The Ninja Foodi XL Pro Griddle & Grill IG601 and Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill IG551 are popular indoor grills. Both cook tasty meals. Both save space. But they have differences. This article compares them in detail. Read on to find the best one for you.
Ninja Foodi XL Pro Griddle & Grill IG601
Product Details
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro Griddle & Grill IG601 is a 7-in-1 indoor grill. It grills, griddles, and air fries. It reaches 500°F for strong searing. The grill grate heats directly for even cooking. A 12-inch BBQ griddle cooks foods like pancakes or nachos. You can cook with the hood up or down. It has a 4-quart crisper basket for air frying.
Features
7 Cooking Functions: Grill, BBQ Griddle, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate.
High Heat: 500°F grill grate for edge-to-edge searing.
12-Inch Griddle: Cooks foods grills can’t, like sandwiches or pancakes.
Hood Flexibility: Cook with hood up for direct heat or down for cyclonic air.
Air Fry: Uses 75% less fat than deep frying.
Large Capacity: Fits 6 steaks or a platter of nachos.
What is the Good?
This grill shines in versatility. The 12-inch griddle is great for breakfast foods or large meals. High heat gives steaks perfect grill marks. Cooking with the hood up or down offers flexibility. The air fryer works fast and makes crispy food. Customers love even cooking on the griddle. It fits big meals for families. Cleanup is easy with dishwasher-safe parts.
What is the Bad?
The grill plate slants forward. Food can slide into the grease tray. This annoys some users. The griddle lacks drain holes, so grease pools. No smart thermometer means you guess doneness. Cleaning the air fryer pan and grill surface takes effort. Bits of food fall through the pan.
Overall Opinion
The Ninja IG601 is great for big families or diverse cooking. The griddle adds unique options. High heat makes tasty grilled food. But the slanted grill and grease issues frustrate some. It’s best for those who want a griddle and don’t need a smart thermometer.
Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill IG551
Product Details
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill IG551 is a 6-in-1 indoor grill and air fryer. It uses 500°F cyclonic air for perfect cooking. The Smart Cook System with a thermometer ensures exact doneness. It has a 4-quart crisper basket for air frying. The grill grate fits 6 steaks or 24 hot dogs. A smoke control system keeps your kitchen clear.
Features
6 Cooking Functions: Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate.
Smart Cook System: Thermometer with 4 protein settings and 9 doneness levels.
Cyclonic Grilling: 500°F air for char-grilled flavors.
Smoke Control: Reduces smoke with a splatter shield and cool air zone.
Air Fry: Uses 75% less fat than deep frying.
Large Capacity: Cooks 6 steaks or 24 hot dogs at once.
What is the Good?
The Smart Cook System is a standout. It takes the guesswork out of cooking meat. The thermometer ensures perfect doneness. Cyclonic air gives great grill marks. The smoke control system keeps kitchens clean. Air frying is fast and crispy. The grill fits large meals. Controls are easy to use.
What is the Bad?
No griddle means no pancakes or sandwiches. The grill lacks a bottom heating element, so it’s less like a true grill. Some users find the touchscreen controls less reliable than knobs. Cleaning is tough due to the grill’s size. The non-stick surface may wear over time.
Overall Opinion
The Ninja IG551 is ideal for meat lovers who want perfect doneness. The Smart Cook System makes cooking easy. Smoke control is a big plus. But no griddle limits versatility. It’s best for those who grill often and want smart features.
Final Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Ninja IG601 and IG551 both grill and air fry well. Both reach 500°F and cook large meals. The IG601 has a 12-inch griddle, making it more versatile. You can cook pancakes, nachos, or sandwiches. The IG551 lacks a griddle, so it’s less flexible. The IG601 has a bottom heating element, like a true grill. The IG551 uses cyclonic air from above, which some say isn’t real grilling.
The IG551’s Smart Cook System with a thermometer is a big advantage. It ensures perfect meat every time. The IG601 has no thermometer, so you must check doneness manually. The IG551 has smoke control, keeping kitchens cleaner.
The IG601’s slanted grill plate causes food to slide, and grease pools on the griddle. The IG551’s non-stick surface may wear out, and cleaning is hard. The IG601 has 7 functions, including BBQ Griddle. The IG551 has 6 functions, missing the griddle. Price-wise, the IG601 is often cheaper since it lacks smart features.
FAQs
Which grill is better for families?
Both fit 6 steaks, great for families. The IG601’s griddle cooks more types of food, like pancakes.
Does the IG551 produce less smoke?
Yes, the IG551’s smoke control system reduces smoke better than the IG601.
Can I cook pancakes on the IG551?
No, the IG551 has no griddle. The IG601’s griddle is perfect for pancakes.
Is the IG601 harder to clean?
Yes, food falls through the air fryer pan, and the griddle’s grease pooling makes cleaning tricky.
Which is better for beginners?
The IG551’s Smart Cook System makes cooking easier for beginners.
Conclusion
The Ninja IG601 suits those who want a griddle and don’t need smart features. It’s versatile but has grease and sliding issues. The IG551 is best for meat lovers who want perfect doneness and less smoke. It’s less versatile without a griddle. Pick the IG601 for diverse cooking. Choose the IG551 for easy, precise grilling.