The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL is a 7-in-1 outdoor cooking appliance promising versatility and convenience. This comprehensive review dives deep into its performance across seven cooking modes: grilling, air frying, baking, roasting, smoking, dehydrating, and reheating. We put this multi-functional device to the test, preparing a range of dishes to assess its capabilities and identify both its strengths and weaknesses. From perfectly crisp air-fried snacks to expertly baked goods and surprisingly effective smoking, we explore whether the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL lives up to its ambitious claims.This in-depth analysis examines the ease of use, the quality of results for each function, and the overall user experience. We'll evaluate the effectiveness of the woodfire technology, the accuracy of the included temperature probe, and the helpfulness of the accompanying app. Ultimately, this review aims to determine if the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL is a worthwhile investment for home cooks seeking a powerful and convenient all-in-one outdoor cooking solution, or if its limitations outweigh its considerable versatility.
Pros And Cons
- Grill function is a great workhorse, performs well on various foods (tomahawk steaks, smash burgers, lamb chops).
- Even heat distribution.
- Grill grate can be swapped for a flat top.
- Air fryer function produces better results than oven or conventional air fryer, particularly with frozen oven chips and chickpeas.
- Air fryer function with woodfire technology adds smoky flavor.
- Baking function produces better results than a conventional oven.
- Roasting function cooks faster than a conventional oven, with excellent results for roast potatoes.
- Roasting function with probe technology automates cooking process (though additional probe recommended).
- Dehydrator function works well for yogurt and proofing dough.
- Easy assembly (almost plug and play).
- Intuitive app with good Wi-Fi range and Bluetooth options.
- Woodfire technology adds smoky flavor quickly to various foods.
- Grill function only has three heat settings (low, medium, high).
- Grill function's powerful fan can blow away toppings (e.g., cheese slices).
- Grill function takes a while to heat up.
- Temperature settings can be arbitrary when lid is closed, potentially leading to overcooking.
- Roasting function probe may not accurately reflect the doneness of all parts of the meat (additional probe recommended).
- Dehydrator only has one rack.
- Reheat function is adequate but not exceptional; requires manual time and temperature settings.
- Smoking function's flavor is comparable to other pellet smokers, not charcoal smokers; limited size capacity restricts larger items like a whole brisket.
Read more: 10 Best Commercial Charcoal Grills: A Buyer's Guide
Grill Functionality: A Versatile Workhorse
The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL's grill is a surprisingly capable performer. From breakfast burritos to tomahawk steaks, it handled everything we threw at it with ease. The even heat distribution was particularly impressive, eliminating those pesky hot spots common in other grills.
However, the limited three heat settings (low, medium, high) felt restrictive. More granular control, perhaps mid-low and mid-high, or even temperature settings, would be a significant improvement. The powerful fan, while beneficial for even cooking, can be a bit too aggressive, as evidenced by our cheese-blowing burger incident.
Air Fryer: Crisp, Fluffy, and Consistently Excellent
The air fryer function is a standout feature. Frozen chips and chickpeas were cooked to perfection – crispier and fluffier than oven-baked or other air fryers we've used. The speed and ease of use were also major plus points.
Adding the woodfire technology to the air fryer enhanced the flavor profile, although it did increase cooking time. The oversized sausage roll and consistently excellent pork belly results further solidified its versatility and quality.
Baking: Superior to a Conventional Oven
The baking function surprised us. Cakes, pies, and bread rolls all came out better than those baked in our conventional oven – a testament to its impressive performance.
While baking times are faster, requiring more attention to prevent overcooking, this is a small price to pay for the superior results. The slightly dry environment, however, might be a concern for recipes that require high moisture.
Roasting: A Great Performer with Room for Improvement
Roasting chicken, pork, and particularly roast potatoes, resulted in exceptionally crispy and fluffy textures due to the efficient heat distribution and dry environment. The significantly reduced cooking times were another significant advantage.
The included temperature probe functionality, while innovative, is somewhat limited. The need for additional probes for larger items, like whole chickens, and the lack of more nuanced cooking settings for different meats represent drawbacks.
Smoking Functionality: Good, But Not a Charcoal Smoker Replacement
The smoking functionality is decent, producing good results, especially when utilizing the woodfire technology for quick smoke infusion. The included pellets provide a good flavor profile.
However, it’s crucial to remember this is a pellet smoker, not a charcoal smoker. The flavor and texture differ significantly. Limited options for various cuts of meat, particularly beef, restrict its versatility for larger smoking projects.
Dehydrator: A Space-Saving Solution
The dehydrator function is a surprisingly useful addition, perfectly dehydrating yogurt and ideal for proofing dough due to its precise temperature control. It eliminates the need for a bulky standalone dehydrator.
The only significant drawback is the lack of multiple racks, limiting the quantity that can be dehydrated at once.
Reheat Function: Adequate, but Not a Highlight
The reheat function is functional, adequately reheating leftovers without being exceptional. While it gets the job done, it lacks intuitive settings and doesn't offer any remarkable features.
It's a satisfactory function but not a selling point for the appliance. It provides adequate reheating of various foods, but nothing particularly outstanding.
Ease of Assembly and App: User-Friendly Experience
Assembly is straightforward and nearly plug-and-play. The app is intuitive, easy to pair, and offers convenient features such as recipes and remote control.
Minor drawbacks include a slight learning curve with the probe, but overall, both assembly and the app functionality are positive aspects of the device.
Overall Conclusion: A Versatile and Mostly Excellent Appliance
The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL is a surprisingly versatile and high-performing appliance. While it has some minor shortcomings, such as limited heat settings on the grill and the need for additional probes for the smoking function, the overall quality and convenience are hard to beat.
Its strengths lie in its air fryer, baking, and dehydrator functions, consistently outperforming conventional methods. The woodfire technology is a nice bonus, adding a smoky twist to various dishes. While not a replacement for dedicated charcoal smokers, its versatile functionality makes it a strong contender for those seeking a comprehensive outdoor cooking solution.