If you love Ninja products here is another wonderful appliance for your kitchen- the Ninja OL601 Foodi XL. It’s a wonderful multicooker from the Ninja brand and most importantly it’s quite affordable from the latest Ninja OL701 Foodi XL.
Yes, you got it right, the Ninja OL601 Foodi XL is the older sibling of the brand’s flagship multicooker Ninja OL701. And for some obvious reasons, these models have huge price differences between them.
But here’s the kicker,
The only difference between the two models is that the Ninja OL601 does not come with a built-in smart thermometer and it also doesn’t come with an auto pressure release function. Apart from that, there is no other physical or functional difference between the two models. The entire design is also same too.
So if you want the Ninja OL701 but the hefty price tag isn’t supporting your pocket, the Ninja OL601 could be your best buddy.
It has the same all in all smart lid that allows you to pressure cook, air fry, and combination cook. Plus, it has a large 8-quart capacity that could be perfect for a large family. And its 14 different cooking functions allow you to try a vast range of delicious meals.
Wish to know more? Let’s read long this Ninja OL601 multi cooker review, starting with its pros and cons.
Pros of Ninja OL601
- Modern design
- Faster cooking time
- Large 8-quart capacity
- 14-in-1 cooking functions
- All-in-all smart lid that needs no swapping
- Auto-pause function
- SmartLid Slider to unlock 3 cooking modes
- Touchscreen control panel
- Smooth turn dial controls
- Nonstick-accessories
- Dishwasher safe accessories
- Includes 1-year warranty
Cons of Ninja OL601
- Offers no smart thermometer
- Doesn’t offer an auto pressure release feature
- It’s a large appliance with a tall lid. Therefore it takes up significant space on your countertop. Make sure to measure your counter space before buying it.
Design of Ninja OL601
The best thing about Ninja OL601 is its futuristic design. The appliance looks super unique compared to any other multi-cooker available on the market.
But the most wonderful design aspect of Ninja OL601 is its SmartLid. The thing is, the previous Ninja multi-cookers has two different lids for air frying and pressure cooking. No doubt, swapping between two lids and storing them after cooking could be a hassle.
To eliminate this problem, Ninja invented this all in all SmartLid. Now, using its SmartLid Slider you can simply slide to unlock three cooking modes- air frying, pressure cooking, and SteamCrisp.
Better yet, the air frying mode also unlocks another ten different cooking functions to offer you the ultimate versatility.
And even with all these amezing functions, Ninja managed to keep operating the multi-cooker super simple. You can efficiently change time and temp settings using the touch pads. Plus, the large turn dial makes switching between 10 preset functions super simple.
The large cooking pot is nonstick coated to ensure an efficient cooking experience.
But for your information, this appliance is huge with its 8-quart capacity. And the lid is not removable, so when you open the lid, it takes up quite a space on top.
However, this large size can be a blessing for you if you have a large family and want to make quick meals for the whole family in one go. The large size could also help you if you often entertain guests.
No doubt, this Ninja OL601 has fantastic design aspects. But is it easy to use? Let’s find it out in the next section.
Is Ninja OL601 Multi Cooker Easy to Use?
Every multi-purpose appliance comes with a learning curve and this is also true for the Ninja OL601 multi-cooker. But don’t worry, after a couple of use, you will become a pro at maneuvering this appliance.
The reason is that, even with 14 different functions, the appliance is highly intuitive. The touch screen control panel is well designed so you can get the hang of it pretty quickly.
Another most impressive thing about the Ninja OL601 cooker is that you can cook a complete 3 part meal like meat, grains, and veggies in one cooking cycle. No wonder, this trick will save so much of your precious time on busy days.
Plus, the cooking pot is nonstick coated so food won’t stick to it while cooking. Besides, all the removable accessories are dishwasher safe so cleaning would be a breeze.
What Can You Make with Ninja OL601 Multi-Cooker?
Ninja OL601 Foodi XL has three different cooking modes: Pressure Cook, Steam Crisp, and Air Fry/Stove Top Mode.
Let’s see how these functions help you make delicious recipes starting with the pressure cook mode.
Pressure Cook Mode
These days every household needs a pressure cooker. And thanks to Ninja OL601 you can easily tenderize proteins in the shortest possible time. It is also helpful for making soups and stews. And with an extra large 8-quart capacity, you can make a huge batch of tenderized proteins.
Steam Crisp Mode
The SteamCrisp mode works like a combination oven. This mode cooks the food with the help of steam and hot air to offer you crispier outside yet juicier inside results.
This mode unlocks two different cooking functions, Steam & Bake and Steam & Crisp. Steam & Bake is best for making baked goods and the Steam & Crisp is perfect for roasting meat.
Air Fry/StoveTop Mode
This cooking mode is the most versatile of the three. Because the Air Fry/StoveTop Mode unlocks 10 different cooking presets. You will get, Air Fry, Broil, Bake/Roast, Dehydrate, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Sous Vide, Slow Cook, Yogurt, & Proof cooking functions.
Certainly, this function allows you to replace so many kitchen appliances with this multi-cooker in the kitchen. And no wonder you can make so many delicious recipes using all these functions.
*Image Courtesy Amazon
What are the Accessories of the Ninja OL601?
The Ninja OL601 Foodi XL comes with-
- 8-qt. cooking pot
- 5-qt. cook & crisp basket
- deluxe reversible rack
The cooking pot and cook and crisp basket are nonstick coated. And all the accessories are dishwasher safe. Apart from these accessories, Ninja also comes with a 45+ recipe chef-inspired cookbook.
What Makes Ninja OL601 Different From Other Ninja Cookers?
Ninja OL601 Foodi XL 8 Qt. is a relatively new appliance from the Ninja brand. And it is quite unique from its previous multi-cooker models.
Like the older siblings of Ninja OL601 offers two different lids for air frying and pressure cooking. They also don’t have any combination cooking methods like the SteamCrisp. Plus, even though older models are versatile, Ninja OL601 comes with the most amount of cooking functions.
However, the Ninja OL601 lost its best multi-cooker position when the Ninja OL701 arrived. Because the latest multi-cooker model Ninja OL701 comes with a smart meat thermometer to achieve the desired doneness level.
It also comes with auto pressure release functions too. And you can digitally choose the type of release you want.
But these two lackings can’t be considered a downside as Ninja OL601 Cooker’s price is way lower than the latest model. So comparing its price range Ninja OL601 is the best multi-cooker you can get right now.
How to Clean Ninja OL601 Properly?
Maintaining Ninja OL601 Foodi XL 8 Qt. is really convenient. The accessories are dishwasher safe so cleaning is a breeze.
However, as the accessories are nonstick coated we would recommend manually washing them. This way the nonstick coating will remain intact for a long period of time.
To manually wash them properly follow the next few steps.
Soak all the used accessories in warm soapy water for 20-30 minutes. If there is less food debris you can skip this step.
Then wash them with a soft soapy sponge and rinse them off under running water.
Pat them dry with a dry dish towel and done.
For the main unit, simply wipe it with a damp cloth, and you’re good to go.
Note: Make sure to unplug the unit and start the cleaning process after the appliance cools down completely.
Is Ninja OL601 Foodi XL Worth Your Money?
After considering every aspect of the Ninja OL601 Foodi XL 8 Qt. Pressure Cooker and Steam Fryer, we can say, it definitely worth your money. Even with its affordable price range, it is highly versatile and comes with an extra large capacity to serve your big family.
But if budget is not your problem, then we would recommend the flagship Ninja OL701 Steam Fryer over it. The integrated smart thermometer and automatic pressure release will make your cooking journey a lot easier and more efficient.
And if you think, your kitchen is not up for an extra large appliance, you can also opt for the same multi-cooker with a small capacity the Ninja OL501 pressure cooker and steam fryer.
Specification Of Ninja OL601 Foodi XL
Type: Multi-functional Cooking Appliance
Brand: Ninja
Series: Ninja Foodi Collection
Model: Ninja OL601 Foodi XL 8 Qt. Multi-Cooker
Price: Check Here
Wattage: 1760 watts
Included Accessories: 8-qt. Cooking Pot, 5-qt. Cook & Crisp Basket, Deluxe Reversible Rack, and 45+ Recipe Chef-Inspired Cookbook.
Cooking Functions: 14-in-1: Pressure Cook, Steam & Crisp, Steam & Bake, Air Fry, Broil, Bake/Roast, Dehydrate, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Sous Vide, Slow Cook, Yogurt, Keep Warm & Proof.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
PTFE Free: Yes
Weight: 25.1 pounds
Dimensions (LxWxH): 15.39 x 14.21 x 14.25 inches
Cord Length: 3 ft. (91.4 cm)
Warranty: 1 Year
Related Products:
