When I think of the Ninja Kitchen brand I picture dependable, well-built appliances, and the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill lived up to that reputation. Even though I had my doubts at first, this compact, multi-functional unit impressed me.
Ninja Kitchen provided the Woodfire Outdoor Grill for this review, but everything below reflects my honest experience and opinion.
I was skeptical that a single, tabletop electric grill could handle a range of tasks well, so instead of testing something simple I decided to push it: I smoked a brisket. Smoking brisket is notoriously demanding—both technically and because the cut itself can be tough—so it felt like a fair challenge for the Woodfire.
Short version: the brisket turned out tender and juicy with a flavorful, genuinely smoky bark. I was pleasantly surprised.
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Ninja Woodfire Grill: First Impressions
The grill is bigger than it looks in photos, which is a nice surprise. A whole chicken would fit comfortably. The build quality feels solid, with clean gray and black styling and an elevated design that makes it easy to access and move.
I initially assumed the top vent was where smoke would exit, but that opening is actually an air intake. Smoke comes from a vent on the upper back of the grill, which I appreciated because I could position it so smoke blew away from where people were sitting.
The pellet smoke box is small—about a half cup capacity—which made me skeptical at first. In practice the pellets were efficient and delivered a pleasant, authentic smoke flavor. A little goes a long way.
Ninja Woodfire Grill: Assembly
Assembly was straightforward. The unit arrived almost ready to use—only the handles needed attaching. An included Allen wrench and a couple of minutes had it fully assembled. Handles are labeled left and right, which removes guesswork.
After sliding in the drip pan and smokebox, I carried the grill to my patio table using the large handles and plugged it into a nearby outlet with an extension cord. If you use an extension cord, follow the safety guidelines in the manual.
Ninja Woodfire Grill Review: Features
This electric grill handles a surprising range of tasks well. Key features I liked include:
Digital Control Panel: A clear LED display makes selecting and adjusting temperature and time simple.
Mode Selector Knob: Choose Grill, Smoke, Air Crisp, Bake, Roast, Broil, or Dehydrate from the control dial.
Woodfire Flavor Technology button: This adds smoky flavor to any cooking mode (smoke mode is already engaged when selected).
Wood Pellets: The unit uses premium hardwood pellets. Small sample bags I tried—one robust, smoky blend and one milder, sweeter blend—added authentic smoke character to food.
Accessories: A measuring cup helps avoid overfilling the smokebox, and the quick-start guide is clear and helpful.
Integrated Thermometer: The built-in probe and preset cooking programs made it easy to cook to precise doneness without constant monitoring. The probe docks in a front tray that keeps it protected when not in use.
Ninja Woodfire Grill Review: Specifications
- Height: 13.31 inches
- Width: 23.62 inches
- Depth: 18.58 inches
- Interior Dimensions: 10-1/2 x 14-1/2 inches
- Weight: ~31 pounds
- Fuel Source: Electric + wood pellets
- Voltage: 120V – 60Hz
- Power: 1760 Watts
- Temperature Range: 105°F to 500°F
- Cord length: 4 ft.
- Price: $369-429
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Ninja Woodfire Grill: Accessories
Ninja offers useful accessories that expand the grill’s versatility. Options include a foldable grill stand with wheels and utensil hooks for freestanding setup, a combo basket for grilling and air crispping at once, a griddle plate for edge-to-edge heat, and a weather-resistant cover with an elastic drawstring to keep the grill protected outdoors.
How To Cook On A Ninja Woodfire Grill
Using the Woodfire is straightforward and intuitive, which makes it ideal for weeknight dinners or casual weekend cooks. A typical workflow:
- Choose the appropriate accessories (griddle, air crisp basket, etc.).
- If smoking, add pellets to the smokebox.
- Plug in and select the desired cooking function on the control dial.
- Press the Woodfire Flavor button if you want additional smoke on non-smoke modes.
- Set temperature and time. The grill stops automatically when time ends.
- When the display prompts “add food,” place items inside.
- Cook according to your recipe—flip or baste as required.
- Note: I found some recipes cook a little faster on this unit, so check toward the end of the cook time.
- Enjoy.
What is cooking with the Woodfire like?
Cooking on the Woodfire is unintimidating and reliable. For my 4.5-pound brisket flat, I preheated on Smoke mode, added a scoop of pellets, seasoned the meat, and placed it on the preheated grate. I set the smoker to 225°F and let it run. Smoke exited from the back vent as expected, and the grill handled a roughly four-hour smoke to about 190°F with only one pellet top-up.
The grill suggests flipping at the midpoint, but some recipes call for keeping the lid closed. If you open the lid, the unit pauses the smokebox function and prompts you to close the lid again. When the probe reached the target temperature, the grill notified me; I turned it off, wrapped the brisket in foil, and let it rest in the still-warm unit for an hour to retain juices.
How Does The Ninja Woodfire Technology Compare?
The Woodfire uses wood pellets to produce smoke, and while it delivers excellent flavor for most home cooks, there are subtle differences compared with a large, traditional offset smoker. Hardcore barbecue purists may notice less smoke ring or the deeper complexity that comes from an all-day wood smoker, but for everyday use the Woodfire produces very satisfying results with far less hassle.
How to Clean the Ninja Woodfire
Cleaning is simple. The grate and air-crisper basket are removable and nonstick, so a quick hand wash does the job. Emptying the smokebox ash and the drip pan is quick—just dump and rinse. I plan to line the drip pan with foil next time to speed cleanup even more.
Wiping the exterior with a multipurpose spray and towel finished the job. Because I live where weather can be harsh, I store the grill on a garage shelf rather than leaving it outside, but the unit is easy to keep clean and ready to use.
Can I use the Ninja Woodfire grill indoors?
No. Despite its compact size and electric power, the Ninja Woodfire is designed for outdoor use only for safety and ventilation reasons.
Does the Ninja Woodfire grill run on electricity?
Yes. It is a fully electric grill with an optional wood pellet smokebox to add smoky flavor when desired.
Can you use any pellets in the Ninja Woodfire grill?
The owner’s manual recommends using Ninja Woodfire pellets. Some third-party suppliers market compatible pellets for this unit, but following the manufacturer’s guidance is the safest choice.
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Final Thoughts On The Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill
Overall, I’m genuinely impressed. The Woodfire answers the needs of apartment dwellers, RV owners, or anyone who wants authentic smoke flavor without a large footprint or complex setup. It delivers great results, is easy to use, and cleans up quickly.
If I could change anything, I’d like more dishwasher-safe parts and a wireless connectivity option for the thermometer. Those are minor wishes compared to the convenience and performance this grill delivers.
Our family will keep using the Woodfire for a variety of meals—from smoking brisket to trying pizza, air-crisped sides, and quick grilled burgers. I’ve already recommended it to friends based on its build quality, ease of use, and versatility.