The Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer (FG551) revolutionizes home cooking by bringing the power of outdoor grilling indoors, virtually smoke-free. This versatile appliance combines six essential cooking functions—Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate—into a single, sleek unit, making it an indispensable tool for any kitchen. Powered by Cyclonic Grilling Technology, it utilizes 500°F superheated air to perfectly cook and char-grill foods, delivering authentic flavors and grill marks. The integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer and Smart Cook System eliminate guesswork, ensuring precise doneness for every meal. With its XL capacity, you can effortlessly prepare family-sized portions, grilling up to six steaks simultaneously. Designed for convenience, all removable parts, including the ceramic-coated cooking pot, grill grate, crisper basket, and splatter shield, are dishwasher safe, simplifying cleanup. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill is the ultimate solution for achieving restaurant-quality results with ease and efficiency.
An independent look at the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill (FG551), based on Ninja’s and major retailers’ published specs and press coverage. We have not tested this unit ourselves, so this review covers what the specs show and the trade-offs that come with any indoor grill.
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Introduction
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL (FG551) is an electric indoor grill that also air fries, roasts, bakes, broils and dehydrates. Its main selling point is a built-in Smart Cook System with a dual-sensor probe thermometer. Below is what the published specs say, and where an indoor grill falls short of an outdoor one.
Quick Summary
Best For: Apartment cooks, winter grilling, and families that want one appliance for grilling and air frying
Model: Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill
Power: 1760W
Functions: Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate
Temperature range: up to 500°F (listed as 105°F-500°F on some retailer pages)
Capacity: grill grate fits up to 6 steaks or 24 hot dogs, per Ninja; 4-quart crisper basket
Thermometer: dual-sensor Foodi Smart Thermometer, 4 protein settings, 9 doneness levels
Price: varies widely by retailer and sale (roughly $200-$300 in listings we saw). Check the current Amazon price.
Bottom Line: A feature-rich indoor grill with an unusually capable built-in thermometer, with the usual indoor-grill limits.
What the Specs Tell You
Six Cooking Functions
Ninja lists Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil and Dehydrate. The air crisp function uses the included 4-quart crisper basket. Ninja and press coverage cite up to 75% less fat than traditional deep-frying for air-crisped food, which is a manufacturer-style comparison and not a guarantee for every recipe.
Smart Cook System and Thermometer
The Foodi Smart Thermometer is a leave-in probe that Ninja says monitors temperature in two places. You choose a protein setting and a doneness level (rare to well done), and the grill tracks the internal temperature. Four smart protein settings and nine doneness levels are listed. This is the feature that most separates the FG551 from basic indoor grills.
500°F Cyclonic Grilling
Ninja’s “cyclonic grilling technology” combines 500°F circulating air with a 500°F grill grate. The goal is sear marks and browning on both sides without flipping as often. Whether results match a charcoal grill is a taste question (see below).
Size and Capacity
“XL” means up to 50% more grilling area than the original Ninja Foodi Grill, according to Ninja. The grill grate is listed at about 9″ x 12″ on some pages and 13″ x 11″ on others, so check the product page. Some retailer listings describe the capacity as around four 6 oz steaks, while Ninja’s marketing says up to six steaks, so real capacity depends on the cut.
Smoke Control and Cleanup
Ninja describes a smoke control system with a temperature-controlled grill grate, splatter shield and a cool-air zone to reduce smoke. “Reduce” is the key word: fatty foods at high heat can still produce some smoke, so ventilate the kitchen. Ninja’s retailer listings state the grill grate, crisper basket and drip tray are dishwasher safe.
The Indoor Grill Trade-Offs
- Flavor. An electric grill can produce sear marks and browning, but not the smoke flavor of charcoal or wood. Marinades and smoked seasonings can help.
- Smoke. Smoke control lowers smoke but doesn’t remove it. Use your range hood or open a window when cooking fatty cuts.
- Counter space. It is a large countertop appliance. Measure your space and storage before buying.
- Capacity vs. a basket air fryer. The air crisp function uses a 4-quart basket, which is smaller than many dedicated air fryers.
- Price. It sits at the premium end of indoor grills, though sale pricing varies a lot.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Built-in dual-sensor thermometer with doneness presets
- Six functions in one appliance, including dehydrate
- 1760W power and 500°F cyclonic grilling
- Smoke control system and splatter shield
- Dishwasher-safe grate, basket and drip tray (per Ninja listings)
- Works indoors year-round, including in apartments that restrict outdoor grills
Cons
- No real charcoal or wood-smoke flavor
- Some smoke is still possible with fatty foods
- Bulky on the counter
- Premium price compared with basic indoor grills
- Listed capacity and grate size differ between sellers
Who Should Buy It
A good fit if you: want to grill indoors all year, live where outdoor grills aren’t allowed, like the idea of probe-based doneness control, or want one appliance to replace an indoor grill and a small air fryer.
Skip it if you: want authentic smoke flavor, have very limited counter or storage space, mostly cook small portions where a basket air fryer is enough, or want the cheapest option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an indoor grill taste like an outdoor grill?
Not exactly. It can sear and brown food, but it doesn’t burn charcoal or wood, so it lacks that smoky flavor.
Is it really smokeless?
Ninja describes a smoke control system, not a smokeless guarantee. Fatty foods at high heat can still make some smoke.
How does the thermometer work?
You insert the Foodi Smart Thermometer into the food, pick a protein setting and doneness level, and the grill tracks the internal temperature. Ninja says it monitors temperature in two places.
What size is it?
Retailers list different grill-grate dimensions, so check the Amazon product page and measure your counter and cabinet clearance.
Can it replace an air fryer?
It air crisps using a 4-quart basket. That works for many dishes, but it is not as large as the biggest dedicated air fryers.
Are the parts dishwasher safe?
Ninja’s retailer listings say the grill grate, crisper basket and drip tray are dishwasher safe. Follow the manual for care instructions.
Final Verdict
On paper, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL FG551 is one of the more capable indoor grills, mainly because of the built-in dual-sensor thermometer and the six-function design. It won’t replicate charcoal flavor and it takes up real counter space, but for year-round grilling in an apartment or a cold climate it is a strong candidate.
Rating: 4/5 – Strong feature set on paper. Real-world results vary by recipe and kitchen.
Specs and prices come from Ninja’s and retailers’ listings and change often. Check the current listing before buying.
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