Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
An indoor grill can save you from cooking outside, but only if it delivers useful searing, manageable smoke, and enough space for your meals. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill FG551 combines a 500°F indoor grill, a 4-quart air-crisping system, and a built-in smart thermometer in one countertop appliance. Its strongest benefits are its large 9 x 12-inch grate and guided doneness controls, while its 22.4-pound body and cleaning needs make it less suitable for a cramped kitchen. This review helps you decide whether its capacity, six cooking functions, and Smart Cook System justify the counter space.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.6/10, recommended with caveats
Best For: Families and apartment cooks who want indoor grilling, air frying, and guided meat doneness in one appliance.
Bottom Line: The FG551 gives you strong 500°F grilling, useful XL capacity, and a thermometer-led cooking system. Its main tradeoffs are its bulky footprint, 1760-watt power draw, and the need to clean the grate and splatter shield after greasy foods.
Key Takeaways
- The FG551 combines Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate modes.
- Its 500°F cyclonic airflow and high-density grill grate are designed to create char marks indoors.
- The Foodi Smart Thermometer supports four protein presets and nine doneness levels.
- The 9 x 12-inch grill grate fits up to six steaks or 24 hot dogs, according to the product listing.
- The 4-quart cooking pot and crisper basket expand its use beyond grilling, but the appliance needs substantial counter and storage space.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Ninja |
| Model | FG551 |
| Product type | 6-in-1 indoor grill and air fryer |
| Cooking functions | Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate |
| Maximum temperature | 500°F |
| Power | 1760 watts |
| Voltage | 110 volts |
| Dimensions | 15.75 inches deep x 16.54 inches wide x 11.1 inches high |
| Weight | 22.4 pounds |
| Grill grate | 9 x 12 inches, high-density, ceramic-coated nonstick |
| Pot and basket | 4-quart cooking pot and 4-quart crisper basket |
| Smart cooking | Foodi Smart Thermometer, four protein presets, nine doneness levels |
| Color | Black and silver |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
| Recommended use | Indoor household cooking |
What Is the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill FG551?
The Ninja FG551 is a covered electric indoor grill that also works as an air fryer, roasting oven, baking appliance, broiler, and dehydrator. Unlike a basic contact grill, it uses a hood, a fan, and a heated grill grate to circulate hot air around food without pressing it between two plates.
Its main selling point is the combination of XL cooking space and the Foodi Smart Thermometer. You can insert the thermometer into a suitable protein, select a preset and doneness level, and let the appliance monitor internal temperature. This setup is most useful when you cook steaks, burgers, pork, fish, or chicken and want more guidance than a timer alone provides.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- You want to grill indoors during bad weather or without a backyard.
- You regularly cook several portions and can use the six-steak or 24-hot-dog grate capacity.
- You value a built-in thermometer and guided doneness settings for proteins.
Skip If
- You have limited counter depth, cabinet clearance, or storage space.
- You already own a capable air fryer and only need a simple grill or griddle.
- You want a lightweight appliance that you can move after every meal.
Before You Buy: Measure both the counter footprint and the open-lid clearance. The FG551 is more than 16 inches wide, weighs 22.4 pounds, and needs open space around its vents during operation.
Key Features That Set the Ninja Foodi Apart
500°F Cyclonic Grilling and Searing
The grill mode uses 500°F cyclonic air around the food while the high-density grate supplies direct heat from below. This combination helps brown burgers, steaks, chicken, and vegetables while producing visible grill marks. You get better searing than a low-temperature air fryer basket, though the result still differs from charcoal or an open-flame outdoor grill.
Smart Cook System and Dual-Sensor Thermometer
The Foodi Smart Thermometer reads temperature in two places and works with four protein presets and nine customizable doneness levels. This is more useful than relying only on color or cooking time, especially when the thickness of meat changes from one meal to the next.
Insert the probe into the thickest part and keep it away from bone, large fat pockets, and the cooking surface. Allow for carryover cooking, and do not treat a preset as a substitute for safe food handling.
Pro Tip: For more consistent thermometer readings, choose pieces with similar thickness and insert the probe from the side toward the center of the thickest section.
Six Cooking Functions
Grill mode is the headline feature, but the other five functions make the appliance easier to use several times per week. Air Crisp works with the 4-quart basket for fries, wings, and reheating breaded foods. Roast and Bake handle vegetables, casseroles, and smaller baked dishes, while Broil adds top heat and Dehydrate supports low-temperature drying.
The multifunction design can replace several countertop tools, but the 4-quart basket may require batches for a large amount of fries or wings.
XL Grill Capacity
The 9 x 12-inch grill grate is rated to hold up to six steaks or 24 hot dogs. That capacity is helpful for family dinners, meal prep, and casual gatherings because you can cook several portions in one cycle. Actual fit depends on food size, and leaving some space between pieces improves airflow and browning.
The 4-quart pot catches drippings, while ceramic-coated nonstick cooking parts support easier food release when you use non-scratching tools.
Smoke-Control System
Ninja combines a temperature-controlled grill grate, splatter shield, and cool-air zone to reduce kitchen smoke. This system is helpful for indoor use, but it does not make every food smoke-free. Fatty meats, sugary marinades, excess oil, and a dirty splatter shield can still create smoke or strong cooking odors.
Use the recommended oil type and quantity, trim excessive exterior fat when appropriate, and clean grease from the cooking pot and shield after use. Your range hood or kitchen ventilation may still be useful during high-temperature grilling.
Air Frying and Lower-Fat Cooking
Ninja states that the Air Crisp function can produce fries with up to 75% less fat than hand-cut, deep-fried French fries. That test applies to a specific comparison, so it should not be read as a guarantee for every recipe. The practical benefit is that you can crisp many foods with a light coating of oil instead of submerging them in frying oil.
Nutrition still depends on ingredients, portions, and sauces. The appliance provides lower-oil cooking options, but it does not make every meal low-fat.
Design, Controls, and Counter Space
The black-and-silver housing measures 15.75 inches deep, 16.54 inches wide, and 11.1 inches high. The open hood needs vertical clearance, and the 22.4-pound weight makes a permanent, ventilated counter position more practical than daily storage.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Grease management is the main maintenance task. After the appliance cools, remove food debris and wash the cooking pot, grill grate, crisper basket, and splatter shield according to the owner’s guide. Ninja lists the removable cooking parts as dishwasher-safe, but prompt cleaning is still important because burned-on grease becomes harder to remove later.
Use non-scratching tools on the coating, never immerse the electrical base, and follow the manual for the thermometer and heating area.
How It Performs in Real Use
For Family Dinners
The wide grate makes the FG551 more practical than a small contact grill when you need several burgers, chicken pieces, or steaks. You can prepare a main dish in one cycle, although crowded food can brown less evenly. For large side dishes, the 4-quart basket may still require a second batch.
For Steaks and Other Proteins
The thermometer is the strongest reason to choose this model over a simpler indoor grill. It helps you target a doneness level without repeatedly opening the hood. Results still depend on probe placement, meat thickness, starting temperature, and carryover cooking.
For Frozen Foods and Weeknight Meals
Air Crisp can handle frozen fries, breaded snacks, and quick reheating without heating a full-size oven. Grill mode can also cook some foods from frozen, but time varies by thickness and type. Follow the cooking chart or recipe guidance instead of assuming one time works for every frozen item.
For Apartments and Bad Weather
The enclosed cooking chamber lets you grill indoors when outdoor cooking is unavailable. Its smoke-control parts reduce smoke when clean and used correctly, but you should still expect normal food odors and occasional smoke from fatty or heavily marinated foods.
Setup Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Preheat when prompted: Let the grill reach its target temperature before adding food so the grate can begin searing immediately.
- Do not crowd the grate: Leave enough space for hot air to move around each piece.
- Use the thermometer correctly: Insert it into the thickest section and avoid bone or the grill grate.
- Limit sugary sauces early: Thick sauces can burn at high grilling temperatures, so apply them later when the recipe allows.
- Keep the splatter shield clean: Grease buildup can increase smoke and odors.
- Use heat-safe, non-scratching tools: Metal utensils can damage ceramic-coated nonstick surfaces.
Useful Meals You Can Make
- Thermometer-guided steaks, pork chops, chicken breasts, or fish
- Burgers, hot dogs, kebabs, and grilled vegetables
- Air-crisped wings, fries, and breaded frozen foods
- Roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and mixed vegetables
- Small baked dishes and reheated pizza
- Dehydrated fruit slices or jerky prepared according to a tested recipe
Its best recipes use the direct grill heat or thermometer. Basic convection foods may work just as well in a separate air fryer or toaster oven.
Compatibility and Safety
The FG551 is designed for indoor household use on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Keep the vents clear, allow the unit to cool before cleaning, and use oven mitts when handling hot accessories. The 1760-watt heating system draws substantial power, so plug it directly into an appropriate wall outlet and follow the electrical instructions in the manual.
Cook meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs to safe internal temperatures recommended by current food-safety authorities. The Smart Cook System can help monitor temperature, but safe food preparation also requires clean utensils, correct storage, and protection against cross-contamination.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 500°F cyclonic grilling with a high-density 9 x 12-inch grate
- Built-in thermometer with four protein presets and nine doneness levels
- Six cooking functions reduce the need for separate appliances
- Large grill surface fits family-size portions
- Removable ceramic-coated cooking parts support easier cleanup
Cons
- Bulky 22.4-pound design needs dedicated counter or storage space
- Greasy foods can still produce smoke and require thorough cleaning
- The 4-quart air-fry basket may be small for a full family-size side dish
Is It Worth the Price?
The FG551 sits in the premium range for an indoor grill, but it provides more capability than a basic open grill or contact press. You get a large covered grill, 500°F heat, a smart thermometer, and five additional cooking modes in one appliance.
It offers strong value when you will use both the grill and thermometer regularly, especially for family portions or year-round indoor cooking. It is less compelling when you already own a large air fryer, have limited counter space, or only need an occasional burger grill.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL DG551 is the newer second-generation option with a redesigned body and the same broad 6-in-1 concept. It may suit you better if you want the updated model and do not mind comparing current prices. The FG551 remains sensible when its price is lower and you prefer its established accessory system.
The Ninja Sizzle GR101 is a simpler indoor grill and griddle. It is a better match if you want a flatter cooking surface and do not need air frying or thermometer-guided doneness. The FG551 makes more sense when you want covered convection cooking and several modes in one unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the model number of this Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill?
The Amazon link in this review points to model FG551, ASIN B089TQ82WT. Do not confuse it with the newer DG551 second-generation model, which has a different product page and design.
How much food fits on the grill grate?
Ninja lists capacity for up to six steaks or 24 hot dogs on the 9 x 12-inch grate. Larger cuts may reduce the number you can cook while preserving space for airflow.
Can you use the Ninja FG551 outdoors?
It is listed for indoor household use. Do not treat it as a weather-resistant outdoor grill, and always follow the placement and ventilation instructions in the owner’s guide.
Does the smoke-control system eliminate all smoke?
No. The splatter shield, cool-air zone, and temperature-controlled grate reduce smoke, but fatty food, sugary marinades, excess oil, or grease buildup can still create smoke.
Are the removable parts dishwasher-safe?
Ninja describes the removable cooking parts as dishwasher-safe. Check the owner’s guide for the correct method for the thermometer and main unit, and avoid abrasive tools on the ceramic coating.
Does it include a recipe book and cleaning brush?
Package contents can vary by listing or seller. The current product details confirm the grill, 4-quart pot, 4-quart crisper basket, 9 x 12-inch grate, and thermometer, so check the live listing if a printed guide or brush matters to you.
Who should skip the Ninja Foodi Smart XL FG551?
Skip it if you lack permanent counter space, need a lightweight appliance, or already own separate tools that cover grilling and air frying. A simpler grill or griddle may cost less and be easier to store.
What warranty comes with the FG551?
The listing states a one-year limited warranty. Review the seller, receipt requirements, exclusions, and current manufacturer terms before purchase.
The Bottom Line
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL FG551 is a strong choice when you want large-capacity indoor grilling, guided protein doneness, and air-fryer versatility in one appliance. Buy it for its 500°F grill system and thermometer, but skip it if its bulky footprint, cleanup routine, or 4-quart air-fry capacity does not fit your kitchen.
Ready to Buy?
Check the latest price, seller, and package contents before you decide.
