more pronounced. I let the beef ribs smoke for even longer and it totally paid off. David Watsky/CNET Griddle: As much as I enjoyed the smoker, the feature I found myself using most was the half or full griddle insert, and I recommend buying those add-on accessories. While beef and chicken are often the stars of a barbecue menu, I love cooking the whole meal out there. That often includes veggies, potatoes or flaky fish that can break apart and fall through the grates onto the burners and into a wretched mess. If you get the Ninja FlexFlame, the half griddle attachment is a must. David Watsky/CNET The FlexFlame griddle sits firmly next to the grill grates, so you can use both surfaces at the same time. Chicken and beef get kissed by the flames and attractive grill marks, while salmon enjoys a fierce sear yet stays intact on the griddle side. Toss broccoli or diced mushrooms drizzled with olive oil with them, and you've got a meal in under 15 minutes. You can grill flaky fish or make a diner-style breakfast on the FlexFlame's griddle. David Watsky/CNET Pizza: Because the oven can reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit and hold its temperature consistently, it's an ideal grill for making pizza, especially if you order the pizza stone attachment ($50). Precision heat for expanded outdoor cooking The grill cooked my beer can chicken evenly in under 45 minutes. David Watsky/CNET Along with the griddle insert and option to smoke, a feature of the FlexFlame I fell for was the digital control panel with precision temperature settings ranging from 200 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. With most grills, the temperature inside the grill is a guessing game, and it often doesn't correspond directly to the setting on the dials. FlexFlame's precision allows you to use it like a traditional convection oven, even in summer, a great foil for keeping the kitchen cool on lasagna night. Perfect grill for steaks and thick cuts of meat The FlexFlame allows you to cook using a few different methods at the same time. David Watsky/CNET Fussy carnivores know that the best way to cook a thick cut of meat like ribeye, filet or pork chop is to sear the outside on both sides and finish it with indirect heat in the oven. Since this grill can imitate an oven with more precise convection cooking, you can do both right in the FlexFlame's cooking chamber. Simply move the seared steak up to a roasting rack to finish, and stick it with a meat thermometer to nail the doneness. It's a beast to clean A grill big enough to accommodate all those features and functions means there is a lot of real estate to clean afterward and maintain. That's especially true after a long, slow, low cook such as ribs, brisket or pork shoulder. None of the grill's components are advertised as dishwasher safe, requiring manual cleaning. Slow cooking combined with convection heat can result in a good deal of mess to clean up after. David Watsky/CNET Fatty foods ooze grease, and the convection fan blows air around so things can move more than in a typical grill. There's a grease trap and management system, which is particularly useful when griddling, but it can only do so much. All grilling requires cleanup, but expect a relatively robust cleaning session after each use of the FlexFlame. Read more: How to Clean Your Grill like a Pro It must be plugged in to work, which is kind of annoying This is my first grill to require electricity, and there were times I wished it didn't. The power cord attached to the grill is short -- I assume for safety -- so you'll need an extension cord. My home doesn't have outdoor outlets, so running a cord out the back meant I could not close the storm door. Within a few minutes of using the smoker feature, much of that smoke had snuck its way into the house. Not exactly where you want it. Conclusion: The pricey FlexFlame is worth it for the right person The new Ninja FlexFlame has all the makings for a delicious summer. David Watsky/CNET The Ninja FlexFlame offers more than most gas grills, including impressive temperature control, a dynamic grill top and the option to smoke your food with the push of a button. At $1,000 for the grill only, it costs more than most, especially if you nab the add-ons. (I like the half griddle pan best.) Because of this, you'd be wise to consider all that the Ninja offers and whether or not you'll use these features regularly to justify the cost. If you're smoker- or barbecue-curious or have been considering an outdoor pizza oven or flattop grill, the FlexFlame can stand in valiantly for all three outdoor cooking appliances. Plus, it delivers all the trappings of a sturdy and high-functioning gas grill. If you're not in the market for those other tools, just a great grill; the exceptional Weber 3-Burner Spirit E-33 or E-321 can be yours for roughly half the price.
