A kitchen upgrade should do more than give you another way to cook frozen fries.

The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill & Air Fryer AG551 makes a more interesting pitch: temperature-guided cooking, high-heat indoor grilling and six cooking functions in one countertop appliance. Here are five reasons it deserves your attention.

1. It Checks Your Food’s Temperature—Not Just the Clock

A timer tells you how long dinner has been cooking. Knowing what is happening inside the food is far more useful.

A probe with a purpose: The Foodi Smart Probe continuously monitors your food’s internal temperature during cooking.

Your steak, your preference: Select your protein and preferred doneness through the Smart Cook System. Audible alerts tell you when to remove the food and let it rest.

Why this matters: Temperature feedback is a compelling upgrade for anyone tired of guessing whether a steak is ready. Correct probe placement and resting are still essential—it is cooking assistance, not a guarantee against mistakes.

2. It Brings 260°C Searing Power to Your Countertop

This is where the AG551’s grill identity gets interesting.

Heat from more than one direction: Ninja combines rapid cyclonic air at up to 260°C with a temperature-sensing grill plate to produce browning and searing.

Designed for indoor grilling: A splatter shield, controlled heating and a cool-air zone help reduce smoke.

Why this matters: The attraction is grilled food without organising an outdoor barbecue. However, reduced smoke does not mean zero smoke; recommended oils, temperature settings and proper ventilation still matter.

3. Six Cooking Functions Give It a Job Beyond Steak Night

An impressive appliance should earn its countertop space throughout the week.

Six modes, one machine: Switch between Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat and Dehydrate.

Controls you can adjust: The digital panel lets you select a cooking programme and change the cooking time and temperature.

Why this matters: Think beyond whether you need a grill. Consider whether these functions fit how you actually cook. Versatility only becomes valuable when you use it.

4. XL Capacity Makes the Family-Dinner Pitch More Convincing

Nobody wants to serve dinner in instalments.

More room for the main event: The capacity for up to six steaks, although the actual fit depends on their size.

Useful capacity for other meals: The 3.8-litre crisper basket is listed for up to 900g of fries or chicken wings, while the 5.7-litre cooking pot accommodates a 1.4kg roast, according to Ninja.

Why this matters: For households cooking several portions, the potential to reduce batch cooking could be more valuable than another preset button.

5. The Design Does Not Forget About Washing Up

The least glamorous feature can be the one you appreciate most after dinner.

Removable, dishwasher-safe parts: The grill plate, crisper basket and cooking pot have non-stick ceramic coatings and can go in the dishwasher.

A cleaning brush is included: There is also a dedicated tool for tackling the cooking surfaces.

Why this matters: Easier maintenance deserves a place on the buying checklist. Regular grease removal is still necessary, particularly because accumulated oils can cause smoke during later cooking sessions.

The Takeaway: Buy It for the Grill-and-Probe Combination

The most persuasive reason to consider the AG551 is not simply its number of cooking modes. It is the combination of indoor grilling and temperature feedback—features that make sense for someone who wants more guidance when cooking proteins. For more info, checkout their website HERE