Ninja Kitchen just released the NEWEST model of the Woodfire Grill & Outdoor Smoker and it has a temperature probe with Bluetooth connectivity!
Ninja crossed over from their line of indoor cooking appliances into the world of outdoor cooking when they released the first model of the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill in September of 2022 and after what I would consider a slow roll-out, the Woodfire Grill really took off in the Spring/Summer of 2023 and continues to gain in popularity.
Over the past 9 months, I have done tons of testing and purchased a second Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker, this time without the temperature probe in order to compare the models.
In this article, I will go over the similarities and differences between the three different models so you can make an informed purchasing decision.
There is a lot of information in this article, so please use the table of contents to get to the sections that are important to you.
Is the Ninja Woodfire Grill worth buying?
This is the big question, isn't it? No one wants to invest several hundred dollars on an appliance that they never use and I get that.
I happen to have a lot of experience in smoking meats and I can tell you that it is 100% worth purchasing if you want to get started in smoking different foods, want to be able to smoke smaller amounts quicker than traditional larger smokers, have space restraints and need a compact smoker, want a small smoker that is easy to operate and maintain, or you want a portable appliance capable of smoking, grilling, air frying, and more to take with you in your RV, on a camping trip, on vacation, or simply over to a friends house for a party.
I didn't always feel that way though!
As the previous owner of a BBQ restaurant who used to smoke hundreds of pounds of meat in a week, I was VERY skeptical of an electric grill/smoker combo. I had pretty much convinced myself that it would never live up to my expectations of true wood-fired smoking.
I was so convinced of this that I refused to purchase it. However, in October of 2022 I came across a deal that I just couldn't pass up and became the owner of a brand new Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker with Built-In Thermometer.
I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at the overall flavor of the meat I smoked on the Woodfire and although I thought there was room for improvement, the Ninja Woodfire Grill & Smoker had my attention then and now!
Pros & Cons of the Woodfire Outdoor Grill
Even though I absolutely think the Woodfire Grill is worth purchasing, there are some pros and cons that I think are important for you to consider when deciding if this grill & smoker is the best purchase for you.
Keep in mind as you look through the list that some of my pros may be your cons and some of my cons may be a pro for you.
Those are just some of the pros and all of the cons I could think of. I'm sure there are more and I'd love to hear your opinion if you care to share it in the comments.
Ninja Woodfire Comparison Chart
As of August 17, 2023, there are three models of the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker to choose from. Here is a quick reference chart with some basic information.
Below the chart, I go into detail about the 3 different models and answer even more questions!
In the next several sections, I go over each of the three models in more detail, go over the accessories available, what comes with the Woodfire, and more.
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Basic Model
The basic model of the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill found on the Ninja Kitchen website has 7 cooking functions, which are:
- Grill
- Smoker*
- Roast
- Bake
- Dehydrate
- Air Crisp
- Broil
*On the US models, you can select cold smoking by adjusting the temperature button all the way down until it reads, "CLD". This eliminates the electric heat source, but you still need to be aware of ambient temperatures and the slight heat produced by the burning pellets. It's best to cold-smoke delicate foods (the ones that melt at low temps) in cooler weather.
What's included
It comes with a 1-year limited warranty and the accessories included are:
- Non-stick Grill Grate
- Crisper Basket
- Removable Grease Tray
- 2 Sample bags of pellets
- Quick Start Guide & Recipe Book
- Grill Cover is being offered as a free gift through Ninja Kitchen*
*This promotion is subject to change at any time
Check the retailer description for "what's included," because it can vary by retailer and what promotion is going on.
Specifications of Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Basic Model
- Powered by electricity ONLY. The pellets are not used as a heat source, only flavor
- 1760 Watts
- It weighs 31 pounds
- It measures 18.58" wide x 23.62" deep x 13.31" high
- 141 square inches of cooking space on grill grate
- 48" Power Cord
- It can be used with a properly rated extension cord when connected to a three-prong grounded GFI outlet. The cord much be specific for use outdoors and must have a "W" marking. 25 feet extension cord can be no less than 14-guage or 50 feet extension cord no less than 12-guage
- It can be kept outdoors, but I recommend using a cover if it is not located in a covered area like a porch
Where to Buy the Ninja Woodfire Grill Basic Model
There are several retailers who are selling the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill and it's very important to pay attention to the model numbers & the various packages being offered.
Walmart carries the OG700 and at first glance, the price is very enticing; however, it only has 3 cooking functions which are:
- Grill
- Smoker
- Air Crisp
Often times Walmart will have a less expensive version of appliances that have fewer features or some other small differences, so make sure you fully understand the differences and then you can decide if the cost savings is worth it to you. *Other models may be offered on the Walmart website, but often they are third-party sellers, so do your research before purchasing.
As the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker comes down in price, I personally do not think a $30 savings is worth giving up the extra 4 functions that come with the Ninja Woodfire 7-1 model.
Several US retailers other than Ninja Kitchen carry the Ninja Woodfire 7-1 model and my top 5 picks that usually have the best prices and packages are:
Amazon: Ninja OG701 Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker 7-1 Model
Kohl's: Ninja OG701 Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker 7-1 Model
Target: Ninja OG701 Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker 7-1 Model
Best Buy: Ninja OG701 Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker 7-1 Model
Sam's Club: Ninja OG705A Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker 7-1 Model
I was a little hesitant to include Sam's Club because not everyone has a membership, but they often have great prices AND include extras in the package.
Through September 11, 2023 Sam's is offering a great price on the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill 7-1 and it includes a cover and the griddle plate!
Accessories Available for the Ninja Woodfire Basic Model
There are some basic accessories designed specifically for the Ninja Woodfire grill that are available through Ninja Kitchen.
- Ninja Woodfire Adjustable Outdoor Stand: While this stand is designed specifically for the Woodfire Grill, it does not provide any workspace beside the grill unless you purchase the extenders, and for the price, there are better alternatives in my opinion. I will go over my recommended accessories later in this article.
- Ninja Woodfire Attachment Side Table: Designed to be used with the outdoor stand to provide a small area for prep while cooking. It's 14.5" wide x 22" deep. You can purchase 2 if you want a side table on each side of the outdoor stand.
- Ninja Woodfire Grill Cover: Some models will come with the grill cover or it can be purchased separately. I would decide on the stand you want to use before purchasing this cover because you may want to get a cover that fits over the grill and the entire stand as I show below.
I'm using a basic stainless steel food prep table to hold both my Outdoor Woodfire Oven & Outdoor Grill and keep them covered with an extra large bbq grill cover from Walmart.
So far, this has worked out perfectly. I can easily move the table around and if I want more workspace, I just move the appliance I'm not using down to the lower shelf.
- Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Cleaning Brush: Specifically designed for cleaning the woodfire grate and other areas of the outdoor grill.
- Ninja Woodfire Combo Crisper Basket: This is a smaller 2.5 qt crisping basket so you can cook in the basket and on the grill grate at the same time.
- Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Flat Griddle Plate: If there is one accessory that I recommend getting, it's this one! You can turn your outdoor grill into a griddle easily with this flat surface. It's great for pancakes, sautéing, quesadillas, and anything else that you want to cook on a flat surface.
You can price shop for the Griddle Plate attachment at the following places, the average price is $34.99.
Amazon: Ninja Woodfire Griddle Plate
Best Buy: Ninja Woodfire Griddle Plate
Kohl's: Ninja Woodfire Griddle Plate
Ninja Woodfire Pro
The Pro model of the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill with Built-In Thermometer found on the Ninja Kitchen website has all the same functions as the base model, which are:
- Grill
- Smoker*
- Roast
- Bake
- Dehydrate
- Air Crisp
- Broil
*On the US models, you can select cold smoking by adjusting the temperature button all the way down until it reads, "CLD". This eliminates the electric heat source, but you still need to be aware of ambient temperatures and the slight heat produced by the burning pellets. It's best to cold-smoke delicate foods (the ones that melt at low temps) in cooler weather.
It also has these additional presets when using the thermometer probe:
- Fish: 3 presets which include; medium (130℉), Medium Well (140℉), Well Done (150℉)
- Chicken/Turkey preset is Well Done (165℉)
- Pork: 3 presets which include; medium (130℉), Medium Well (150℉), Well Done (160℉)
- Beef/Lamb: 4 presets which include; Rare (115℉), Medium Rare (125℉), Medium (130℉), Medium Well (145℉), and Well Done (150℉)
- Manual Preset: This allows you set your own desired doneness by temperature so you can cook things exactly like you want to. I recommend using the manual preset when cooking poultry so the carryover cooking doesn't overcook it.
What's included
It comes with a 1-year limited warranty unless Ninja Kitchen is having a promotion and they sometimes offer a 3-year VIP warranty.
The accessories included are:
- Nonstick Grill Grate
- Built-In Thermometer
- Crisper Basket
- 2 Sample bags of pellets (sometimes shipped separately)
- Quick Start Guide & Recipe Book
- Pellet Scoop
- Removable Grease Tray
Specifications of Ninja Woodfire Pro Outdoor Grill & Smoker with Built-In Thermometer
- Powered by electricity ONLY. The pellets are not used as a heat source, only flavor
- 1760 Watts
- 120V 60hz volts
- It weighs 31 pounds
- It measures 18.58" wide x 23.62" deep x 13.31" high
- 141 square inches of cooking space on grill grate
- Cord Length is 48 inches
- It can be used with a properly rated extension cord when connected to a three-prong grounded GFI outlet. The cord much be specific for use outdoors and must have a "W" marking. 25 feet extension cord can be no less than 14 gauge or 50 feet extension cord not less than 12 gauge.
- It can be kept outdoors, but I recommend using a cover if it is not located in a covered area like a porch.
Where to Buy the Ninja Woodfire Pro
There are only a couple of retailers that I could find who are selling the Ninja Woodfire Pro Outdoor Grill & Smoker with the probe at this time.
Ninja Kitchen: Ninja Woodfire Pro Outdoor Grill & Smoker
Accessories Available for the Ninja Woodfire Pro Grill & Smoker
The Ninja Woodfire Pro is the same size as the basic model without the probe so the accessories are the same as listed above for the basic model.
You can navigate back to the accessories available by clicking here ➡️ Ninja Woodfire Accessories
Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL
This is the NEWEST model of the Ninja Woodfire Grill & Smoker and although it has the same 7 cooking functions as the other models, it's BIGGER and comes with 2 built-in probes that can be connected to your phone via Bluetooth through Ninja's ProConnect App!
The 7 cooking functions are:
- Grill
- Smoker*
- Roast
- Bake
- Dehydrate
- Air Crisp
- Broil
On the US models, you can select cold smoking by adjusting the temperature button all the way down until it reads, "CLD"
What's included
It comes with a 3-year VIP warranty* (through Ninja Kitchen ONLY)and the accessories included are:
- 180 square inch Non-stick Grill Grate
- 2 built-in thermometers with Bluetooth connectivity*
- Crisper Basket
- Pellet Scoop
- Removable Grease Tray
- Disposable Grease Tray Liner
- 2 Sample bags of pellets
- Quick Start Guide & Recipe Book
- Grill Cover is being offered as a free gift through Ninja Kitchen
*This may vary by model, but the only model I found for sale is on Ninja Kitchen's website and BBQ Guys and they don't specify if there are 1 or 2 probes.
**This is subject to change based on the current Ninja Kitchen Promotion
Specifications of Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL
- Powered by electricity ONLY. The pellets are not used as a heat source, only flavor.
- 1760 Watts
- 120V 60hz Volts
- It weighs 39 pounds.
- It measures 20.04" wide x 22.28" deep x 15.83" high.
- 180 square inches of cooking space on grill grate.
- 55" Power Cord
- It can be used with a properly rated extension cord when connected to a three-prong grounded GFI outlet. The cord much be specific for use outdoors and must have a "W" marking. 25 feet extension cord can be no less than 14 gauge or 50 feet extension cord not less than 12 gauge.
- It can be kept outdoors, but I recommend using a cover if it is not located in a covered area like a porch.
Accessories Available for the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker
The Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL is larger, so some of the accessories are not interchangeable with the Woodfire Grill and the Woodfire Pro Grill & Smoker.
- Ninja Woodfire Adjustable Outdoor Stand: The same stand is compatible with all 3 models of Ninja Woodfire Grill & Smoker according to the Ninja Kitchen website.
- Ninja Woodfire Attachment Side Table: These attach to one or both sides (if you purchase 2) to provide more prep and working space.
- Ninja Woodfire Premium Grill Cover Pro: Some models will come with the grill cover or it can be purchased separately. I would decide on the stand you want to use before purchasing this cover because you may want to get a cover that fits over the grill and the entire stand instead.
- Ninja Woodfire Grill & Griddle Plate: This one is exciting! Because of the larger cooking space, you can get a combo plate that allows you to grill on one side and sauté on the other!
- Ninja Woodfire Premium Griddle Plate: Just like the smaller models, you can purchase a griddle plate that fits the Woodfire ProConnect and have even more flat cooking space for your pancakes, taco meat, quesadillas, and grilled cheese sandwiches!
- Ninja Woodfire Rib Rack: Specific to this model of Woodfire Grill, you can get a rib rack that allows you to cook 4 racks of ribs at one time!
- Ninja Woodfire Roast & Smoke Rack: Specific to this model of Woodfire Grill, you can get a rack that elevates your meat so the smoke is able to circulate all around. I'm super excited about this because I didn't like flipping the larger cuts of meat around for even smoking.
Where to Buy the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL Grill & Smoker
Since this model has just been released, the only reliable place I found to purchase it is direct through Nina Kitchen. The one listed currently on Ninja Kitchen is blue in color.
Link to Purchase: Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL Grill & Smoker
BBQ Guys has a listing for it, but says it won't ship for 7-10 days so I'm not sure if they actually have them in stock or not. The one listed on their website is red in color.
I will absolutely be updating this section as more retailers begin to carry it and more information is available.
Ninja Woodfire Grill & Smoker Accessories
I thought it would be helpful for you to have a quick glance chart of the accessories that are available for the various models of the Ninja Woodfire Grill.
For your convenience, I have also included a downloadable PDF form that includes links to the accessories so you can use that as a resource guide. Click the link below to download your copy.
✅ Woodfire Grill & Smoker Accessory Chart Downloadable PDF
This chart does not include replacement parts that are available on the Ninja Website. You can get replacements for things like the metal pellet box, griddle plate, grease trays, and other items that come with your grill.
Which Ninja Woodfire Grill Should You Purchase?
This, of course, depends on your budget, space, and what you want to be able to do with the Woodfire Grill. What I can share with you are my opinions on the various models and which one I think will work best for what you want to be able to do with it.
Let's start with the basic Woodfire Grill versus the Woodfire Grill with built in temperature probe.
They are both the same size and as long as you get a 7-1 model, they have the same functions. Personally, I don't think the built-in probe is worth the upgrade unless you get a good deal on it OR you really like using presets.
I have used the manual preset a few times, but because the smoker is outside and I'm usually inside and can't see what is going on, there have been plenty of times that what I'm cooking has reached the temperature I set and the grill turns off and there is really no way to know this unless you are outside or checking every 5 minutes.
So, if you are cooking for 2-4 people and plan on using the Woodfire grill as a way to cook smaller portions or smaller cuts of meat, I would stick with the basic model over the Ninja Woodfire with Built-In Probe.
The less expensive Woodfire Grill is going to be great for smoking 1 rack of ribs, 2-3 bone-in chicken breasts, a 6-7 pound pork butt, or a small brisket.
You can comfortably grill 4-5 normal-size hamburgers or 2-3 ribeyes at once on either the Woodfire Grill or Woodfire Grill with probe.
It is very compact in size, so if you plan on traveling with it, I would probably opt for the basic model or the one with the probe.
Now, let's talk about the newest addition to the family, the Ninja Woodfire Proconnect XL Grill & Smoker!
In full transparency, I don't own this one yet, but I am waiting on its delivery and I can't wait!
Not only is this Ninja's first appliance with Bluetooth capabilities, it's BIGGER!
I usually cook for 2, so the width and depth of the basic models work fine for me, but the height is just a tad bit short for the pork shoulders I usually get which are about 10 pounds. The increase in height is going to be wonderful!
The addition of the ProConnect app so I can connect my phone to monitor the temperature of the probes is going to be amazing... if it works. That is the big question right now.
I have been trying out another thermometer with Bluetooth and it loses connectivity constantly making it very unreliable. So, the first thing I will be doing is testing out the Bluetooth functionality and updating this article with my findings.
I already downloaded the app, but can't connect to it until the grill comes. The setup of the app looks to be very simple.
I am really hoping that the Bluetooth connectivity and app operation is going to be reliable, I will let you know!
However, Bluetooth isn't the main reason I'm so excited to get this model. I absolutely LOVE the added accessories that will fit the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL!
I have already ordered the griddle plate, grill/griddle combo plate, rib rack, and the roasting rack. Yes, I might be going overboard, but I can't help myself. I see so much value in all of these accessories, I just had to.
The good news is, if you aren't in a real hurry to make a decision about which model to purchase, just bookmark or save this post to Pinterest and check back in about a week or so for the updates!
Once I have the Ninja Woodfire Proconnect XL Grill & Smoker, I will have all three models and will have even more advice to give.
For now, here are some tips based on my experiences so far.
Top Five Tips When Using the Ninja Woodfire Grill
- Don't try to do a long smoke when it's raining unless you are under a cover of some sort. It's very hard to keep the pellets lit and smoking when rain is hitting the smoker and smoker box. Shorter cooks are manageable.
- Preheat the smoker with the pellets burning and then lift the lid to let the heavy white smoke out. This is more important with smaller foods because that white smoke can be acrid and leave a bad taste on the food. I have not found it to be a problem on longer cooks over an hour.
- Plan out a short and inexpensive smoking session the first time you plan on smoking on the woodfire. This way you can get used to the settings and if things go wrong, you aren't out a $15-$20 chunk of meat.
- When smoking longer than 1 hour, plan to fill the pellet hopper every hour for at least the first 4-6 hours you are smoking for the best smoke flavor.
- Don't get discouraged if you don't like the smoke flavor. Chances are you used the pellets that came with the grill and they are not the best in my opinion. If you love the flavor, great! If you don't, grab a variety pack of Lumberjack pellets or Camp Chef makes a really nice apple wood pellet that is a mild fruity smoke flavor that goes with just about everything!
Link to purchase variety pack: Lumberjack Wood Pellets Variety Pack
Link to purchase apple pellets: Camp Chef Orchard Apple Wood Pellets
Frequently Asked Questions about the Woodfire Grill & Smoker
No, the Woodfire is an outdoor grill and Ninja Kitchen specifically says to only use it outside.
Yes, it is powered by electric and that is sole heat source. The pellets do not provide enough heat for cooking the food because only a small amount are used. The pellets do burn though and the smoke released is what provides the smoke flavor to food.
You can use any food grade wood pellets in the Woodfire Grill, they do not have to be the Ninja Kitchen brand.
I would not say it's waterproof, but it is water resistant and meant to be kept outside. I do recommend covering it when not in use.
Yes! If you wanted to air fry, bake, roast, or grill and add some smoke flavor, you fill the hopper with pellets and hit the woodfire button on the front display panel and that will start the ignition process for the pellets while using other functions.
The technology is very different between the Woodfire Pro and the Woodfire ProConnect with Bluetooth capabilities. I am not aware of any way to use the Woodfire Pro Grill & Smoker with the Proconnect app.
Resources for The Ninja Woodfire Grill
If you have any questions or need help with deciding on which one to purchase, troubleshooting any issues that arise, or needing recipe inspiration, here are some resources that may be helpful.
General Resources
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email and I'm happy to help you in any way I can.
Louise@thesaltedpepper.com
You can also join our Facebook group, which is a great community of people who are always willing to help and share their experiences.
Ninja Woodfire Grill & Smoker Recipes & Tips Facebook Group
Or, if you are looking for a great deal on the Ninja Woodfire Grill, join our Ninja Deals & Discounts Group!
Resources for the Ninja Woodfire OG700 Series
Resources for the Ninja Woodfire OG750 Series
Resources for the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL Series
Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL Owners Manual
There are a few recipes noted on the Ninja Website for the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect, but not a Quick Start Guide & Recipe book like the other models.
Please note that recipes for the other models can be made in the XL model exactly the same way, so feel free to download one of the other Quick Start Guides.
I have also been working on testing many different recipes using the Woodfire Grill and I can't wait to share them here on The Salted Pepper website and on The Salted Pepper YouTube Channel!
ABOUT THE RECIPE AUTHOR, LOUISE LONG
Louise is a full-time recipe creator and food blogger @ The Salted Pepper. She has over 30 years of experience with cooking and recipe development. She owned a restaurant for several years and was a full-time RN until retiring to blog full-time.
She published her first cookbook in the Fall of 2018 and is very interested in writing several more.
Louise is also the creator of an online Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooking Course with over 100 instructional step-by-step videos. People absolutely rave about the course and all the value they have received from it.
Louise has several very active Facebook groups that help people with the basics of cooking and getting the most out of the Ninja Foodi.
Louise is also a YouTube creator and you can find most of her recipes in video format on The Salted Pepper YouTube channel.
She is very responsive to messages and eager to help in any way she can. Get more Information about Louise & contact information
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE COOKING UP IN YOUR KITCHEN! TAG ME @THESALTEDPEPPER ON YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM WHEN YOU MAKE A DISH!
BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE SALTED PEPPER RIGHT HERE ⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓
TJ Woody
Would someone that has the ninja woodfire prconnect XL please measure the actual inside cooking surface in inches length and width.
thanks
Louise
I plan on doing that as soon as I get it! I don't know why Ninja doesn't include that in the specs.
Mary Lee Kopen
I'm measuring mine at 17.25 x 11.25". Arrived Sunday.
Mary Lee Kopen
Ninja is no longer recommending using a dishwasher to clean the grill or griddle. The owners manual for the newest grill is very adamant on this subject.
There are versions of the XL woodfire new grill that do not include two thermometers. They all come with one foam come with two and there is a second thermometer available to purchase in the accessories listing.
This guide is very impressive at this stage of the new release, thanks for all your hard work.
Louise
Thanks for letting me know that Ninja is saying the grill grate and griddle are not dishwasher safe, I will update the post to reflect that. I'm not sure how I missed that because I did read the manual. I did find it though, so thank you. I kind of figured there would be a version that only has one probe and one that has dual probes, but haven't found actual documentation of this. Have you seen any that you could reference so I could look at it. As far as the thermometer for purchase as an accessory, my thoughts were that is to be a replacement thermometer and not necessarily to "add on" to a until that only came with one probe. Do you have any knowledge or references that says one way or the other? Thanks for all of your great feedback!