What to Know Before Buying the Ninja Air Fryer Pro: A Comprehensive Review

If you're considering purchasing the Ninja Air Fryer Pro, it's essential to hear an honest review first. I bought this air fryer during Black Friday 2021, hoping for exceptional performance. One standout feature is its unique design, allowing it to flip up and save counter space. Unfortunately, my experience over the past few months led me to regret this purchase.

Key Features and Claims of the Ninja Air Fryer Pro:

• Max Cooking Temperature: 450°F
• Design: Flips up to create extra counter space, features a sleek stainless steel finish that complements any kitchen décor.
• Oven Light: Illuminates the cooking area without opening the door.
• Preheat Time: Ready to use in just 60 seconds.
• Health Claims: Reduces fat in foods by up to 60%.
• Capacity: Can cook pizzas up to 13 inches in diameter, toast up to 6 pieces of bread, and air fry or roast up to 4 pounds.
• Cooking Modes: Offers up to 8 different cooking functions, including air fry, broil, air roast, bake, toast, bagel, reheat, and dehydrate.

How to Use the Ninja Air Fryer Pro:

1. Power On: Press the power button.
2. Adjust Settings: Use the knob to set your cooking time, mode, and temperature.
3. Start Cooking: Once settings are adjusted, press the start button. The air fryer heats up in about 60 seconds.
4. Shutdown: To turn off, press the knob. A cooling fan will activate to cool down the appliance.

Included Accessories:

• 13x13 Sheet Pan
• Wire Rack
• 13x13 Air Fryer Basket
• Removable Crumb Tray (which I found difficult to remove)

Issues Encountered:

Around three months into use, I noticed several problems:

• Warped Sheet Pan: After cooking bacon, the sheet pan developed random warped spots that were resistant to cleaning.
• Discolored Basket: The air fryer basket showed discoloration and was challenging to clean due to food getting stuck in the mesh.
• Crumb Tray Issues: The crumb tray became stuck, making it hard to clean. Despite using various cleaners, including multi-purpose sprays and oven cleaners, I couldn't remove the grime thoroughly. This led to unpleasant smoke during use due to residual chemicals.

Additional Observations:

• Oil Leakage: When the fryer was flipped up without proper cleaning, oils and juices leaked onto the counter.
• Cooling Fan Indicator: The "flip" indicator, which used to signal when it was safe to flip up, no longer functions.

Despite initially being excited about the Ninja Air Fryer Pro, my experience has been disappointing. After a year of use, I decided to purchase the NuWave Bravo XL as a replacement. I'm hopeful that this new model will address the shortcomings I faced with the Ninja.

Stay tuned for my review of the NuWave Bravo XL, and until next time, take care!