This Electric Grill Turned My City Balcony Into a BBQ Paradise
Smoked ribs, grilled chicken and seared steaks are all on the menu!
Tested by Rachel Trujillo for Food Network Kitchen
Living in a city for the last six years with little-to-no personal outdoor space, I was convinced that summer afternoons spent grilling burgers and steaks on the patio were a thing of my suburban past. Luckily, when I tested out the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill — which, despite the name, does not actually utilize fire — I was quickly proven wrong. Just ask my neighbors who have eagerly accepted our invitation to sample ribs, wings and a whole roast chicken over the last few weeks — this thing can pretty much do it all. Not only is it impressive, it’s revolutionary for anyone who lacks the space (but not the desire) for outdoor cooking as the weather gets nicer.
What Makes the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Unique?
Well, for starters, it’s much more than just a grill. Similar to most small kitchen appliances these days, this gadget also functions as a smoker and air fryer, and it has the ability to roast, bake, dehydrate and broil. It’s both portable and electric, meaning it can be used in any outdoor setting that has access to an outlet. And, since it requires no charcoal, propane or open flame, it’s apartment friendly for even the smallest of balconies. While I might argue that some of these extra features aren’t entirely necessary, the reliability of its most-basic grill feature makes it a current must-have in my cooking arsenal.
The Grilling Feature Stood Out
Similar to the Ninja Foodi Grill, which was one of our favorite indoor grills in testing, the grilling feature resulted in evenly cooked, nicely seared and flavorful food in record time. According to the brand, this is thanks to the combination of a grill heating coil below the grill plate, a top heating coil and a convection fan, which work together to ensure that heat is evenly traveling around each piece of food. In my experience, this promise to deliver the same performance as a charcoal or gas grill held up.
The interface is simple and user friendly — you simply select which feature you’re using on the far left knob (Grill, Smoker, Air Crips, Bake, Roast, Broil and Dehydrate), select temperature and and time (you can decide on your own or follow their included grilling guide book), press the Woodfire Flavor Technology button if you’re using (more on that below) and you’re ready to cook. After weeks of use, meats like chicken breasts and steaks continue to emerge with perfectly seared grill marks, tender and full of juicy flavor.
Ninja’s Woodfire Technology
If you’re wondering how this electric grill utilizes wood pellets for flavor without relying on them to cook, the answer is the brand’s new Woodfire Technology. The grill has a smoke box on the side that holds about a cup for wood pellets (Ninja recommends using their brand’s All-Purpose or Robust blends), which burn off as the grill heats up, adding a smoky flavor to your food without requiring all day to cook. While the flavor was definitely there, I found it at times overpowering and less subtle than a traditional smoker would give. That being said, it’s still a great option given the constraints of my cooking setup and the quick cook time. One thing to note: Make sure you select the Woodfire Technology button before starting the grilling process. In our experience, it won’t work once the grill is going.
Outdoor Air Fryer Feature
To utilize this feature, the grill comes with a crisper basket to contain your food while cooking. While this feature is useful for someone who does not already own an air fryer, I found it no different than a standard indoor air fryer.
Ninja Woodfire Accessories
While the grill itself is about the same size as other multicookers, Ninja has an array of accessories to create a more robust outdoor grilling experience. Sold separately are a collapsible grill stand (which was necessary for me but depending on your space might not be essential), a grill cover (the brand claims the grill is weather resistant, but a cover always feels like a good choice), a flat top griddle that can be swapped out for the grated grill plate, and a smart thermometer that comes in an upgraded package.
Cleanup Is Relatively Easy
Overall, the easy cleanup has been one of the more pleasant surprises of this grill. While the grill grate and grease tray need to be hand washed after each use, I’ve found that both require no more elbow grease than a regular pan would.
Who Is This Good For?
If you’re pressed for outdoor space, live in an apartment with a balcony or just feel more comfortable using an electric cooking appliance, the Ninja Woodfire grill is a great option for you. The size capacity might make it difficult to replace a larger grill for a family but is ideal for a single- or two-person household. The flavor won’t hold up to a standard smoker, but if a large outdoor appliance isn’t in your immediate future, you’ll find yourself satisfied with the smoking feature on this grill.
