If you are looking for a budget pressure cooker with ultimate versatility then you have come to the right place. Talking about the Ninja OL501 Foodi Pressure Cooker.
This impressive pressure cooker or more specifically multi-cooker is the perfect companion for people who are looking for a highly efficient appliance.
The biggest selling point of the Ninja OL501 multi-cooker is its versatility. Thanks to its innovative smart lid, now you can get 14 different functionalities just from one appliance.
Better yet, where the older model of Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker offers two different lids to work with, this appliance only features one lid but does the same job. It means less hassle while cooking as you dont have to change the lid in between cooking.
However, unlike its latest sibling the Ninja OL701 Multi-Cooker, this compact model does not come with any smart thermometer or an automatic pressure release method. But it is quite understandable as Ninja OL501 is way cheaper than the brand new Ninja OL701 Multi-cooker.
So if you want to go for a budget-friendly, compact and efficient multi-cooker then Ninja OL501 is currently your best choice.
So without any further ado, let’s find out if this multi-cooker is really worth your money.
Pros of Ninja IG651
- Faster cooking time
- Reasonable price tag
- Intuitive touchscreen control panel with a turn dial
- Includes an all-in-all smart lid that needs no swapping
- Features an auto-pause function
- Features 1460 watts powerful motor
- Offers 14-in-1 cooking functions
- Features a SmartLid Slider to unlock 3 cooking modes
- Includes 6.5-qt. Cooking Pot, 4.6-qt. Cook & Crisp Plate, Stainless-Steel Reversible Rack, and 45+ Recipe Chef-Inspired Cookbook.
- Dishwasher safe accessories
- Includes 1-year warranty
Cons of Ninja IG651
- Does not offer any built-in thermometer
- Does not offer any auto pressure release feature
- The SmartLid includes a heating element. Therefore, be careful not to touch the heating element when placing or taking out the food.
- The appliance is quite tall and as the lid is not removable so it takes significant space when you open the lid. So make sure to measure the distance between your cabinet and countertop before buying. It’s better if you place it where there are no upper cabinets over it.
Design and Capacity of Ninja OL501
Ninja never fails to amaze its users with stunning appliances. And the same goes for the Ninja OL501 pressure cooker. Just like Ninja’s any other kitchen appliance this model also features a black and stainless finish giving it a modern look. And the touch screen control panel makes it more impressive to look at.
However, even if looks don’t mean anything to you, you will be happy to see how it goes perfectly with your kitchen decoration.
But that’s not all, Ninja OL501 offers a 6.5-quart capacity. And that is the perfect size of a multi-cooker for home cooks. Also, this size is great for making meals for 3 to 6 people at one go.
As for the size, Ninja OL501 features a compact size that measures 15.39 x 14.21 x 13.07 inches(LxWxH). So if you are short in counter space this should be your perfect match.
Features of Ninja OL501 Pressure Cooker
Ninja brand is especially renowned for its innovative appliance. They offer several unique and impressive features in each appliance. And the same goes for the Ninja OL501 Pressure Cooker too.
For starters, Ninja introduces us to the smart lid system that features 3 different modes such as Pressure, SteamCrisp, and Air Fry/Stovetop.
But that’s not all, the Air Fry/Stovetop mode also includes 10 different cooking functions like Air Fry, Broil, Bake/Roast, Dehydrate, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Sous Vide, Slow Cook, Yogurt, Keep Warm, and Proof.
This is amazing as you can perform almost all the cooking tasks just using one appliance. Therefore, Ninja OL501 eliminates the need for other small appliances like an air fryer, steamer, or dehydrator.
Better yet, all these functions of Ninja OL501 work faster than any other traditional appliance. The brand promised that Ninja OL501 makes 40% faster 1-touch meals than traditional cooking methods and 25% faster artisan bread and cakes than any traditional ovens.
So there is no doubt you can make almost any possible recipe with Ninja OL501 in the shortest time.
Is Ninja OL701 Pressure Cooker Easy to Use?
Every new appliance has a learning curve. So does the Ninja OL501 Pressure Cooker. But after a few tries, you will get used to it in no time. And after a month of use, you will certainly become a pro.
The reason is, the appliance has a touch screen control panel that is also super intuitive. And unlike the previous Ninja Pressure Cooker models it only comes with one smart lid. So you dont have to go through the hassle of changing and storing the two lids.
Besides, the smart lid slider also makes it easy to change between the three modes. Therefore, you can cook all the different recipes using the only one smart lid.
On top of that, Ninja OL501 is also equipped with StemCrisp technology. This handy feature lets you cook more than three different meals at once. No doubt this will be a great time saver for all the busy people out there.
Moreover, the appliance comes with a turn dial which is also super convenient as you dont need to press all the annoying buttons to change time, temperature, and cooking presets.
So all you need to do is just prep the food, place it into the multi-cooker, close the lid and select the required preset function. After that just sit back and relax because Ninja OL501 will take care of everything for you.
And when you are done cooking dont worry about the cleaning process. Because Ninja OL501 is super easy to clean and maintain as all the accessories are dishwasher safe.
Accessories of Ninja IG651 Indoor Grill
Ninja dont forget to offer you nice and handy accessories with every appliance. And Ninja OL701 also comes with 3 amazing accessories to work with.
Cooking Pot – Ninja OL501 comes with a nonstick coated 6.5-qt cooking pot. you will probably use this pot the most. It is perfect for making large batches of meals for the whole family.
Cook & Crisp Plate – The 4.6-qt. Cook & Crisp Plate is best for making crispy air-fried food with little or no oil at all.
Stainless-Steel Reversible Rack – The stainless-steel reversible rack is also a useful appliance if you enjoy seemed veggies or dehydrated treats. While you can also use it to air fry different food items.
Note that, all these accessories are super easy to clean as they are dishwasher safe.
Apart from all these amezing accessories Ninja OL501 also comes with a 45+ Recipe Chef-Inspired Cookbook to make your cooking journey with Ninja Foodi a lot easier.
What Can You Make With Ninja OL501 Pressure Cooker?
Just like the latest Ninja OL701 Foodi Smart XL Pressure Cooker, this appliance has 3 different cooking modes such as – Pressure Cook, Steam Crisp, and Air Fry/Stove Top Mode. And as we previously mentioned these three cooking modes can be unlocked by the smart lid slider.
Now let’s find out what do these modes do for you.
Pressure Cook Mode
This mode is quite self-explanatory, you can tenderize food items super quickly using this mode, especially meat. Like if you want to make some tenderized beef in a regular cooking method it will take one to two hours. But the pressure cooker mode only takes up to 20 minutes and does the exact same job. And honestly, no household is complete without a quality pressure cooker to pace up the cooking.
Therefore, you can easily make beans recipes, stews, tenderized beef or pork, lentils soup, soup stock, or different types of soup, and the list can go on.
Steam Crisp Mode
The Steam Crisp Mode function is quite unique even for a multi-cooker. This innovative function combines superheated steam with convection heat simultaneously to give you faster, crisper as well as juicer results. The steam crisp mode also makes sure not to dry out the food by locking in the moisture inside food and crisping them outside for a more delicious taste.
And with the steam crisp mode, you can bake, steam or air fry food items like you can make any type of cakes, chicken fries, french fries, dumplings, potato wedges, and even three-component meals using the reversible rack.
Air Fry/Stovetop Mode
Now, this is where Ninja provides you with the ultimate versatility. As we mentioned earlier, the air fry/stovetop mode comes with 10 different sub-cooking functions.
Using these 10 different preset functions such as Air Fry, Broil, Bake/Roast, Dehydrate, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Sous Vide, Slow Cook, Yogurt, and Proof, you can get super creative with cooking.
And no wonder, you can make almost all the day-to-day recipes using these wonderful functions.
How to Clean Ninja OL501 Pressure Cooker Properly?
Cleaning dishes is certainly a tedious job. However, cleaning this compact multi-cooker is not that hard. The main reason is, all of its accessories are dishwasher safe. So whenever you feel lazy you can just load them into the dishwasher and relax.
You can also clean them manually which is easy too. The cooking pot and the crisper basket is nonstick coated, therefore, you need little effort to clean them.
After cooking just remove all the food residue from the accessories, then clean them with a soft soapy sponge and rinse them under running water.
Although both methods are easy, we recommend hand washing them manually to increase their longevity.
However, cleaning the main appliance may take some time. To clean the main unit properly, make sure the unit is NOT hot after cooking, and then remove the silicone ring, pressure release valve, and anti-clog cap. After that, wash all the components with water and dishwashing soap.
In addition, dont forget to clean the lid, inside and outside of the cooker. You can just wipe clean them with a damp cloth.
Note that, Ninja dont recommend cleaning the fan so try not to do that, otherwise you may risk damaging it.
Is Ninja OL501 Pressure Cooker Worth Your Money?
Undoubtedly Ninja OL501 Pressure Cooker is one of the best multi-cooker you can find on the market. It is versatile, fast, and easy to operate. And more importantly, it comes with a mid-range budget and a compact size. Which fulfills all the necessary criteria you may need from an appliance.
So yes, if you are looking for a budget-friendly appliance that doesn’t take up huge space on the countertop then Ninja OL501 is definitely worth your money.
However, if you can spare a little more money, you certainly should go for the latest version of the Ninja OL701 Smart XL Pressure Cooker, simply because it comes with more smart features.
Technical Specification Of Ninja OL501
Type: Multi-Cooker
Brand: SharkNinja
Series: The Ninja Foodi Collection
Model: Ninja OL501
Price: Check Here
Wattage: 1460 watts
Cooking Functions: 14-in-1: Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Air Fry, Steam & Crisp, Steam & Bake, Steam, Sous Vide, Yogurt, Sear/Sauté, Bake/Roast, Broil, Dehydrate, Keep Warm, Proof
Capacity: 6.5 quarts cooking pot, 4.6 quarts crisp basket
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Dimensions: 15.39 x 14.21 x 13.07 inches(LxWxH)
Cord Length: 32 and a half inches.
Warranty: 1 Year
Related Products: Ninja Foodi OL701, Ninja OL601, Ninja Foodi Deluxe
