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I’ve tested my fair share of outdoor grills, but few have surprised me as much as the Ninja FlexFlame. At first glance, it looks like a standard gas grill, but there’s a lot more going on under the hood.
The FlexFlame smokes food, but it’s not a traditional smoker like a Traeger. Its standout feature is an internal convection fan that circulates hot air for fast, uniform cooking—a rare addition in outdoor grills. I spent a month putting the FlexFlame to the test, and it consistently delivered juicy burgers, perfectly seared steaks, tender smoked meats, and even crispy pizza and golden pancakes.
The FlexFlame’s multi-function cooking system offers a new twist on backyard grilling. Keep reading to find out what impressed me the most and what I think Ninja could do to make this revolutionary grill even better.
New Multi-Cooker Favorite
Ninja FlexFlame Grill
Assembly and Setup
Assembly took just over an hour, and thanks to the clear instructions Ninja provides, it went smoothly. The included manual is highly detailed and filled with illustrations. Each step is clearly numbered, and the hardware arrives in labeled packages that correspond to each step—no guesswork required.
The only point where I needed help was lifting the main cooking unit onto the assembled base. It would have been impossible for me to lift and position the unit by myself, so I recommend having someone on standby for that step.
Ninja has done an impressive job streamlining the process. Even those who aren’t especially handy should be able to assemble this grill with minimal frustration, as long as they have an extra set of hands for lifting and positioning the cooking unit.
Grill, Bake, Smoke, Repeat
Cooking on the Ninja FlexFlame was refreshing and fast. The grill runs on a standard 20-pound propane tank, but it also needs an outdoor outlet to power the cyclonic convection fan and pellet smoker module. An exterior extension cord will make this easier.
Selecting the correct temperature was a snap. The control dial ranges from 200 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and the grill has a digital display that monitors internal unit temperature. I clocked the heat-up time from a cold start to 600 degrees Fahrenheit—it took just over four minutes, which is faster than my indoor oven.
The FlexFlame has some great accessories available for purchase separately that make it much more useful, like the Ninja pizza stone and either a half-griddle or a full griddle, depending on cooking preferences. I used the full griddle to whip up bacon, eggs, and pancakes with ease. The pizza stone produced crispy, artisan-style crusts at 600 degrees Fahrenheit—no need for a separate pizza oven.
The smoker hopper is optional but adds great flavor to burgers and slow-cooked meats. My only wish? That Ninja would consider adding a built-in meat thermometer and Wi-Fi monitoring for even more control when slow-smoking meats.
Is It Worth It?
The Ninja FlexFlame is an exceptional grill, especially for those who cook outdoors regularly. I used it to prepare restaurant-quality meals by grilling, griddling, smoking, and even baking.
Priced at $999.99 from The Home Depot or direct from Ninja, it’s a premium-priced grill. But if you love cooking outdoors as much as I do, the performance and versatility make it a justifiable investment.
Where to Buy the Ninja FlexFlame Grill
