Ninja Foodie - other brands available

No, I doubt it.

I got one in the spring, and I am using it, but as I already had an IP (pressure cooker with knobs on) and a separate slow cooker the only benefit is the air fryer function, and I find that the (cheaper) Tower one I have at our lodge is better for that. The tower one has shelves, and is more like a mini oven, whereas the Ninja is a pot that you cook in. You have to add racks to cook two things at once, and they are a faff. The pot is round, whereas the shelves on the Tower are square/rectangular, so much easier to fit cooking pots into. Getting things out of the Ninja is fraught with danger, whereas the Tower is much easier. You can fit a pyrex casserole dish in the Tower, but you have to cook casseroles/lasagnes etc direct in the Ninja, which I don't like as I prefer to serve food on the table rather than plate it up, and the pot is not suitable for that.

If I didn't have an electric pressure cooker I would feel differently, but if I'd had the Tower before getting the Ninja I wouldn't have got it, I would have gone straight for another Tower. Both are cheaper than using the oven though.

Since buying an Instant Pot my ovens have barely been on.
It’s the best kitchen appliance I have ever owned.

Sorry - that is what I meant by IP above.

They do Ninja-style ones that air fry, too (mine doesn't), but there would still be the problem with cooking in a pot not always being what you want to do. I love my IP though. Soup, lentil-based dishes, rice, pasta are all foolproof and so quick.

I love mine. There are various different models which all have different functions, so it's worth doing a little research to determine which one you think you would get the most use out of. I have the 9-in-1 and I've used all the functions on it apart from the yogurt one, which I plan to try soon. I'm currently doing 'sundried' tomatoes in mine, using the dehydrate function. The functions I use most often are the aircrisp (air fry) and pressure cook. I personally think it's a great piece of kit.

I have the 14 in 1. I used the dehydrator recently, and it was ok, but you have to buy another set of racks to use it, and it's not something I imagine I will do often. I have bought numerous tins and cookware to go in it, as the ones I had are too big (largely because of the round pot), so on top of the cost of the Ninja I have forked out a lot for the other equipment.

I love my Ninja Foodie but you already have most of the appliances - if you are thinking of getting rid of what you have it may be worth it, or if you ever need to replace them but it's a lot of money and a big appliance just to have an air fryer. Mine is heavy and is always out on the shelf, and I also use my slow cooker. A lot depends on how much you use the appliances you have.

I too have a Tower air fryer oven and it is invaluable. I rarely use my oven or grill now except for a family Sunday lunch and the odd cake. It is quicker than the oven too and doesn’t dry meat out. I also have a slow cooker which I use for batch cooking dishes for the freezer.

I have a lidded glass casserole dish that fits in my Ninja Foodi and is perfect for two for casseroles etc, and baking things like apple crumble. It is so quick for heating up croissants, rolls and French bread, much quicker for grilling sausages, steaks, etc and chicken nuggets for the grandchildren. The pressure cooker and slow cooker facility means that I don't have to keep fishing these items out of a cupboard. Scampi and chips, potato croquettes, breaded fish are so quick and easy in the air fryer. The only time I put the oven on is for batch baking cakes.

At the risk of sounding as though I'm on commission for Tower ones, I forgot to say that they also come with a spit attachment that rotisserie cooks chickens.

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Reported.

Where did you get your casserole, B9exchange? My smallest one won't fit because of the handles.

Doodledog, you just need a 1 litre pyrex casserole, I find it is the perfect size for the two of us, something like www.amazon.co.uk/Pyrex-Casserole-Round-Easy-498955/dp/B00R0AOD0Q/ref=psdc_11711191_t3_B000KGAL58?tag=gransnetforum-21
I forgot to say that the Foodi does the most wonderful roast chicken in under an hour if you start it off in the pressure cooker bit first for 10 minutes - and if you put a stock cube in the water at the bottom, there is a lovely basis for your gravy too!

Thanks. I'll order that if it fits and holds enough for two. I assume the pots are the same size in all the models, but I'll check first, as I have a small dish that doesn't fit, and it looks similar.

I've cooked chicken in mine, but find it quicker and easier in the Tower. Some of that might be the psychological effect of watching it go round and round in the rotisserie, though .

They are all good in their ways - if I didn't have the IP I'd probably prefer the Ninja, but as I do, I don't need the PC function, which makes it a large heavy addition to the kitchen, and I prefer the style of the Tower. The good thing is that they are all much more economical with fuel than an oven, unless the oven is running with something on every shelf.

Many thanks to you all fro your comments, views, input and experience.
I shall now use what I have and save my money, clearly no benefit in buying another appliance.

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You got there just before me, Doodledog. My Ninja has been busy these past few days. More 'sundried' tomatoes which are now in jars with olive oil, garlic and oregano; spiced plum jam (thanks to the very laden plum tree in my daughter's garden); a lovely sticky gingerbread and currently making a beef stew with dumplings. Oh, and rustled up some chicken wraps for grandson's dinner last night too.

How difficult are these devices to clean? Is it worth it for 2 people?

The oven style ones are a doddle to clean. The Ninjas have an element in the top which meat cookers find tricky, although the advice is to pressure cook lemon juice to loosen any grease.

I cook very little meat in mine, so can't speak from experience of the element, but the basket and pot are very easy to clean.

I cook quite a bit of meat in mine and don't find any problems cleaning it. If it does need it, a short burst of PC with water and lemon juice will do the trick. There is usually just the two of us unless we have family round, but I do batch cook and freeze the rest.

My ninja foodi is used almost on a daily basis. I have just invested in the ninja foodi health grill and air fryer. This too is getting a lot of use. My oven has only been on once in the past couple of weeks.

Blondiescot - what is PC?

Which has reviewed the different makes.

ExDancer

Blondiescot - what is PC?

Pressure cook