Ninja Foodi Smart FG551 Grill and Air Fryer Review: Worth It? (October 2026)

On this page (10 sections)

1. What does the Ninja Foodi Smart Grill FG551 do?
2. How useful is the FG551 thermometer?
3. How much food can you cook at once?
4. Will the FG551 fit on your counter?
5. Which Foodi alternative should you choose?
6. How should you set up the FG551 for a first meal?
7. Is the FG551 smokeless?
8. What cleanup routine makes regular use easier?
9. Which common mistakes should you avoid?
10. Should you buy the Ninja Foodi Smart Grill FG551?

The Ninja Foodi Smart Grill FG551 is a good fit for regular indoor grilling when you want a thermometer to guide doneness and an air-fry mode for other meals. Buy it only if you have a usable counter spot and don't need large batches of air-fried sides.

Its strongest reason to buy is guided cooking for proteins, rather than the number of functions alone. A household that grills often will get more use from it than someone who mainly wants to reheat snacks.

What does the Ninja Foodi Smart Grill FG551 do?

The FG551 combines Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil and Dehydrate in one countertop appliance. The Smart Cook System adds temperature guidance for foods where the center matters as much as the browned surface.

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Ninja Foodi Smart FG551: Best for regular indoor grillers

9.0/10Our score

• 6 cooking functions
• 4 qt crisper basket
• Smart thermometer with 4 protein presets and 9 doneness levels
• 1760 watts

Choose the FG551 for regular indoor grilling with thermometer guidance and several ways to cook sides. It fits a kitchen where a broad, heavy appliance can stay within reach.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Smart thermometer guides internal-temperature cooking
• Six cooking functions include Broil
• Grill grate fits up to 6 steaks or 24 hot dogs
• Nonstick ceramic-coated cooking parts

Cons

• Needs a broad counter space
• Weighs 22.4 lb
• Air-fried sides may need separate batches

Cyclonic air and a grill grate provide heat for indoor grilling, with a maximum temperature setting of 500°F. That gives you a way to cook grilled meals without arranging an outdoor cooking space.

The useful question is which jobs it will take over in your kitchen. If grilling dinner and air frying sides are weekly habits, the combination makes sense; occasional dehydrating alone isn't a strong reason to give it counter space.

It also helps to separate grilling from other cooking styles. A grate suits burgers, steaks and vegetables, while foods needing a broad, flat surface may call for a different appliance.

Who should buy the Ninja Foodi Smart FG551?

Choose the FG551 if you cook proteins often, want help tracking doneness and expect to use several cooking modes. It makes the most sense where it can stay accessible between meals.

Skip it if you already like your air fryer and only need a basic grill for occasional burgers. Our indoor grill and air fryer combo guide helps compare combination appliances, while indoor grills for home kitchens covers the wider category.

How useful is the FG551 thermometer?

The thermometer is useful for tracking internal temperature instead of relying on a timer alone. Its 4 protein presets and 9 doneness levels provide a guided starting point for cooking proteins.

Time alone can't account for every change in thickness or starting temperature. A probe gives you information about the food's center, which is especially helpful when the outside browns before the inside is ready.

Placement matters: follow the manual so the sensing area reaches the right part of the food. For thick meat, that generally means the center of the thickest section, away from bone and large pockets of fat.

A probe in 1 piece doesn't establish the temperature of every other piece on the grate. Group similar cuts together and check other portions separately when their thickness or size differs.

Use FoodSafety.gov's safe minimum internal temperatures when choosing a safe target. A doneness preference doesn't replace food-safety guidance or any required rest time.

For another model with this style of guidance, see our Ninja Foodi Smart XL DG551 review. Choosing between those models is more about fit and handling than gaining a different basic cooking routine.

How much food can you cook at once?

The FG551's grate fits up to 6 steaks or 24 hot dogs, while its cooking pot and crisper basket each hold 4 qt. Grate space determines how many pieces lie flat; basket volume serves a different purpose.

Treat the steak count as a maximum that depends on cut size. Wide steaks, large burgers and vegetables sharing the grate can reduce the number of portions that fit without crowding.

For air frying, a full basket isn't always the right batch size. Leave space for air to move, and shake or turn food as the recipe and manual direct.

Plan around the whole dinner rather than the main course alone. If you grill meat and then air fry potatoes, the first food needs a serving plan while the second cooks.

You also shouldn't assume a single appliance can cook separate grill and air-fry batches at different settings at once. If both parts of dinner must finish together, another cooking method for the side may be more practical.

For more help separating model names from useful capacity differences, read Ninja indoor grill models explained.

Will the FG551 fit on your counter?

The FG551 needs 18.74 in of depth, 17.95 in of width and 14.45 in of height for the appliance itself. It weighs 22.4 lb, so a permanent spot is easier to work with than a hard-to-reach storage shelf.

Mark out the footprint on your counter before ordering. Then account for the manual's operating clearances, the open lid and a safe landing place for hot cooking parts.

A space that holds the closed appliance may still be awkward during cooking. Check that you can lift the basket out without reaching under a cabinet or moving other items first.

Think through cleanup as well as cooking. You'll need to reach around the cooled appliance, carry removable parts to the sink and store accessories when they're dry.

If putting it away requires lifting it from a low cupboard every evening, reconsider the size. Our indoor grill size guide can help match cooking needs to the space you can spare.

Which Foodi alternative should you choose?

Choose the EG201 for direct heat selection, LG451BK for a smaller exterior, or DG551 for another Smart XL option. All 4 models here have a 4 qt crisper basket, so none provides an air-fry capacity upgrade over the FG551.

EG201: for cooks who prefer choosing the heat

The EG201 suits cooks who want Low, Medium, High and Max GrillControl settings and are comfortable checking doneness themselves. Its 6 qt cooking pot gives it a distinct advantage for recipes that need pot volume.

That larger pot doesn't enlarge the grill grate or crisper basket. Skip this model if an included Smart thermometer is the main reason you're shopping for a Foodi.

Its exterior measures 17.16 x 14.19 x 11.02 in, and it weighs 21.5 lb. It needs less width than the FG551 but still calls for a practical storage plan.

LG451BK: for smaller spaces with thermometer guidance

The LG451BK is the alternative to consider when counter fit matters and you still want Smart Cook guidance. At 14.9 x 14.9 x 11.02 in, it's shorter, narrower and shallower than the FG551.

Its 5 functions cover Grill, Air Crisp, Bake, Roast and Dehydrate. Choose it if those match your meals, but skip it if you specifically want Broil.

DG551: for buyers comparing Smart XL models

The DG551 suits buyers who want thermometer-guided family grilling with all 6 modes in another exterior design. Its stated maximum steak and hot-dog capacities match the FG551, so don't choose it expecting more grill space.

It measures 15.7 x 11.1 x 16 in and weighs 25 lb. Check each dimension against your intended location, especially height, and avoid it if frequent lifting would be difficult.

Our Ninja DG551 vs FG551 comparison is the next step if these are your final 2 choices.

How should you set up the FG551 for a first meal?

Start with a stable, heat-safe location and the exact assembly steps in the manual. Wash and dry the removable cooking parts as directed before first use, then fit the parts required for your chosen mode.

Check the power instructions before plugging it in. The FG551 uses 1760 watts, so follow the manual's outlet guidance and avoid sharing an overloaded circuit with other high-draw appliances.

For the first meal, choose a simple recipe with pieces of similar thickness. That makes it easier to learn the controls and understand the cooking sequence without juggling several foods.

Let the appliance complete its required preheat before adding food. Have tongs, a serving plate and a heat-safe place for accessories ready so you don't need to rearrange the counter mid-meal.

Dry surface moisture from food before grilling, and apply oil only as the recipe or manual directs. Add sugary sauces late enough to avoid scorching them during high-heat cooking.

Our guide to grilling indoors explains the basic preparation and meal-planning steps that apply across indoor grills.

Is the FG551 smokeless?

Ninja describes the FG551 as virtually smoke free, but you should still plan for cooking smoke and odors. Fat, residue, sauces and high heat can affect what enters the kitchen air.

Use the ventilation available in your kitchen and keep the required clearances around the appliance. A smoke-reduction claim doesn't make an enclosed or poorly ventilated spot suitable.

Remove leftover grease before the next meal, and follow the recommended settings for the food. Turning the heat to maximum for every recipe can scorch residue or sauces before the food is ready.

Read indoor grill ventilation basics before settling on a location. Indoor grilling also won't reproduce the smoke flavor of a charcoal fire simply by adding grate marks.

What cleanup routine makes regular use easier?

Clean the cooled cooking parts after each use so grease and food don't build up. The FG551's pot, crisper basket and grate have nonstick ceramic coatings, so use tools and cleaners suited to those surfaces.

Remove loose food and grease before washing, and soften stuck residue using the manual's recommended method. Avoid scraping the coating with metal tools or attacking it with abrasive pads.

Check dishwasher directions for each part rather than treating the whole appliance as washable. The thermometer, its connection and the electrical base need their own care steps.

Don't let removable-part cleanup distract from grease elsewhere in the appliance. Inspect the areas and components covered by the manual, then dry everything before reassembly.

Choose a routine you can manage after an ordinary weeknight meal. The Ninja Foodi grill cleaning guide walks through care for this appliance family, with the FG551 manual taking priority for exact instructions.

Which common mistakes should you avoid?

The biggest mistakes are crowding food, choosing by function count alone and treating every portion as identical. Each can make the appliance a poor fit even when its features sound right.

• Buying for modes you won't use: Write down your regular meals and identify which functions they need before choosing the larger appliance.
• Packing the basket tightly: Split the food into batches when pieces can't move or air can't circulate around them.
• Mixing very different thicknesses: Group similar pieces together and check smaller portions before larger ones finish.
• Using browning as proof of doneness: Use appropriate internal-temperature checks, especially when cooking thick or frozen food.
• Assuming frozen food needs one fixed time: Follow food-specific instructions and check the center rather than relying on a broad speed claim.
• Leaving cleaning until residue hardens: Build cooling and cleanup into the meal routine, with hot parts kept safely out of the way.

Should you buy the Ninja Foodi Smart Grill FG551?

Buy the Ninja Foodi Smart Grill FG551 if guided protein cooking will be a regular part of your week and you have room to leave it accessible. Its combination of grilling and other cooking modes is most useful when it replaces jobs you already do.

Choose the LG451BK if smaller exterior dimensions matter more than Broil. Pick the EG201 if you prefer direct grill heat selection and want the larger cooking pot.

Keep the DG551 on your shortlist if its shape fits your kitchen better, but don't expect a larger air-fry basket or higher stated grill capacity. The Smart XL DG551 review can help settle that final comparison.

Before ordering, map out one real dinner: where the appliance will sit, which food cooks first and where the hot parts will go. If that plan works without crowding the counter or delaying half the meal, the FG551 is a sensible choice.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Ninja Foodi Smart FG551 have a built-in thermometer?

The FG551 includes a Foodi Smart Thermometer that works with its Smart Cook System; its 4 protein presets and 9 doneness levels help guide cooking, but correct probe placement still matters. Follow the manual and use safe internal-temperature guidance for the food you prepare.

What can the Ninja Foodi Smart FG551 cook?

The FG551 can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate; use the grill grate for foods such as steaks and burgers, and the crisper basket for air-fried sides. Plan the order of your meal because having several modes doesn't mean you can run them separately at once.

How much counter space does the FG551 need?

The FG551 measures 18.74 in deep, 17.95 in wide and 14.45 in high, before allowing for operating space. Follow the manual's clearance requirements and leave room to open the lid and lift out hot parts; its 22.4 lb weight also makes storage access worth planning.

Is the Ninja Foodi Smart FG551 easy to clean?

The FG551 has nonstick ceramic-coated cooking parts that help food release during cleanup. Let them cool as directed, remove grease and use gentle tools suited to the coating; check the manual for each part's dishwasher instructions, and follow separate care directions for the thermometer and electrical base.