The Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro is a multi-function indoor grill and griddle that combines high-heat searing, flat-top cooking, air crisping, and several other cooking modes in one countertop appliance. It is built around a powered grill grate, a 12-inch BBQ griddle, and a Smart Thermometer, which together give it a broader range of uses than a basic indoor grill. For households that want one appliance for grilling, griddling, and air frying style cooking, it offers a compact way to handle several kitchen tasks without switching between different devices.
Quick Overview
The Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro is designed for indoor cooking with a focus on flexible heat control. It can be used with the hood up or down, depending on whether the goal is direct searing or enclosed high-heat cooking. The unit also includes an air crisp function and other cooking modes, making it more versatile than a single-purpose grill.
Its size and feature set suggest it is meant for family-style meals and everyday kitchen use. The included grill grate, flat-top griddle, crisper basket, and thermometer support a range of cooking styles, from steaks and sandwiches to pancakes and crisped vegetables.
| Product Type | Indoor grill and griddle combo |
|---|---|
| Brand | Ninja |
| Model | IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro |
| Color | Black |
| Cooking Functions | Grill, BBQ Griddle, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate |
| Included Accessories | 9″ x 12″ grill grate, 12″ flat-top BBQ griddle, 4-qt. crisper basket, Foodi Smart Thermometer, quick start guide |
| Capacity Notes | Grill grate fits up to 6 steaks; griddle fits a platter of nachos, 4 sandwiches, or 6 pancakes |
What This Appliance Does
This Ninja Foodi unit brings together a grill, a griddle, and a hot-air cooking chamber. The grill grate is powered separately and reaches 500F, which is intended to support direct searing across the cooking surface. The flat-top BBQ griddle expands what the appliance can handle, especially foods that benefit from an even cooking surface rather than grill marks.
The hood can be kept up or down, which changes how the appliance cooks. With the hood down, cyclonic air helps surround food with heat for crisping, melting, and more even cooking. With the hood up, the appliance focuses on direct bottom heat, which is useful when a more concentrated sear is the goal.
Key Features
Powered grill grate for direct searing
The grill grate is independently powered and reaches 500F. That design supports direct high-heat cooking and edge-to-edge searing. For people who want an indoor appliance that can handle grilled proteins and vegetables, this is one of the defining features of the unit.
12-inch BBQ griddle
The flat-top griddle gives the appliance a second cooking style. It is suited to foods that do not work as well on a traditional grill surface, including pancakes, sandwiches, and nachos. The interlocking design with the grate helps it make use of the appliance’s direct heat.
Smart thermometer cooking
The included Foodi Smart Thermometer is meant to reduce guesswork during protein cooking. It offers four smart protein settings and nine customizable doneness levels. That makes it useful for anyone who wants a more controlled approach to doneness without relying only on timing.
Air crisp and other modes
In addition to grilling and griddling, the appliance supports Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate functions. This makes it more adaptable for weeknight cooking, reheating-style tasks, and recipes that call for dry heat rather than pan-based cooking.
Smoke control system
The smoke control system combines grilling practices, a temperature-controlled grill grate, a splatter shield, and a cool-air zone. That combination is intended to reduce smoke during indoor grilling. For apartment kitchens or smaller homes, smoke management can be an important practical consideration.
How the Hood Position Affects Cooking
One of the more practical parts of the Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro is the hood-up or hood-down setup. This changes the way heat moves around the food and gives the appliance a wider range of cooking behavior.
- Hood up: Direct bottom heat is used for intense searing and a more open grilling style.
- Hood down: Cyclonic air is added for surround searing, crisping, melting, and more even heating.
That flexibility may be useful if you cook different kinds of food in the same appliance and want more control over texture and browning.
Capacity and Everyday Use
The XL format is meant to handle multiple portions at once. The grill grate fits up to six steaks, mains, and sides at the same time, while the griddle can handle a full platter of nachos, four sandwiches, or six pancakes. Those examples help show the scale of the cooking surface without needing exact performance claims.
In day-to-day use, the appliance may appeal to households that want to prepare complete meals on a single countertop unit. It can serve as a grilling option when outdoor cooking is not convenient and as a griddle when breakfast, sandwiches, or mixed dishes are on the menu.
Cleaning and Materials
The grill grate, crisper basket, and BBQ griddle plate are described as having a PTFE/PFOA-free, nonstick ceramic coating and being dishwasher safe. Because kitchen care preferences vary, it is still worth checking how the parts fit into your normal cleaning routine and whether the size of the components is practical for your dishwasher or sink setup.
The smoke control system and the enclosed design also make the unit easier to place in a home kitchen than an open-flame grill, though it still needs enough counter space and ventilation for comfortable use.
What Is Included
The package includes the main Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro Griddle & Grill unit, a 9″ x 12″ grill grate, a 12″ flat-top BBQ griddle, a 4-qt. crisper basket, a Foodi Smart Thermometer, and a quick start guide. Those accessories help the appliance cover the core cooking functions without requiring immediate add-ons.
Who It May Be Suitable For
This appliance may be a good fit for people who want several cooking functions in one indoor device. It may also appeal to home cooks who like the idea of switching between grilling and griddling without changing appliances.
- Households that cook for multiple people at once
- People who want indoor grilling with more controlled heat
- Cooks who prepare both savory meals and breakfast-style foods
- Anyone who values a thermometer-guided approach to doneness
- Shoppers looking for a multi-function countertop cooker rather than a single-use grill
Things to Consider Before Buying
The Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro is versatile, but it is still a countertop appliance with defined limits. The size that makes it useful for family meals also means it will take up more space than a compact grill. It is worth checking your available counter storage and how often you expect to switch between the different cooking modes.
Because it combines grilling, griddling, air crisping, and other functions, it may replace several smaller appliances for some kitchens. For others, the question is whether they will actually use enough of those functions to justify the footprint. The answer depends on whether you need a broad indoor cooker or just a basic grill.
The Smart Thermometer and multiple doneness settings are practical features for protein cooking, but they do not remove the need to understand basic cooking times, food thickness, and the behavior of different cuts. Those factors still matter in any kitchen appliance.
For the latest product information and specifications, view the current product listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of cooking can the Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro handle?
It supports grill, BBQ griddle, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate functions. That range makes it suitable for both high-heat searing and more general countertop cooking tasks.
Can it be used with the hood up and down?
Yes. Hood-up cooking uses direct bottom heat, while hood-down cooking adds cyclonic air for surrounding heat, crisping, and melting.
Does it come with a thermometer?
Yes. The appliance includes the Foodi Smart Thermometer, which offers four smart protein settings and nine customizable doneness levels.
What accessories are included?
The main unit comes with a grill grate, a flat-top BBQ griddle, a 4-qt. crisper basket, the thermometer, and a quick start guide.
Is it only for grilling?
No. While grilling is a major function, the appliance also supports griddle cooking, air crisping, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating.
Final Thoughts
The Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro is a feature-rich indoor grill and griddle combo built for kitchens that want more than one cooking surface in a single appliance. Its powered grill grate, flat-top griddle, thermometer-guided cooking, and multiple heat modes give it a broad range of uses without relying on outdoor equipment. For anyone comparing indoor multi-cookers, it stands out as a practical all-in-one option focused on grilling, griddling, and air crisping in a countertop format.