Ninja Kitchen has taken the power of its indoor Ninja Foodi Grill and transformed it into the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill. This grill can smoke, bake, air fry and so much more.
Disclosure: I partnered with SharkNinja for the launch of the Woodfire Grill. Opinions are my own.
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Table of Contents
What is the Ninja Woodfire?
The Ninja Woodfire Grill is the latest grill from Ninja Kitchen. It combines everything we love about the indoor Ninja Foodi Grill, but it’s a little bit larger and adds the power of smoke, so you can create authentic barbecue.
I’ve been testing out the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill since April 2022, to see if it could pull off barbecue like I get from my other pits and smokers.
When I showed up to the first testing session in California, I was skeptical. The team asked me to come prepared with a few recipes.
I wanted to see if this grill could really barbecue, so I planned to cook pork belly burnt ends, ginormous beef plate ribs and baked Dutch baby pancakes with grilled pork steaks.
I was immediately blown away when all three recipes turned out amazing. Not only did the ribs and pork belly have the perfect bark, but they had a nice touch of smoke and cooked in nearly half the time. And the Dutch babies rose beautifully.
I knew from that moment forward that I was very interested in becoming associated with the Ninja Woodfire Grill, because I believe that Ninja Kitchen has created an innovative way to help people cook better barbecue.
How does it work?
The Ninja Woodfire Grill is a small portable grill and smoker that is meant to be used outdoors. You can place it on a counter, a table or the optional stand.
This is an electric grill, so you’ll need to have an outdoor electric source.
SAFETY TIP: If you need to use an extension cord, be sure to read the manual for safety requirements.
When you plug the grill in and turn it on, you will have several different cooking functions to choose from. In addition to that, you can add wood pellets into a side hopper.
When you use the smoker setting or push the Woodfire Technology button, the pellets will begin to smolder, which will add smoke flavor to whatever you are cooking.
Once you select your cooking function, you select your cook time or desired temperature, if you have the pro model. The convection fan will circulate the heat and optional smoke as your food cooks.
7 Cooking Functions
The Woodfire Grill has 7 cooking functions, so you can do way more than grill or smoke. Even if I combined all of the 30 grills I have in my backyard, I still couldn’t do all of the things the Ninja Woodfire Grill can do.
- Grill: Perfect for grilling burgers, steaks, chicken breasts or pork chops.
- Smoker: Excellent for larger cuts like brisket, whole chicken and pulled pork.
- Roast: When you don’t feel like adding smoke, you can roast a turkey breast, ham or prime rib with ease.
- Bake: Bake cookies, cakes and pies all outdoors.
- Dehydrate: Now you can dehydrate meat to make jerky while adding a touch of smoke.
- Air Crisp: No other grill that I know of allows you to air fry. French fries and onion rings are a breeze outdoors now.
- Broil: Make amazing garlic bread or finish a dish with perfectly melted cheese.
Woodfire Flavor Technology
What makes this grill different from the indoor Foodi Grill is the Woodfire Flavor Technology.
On the side of the grill, there is a small smoke box. You simply fill it with about a half cup of wood pellets, and when you choose to use the smoker setting, the pellets will ignite and add real woodfire flavor to whatever you’re cooking.
There are two ways to activate this feature. You can either set the grill to smoker and it will be automatically activated, or you can select any other cooking function and press the Woodfire Flavor Technology button to activate it.
2024 Model Update
Since Ninja first launched its outdoor grill, they have introduced new models.
- Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill (OG model)
- Ninja Woodfire Pro Outdoor Grill & Smoker
- Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker
- Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker (Newest Model)
The Pro grills include a built-in thermometer that allows you to set your protein and desired doneness. Then, the grill will cook your meat perfectly to the proper temperature.
The Pro Connect model offers bluetooth technology so you can control your grill with a phone app.
The XL models are a bit larger. The original grill interior is 14.5 inches wide x 10.5 deep. The XL model is 17.5 inches wide by 11.25 inches deep.
Which model should I buy?
If it’s within your budget, I recommend going with an XL model. With the larger grill grate, you’re able to cook ribs without cutting them in half and you can smoke larger briskets.
If you like being able to monitor your cook from the palm of your hand, go with the Pro Connect model.
What’s Included
When you open the box, you’ll see the list of items that are included and what each accessory is for. The list will vary depending on which model you purchased.
Your grill may come with sample-size bags of wood pellets, a crisper basket, which is used during the air crisp setting and a quick-start guide with recipes.
Pro Outdoor Grill
If you upgrade to the Pro Outdoor Grill, you’ll get the added benefit of a built-in thermometer. With the thermometer, you can program the grill to cook the meat to your exact preferred doneness.
If you don’t know what temperature to aim for, just use the pre-set settings. You can program it for different proteins and different doneness levels.
To learn more about the Ninja Woodfire Grill, such as how to assemble it, how to cook on it and how to clean it, click on the buttons below.
Who is this smoker for?
The Ninja Woodfire Grill is ideal for someone who is new to grilling or barbecue who is looking for an outdoor cooker that is easy to use.
Like most Ninja products, it also offers several functions, so you can use it to grill, smoke, barbecue AND griddle, bake, dehydrate or air crisp. This is really beneficial if you don’t have the backyard space for several different cookers.
Why would a pitmaster buy a Ninja Woodfire Grill?
If you’re already comfortable cooking on a charcoal grill or pellet grill, you may be wondering why you would want a Ninja Woodfire Grill.
Well, this grill is great for when you don’t want to put in a lot of effort or use a lot of fuel. You can smoke meat using a 1/2 cup of pellets, instead of several pounds.
You also don’t have to manage the fire like you do with charcoal, which is a great break when times are busy.
Plus, it has those extra air crisp and griddle features that your other grill probably doesn’t have.
If this information was helpful, I would appreciate it if you would use the link below when you purchase your Ninja Woodfire Grill. After you make a purchase, I will be provided a slight commission at no extra cost to you.
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Specifications
- Height: 13-1/2 inches
- Width: 23 inches
- Depth: 18-1/2 inches
- Interior Grill Dimensions: 10.5 x 14.5 inches
- Weight: 28 pounds
- Fuel Source: Electric with option of adding wood pellets for smoke
- Voltage: 120V – 60Hz
- Power: 1760 Watts
- Price: $369-554 (depending on package)
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker Specifications
- Height: 15.8 inches
- Width: 22.2 inches
- Depth: 20 inches
- Interior Grill Dimensions: 11.25 x 17.5 inches
- Weight: 39 pounds
- Fuel Source: Electric with option of adding wood pellets for smoke
- Voltage: 120V – 60Hz
- Power: 1760 Watts
- Price: $399-449 (depending on package)
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Trending Ninja Grill Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on what you’re cooking. For larger proteins like brisket and pork shoulder, the smoke will be mild. You can add a second cup of wood pellets to help increase the flavor. For more delicate foods like fries and pastas, the smoke can be intense. Dial the amount of pellets back for those types of dishes.
The cost of a Ninja Grill varies from around $369 to more than $500, depending on the model you purchase and if you buy a package with accessories. Keep an eye out for sales and promo codes.
You can purchase a Ninja Woodfire Grill directly from the Ninja website. When you purchase it here, you can take advantage of their package discounts and promotions.
You can also find the grill at retail stores like Kohl’s, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Best Buy.
I used the grill to make a pound and a half of chicken wings on the air fryer setting. I filled the basket with pellets. The wings came out leathery (probably overcooked) and very acrid. Too many pellets? Not enough ventilaltion? Not sure how to remedy the acrid flavor. There is no way to open the vent more. Any suggestions?
I had the acrid taste happen to me once when I was making mac and cheese. Now, I cut back on the amount of pellets I use. I fill the hopper about halfway full to avoid that. Not sure about the leathery issue. If you use the air crisp setting, they should be nice and crispy. https://girlscangrill.com/ninja-grill-recipes/crispy-chicken-wings/
High Christie,
Love my Woodfire grille and like to experiment with it.
I want cook/grille, no smoke, baby potatoes at the same time i am grilling a steak.
In your opinion is this something the Woodfire wil do and if so, any tips?
Many thanks.
Sure! If you cut the baby potatoes into smaller pieces, you should be able to lay them on the grill right next to the steaks. If you keep them whole, place them on the grill first because they’ll take longer to cook. Let them cook for 15 minutes or so, and then add the steaks. If you like them crispy, finish them on the air crisp setting.
Can i use wood chips instead of pellets, if not why? I have tons of wood chips for my smoker..would like to utilize them. Thanks
I don’t recommend it. The grill was specifically engineered for pellets. Wood chips may cause a fire or the wrong amount of smoke.
Hi Christie! I bit the bullet and purchased a Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL (model OG66UPG1). Would you happen to know if this will fit the Woodfire Collapsible Grill Stand (the same stand you referenced, above)? I can’t seem to get consistent/reliable information from Ninja: one person said yes, while anotger said no. I want a stand that can last through the cold, snowy winters in N. Arizona, but also portable for camping trips. Maybe that means I need two separate stands. Your thoughts?
Awesome! I think you’ll love the XL. The size is really great.
The stand for the regular model will not work with the XL because it has grooves where the regular model slides in. Those grooves are in the way for the XL feet. I have both at home and tested it to be sure. You’ll need this stand: https://ninjakitchen.pxf.io/R5De2b. I also recommend getting the side shelf: https://ninjakitchen.pxf.io/daq65k. Unfortunately, the table doesn’t collapse like the other one, but the legs adjust up and down, so it doesn’t have to be so tall.
Yes, you can use wood chunks, if the same size as pellets.
I bought a bag of Weber smoke blend.
Small flames, nothing major, small amount of Ash.
Really nice under flavour, to pork, not too strong.
Why doesn’t my food have the smoke taste. What’s weird is that my kitchen smells like smoke but my meat doesn’t taste like it.
What type of food are you smoking in the grill? For larger cuts of meat like brisket and pulled pork, I refill the pellet box a few times. For smaller items like mac and cheese, I use fewer pellets.
You said your kitchen smells like smoke, I assume you mean from the cooked meat and that you’re not using the grill indoors. It should definitely only be used outdoors.
Hello, I want to know if i can use the ninja Woodfire indoor ? Like the ninja grill….
Thanks
Per the manufacturer’s instructions, it should only be used outdoors.
Where can I buy it and how much
Here’s a link where you can purchase it: https://ninjakitchen.pxf.io/dozg0M.
The price ranges from $279-449, depending on the model you choose.
This ninja bbq woodfire can I use it indoor if I don’t use woodfire it look safe to use it indoor it just a air fryer without using woodfire. Cheer
The manufacturer’s instructions state it shouldn’t ever be used indoors.
I am buying this grill because of your review so Ninja owes you. My question is, you recommend indirect heat for several grilling recipes. Can the meat be placed in the crisper basket which would raise it above the hot grill plate? While doing this I would use the normal grill or smoker mode rather than the air fry mode.
Awe thanks! I appreciate it. When you use the smoker setting, it’s automatically indirect heat. The grill setting creates direct heat from the bottom. You can either use the grill grate or crisper basket in any function setting. When I grill things like steaks and burgers, I use the grill grate and the grill setting. When I do brisket, I use the grill grate and the smoker setting. I usually only use the crisper basket for things like wings or fries. I hope that helps.