Is the New Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL Grill & Smoker worth the price?

[@Unoriginalname2.1]

This is probably the first time I've watched a video longer than 5 minutes without skipping around in years. Thank you so much! This is exactly the type of information I was looking for.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

You're very welcome!

[@thelmahogue9203]

Sam's is selling the original grill for $250. Their package includes the griddle and cover, also. A great price!

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Yes! It’s a great price! 😍

[@autoleasetoday]

Yep I just ordered one yesterday

[@WestCoastDP]

Will be $239. at Costco in Nov 13

[@pctek1000]

Why does everyone make a big deal about the cover?? It's a $0.75 worth of tarp

[@user-ij3jb5ei4e]

I would have to say your testing was awesome. Very informative. I like the visual demo of sizes on each grill. Thank you. Continued success.

[@gdeborall]

I've been vacillating between XL and original. You had me sold on the original since we are a small bunch and I thought I was all set. I get to the cart at Ninja and they offered the XL at $130 more with accessories included. I couldn't say no, lol! Affirm zero interest made things easier for me. I figure I can roast a tall chicken or full rack of ribs for a crowd if I need to! Thanks for this helpful video!

[@sylviah1234]

Even though you are sponsored. I really appreciate and feel that your reviews are the best and trust your testing. You have wonderful recipes! Thank you

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thanks so much! I do want you to know that I am not sponsored in any way shape or form by Ninja though. I buy my own appliances, test them, and then provide the review and create recipes.

[@Lift36]

I want to let you know, this is one of the best KZbin videos I’ve ever seen. Great production quality and a home run on all aspects. Thanks for making this!!

[@sim672]

i bought one and its absolutley awesome! haven't had it for a month i've cooked up whole chickens, baby backs, gonna throw on a meatloaf i love it! love that i can smoke and air fry. i cooked four 4 full size racks of baby back ribs i got from sams club on the rib rack ninja sells i only had to cut one rib off one of the racks to fit! big enough to cook 2 whole 8 - 10lb chickens at the same time!

[@judy1104]

I have been considering one of the different models of this grill. Your review and the information you offered was extremely helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to do such a detailed review. I am sold on the ProConnect XL model. Excellent review.

[@chandlee3968]

It’s been 9 months and the price of the XL Pro has really come down. I got it on sale for $319 before tax from Sam’s. Hooked it up today and can’t wait to start cooking. Unfortunately they sent me the all black model instead of the blue that I ordered but it’s still a handsome device and I’m not disappointed. Great video!

[@bassaholic7457]

This was absolutely the most informative and definitely the best ever product comparison review I have ever viewed! I will be purchasing the Pro Connect XL Grill. Thank you so much!

[@johncbable]

I have a pro connect and I love it thanks to CJ and his crew show me how to use it

[@paulanderson771]

I saw this video and was talking myself into buying one, when suddenly HSN decides to do a Father's Day sale on them putting the XL at $299. I snatched it up quickly. It'll arrive this week hopefully and I'm looking forward to cooking on day one. Love all of your recipes and thanks for doing these informative videos

[@leadfoot1229]

Thank you Louise for all this information so we can make an informed choice. You are the best.❤

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terriparker3606]

This was incredibly helpful and interesting. I was leaning toward the bigger one but didn't like the non folding stand and how big it was for my small lanai, so I really appreciate your final conclusion that the smaller one will do the job. Great video!

[@thomasstengel7356]

I love my original Ninja but I was a bit peeved when the larger one came out less than a year later. Glad to see the comp. I'm still peeved and would have gone for the larger one had I had the choice. But, having my original, it's not worth the upgrade for me. Thank you for the comparison and the information.

[@dhauxhurst]

I’ve been waiting for a video about these new ninja smokers! Thank you!

[@TheSaltedPepper]

You are so welcome! I have a few more that I'm doing that will break things down a bit more.

[@beatpirate8]

i dont use my ninja oven because my pie pan doesnt fit. i use my sisters larger anova. this is so so helpful! im so grateful you did all this work and bought all this meat! i think you will have so much to eat for months now haha!

[@justinejennings1049]

Nice video and thank you! I'm born & raised in Kansas City. Charcoal is the only way and I love my Weber smoker, but new regulations at my apartment are forcing me to go electric. I think I'm sold on the Ninja XL! Again, thank you for a great review!

[@ItsMeDeeDee]

Great review!!! Best one I’ve seen on these grills

[@louiselill1528]

I love an honest review thank you Louise

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thank you! I don't know how to be anything but honest, which I consider one of my best attributes even though sometimes people don't always like to hear the truth. LOL

[@ladybug2663]

Thank you so much for this. I am in the shopping mode rn and this has helped greatly. Will it fit was perfect because i like to do whole chickens ✅ Cleaning is also a big one for me too so hopefully thats on another one. Thanks again and keep it up 👍

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I hope you enjoy your Woodfire! I am loving mine!

[@Ren4U2]

Great comparison! You made some really good points Louis. Thank you!

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Glad you liked it!

[@SharonMd10]

Thank you very much for the review, I have a question please what is the fundamental difference in the taste of the meat between this model and the Ninja grill model Ninja IG601 Foodi XL?

[@jeanmaria1409]

I bought the wood fire oven and love it. I was able to cook 2 slabs of baby back ribs.

[@PatrickStar-qb1sx]

Thank you so much for detailed comparison. Tender, juicy Smoked 2 1/2lb Pork Loins look so yum! Meat from the original Ninja seem like more crispy texture outside. ProConnect XL Grill is better for me with app controls, emote monitoring and notification. Typical bluetooth wireless meat thermometer sold for $79-$199. Please upload video with recipe and grilling setup for smokey pull pork using ProConnect XL Grill & Smoker!

[@fredc3543]

Thank you. Great presentation regarding the differences between the grills. I'm torn between the new grill and the oven. I really like the pizza option with the oven. Maybe both?

[@thecrowing1989]

First video I've seen from your channel and I really loved your style, how thorough you were, etc. I'll be subscribing!

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thank you so much!

[@PebblesOTB]

Wow love the honesty here. I have a big family so probably the xl but my sister would be just fine with original

[@poc329]

Size always matter. Love from the UK

[@averyvaliant]

Wowzers, that's one hoofing great big appliance! If we had warmer/sunnier weather here in the UK I might've invested in one, but it's always a mixed bag of chaos here with weather.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I didn't get into that in the video, but one of the things I love is how easy it is to use even when the weather isn't the best. It won't do well in pouring down rain if it isn't under some kind of cover, but it literally takes less than 5 minutes to set up for smoking and that is so nice in cold weather!

[@averyvaliant]

@@TheSaltedPepper Thanks Louise, yea that's very true, I could easily set up a cover outside. That's given me some food for thought (urgh bad pun!). :)

[@jonnygunner65]

@@averyvaliant You mean you hadn’t thought of a covered area before she mentioned it?…wow….

[@averyvaliant]

@@jonnygunner65 No, I just hadn't thought of where a cover could go with my garden layout. But when Louise mentioned it again it got me thinking of another area. Why do you have to reply to peoples comments with sarcasm like that? Be nice, it wouldn't kill you.

[@waltkuiland9341]

Great job! This is just the comparison video I’ve been looking for. And your personality kept me engaged!

[@sunildiaram8201]

Thank you so much for the review. It really helped me make a decision.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Glad I could help!

[@DuaneForrester]

Awesome video, and so perfectly helpful as I shop and try to make up my mind! Thank you! 🙏🙏

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I'm so glad!

[@tulipsmoran5197]

Great review - thanks. Aside from the reasons you cited for stepping into the XL is the issue of the types of food you typically smoke/grill. I've read all the arguments for spatchcocking chicken but frankly we prepare whole chickens. We raise our own broilers and process as whole birds and it's simply easier to thaw overnight in the fridge and brine as a whole bird, then pop on the grill or in the smoker. So that reason alone was my buying decision. Also the size pans that fit into the grill. It's just the two of us, but when I cook off mac and cheese or baked beans I like having 1/2 the pan to preserve for yet another meal or to serve as side dish if a couple folks stop by for lunch. The Pro Connect bluetooth feature is great, but we scored on the 850 Pro XL grill this year end/holiday season that was too hard to pass up. The 850 Pro XL does not have bluetooth and only one probe. But it doesn't matter much for us because we have multiple probe wireless temp controllers with various alarms for our pellet grill that we like much better than Ninja Pro Connect. We also like the larger grill size because you can cook veg and protein all on the same grill session rather than first the protein then the veg. But that's just our rationale for buying. We even can bake/smoke pizza eliminating the need to buy the Ninja Pizza Oven. So the Pro XL works great for us.

[@bobbicatton]

Great illustration of the differences. I was especially curious about smoke level.👍😊

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I was really surprised that the larger smoker had a slightly better smoke flavor. I would have thought the smaller one would be more concentrated. I'll be watching that as I use the XL more and see if it was a fluke or a constant. I also thought it interesting that the pellet burn rate was slower on the XL. All in all, I love them both!

[@PamPollard-p2r]

I have NEEDED this video!! I love smoked meat but didn’t realize there was an XL. I will be buying one thanks to your comparison! Thank you!

[@arlenespringstead6309]

Can I use this inside to grill without the pellets?

[@mikehaines5467]

When you measure from the bottom of the left side to the top of the right side. You are also gaining the height of the right side of the pan. FYI.

[@missydisco7959]

Thank you so much! You answered several questions I had, including whether a boston butt roast would fit (looks like 2 good sized ones will fit on the XL?). Since I have mobility issues, I was especially interested in the app functionality and not having to run back and forth as often to babysit food. It sounds like that would work perfectly for me with the XL. Are cleaning and maintenance fairly easy with the XL?

[@asiameiyaa]

Thank you so much for making such an informative video now I can finally make a choice on which Grill I would like to buy !!

[@CarterBechtol]

Great video. Thank you. Curious, do you refill you pellets during a cook for better smoke flavor or just use the first fill? Getting mixed theroies on this.

[@Michael-eh9mv]

where did you get your apple pellets and the question I have can you use other brand pellets, I would like to use pit boss pellets that I already have . love your video thanks for sharing

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I use camp chef apple pellets that I bought from Amazon. Yes, you can absolutely use the pellets you have.

[@Michael-eh9mv]

thank you wife and I love the woodfire grill makes great home made pizzas in minutes and great steaks. We both love your videos keep them coming thank you....

[@ryanprice9238]

I’m looking to purchase, actually watching this I question whether I need the XL it looks huge on this. We are a family of three I’m thinking now the smaller one willmdo

[@carmenmiller5701]

Thank you for this very informative review. I live alone and have been considering purchasing this grill as I have a Ninja indoor grill/air-fryer and really love it but do miss the smoke taste especially on my pork and steaks. After your thorough review and recommendations, I will probably purchase the smaller unit in the near future. Excellent video👏🏻👏🏻

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thanks so much!

[@halifaxguy]

great video... thanks... that smoke test was very interesting... I'm surprised that the xl with a larger smoke chamber had both a slower burn and still had a better smoke flavour... that's great.. are you familiar with the Bradley electric smokers? how would you say this compares to that? I am thinking about replacing my plain electric with their digital one for smoking bacon, ribs and spatchcock chicken... those are my regular dishes....

[@TheSaltedPepper]

The XL has the same size pellet box. I'm not familiar with the Bradley brand, sorry!

[@ScrillaTMU]

Please do a ninja woodfire vs ninja foodi grill comparison. There isn’t any video on KZbin of it and I’m not sure which I should get or if I should get both

[@CookingWithCJ]

Dig it Louise! I’m with you on all of it. But I too love the bells and whistles. 😂 Great video as always!

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thank you!! 😁

[@SharonMd10]

Hello again, 😊I wanted to ask please from your experience, is there a significant difference between the taste of the meat in a gas grill and a smoked ninja grill?

[@calligraphyqueen]

Excuse me, smoked brownies?? Please elaborate

[@jsr-uz3oj]

I have a pit boss verticle smoker that I love. But I'm going to get the Ninja so I can smoke smaller meats like a boston but or pork steak and jerky. From the reveiws I've read and Ninjas good reputation and I have 3 other Ninja products,I know that it will be good. Great video showing the size comparison,that's what I was looking for.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

So glad it was helpful!

[@ideacrafter]

I have the pro connect OG951. I .........LOVE.........IT! I've cooked everything with it. The only issue (I'm have now after 5 months) is during "smoker" feature it shuts off for no reason. (it's not the probs reaching temp) I'm wondering if anyone else is having this issue?

[@mrp8488]

If you could have only one small cooking appliance, which one would you chose?

[@LuckyBlackRooster]

Thank you for answering all of our practical questions. This is a 5 star video. 💯

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheGoldStandard1]

Can you show me how to get the larger machine without the probe? I can’t seem to find that model. Thanks!!

[@Jeremy-rd6ki]

Excellent review! Thank you. You answered all my questions.

[@suecoelho467]

You did a phenomenal job on this!

[@MarionGrünig-w4q]

This was the Video I am looking for -thank you so mutch

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Wonderful!

[@edyoung6573]

Fantastic Pro comparison and explanation video! Thank you for making it!

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Glad you enjoyed it! I was worried I didn't go into enough detail, but also didn't want an hour long video! I'll be doing more videos that break things down a bit more.

[@edyoung6573]

@@TheSaltedPepper I look forward to it, you have the best Ninja Videos!!!

[@nevertheexpert]

These real world examples are really useful, great video

[@R.in.Nashville]

THANK YOU so much for the with "Will It Fit" segment, I appreciate all the detailed info!! ~Cheers from TN

[@turbolag5107]

I ordered the Pro XL with a stand and a cover and the temperature probes off of their website with an extra 10% discount on top of the $50 they took off for about $400 before tax.

[@texquin]

Thanks for the tip! I just ordered it because of your response, $438 with tax, great deal. And I believe the stand & cover are essential. I can't wait to try it. For sure going to do a pizza, then Smoked Ground Wagyu Birria Infused Meatloaf Tacos!

[@texquin]

I ordered twice and these idiots cancelled both my orders, it returned the money to my Chase Southwest Card, this company sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@turbolag5107]

@@texquin it's ok. I'm learning that it's not a very good product compared to an offset smoker. It puts WAY too much smoke flavor in the food.

[@IAmTheGlovenor]

Damn, sorry to hear you overpaid

[@turbolag5107]

@@IAmTheGlovenor I wouldn't say getting a grill with sample pellets, their stand, a bigger bag of pellets, and a cover for $400 is over paying. However I did set up a return since I got the ProConnect XL from Walmart for $237 and I realize that my folding table works just fine as a stand.

[@dannydaw59]

You showed us stuff that I was wondering about. I like to smoke baby back pork ribs and occasionally a whole chicken if I'm willing to spend the time. I saw the lesser outdated model at Costco last week for around $250. I'm a single guy and want to power stuff off my solar panels and I like that smokey taste. This could be a wintertime grill. I could just stand nearby inside and look at the temp on my phone with the pro model. I intend to use a nice extension cord with 12 gauge wire in it.

[@georgecharokee4570]

Very Nice Comparison Test👊🏾👍🏾👏🏾‼‼‼ I have the Basic Model which I'm truly enjoying. While using the Original Model I had wished that it was a Bigger unit. But Now We have a 30% Larger Unit. I paid $300 for the Original, not sure what the bigger unit retails for 🤔🤔🤔. I Will probably buy a Midsize Wood Pellet Grill at the price point of the XL.

[@Donottrustthegovermentblindly]

This video goes above and beyond! You rock, thank you for making this. Bet it took a lot of work.

[@ch1apet761]

Great job, this video was exactly what the ninja smoker community needs

[@latica777]

Will it fit in the stand? Do I have to buy another?

[@soleadorelax]

Awesome review. Gracias from Puerto Rico. ! :)

[@mommyduckirisandthe5duckli828]

Please add in the recipe for your barbecue... please , pretty please

[@D3D587]

Can the Xl pro fit on the wood fire grill stand?

[@chucklucas8747]

You convinced me to get the ninja pro

[@scotclark7399]

I'm looking into getting an XL Pro for the size and do not plan on using a cell phone. (I don't have one). The Pro connect is a 7-in-1 and the regular XL Pro says 4-in-1. Currently there is a $60 difference on Amazon. Is there a much better advantage for the 7-in1?

[@stephenmiller5697]

Well done on the review! This totally helped me choose what grill I want. Thank you so much!

[@darensmith2336]

Good comparison of the two wood fire grills.

[@chaoscontrol6755]

What size turkey u think will fit in that.

[@audreykey5993]

Will it fit a whole turkey? If so, what size?

[@2Eaglez]

Thank you for an interesting and informative video. Definitely look like the Pro model would be better for larger family, with just two of us the original may work.

[@rickcormier9160]

Very nice review. If these have the same wattage does the XL get as hot or take a lot longer to reach temp? Can a standard frozen pizza work on both or any pizza for that matter? I like the convenience of these but not the price. Hopefully the prices come down or clearanced for the holidays at the warehouse stores.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

The XL actually read a little hotter on the high grill setting with an infrared thermometer; 570F versus 530F. I did do a test on the grill function and the preheat time was around 9 minutes for the regular grill and 13 minutes for the XL. I didn't include that because I want to do several tests on different functions and I'll include those findings in another video down the road.

[@essiebessie661]

I’m an RN like you. I trust you, sister.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thanks!

[@texquin]

Great video but I am just curious how you can cook a whole Pork Butt / Shoulder at 250 for only 1 hours & 15 minutes. I do them on my RecTeq Pellet Grill for 5-7 hours and they just pull apart....

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I don't remember saying anything about cooking a pork shoulder in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Is this something you think I said in the video or did you hear it from somewhere else?

[@texquin]

@@TheSaltedPepper you said I smoked it for 1 hour and 15 minutes, then did 15 minutes of air crisp to get the cap done. I just ordered the same model, registered for an account and paid with my Chase Southwest card, 1 hour ago. Immediately I got a confirmation and then the order was cancelled, without explanation. My card was refunded immediately and I ordered again, and then it charged my card and then cancelled the order. It did refund my card again but no explanation why it cancelled. I emailed back to the address that sent me the original two order confirmation numbers and both emails were returned by Mail Delivery System. These people are idiots.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

@@texquin I’ll have to check the video because pork shoulder takes much longer than that. 😂 Who are you ordering through? Ninja’s website?

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I just watched the video and it was a pork loin, not a pork shoulder that I smoked.

[@paulakehurstdevisme9692]

A very intelligent and well-presented review {unlike many on here!). Just that you North Americans are really spoilt on pricing for these things. In Europe and UK we pay well over the odds, about €400 for the original, but now it has beeb out a while maybe you can find a 10% discount. And that is just for the basic machine - no extras.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thank you so much! Yes, I know the prices are very different in the US than in other countries, but I have found a few good sales on a few UK websites. Amazon has the basic smoker on sale, here is my affiliate link if you are interested: amzn.to/3r259hF

[@paulakehurstdevisme9692]

@@TheSaltedPepper yes thanks good price - in UK. Since Brexit however I have lived in Portugal. We don’t even have our own Amazon, so I am forced to use Amazon Spain, which doesn’t even use English language! Only Spanish and Portuguese. Price on there is 10% discount. Can't buy from UK because of duties, handling charges ++. Best price here is €355 (US$383). Anyway the price you have to pay to live in Paradise! I enjoyed your balanced review and will look out more

[@imagineengine]

Im trying to like mine but honestly been getting a little disappointed due to the fact that there seems to be some things you would think you could cook on it but cant. Like bacon and eggs. One would assume you can since they make a optional griddle you can use with it. The manual even says you can cook with the lid open but when I tried it didnt work. Called tech support and was told the manual has that mistake in it and that you cannot cook with the lid open. I asked how your supposed to cook eggs and she said you cant. I tried to cook fried eggs in an egg ring and they cooked, but not very well. The bacon I tried was very tough and would not stay put. Every time I opened the lid it was blown around the griddle some place else. Have you ever tried cooking these things and if so what was your outcome. Thanks

[@erinerman3407]

This is a helpful and thorough video - well done, and thank you!!

[@ammotroop9708]

Do you have to bring it inside from the rain? I know you can get a cover but they will leak after awhile. And it been electric that would be a problem.

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I never have, but I keep it covered with a cheaper off-brand grill cover. It's been through all weather changes and I haven't had any issues.

[@ItsMeDeeDee]

I’m going to start using foil with my next grill see how the food cooks

[@hondaguymontes8213]

This products great if you don’t have space for a traditional Traeger or pit boss smoker pellet smoker. But for the price you can get the Procon just spend a little bit more and get a pit boss

[@kathyhuffman7310]

We paid $319 for our XL with 2 temp probes on sale a couple weeks ago at Sam's Club. Had some points built us so used them & felt I really got a smokin' (see what I did there? ) deal. We love this thing! Thanks for the comparison video, I just joined your FB group, hope to learn more!

[@IAmTheGlovenor]

Have you determined if there is any actual difference between Sam's Club model and the standard Ninja, since Sam's Club/Costco products have some sort of difference to get the lowered price. The only thing I see upfront is the lack of roasting lifters

[@kellywalton4195]

Excellent (as usual) review!

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thank you!

[@adam311835]

I loved the style of this video!

[@TheSaltedPepper]

Thank you so much! Jeff (husband and editor) did such a great job. It's unreal how an 8 hour long video shoot gets compressed into 15 minutes!

[@ItsMeDeeDee]

I see some people use foil to keep it clean

[@Mycribpotato]

Amazing video! I am looking for a grill that can serve 6-8 people and should be easy to maintain. We don't foresee having large barbeque parties with 10+ people. Do you think Ninja woodfire pro connect XL is a good investment? Or should I buy any regular barbeque?

[@TheSaltedPepper]

For the ease of set up and use and cleaning, I love the Woodfire grill/smoker!

[@ideacrafter]

Ive cook 8 ribeye steaks on my XL, as well as 12 hamburgers another time.

[@TommyTucker0]

fantastic video, just what I needed to know, thank you

[@cletust7557]

Wow thank you so much such a great product review

[@Gillespie5150]

What about the time and temperature and settings and built-in thermometer or anything like that?

[@TheSaltedPepper]

I plan to go over the thermometer and all of that in a future video. The Bluetooth and all the settings are pretty long videos on their own. We filmed some of that with this video, but it was just getting to be too long.

[@Gillespie5150]

@@TheSaltedPepper awesome thank you so much. I’m having problems getting mine to work. It says plugged in and it shows the little thermometer one, but it reads 0°.F

[@ronaldocorrea8007]

Awesome video, exactly what I was looking for

[@andrewhillis8973]

What other brand of pellets can you use

[@TheSaltedPepper]

any food grade smoking pellets can be used.

[@outandaboutwithrobnyc]

Believe in getting more because it's not do you need it, it's Do you have it when you need it.

[@sorchamist]

Does this newest version of the Woodfire Pro Connect XL cold smoke like the older version does?

[@ideacrafter]

yes

[@PatrickArnold-x8s]

I have a Ninja, I view It like a Easy Bake oven, I need more space to cook.

[@tthomthomas2590]

Thanks for the video. Now I'm going to get the bigger one😊

[@m.j.mcintear793]

EMERGENCY! my new foodi ninja just stopped working. It says two errors. One is slide and the other is shut lid. It doesn't recognize any of the modes and I thinks it's open. Idk but if it's any advice Emerald Goodness I'd appreciate it.

[@TheCoolestProduction]

Very thorough review, Thank you!

[@amaradominique]

Do it taste like grilled food?