Dad's Top 5 Gripes about the Ninja Wooodfire Grill...

[@eagle-eye29]

I've had my Ninja for less than a week and I love it. What I like about it that outweighs the gripes is how easy it is to use. No more dirty charcoal or heavy propane tanks that always seem to be empty. It cleans up quick and easy. Just finished the best steak I've had in years...thank you Ninja ❤

[@DadGotThis]

Right on! The easy of setup and cleanup is the main feature to me.

[@INSCIFI]

I agree about the “gripes”. Ninja is really good about hearing the feedback from customers so I’m assuming some of the minor issues we are seeing will get resolved in the future

[@DadGotThis]

They made it bigger last time so let’s hope they do a few of these!

[@Zzues]

Great ideas man, especially the history tracker to remember how past cooks went. I frequently cook something that I am like "this is the best ive made yet! I should write down what I did..." then promptly eat, get tired and lazy lol.

[@DadGotThis]

All the time!

[@autoleasetoday]

Agree with all of the gripes. I’ve been using my air fryer basket for better smoke rings and the results have been great! Thanks for the content.

[@DadGotThis]

That’s a great idea!

[@elliedo01]

The raised rack works great, and you can put aluminum foil underneath(don’t block the fat trap) to catch the hard to clean drippings, making clean up much easier. It’s really great.

[@elliedo01]

You don’t need to sear the steak after you smoke it, just turn it on to air fry for a few minutes to get a good crust.

[@DadGotThis]

Nice idea!

[@carlyoung5035]

Your Ninja Woodfire vids have been a real godsend - they're really useful for getting good results from a nifty device. Have you used the air-fryer/other functions very often? I've wanted to have a convenient BBQ (I'm in the UK so full on fire n smoke outside is difficult with our weather) and the Ninja is probably the next best option. Your gripes are correct and there are workarounds. As an example I've found that you can cold smoke - light the wood pellets as usual with the grill on low, and then turn off the device - the pellets will still burn whilst the grill goes cold - bobs your uncle, keep adding pellets. But it's a great device - keep up the great work dad.

[@DadGotThis]

In the US version we actually have a cold smoke function which is really cool. I would say I use the Smoker the most, then Air Fryer, then grill. Other than that I have made jerky a few times using the dehydrate mode.

[@carlyoung5035]

@@DadGotThis- bummer - I don't understand why they thought we wouldn't cold smoke in Europe. The fools!

[@DadGotThis]

@carlyoung5035 I think it has to be some kind of food regulation or something in EU. No way they would remove a feature if they didn’t have to. That just makes it more expensive to manufacture different versions.

[@Buffalowingsjax]

Just subscribed. Love your videos. I'm really thinking hard about getting one of these grills this week. I haven't had a good grill in years. It's only me and my wife and my daughter We don't do big barbecues. And this seems like the perfect option.

[@DadGotThis]

It sounds like it is perfect for your scenario. I generally cook for 3-4 people and it’s perfect. Plus if you get the XL, which I recommend you have the availability to cook for larger groups too.

[@merlintg]

Great videos. Recently, I got a Woodfire Grill (last week), I have been relying on you and CJ on how to use the WF Grill. So far we have had amazing results - keep it up! So far we have smoked a Boston butt (pulled pork), and cooked / smoked a couple of steaks last night. I have ribs ready to go (was planning on smoking them today, but got lazy - so will have to do so this coming week).

[@DadGotThis]

I constantly end up need to cook things later than expected lol.

[@jerrystandefer9128]

I've had my Woodfire XL for a few weeks, and I'm loving it so far. I relied on your videos to make my purchases decision and used your affiliate link. Thanks! The Woodfire is such a massive improvement over the previous electric grill that I had, which I hated. I used to have a propane grill prior to that, but changes to the fire code for apartments and condos made it too difficult to keep going with propane. My main gripe is that things cook faster than I expect, but I'm still learning. I probably just got used to the electric grill it replaced, which was heat challenged.

[@DadGotThis]

Yes that’s one thing I noticed right away. Things cook WAY faster than normal smoker recipes.

[@mostlikelywedoitservices6926]

Have you read my note how to clean the grill with total ease and not destroy the surface. You got to try LA Awesome Cleaner. The crud starts running down the lid in 15 seconds. And LA Awesome can be used in many dilution ratios all around the property.

[@DadGotThis]

I will give it a try if I can get my hands on some. Thanks for the tip!

[@leislen]

i have been debating on getting this since i live in an apt but your videos and thorough explanations have helped tremendously in my decision to budget to get it later this year, thank you! your videos have been incredibly informative

[@DadGotThis]

Glad I helped!

[@billywilson1954]

If you get the Chef IQ thermometers, they show you a saved graph of the cook. (I think) I have seen the graph not sure if it is saveable. It does give you meat temps and grill temps. I only use it as a thermometer because it is totally wireless and you can monitor it with the phone app. It also does things like tell you when the cook is complete. If you are using the app to cook a recipe from the app, it guides you through it step by step as you cook. You may have the option to print the cook by means of a screen grab. I have the three probe set and love them.

[@DadGotThis]

That’s awesome!

[@ArtilleryMagnet]

Great idea for the App to remember the cooks.... I just did my 1st Brisket today & I definitely will makes changes to the next one

[@DadGotThis]

How did the brisket come out?

[@tmcd366]

I got the XL about a month ago. IMO, it smokes every think pretty good. Chicken has just been above and beyond each time, especially darker, skin-on type chicken/turkey. 190° and it's just perfect. Every time. Steaks, I'm on fence about. I like char and while I can get a char, it just doesn't get the job done, like a flame, in time to not get the internal meat temp to high. Completely impressed with this grill despite the steak issue.

[@DadGotThis]

I agree. Best steak I have done on it is with the flattop. Super low smoke and then set it to high grill and sear it with beef tallow.

[@Gillespie5150]

You hit on my number one gripe in your last video. The grill temperature. Unfortunately, that’s what I purchased it for. To get a super quick sear on any piece of meat. It just does not get hot enough for that. Otherwise it’s a beautiful machine.

[@DadGotThis]

The Woodfire Oven goes to 700F and is perfect for that.

[@Gillespie5150]

@@DadGotThis I did not buy that one, unfortunately.

[@jengle1970]

Have you tried using the hotspot on your iPhone to be the wifi if you are out camping or away from wifi? I agree bluetooth would be better. I'd love cast iron or just a carbon steel option, could increase the temps on those and you can season both I just bought my ninja, living in an apartment I can't have gas or charcoal grills on the balcony, so I was very happy to find this

[@DadGotThis]

Since I use it on my patio and don’t travel with it I haven’t had a chance to try that yet. I do have something coming that might make that an option.

[@rabadabadoo491]

Good shout. I'm getting one when the become available again in the UK. Cheers 🍻

[@DadGotThis]

Why are they not available?

[@rabadabadoo491]

@DadGotThis problems with the RCD plug sounds like either a faulty batch or incorrect spec as they trip after the ignition phase when cooking on low temps. I believe the previous stock were all fine but they've been pulled from market over here. None on the UK ninja page although some 3rd party sellers still have them.

[@fatnurse]

@@rabadabadoo491Back on the Ninja site both the original and the XL. I actually ordered an original yesterday and it’s just been delivered 😀

[@msammy6914]

Really interested to see if the rack does a better job of smoking all sides of the meat. Also, if anyone is missing the charcoal taste from a traditional charcoal grill, I highly recommend the Royal Oak Charcoal Pellets. I recently smoked chicken thighs at 250 for 1 hour using these pellets and the results were as close as you can get to using a charcoal grill.

[@DadGotThis]

Ive been testing with some charcoal pellets. Video coming soon!

[@Crados91]

One thing that I noticed while using a separate probe, is that the actual ambient temperature is actually around 10-15 degrees higher than the preset temperature.

[@DadGotThis]

I ran a whole test with multiple probes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIicgqKhlsiSasU

[@6431harry]

I just started using mine. I love it. I haven't tried broil for steaks. Have you tried the broil for a sear? I don't know, I haven't tried a steak yet. The other gripes seem very minimal.

[@DadGotThis]

The boil is great if you can get the food closer to the top because that’s where all the heat comes from in broil. I was really happy with the Grill Hi setting with the flattop and beef tallow for my latest steak sear.

[@williamtucker5855]

I agree with your gripes, I also find that my regular pellet grill that uses the pellets as fuel for cooking burns a lot cleaner smoke every time I open up the ninja it’s thick smoke. I almost feel like I’m getting a little creosote taste. maybe it’s the airflow.

[@DadGotThis]

That’s funny why I tried a full size pellet grill I thought it wasn’t putting out smoke because of how clean it was lol!

[@TylerNally]

Smoke ring...generally looooong smoking times == more smoke rings. This is such an efficient cooker that cooking times are greatly reduced making it harder for more smoke to penetrate and saturated the meat like a smoker you run for hours at a time. Plus, it's available pellet supply runs out somewhere around an hour-ieh before you have to reload. Yeah, I'm sure the app needs more bells and whistles to combine typical tools of modern wireless thermometers to assist you cooking in the long term. This first version probably just enough to bring front panel operations into the palm of your hand. Future updates will likely bring the bug fixes, thermometer & history tools, and other helps and whistles. Cast iron (or a lighter carbon steel) would be great. The good thinggg about these is they store and build thermal mass. The linger they are heated, the hotter they get. Even if grill doesn't go beyond 450°F, if they did have cast iron surface (especially for a griddle) you could let it build heat up to 500°F or 550°F 59 get the sear you want. The only safety factor would be if this little portable grill could handle excessively hot internal parts when it's heat is out of the boundary range it was designed to do. Though it can 049babpy heat a cast iron griddle to 550°F, it might be harmful on the wiring and circuits for the safe operation of future cooks. I'd think that if there's a way to vent the internals a little more and allow the heat to not be trapped inside so much, then thumbs up this is a good thing. Because it's electric and this might be on someone's apartment balcony patio, running it super hot for a little longer than normal to get these searing temps might not be the safest operation. Another thing to try for searing...once your sear surface temperature is reached, when the protein is applied to the surface use pressure on an the meat on slightly oiled surface to force the sear for the first 10-15-20 seconds. With the hot oil on the surface, it does a flash shallow fry of the protein that makes contact for those few seconds while pressure is applied.

[@DadGotThis]

Solid info all around. I think the beef tallow did a great job on the steak sear. I’m going to try it on other steaks. I think it achieved what you talked about.

[@bas4241]

I always use a full size rack that solves the air flow issue while using the smoker function…

[@DadGotThis]

One cook in and I am really happy with the rack I got. Can’t wait to try it on longer cooks.

[@Sky-xl2ml]

That’s all I cook on is cast iron and I agree with your gripes

[@DadGotThis]

Cast iron is just a fantastic cooking surface.

[@billywilson1954]

Do you know if the side tables available will fit the collapsable XSKSTAND stand?

[@DadGotThis]

I’m not sure on that. I do not have the collapsible stand.

[@tmplowl]

I assume this is the XL version. My woodfire grill didn't come with temperature spikes.

[@DadGotThis]

There is a version with temp probes in xl and regular.

[@tmplowl]

@DadGotThis crap...I didn't get that version. Then again I live over in the Middle East. Thanks for the feedback. Enjoying your channel. Looking forward to hearing your report on the raised rack for airflow.

[@DJChipsandGarlic]

my gripe about this before watching. the pellets dont always light properly and you have to press the button again

[@DadGotThis]

I don’t know if I’m just lucky or what. But, I have never had my unit fail to light on the first try. I THINK it’s because of the Dad Shake, but it’s probably more likely due to me filling the hopper up to the tippy top each time. The igniter is at the top and if it’s not full it doesn’t light all the time.

[@DawgNo1]

I only have one gripe, I hate that it shuts off the heat to the plate when your searing and you open the lid, ok i also hate that it doesnt get hot enough but I have a Jo junior with soapstone to help me out, I just hate having to close the lid to sear veg, prawns etc. Unless it does keep running then I only have the not hot enough gripe. Great vids, made me buy a Ninja so hopefully they watch this and read all your gripes.....

[@DadGotThis]

If you don’t have the Woodfire on in the grill setting you can use it with lid open and full heat. I know it yells at you to shut lid if you have Woodfire on but I’m not sure if it turns off the heat.

[@DawgNo1]

@@DadGotThis Thanks, from doing a bit more reading it seems you have to let the grill preheat, open lid, add food, close lid then open it again, I will try this next cook.

[@DadGotThis]

@DawgNo1 I know it works because I did it in this video lol. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5C3l5aMq6ubrcU

[@pinballguru]

Accessories for the win.

[@DadGotThis]

More accessories the better!

[@Dro_85]

The griddles the biggest for me.. hopefully the bring out a cast iron accessory

[@DadGotThis]

I would really like that!

[@Tom_CarnivorousDG]

yeah cast iron would be amazing, lemme know if you get them to make them im using a third party one right now which works amazing aswell, from amazon

[@DadGotThis]

Really? I couldn’t find one!

[@raynewste-lx9xg]

Have you tried cranking up the heat on the Grill plate by operating in "Broil" mode? That appears to be the only mode to achieve a 500+ degree internal temperature. Raybo in San Jose.

[@DadGotThis]

I got the plate over 500F the other day on grill HI. But it cools down pretty quick after you open the lid.

[@chidrewskee27]

Do you have to let the replacement pellets reignite throughout the cook? Or just dump the old stuff and add new?

[@DadGotThis]

You top off, make sure you fill to the top and then reignite. On the older model you need to hold the Woodfire (flame) button for 3 seconds until you see the screen flash IGN. On the Pro Connect XL you just need to press the button and it will say ign. That will re light the pellets.

[@chidrewskee27]

@@DadGotThis Thank you so much!

[@Cooleocarter]

I think you should specify which version of the grill you have, my OG901 has Bluetooth

[@DadGotThis]

They only have Bluetooth for setting up I believe. After you connect they all need WiFi to be able to control it as far as I know. I have not tried deleting my WiFi setup to test it personally though. I was going off what I was told by others who had the issue.

[@kevinberry6734]

I got rid of my old ninja. They're happy to get it.I'm happy to upgrade

[@DadGotThis]

That’s awesome!

[@edwardv54]

The temp. probes should connect from the meat to the inside of the grill without the cable having to pass under the hood. Needs a dedicated grill for making pizza, say 1cm stainless steel or carbon steel. Higher max temp. Dual heating elements one for each side with individual temp. controls.

[@DadGotThis]

Passing the wire without hanging out would be cool.

[@jamespavlinik6481]

Good video. I agree with your dislikes. We use a Meateater probe to monitor our cooks.

[@DadGotThis]

I have TONS of wireless probes but never tried the meater. Heard good things though. You like it?

[@tammyrealty]

I replaced my gas grill with this because it was time to get a new gas grill, big mistake cooking a steak or porkchops on this verses a gas grill where the temp gets really hot and you get the char from the flames, this just does not get hot enough like dad says.... If you have a choice between this and gas go with gas you can always buy a smoker box to put in your gas grill.. Just my opinion... Let me know if anyone else agrees and I guess it does not matter cuz I can't send this back... PS. Love ya dad :) lol

[@DadGotThis]

I thought the same but was shocked in a test I just did. Stay tuned!

[@andrek85]

@@DadGotThis which test? i've just sell my gas bbq (because of the gas cylinder, im in a condo), but now im afraid of the searing "issue"; i would like to do some steak or smashed burger, and i thought the heat from the grill mode was sufficient... thanks in advance. A.

[@fionamonahan8771]

Bluetooth would be a cool option cast iron plate even better. Bigger hopper for pellets so you only have to fill it once.

[@DadGotThis]

Bigger hopper would be cool!

[@Dumfries474]

JESUS, DO YOU NEED AN APP TO COOK? YOU AIN'T NO GORDON RAMSAY Y'ALL.

[@DadGotThis]

YOU DONKEY! 🫏

[@Dr.ZoidbergPhD]

I travel a lot for work, like a lot and i usually stay for 3mo at a time away from home. Been looking at this product to take with me on my travels. Would you recommend it or something else?

[@DadGotThis]

It’s not light or small though. I mean if you could pack it in a big pelican case maybe.

[@sim672]

what i can't seem to figure out with mine, i have the xl like yours in the video but for longer cooks how do i reup the pellets without having to restart the whole cook? i've tried the hold the woodfire button for 3 sec and it didn't seem to give me any indication that it started back up? Does this work only on the smoker setting?

[@DadGotThis]

Mine reignites no matter what mode as long as it’s a mode that allows smoke. One the smaller one you had to hold the flame button for 3 seconds. On my Pro Connect XL I just have to press the button.

[@SL-di1bz]

Please tell me what kind of extension cord exactly should I buy. Ninja woodfire grill. I only need about 10 feet. Thanks

[@DadGotThis]

This one will work. You want outdoor rated and more than 1700 Watts. amzn.to/4eoMh09

[@craigsmith3645]

I agree with most of you points. The temp isn't going to happen as it is made to run on a 15A circuit, would require 20A at the least. Also you could never get over 500° because the case isn't designed for more, would cost a huge$! I cannot get the WiFi to work on Android, never has worked. I only use Bluetooth & it works fine, even if they forced it doing non-std way, as grill never shows listed in BT settings. The iPhone app is much better than the Android app which is v1.01 lol!

[@DadGotThis]

I wonder why the android app is so bad?

[@user-cruton]

My Woodfire Outdoor XL doesn't have app capability. Which sucks

[@DadGotThis]

Yeah they offer models with and without it.

[@eagle-eye29]

You would take an electric/WIFI grill camping? 😂

[@DadGotThis]

I consider RVing camping and this is perfect for that.

[@Kadeeist]

Anyone have an idea what to do about a damaged seal? I’ve called Nina several times and they are not able to help me. Rats called thru the grease drain and chewed up the lid seal. 😢was going to try and order a seal tape to repair it. Ninja was no help.

[@DadGotThis]

That is a tough one. I do not think that the seal is a "replaceable" part. At least I know they do not sell it. Depending on how it is damaged you could either use the tape or or try something like this. amzn.to/4dL3DUn

[@steveerickson5545]

well done

[@DadGotThis]

I prefer medium rare 😜

[@shredthegnar26]

I bought the XL 4 in 1 on accident because it was a good sale price do u think the 7 in 1 pro connect is worth it and I should upgrade?

[@DadGotThis]

Ok do you want to make beef jerky? The dehydrate mode is the only other mode I really use. Controlling and monitoring the cook is really handy but not 100% needed. So I guess it depends on how cheap was cheap.

[@shredthegnar26]

@@DadGotThis i could live without making beef jerky & ya was more bummed about not having the phone app but Ill just have to be more hands on which is good. I paid 285 shipped i think they both retail around 400

[@DadGotThis]

@@shredthegnar26 Easy fix is to pick up a good wireless meat thermometer. Bonus is you can get one that allows you to save and chart your cooks!

[@shredthegnar26]

@@DadGotThis awesome any recommendations?

[@bobbiehoward2890]

Ninja needs to take their ass back to inside! I bought the ninja woodfire grill pro XL connect and I've been having to hit the smoke feature when smoking every time I add pellets! I fill the hopper and have to refill about every 45 minutes! Smoking at 250. Is this normal?

[@DadGotThis]

@@bobbiehoward2890 Depends on the pellets you use. Some I use last up to 3 hours. Some only 1. It is a really small hopper so you just need to watch it. If you refill halfway through you don’t need to reginite most times.

[@behindenemylines3361]

To get a good smoke ring, different cigarette paper and lots a practice. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@DadGotThis]

Lol

[@aiercooledengine]

So it's not just me. I have not been able to get the 'app' to connect to the NINJA WOOFIRE XL because I don't have a working wifi right now 😑. They could do a firmware update to change that and make it so you don't have to have an apple device to make the app work, a Bluetooth connection would be just fine 👍. What do you say NINJA ? Make it work on just Bluetooth.

[@DadGotThis]

Some people are telling me it works. I need to try it tomorrow. I thought it only works with Bluetooth for setup but then you need WiFi.

[@BrandonBlatchford]

I do not have wifi and my grill will not bluetooth connect to my Samsung S21.

[@DadGotThis]

@BrandonBlatchford so I’m not crazy lol. 😂

[@davebennett2482]

use the ninja rack for smoking

[@DadGotThis]

The elevated racks seem to help with the smoke process a lot in my opinion.

[@JustRickToday]

Basically you want the meater probe series for thermals and a real smoker instead of the Ninja. Got it!

[@DadGotThis]

So letting people who are not experienced in smokers know the info is not useful? GOT IT!

[@JustRickToday]

@@DadGotThis Touché! You're right on that! Edit, Touché instead of Nice comeback, did not know the right way to "Englisch" this since i'm not native :)

[@DadGotThis]

But yes, that’s what I want in the tiny machine. A man can dream lol. Sorry if I came off “mean”, I’m pretty sarcastic.

[@jodyhughes2694]

I use the rack from ninja to get better smoke flavor. It works really well.

[@DadGotThis]

I’m hoping the rack works. I did not see one from them. I’ll have to look again.

[@davidlaidig9485]

Ignition cycle too long.

[@DadGotThis]

Have you ever tried starting a full size pellet smoker…..LOOOOOOOOOOONG.

[@davidlaidig9485]

@@DadGotThis The ignition cycle on the Pro burns up the pellets in a flaming mess. More pellets are needed in minutes. If the ignition cycle is canceled 1/2 way through, it works better. My comment had noting to inconvenience.

[@DadGotThis]

Ahhh, sorry I misunderstood what you were saying.

[@tammyrealty]

THEIR APP SUX!!!!!!! I have an Android.. hate the app and just stop using it wont stay connect to wifi or blue tooth.. grrrr

[@DadGotThis]

I’m Apple so it’s been ok for me. I hear lots of complaints on the android side though.