Ninja 8-in-1 Outdoor Cooker Review: Is it Worth the Hype?

The Ninja 8-in-1 Outdoor Cooker promises versatility and convenience, but does it deliver? This comprehensive review puts the appliance to the test, exploring its various cooking functions and evaluating its performance against expectations. From high-heat searing to low-and-slow smoking, we explored the capabilities of this multi-functional cooker, examining both its strengths and weaknesses. We prepared a range of dishes, including Cajun chicken, jerk chicken, pulled pork, and even pizza, to assess its overall cooking performance and ease of use.This in-depth analysis covers the unboxing experience, detailing the included accessories and the cooker's construction. We detail the cooking process for each dish, highlighting both the results and any challenges encountered. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a balanced perspective on the Ninja 8-in-1 Outdoor Cooker, helping you decide if this highly-rated appliance is worth the investment and the hype surrounding its capabilities.

Pros And Cons

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Unboxing and First Impressions

The Ninja 8-in-1 Outdoor Cooker arrived in a surprisingly large box, requiring a significant amount of effort to unpack. The weight alone (22kg) makes it clear this isn't a lightweight appliance. Initial inspection revealed the included accessories: a pizza stone, a Pro Heat tray (essentially a high-temperature baking tray), a roasting rack, flavored wood chips, and the pellet scoop. Everything felt sturdy and well-made.

The cooker itself has a simple, intuitive design. It features a heating element at the bottom and another at the top, allowing for versatile cooking methods. The door, while initially difficult to open, boasts a safety mechanism for added security. The overall construction seems robust and ready to withstand frequent use.

Max Roast Setting Test: Cajun Chicken Tray Bake

The first test involved the "Max Roast" setting, designed for quick, high-heat cooking. The included Cajun chicken tray bake recipe promised a 15-minute meal. After prepping the chicken thighs, onions, and peppers with Cajun seasoning, oil, and other spices, the ingredients were loaded into the cooker.

The heat from the Pro Heat tray was intense, requiring two sets of oven gloves for safe handling. The cooking process involved flipping the chicken halfway through, and periodically moving the vegetables to ensure even cooking. The result was a perfectly charred and flavorful meal. The peppers and corn were beautifully blistered, and the chicken was juicy and smoky.

Gourmet Roast Setting Test: Jerk Chicken

Next, we tested the "Gourmet Roast" setting, featuring a two-stage cooking process for larger ingredients. A 1.6kg chicken was seasoned with jerk seasoning, oil, salt, and pepper. The cooker's automated two-stage process started with a high-heat blast (330°C) for 5 minutes, followed by a lower temperature (140°C) for 90 minutes.

The high-heat initial stage resulted in beautifully charred skin, while the lower temperature ensured a juicy interior. The end result was a delicious and evenly cooked chicken, surpassing expectations for a gourmet roast chicken. The high-heat charring created a subtle smoky flavor, even without explicitly using the smoker function.

Smoker Function Test: Pulled Pork

The smoker function was put to the test with a pulled pork recipe. A pork shoulder was generously coated in a homemade barbecue rub (paprika, pepper, garlic powder, salt, and sugar). Wood pellets were added, and the cooker was set to the smoker function for a 4-hour cook time.

After four hours, the pulled pork was perfectly cooked, with a tender texture and a rich smoky flavor. The long, low-temperature cooking method created incredibly succulent and flavorful pork. The simplicity of this method is a real strength of the Ninja 8-in-1.

Pizza Test: Artisan Pizza Showdown

Finally, the pizza function was tested using the included pizza stone and a double-zero flour artisan pizza dough. The cooker’s pizza setting preheated to 370°C. The dough was prepared and allowed to rise. For comparison, a pizza was also made in a high-temperature traditional pizza oven (420°C).

Both pizzas turned out exceptionally well. The Ninja pizza, cooked for 2.5 minutes, had a nice light, airy crust with a slightly chewy texture. The traditional pizza oven pizza had a deeper char and a crispier crust. While both were delicious, the Ninja pizza demonstrated surprisingly excellent results for a multi-function appliance, especially considering its ease of use.

Overall Conclusion and Verdict

The Ninja 8-in-1 Outdoor Cooker significantly exceeded expectations. Its multi-functionality allowed for diverse cooking methods, from high-heat searing to low-temperature smoking. The ease of use and quick cooking times are impressive. The pizza function, specifically, produced pizzas rivaling those from dedicated pizza ovens.

While a few minor drawbacks exist (the somewhat fiddly tray and the potential for some minor construction issues based on online reviews), the overall performance and versatility of this appliance make it a worthwhile purchase for those seeking a convenient, high-quality outdoor cooker. The Ninja 8-in-1 earns a strong recommendation for its combination of functionality, ease of use, and delicious results.