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Ninja never ceases to amaze us with its versatile and sleek-looking appliances. And in continuation of that, Ninja brand came forward with its second generation indoor electric grills.
Yes, you heard it right. There are two of them. But today we are gonna talk about the smartest one – the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL.
Indeed, Ninja DG551 is quite similar to the previous flagship Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL in terms of features and functionalities.
However, Ninja DG551 comes with huge design differences compared to the previous Ninja indoor grills, and most importantly, now it has an affordable price tag.
The thing is, previous Ninja Indoor Grills features a touch screen control panel. But that is not the case with the latest Ninja DG551. It offers a straightforward control panel including several buttons to work with.
So to be honest, if you are a fan of the touch screen interface, you will get your heart broken by this grill. But if you love appliances that are not intimidating, this can be a great deal for you.
But the best part is that Ninja DG551 features a reduced price tag compared to the previous flagship model Ninja IG651.
Now, if you want an impeccable grilling experience from an equally fantastic indoor grill and also want to save some money, simply read along with this Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL review.
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Pros of Ninja DG551 Indoor Grill
- Sleek indoor electric grill
- Mid-range price
- Updated intuitive control panel
- Smokeless operation
- 6 versatile cooking functions
- Smart cooking system
- Precise protein doneness level
- Built-in smart thermometer
- Auto-pause technology
- Cyclonic grilling technology
- Wide temperature range up to 500°F
- XL family-sized capacity
- Nonstick coated accessories
- Built-in thermometer storage
- Dishwasher safe accessories
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons of Ninja DG551 Indoor Grill
The appliance is quite loud
Although Ninja DG551 comes with a sleek control panel, it does not offer a touch control method.
Design of Ninja DG551
Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL features a contemporary design with a black and silver color finish. And with its modern outlook, it blends perfectly with any kitchen decor. So one thing is for sure, if you leave it on the countertop, it will catch everyone’s attention.
Apart from that, Ninja DG551 is super sleek. Its compact design does not take up too much space on the countertop, allowing more room for other appliances.
In addition, the Ninja DG551 has an intuitive control panel in front of the unit. The control panel is designed super simply. Therefore, with just one look, you can understand it completely.
However, where other Ninja Indoor Grills come with a touch control method, Ninja DG551 offers several buttons to work with. And the ergonomic buttons ensure you can operate the appliance smoothly.
The control panel houses six different cooking functions, precise doneness level options, a digital display, and time and temp settings. Plus, you also get a skip button to bypass the preheating time.
Next, at the side of the unit, there’s nifty storage space for the integrated thermometer. It ensures safe storage for the thermometer and reduces any chance of losing it in the cupboard.
Lastly, thanks to its generous capacity, you can grill up to 6 steaks, or 24 hot dogs, mains, and sides.
How Does Ninja DG551 Smart Thermometer Work?
Now let’s know more about Ninja DG551’s Smart Thermometer and Smart Cook System. There are lots of meat thermometers in the market. So why does this integrated thermometer even matter?
Yes, we had this exact question in mind too. And we have found out that this integrated thermometer offers an in-depth guided cooking experience. And here’s how it does the job.
After inserting the thermometer into any protein food ingredients, you can also select the protein type from the Ninja DG551’s control panel.
And each protein type unlocks different doneness levels. As for the beef, you can select from rare, rare-medium, medium, and well done.
Simply select your preferred doneness level according to the protein type. Then the Ninja DG551 will stop the cooking process automatically once the selected doneness level is reached.
This is super helpful as the total cooking process runs smoothly without your supervision. And this way you will never end up with overcooked or undercooked food. Thanks to the Ninja thermometer, You can now spend more time eating and less time cooking.
Is Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL Easy to Use?
Every appliance has a learning curve. So does the Ninja DG551 indoor grill. But to be honest, you need little time to get the hang of it. And after a couple of use, you will become a pro at it.
To make a delicious meal with Ninja DG551 indoor grill, you need to perform only a few steps.
Just prep your food ingredients, power up the appliance, select the preferred cooking function, time, and temp settings, add the food, and done!
The appliance will start preheating right away. But you can even bypass preheating by pressing the skip button. And if you require precise doneness in your protein meals, you can simply use the smart thermometer.
Lastly, when it comes to cleaning, just load all the accessories into the dishwasher and you are good to go.
Altogether, Ninja DG551’s user-friendly design and functionalities will make your cooking time a complete delight.
What Can You Make with Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL?
Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL comes with 6 different cooking functions. Indeed, this indoor grill model is equally versatile as its predecessors. And using these 6 different cooking functions you can make countless delicious recipes. To be honest, you may not need to use your hefty oven ever.
So let’s see how these handy functions help you to make mouthwatering recipes without breaking a sweat.
Grill
Ninja DG551’s grill function allows you to quickly grill different food items ranging from meat, fish, or veggies. It uses 500°F of hot cyclonic air and 500°F grill grate to perfectly cook or char grill.
Plus, you can even cook frozen food items from frozen to perfectly char-grilled in under 25 minutes.
Air Crisp
Ninja DG551 also allows you to make air-fried food with little to no oil at all. And by air frying food items you can eat 75% less fat than deep frying.
Roast
Ninja DG551 comes with a hooded design, so you can easily cook juicy roasts in it. The 500°F of hot cyclonic air creates a crispy crust outside and juicier results inside.
Bake
Not that everyone bakes in their indoor grill, if you want, you can with this Ninja DG551. And it’s good to have an option. You can easily bake some chocolate brownies, a quick lasagna, or pasta.
Broil
Want to melt some cheese on your homemade recipes, just use this Ninja DG551 to quickly broil it over high heat.
Dehydrate
If you want to make chips or meat jerky this dehydrate function can be a great help. And you won’t have to make room for a hefty dehydrator in your kitchen.
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Accessories of Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL
Good news for you, the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL comes with all the necessary accessories to aid you in cooking and even cleaning. With this nifty appliance, you get the following accessories.
Grill Grate
With the Ninja DG551, you will get a 9″ x 12″ grill grate. Although the grill grate does not provide the traditional stripe marks, it does the cooking job perfectly. Plus, with its generous capacity, you can grill 6 steaks, or up to 24 hot dogs, mains, and sides at the same time.
Crisper Basket
Another handy accessory of this appliance is the 4-qt Crisper Basket. You can easily make guilt-free air-fried food with it.
Cooking Pot
If you want to sear or saute some veggies to enjoy with your grilled protein items like steaks, this tool will come in handy. Use this 4-qt. cooking pot to whip up some mains or sides effortlessly.
Plus, you have to use it as a base under the crisper basket or grill grate to avoid any food residue falling on the base unit.
Foodi Smart Thermometer
You already know about this handy tool. It simply allows you to achieve your preferred doneness level in protein items.
Cleaning Brush
The cleaning brush that comes with the Ninja DG551 looks pretty simple. But the truth is highly useful when it comes to cleaning the grill grate.
Chef-Created 15 Recipe Book
Most Ninja appliance comes with a recipe book and the same goes for this indoor grill too. You will find 15 amazing recipes in it, to get you started cooking right away.
Note that, except for the integrated thermometer, all the accessories are dishwasher-safe. Plus, the cooking pot, grill grate, and crisper basket all are nonstick coated.
How to Clean Ninja DG551 Indoor Grill Properly?
Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL comes with dishwasher-safe accessories. So there is no hassle for cleaning. If you don’t feel like doing the dishes, just load them in the dishwasher and relax.
But as the accessories are nonstick coated, the best way is to hand wash them. This way, the nonstick coating will last longer.
But dont worry hand washing is also super easy too. Simply follow the following steps and be done with it.
After cooking with Ninja DG551, unplug the unit and wait until it is cooled down completely.
Then take out all the cooking accessories like the cooking pot, crisper basket, grill grate, or splatter shield. Soak them in the sink with soapy water. You can skip this step if there’s a little amount of food residue.
Next, wash the accessories with a soft soapy sponge. For the grill grate, you can use the included brush too. Rinse them under running water and wipe them dry with a dry dish towel.
For the interior and exterior of the unit, simply wipe it clean with a damp cloth and then wipe it again with a dry dishtowel to keep the glossiness.
What Makes Ninja DG551 Different From Other Ninja Indoor Grills?
Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL is the latest indoor grill model of the Ninja brand. The best thing about this indoor grill is that it comes with an affordable price tag compared to its previous sibling Ninja IG651.
However, Ninja IG651 also comes with a griddle option. In fact, it’s the only Ninja Indoor that offers a griddle option.
The next difference is that, while other Ninja indoor grills come with a touch screen control panel, this Ninja DG551 offers buttons to work with. It doesn’t have a turn dials to change the time and temp settings.
However, if you think about this affordable price tag and the Smart cook system with the integrated thermometer, you can overlook the button controls.
So if you already don’t own a Ninja IG651, it is high time to pamper yourself with this new Ninja grill.
Is Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill Worth Buying?
All things considered, yes the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL deserves every penny. It shows excellent performance and versatility, so no doubt it will be a worthy kitchen appliance for you.
Specification Of Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL
Type: Ninja Indoor Grill, Ninja Multi-Functional Grill
Brand: Ninja
Model: DG551
Price: Check Here
Wattage: 1760 Watts
Control Method: Touch screen
Cooking Functions: 6 in 1 ( Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate)
Material:
Base – Durable plastic and stainless steel,
Grill grate & Cooking Pot– Nonstick coated metal
Accessories:
Grill Grate
Cooking Pot
Crisper Basket
Foodi Smart Thermometer
Cleaning Brush
Chef-Created 15 Recipe Booklet
Splatter Shield
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Colors: black/silver
Dimensions (in.): 11.1 W x 15.7 D x 16 H
Cord length (ft.): 2.83
Warranty: 1-Year Limited Warranty
Related Products:
- Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro
- Ninja EG201 Indoor Grill
- Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart Xl
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