‘I tried Ninja’s no-gas outdoor grill and it cooks perfect chicken in 8 minutes’

Did you know that this week is National Barbecue Week? I actually do know this fun fact because I plan on celebrating big time. I have a love of barbecue food, but the dilemma I also have is that I haven’t really been able to master the art of barbequing myself. Growing up, my dad and my brother were always the first to have the tongs in hand, and I was always happy behind the scenes making the potato salad. But this summer I promised myself I’d get some barbecue skills so that I can create delicious meals for myself now that I live alone.

I gave it one go on a regular gas barbecue and immediately gave up. Not because I lacked the knowledge of how to light it, but because I didn’t enjoy the element of gas in the cooking process. I’ve read horror stories about wrongly using gas cooking units in smaller spaces, and my balcony feels like a smaller space. So what’s a girl to do?

Give Ninja Woodfire Electric Barbecue Grill and Smoker a go, of course. Having read and watched dozens of reviews online from both amateur and pro barbecuers, I suspected I would love it, but I don’t think I was expecting to like it quite as much as I do.

The Ninja Woodfire Electric Barbecue Grill tech

The top line of the product is it’s an easy-to-use outdoor grill that needs no charcoal or gas and produces no flames. You can use it as an air fryer or as a BBQ-like grill to create authentic seared meats and veg. In fact, it has seven functions that allow you to grill, smoke, air fry, roast, bake and reheat.

The innovative woodfire technology from an integrated smoker box uses natural wood palettes to give food a smoky flavour, which is how the machine can also function as a smoker. All you need to do is plug it into an electricity socket to use any of the features.

Moreover, if you purchase the bundle offer for 499.97 here, you’ll also receive a stand that transforms the cooker into a standing barbecue and a cover to protect the metal from the elements.

This is perfect for anyone wanting to expand their outdoor cooking repertoire, but it’s particularly beneficial for those with balconies or patios rather than large gardens. The relatively compact size of the machine means it can fit in spaces not big enough for a traditional barbecue. And since it doesn’t use gas, it’s safe for use in more enclosed spaces.

Zoe says

As the leader of an editorial shopping department, I’m lucky enough to test quite a few products. However, I can honestly say that this is one of the better items I’ve tried out. So much so that I’m eager to keep the grill, which doesn’t often happen because I don’t have the room in my flat to store tech I won’t regularly use.

What I adore the most is its rapid heating time. When I use it as a grill, I turn it on about seven minutes before I need to cook my steak or chicken, and then, depending on the meat type, it only takes another five or six minutes to cook. The handy instruction manual that comes with the machine provides a comprehensive guide on cooking times and functions, so I just follow them to perfect any dish I’m trying to cook.

So far, grilling chicken on it has been my favourite the grill setting imparts an authentic flavour but I’ve also tried out its air fryer functions and they’re so impressive that I’ve given my standalone air fryer to a mate. I tested the smoker on steak and while the flavour was subtle, it certainly elevated the dining experience.

As someone who detests washing up, the fact that I can simply remove the grill plate from the machine and pop it straight into the dishwasher is such a perk and makes the barbecue clean up a breeze.

I hosted the first barbecue of the summer last weekend and solely used this Ninja grill, and it catered for eight people without a hitch. So, while it’s not as large as a traditional BBQ, the speed at which it cooks food means you can keep a steady flow of food coming.

I would highly recommend getting the stand to accompany it because it made the grill resemble more of a barbeque. Without it, it does look a tad like an above-average George Foreman. Am I impressed? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to a friend? I already have done. Did it impress my barbecue-loving brother? It certainly did.

You can purchase it for 499.97 here with the accessories or just the machine for £279.99 here (currently on sale from £349.99). Alternatively, for other grill suggestions under £100, see Amazon’s top-rated grills from £18 here.