There was a time when I felt really limited in my outdoor cooking. Space was tight, and messing with charcoal or propane tanks just wasn’t convenient for grilling, let alone trying to get that deep smoky flavor you crave. I wished there was a way to bring the joy of cooking outdoors with diverse methods and authentic taste, without all the hassle. Not solving this meant constantly dealing with smoky kitchens indoors or missing out on that fantastic barbecue experience altogether.
Outdoor cookers, whether they’re grills, smokers, or multi-functional units, fundamentally solve the problem of moving cooking outside. This keeps heat, smoke, and smells out of your house, allows for techniques like grilling and smoking that are best done outdoors, and lets you enjoy fresh air while you cook. Someone seeking such an item might live in a place with limited indoor cooking ventilation, have a small outdoor space like a balcony or patio, enjoy camping or RVing, or simply prefer cooking and entertaining outside whenever possible. The ideal customer values convenience, versatility, and perhaps specific cooking methods like smoking or air frying that their indoor appliances can’t replicate outdoors. On the flip side, if you have a massive backyard, already own a high-end gas grill and a dedicated smoker, and have no interest in electric cooking or air frying outdoors, a multi-functional electric cooker might be more than you need. You might be better served by sticking to your existing setup or investing in accessories for your current grill. Before buying any outdoor cooker, you need to think about your available space, the types of cooking you want to do (just grilling, smoking, air frying, baking?), the fuel source (electric, propane, charcoal, wood pellets?), ease of cleanup, weather resistance if you plan to store it outside, and the capacity you need for cooking for your family or entertaining guests.
Introducing the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker (Renewed)
This particular product, the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker in Navy (Renewed), is designed to be a versatile workhorse for your outdoor cooking needs. It promises four distinct cooking functions – Grilling, BBQ Smoking, Air Frying, and Baking – all infused with real woodfire flavor thanks to its unique technology. When you get this unit, you receive the grill base itself, a spacious 180 sq-inch non-stick grill grate, a built-in thermometer probe, a crisper basket for air frying, a grease tray with a disposable liner, a pellet scoop, and starter packs of Ninja Woodfire pellets (Robust & All-Purpose blends). Compared to single-function outdoor grills or smokers, this Ninja unit aims to replace multiple appliances. It also boasts a 30% larger capacity than the original Ninja outdoor grill, addressing the need for cooking more food at once. This specific Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker model is perfect for anyone who wants maximum cooking flexibility outdoors, enjoys woodfire flavor without the complexity of traditional smokers, has limited space for multiple units, or is looking for great value by choosing a renewed product. It’s likely not the right fit if you strictly want to cook only over charcoal or gas, or if you need a massive grill surface for very large gatherings exclusively.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Four cooking functions in one compact unit.
* Adds authentic woodfire flavor to all cooking methods.
* Large cooking capacity, great for entertaining.
* Built-in thermometer for precise cooking control.
* Weather-resistant build allows for year-round outdoor use.
* Renewed option offers significant cost savings.
Cons:
* Requires an electrical outlet.
* Might have minor cosmetic flaws as a renewed unit.
* Potential for mechanical issues (like fan noise) as reported by some users, though often fixable.
* Smoking requires purchasing specific wood pellets.
- 12 PLUS SERVINGS - It’s tailgate time! The 200 square inches of rectangular grilling surface lets you make over 12 servings for large groups of people
- INDOOR AND OUTDOOR USE: Enjoy the flexibility to use this electric grill on the stand for outdoor cooking or remove it for tabletop grilling indoors. Ideal for kitchens, balconies, patios, and more....
- ELECTRIC GRILL: This grill is powered by electricity to give you the convenience of grilling without the hassle of gas or charcoal. It reaches cooking temperatures quickly, delivers high temps and...
Key Features & Benefits
Let’s dive into what makes the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker such a versatile outdoor cooker.
4-in-1 Functionality: Grill, Smoke, Air Fry, & Bake
This is perhaps the most impressive feature – having four core cooking methods packed into one appliance. As someone who loves to experiment with different techniques but lacks endless outdoor space, this was a game-changer.
* Grilling: It functions like a powerful electric grill, giving you direct heat for searing burgers, steaks, or grilling vegetables. You get those satisfying grill marks and char without needing propane tanks or charcoal bags. This means less hassle getting started and consistent heat.
* BBQ Smoking: This is where the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker truly differentiates itself. It uses a small amount of wood pellets (just half a cup!) to generate real wood smoke. It’s not just simulated flavor; you get authentic smoky taste and even a BBQ bark on meats. This capability lets you easily smoke ribs, briskets, pork butts, or chicken, bringing true low-and-slow BBQ to your patio or balcony, something previously difficult without a dedicated, often large, smoker.
* Outdoor Air Fryer: Air frying is fantastic for getting crispy results with less oil, but doing it indoors can generate heat and odors. Having an outdoor air fryer lets you crisp up fries, wings, or veggies outside, keeping your kitchen cool and clean. The added bonus here is that you can also infuse these air-fried items with woodfire flavor using the pellet system.
* Bake: Yes, you can even bake outdoors! This function is great for cooking things like pizzas, casseroles, or even desserts outside. It keeps the heat out of your house, especially during warmer months, and again, can potentially be enhanced with a hint of wood smoke for unique flavors.
Having these four options in one outdoor grill means you can cook an entire meal using just this one appliance – grill the main course, air fry the side dish, maybe even bake a dessert simultaneously or consecutively. It significantly expands your outdoor cooking repertoire without cluttering your space.
Enhanced Capacity: Cook for a Crowd
The “XL” in the name isn’t just for show. With 180 square inches of cooking space, this outdoor cooker offers 30% more capacity than the previous model. This is a huge benefit if you’re cooking for a family or entertaining friends. The description states it can fit two full racks of ribs, ten burgers, four pounds of wings, two 7-pound chickens, or even a 10-pound brisket. This increased size makes it practical for cooking larger cuts of meat low-and-slow or grilling enough food for a modest gathering all at once, making it a viable alternative to a medium-sized gas grill for many people.
Integrated Built-In Thermometer
Taking the guesswork out of cooking is invaluable, especially for larger or more expensive cuts of meat. The Ninja Woodfire Pro XL includes a built-in thermometer probe that lets you monitor the internal temperature of your food directly on the unit’s display. You can set your desired temperature, and the grill alerts you when your food is done. This frees you up to enjoy being outside or spending time with guests, rather than constantly hovering over the grill checking for doneness. It’s a simple feature that makes a big difference in ensuring perfectly cooked, juicy results every time, whether you’re grilling chicken or smoking a pork shoulder.
Master Grill Performance: Authentic Char and Sear
One concern with electric grills can be whether they deliver the same kind of searing power as gas or charcoal. Ninja claims this unit offers “all the performance of a full-size propane grill with the same char and searing.” In practice, the heating element gets hot enough to achieve those desirable grill marks and create a flavorful crust on meats and vegetables. While perhaps not identical to a charcoal grill spitting fire, it certainly gets hot enough for effective direct heat grilling, providing that classic outdoor grilled texture and flavor profile. This makes it a true “grill” and not just an outdoor oven.
Foolproof BBQ Smoker: Easy Woodfire Flavor
Achieving authentic BBQ smoke flavor usually requires managing coals and wood chunks for hours. The Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker simplifies this significantly. Using just a small scoop of wood pellets in the integrated smoke box, you can generate real wood smoke that infuses your food. The electric element maintains the temperature, allowing the pellets to smolder and produce smoke. This “foolproof” approach means even beginners can get that delicious smoky taste and bark without the complexities of traditional smoking methods. It’s a fast and easy way to elevate your BBQ game.
Woodfire Technology: Electricity Meets Real Wood
The core innovation here is the combination of electric power with real wood pellets. The Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker uses electricity to heat up and maintain temperature, providing convenience and precise control. Simultaneously, a small, contained burn box allows wood pellets to smolder, producing actual smoke. This smoke is circulated around the cooking chamber, infusing the food with authentic woodfire flavor you can see and taste. It’s a clever way to get the benefits of electric cooking (easy start, temperature control) with the flavor payoff of wood smoking. You can add this woodfire flavor to *any* of the cooking functions – grilling, smoking (obviously), air frying, or baking.
Weather Resistant: Built for the Outdoors
This outdoor grill is designed to live outside. Its construction is weather-resistant, meaning you don’t need to haul it in and out of storage every time you want to use it or when the weather turns. This year-round outdoor storage capability is practical and convenient, ensuring it’s always ready when inspiration strikes. While always recommended to use a cover for longevity, the built-in resistance means it can withstand being exposed to the elements.
Grill From Just About Anywhere: Portable and Versatile
The design and electric power source mean this Ninja Woodfire Pro XL is incredibly portable and versatile in terms of where you can use it. As long as you have access to an electrical outlet, you can set it up. This makes it ideal for places where propane or charcoal might be restricted or inconvenient – small apartment balconies, RVs, decks, small backyards, tailgating events (if power is available), or even just setting it up further away from your house. Its relatively compact size compared to full-size grills or smokers enhances this portability.
Overall, the features of the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker combine to offer a powerful, convenient, and versatile outdoor cooking experience, bringing multiple capabilities and real woodfire flavor to your outdoor space with minimal fuss.
Hear From Other Users
After looking around online, it’s clear that many users are really happy with the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker. People rave about getting units in excellent condition, even when buying them renewed, sometimes looking brand new out of the box. The value proposition on renewed units seems particularly appealing. Owners love how easy it is to get that authentic wood smoke flavor, finding the results so good they’re cooking outdoors more often. The smell of the pellets smoking is frequently mentioned as a highlight, making the outdoor cooking experience even more enjoyable. While one user did note a fan noise issue upon initial use of their renewed unit, they found it was a simple fix by tightening a bolt, and the unit performed great after that.
Final Thoughts
Struggling with limited space, messy fuel sources, or the desire for authentic smoke flavor without the commitment of a traditional smoker can really put a damper on outdoor cooking enthusiasm. If you’ve been looking for a solution that brings versatility, convenience, and genuine woodfire taste to your patio, balcony, or backyard, the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker is definitely worth considering. Its 4-in-1 functionality, large capacity, integrated thermometer, and unique Woodfire Technology make it a powerful all-rounder that simplifies outdoor cooking. It solves the problem of needing multiple appliances and brings delicious flavors within easy reach. To learn more and check it out, click here.
Last update on 2025-08-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API