What I found about this Mini Smoker the smoke box run’s of pellets in about 20 minutes or so This is good smoker for people that don’t have much space for a larger smoker 😊😊❤❤
You should cook by internal temp using a thermometer. Not buy time. Plus you can get racks that raise the items off the grill. And your seasoning is what’s making it the color it is
Depending on how I feel, I'll use my wireless meat thermometer and then to a spot check once it's close. If I cook chicken in the oven, it usually takes an hour (and that is what I was thinking), but that convection fan cuts the cook time down. So gotta be careful. But yes, a thermometer is best. Cook to temp, not time. This isn't a cake recipe!
I can’t believe you trimmed off the “oysters” from the thighs. It’s probably the best part of the thigh that can get the heck cooked out of it but is still yummy! Regardless that, the end result looked great. Maybe for people who like these kind of new age cookers, possibly doing a over night dry brine with a smoked salt would help. Here in Hawaii, Keawe (pronounced Keh-yah-veh) aka Mesquite smoked Rock Salt is popular. IMO, if it took 1 hour to cook the chicken to what you showed.. the trick would be to get it flavored as close as possible the real thing. Love your channel!
I have this grill and love it for what it is. You have to remember... this is more of a "convection oven" that applies smoke flavor. It is NOT a smoker. It is not using the pellets to cook the meat thus no smoke ring. With that said, I do get a lot of smoke flavor with my cooks. I don't use the Ninja pellets as I have run out and I purchased different pellets. The other pellet give me a better taste and more smoke flavor.
Spot on with what you said there. Would you mind sharing the name of the other pellets you're using? (Hint at the name or what to search for if you don't want to mention it directly 😛)
You are correct with your assessment of a convection oven with smoke flavor. Ninja has a way of marketing their appliances. You just have to use them for how they are made to work, not what you "think" they are supposed to do. I just wish there was a way to disable that convection fan as I'm not a fan of it. I like electric grills, but without the fan. The Traeger pellets are awesome. Wish the WoodFire came with them instead of the sample junk they provided. I think the 'no smoke ring' is due to the meat doesn't absorb enough smoke prior to hitting a certain temperature, like what happens in charcoal grills and smokers (and pellet smokers).
You need to use the smoker setting only and it only takes 20 minutes to cook chicken thighs. Don't use the air fryer or grill setting. Just the smoker setting only
I did have a little better luck with the Traeger pellets. But...I agree that when you are used to a regular smoker, it is hard to use anything else! Thanks for watching, Iracraver!
Warning if you're in the UK, our ver doesn't have the cold smoke option. You get to it on your ver by pressing the smoke temp minus button & when it stops counting down it flips to CLD smoke. Have to say I'm real disappointed with UK ver. Lowest temp ours will smoke is at 120c, (248f), chicken cooks way before you get the full effect of the smoke & it leaves the meat very dark.
Which pellets are you using? if the Ninja ones, those are awful...get your own pellets with your own flavor...that will change the taste radically! thanks for the video!
I agree. The Ninja pellets are the worst! I am using Traeger's Signature (Maple/Cherry), but I'd like to try the Reserve (Apple/Cherry) when I'm done with this bag.
Thank you. I don't want to come off as being negative about it, since it works a bit different than I expected, thus there's a learning curve. Lots of people like it, but it is way different than other electric grills and smokers. But that's not Ninja's fault or anything.
I love how you trim your chicken thighs. It looks like the Ninja is made for people who aren’t the connoisseurs that you and Eric are. I bet you figure this thing out though. It looks like a great machine!
Thank you. The machine isn't "bad". We just have to get used to it since it operates way different than anything else. The temp control is off. It runs hotter. The fan is the worst! But there is a cold smoke feature I can try out. Avoiding Ninja's pellets is the first thing to do. Using less smoke is another goal. But I don't totally hate it. Just have to figure it out :-)
I'm trying balance the smoke flavor and over smoking it. I think the fact it heats up quickly and is a very small smoke chamber (and ti will continue to smoke as long as there are pellets). I'm using half the pellets, and getting to like it.
Stop over-criticizing the grill, it works great! It’s not a full size smoker and a lot of people are ok with that assessment. This grill has a target group and you’re not it. Just being honest with you and others who are listening to you🤔
Thank you for watching. I realize every cook is responsible for learning how to use their equipment. My comments show my experience with this that you can't treat this the same as other smokers because it is quite different (mostly because of the convection fan that makes things cook much faster). Once you get past that, it's a great grill. If you've never used anything before, there's no re-learning. I guess that's my main message. This does seem to over smoke unless you're careful and things cook fast. If you love Memphis style ribs, then this is for you. I now use the Traeger pellets, and it's much better. The Ninja supplied pellets are the worst. I do like how this cuts cooking time way down and clean-up is a breeze.
Mistake!!!!! People who drive Bentleys should not describe the driving experience to a Honda driver, it’s not a fair comparison. But you’re an adult and I’m sure you knew this. Checkout CJ’s reviews. Never trust a Peanut Gallery review from the other room🤣
I'm not advising anyone to not buy this. It is not the same thing as a real smoker. The convection fan, the disgusting sample pellets, and incorrect temperature settings all can lead to a bad meal. You just have to learn how to use it is all. CJ makes good videos, but I'm not sold on them. There is a bit of learning. This was my experience using it. In general, I prefer charcoal to anything. But pellets are much quicker and easier to use, which may lend to why this is so popular. If Ninja's marketing made it a little more obvious on how to tone down the temperature and over smoking, then that would be great. But they can't shoot themselves in the foot with their "WoodFire Technology" can they? I like the Traeger Signature pellets WAY more than the junk they supplied. So just figuring out how to use this differently is all.
Changing the pellets was the first improvement. Using less pellets also helps. The fan makes this cook too fast. I know Ninja has a huge following, but some of their appliances work better than others. Some are marketed really well. Some just take time to figure out. So going from charcoal grills and smokers to this thing with the fan, just takes a little time to adjust. Just a different animal is all.
KITCHEN PRODUCTS USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Ninja Woodfire Grill: amzn.to/3DvDgRB
What I found about this Mini Smoker the smoke box run’s of pellets in about 20 minutes or so This is good smoker for people that don’t have much space for a larger smoker 😊😊❤❤
I smoked mine for 2 hrs at 250 and then air fried for 8 minutes - it all worked just fine
You should cook by internal temp using a thermometer. Not buy time. Plus you can get racks that raise the items off the grill. And your seasoning is what’s making it the color it is
Depending on how I feel, I'll use my wireless meat thermometer and then to a spot check once it's close. If I cook chicken in the oven, it usually takes an hour (and that is what I was thinking), but that convection fan cuts the cook time down. So gotta be careful. But yes, a thermometer is best. Cook to temp, not time. This isn't a cake recipe!
We just did air fried smoked chicken last night they were good. We used the smoke and air fryer at the same time for 30 minutes
That’s where she boo booed ! The chicken should be done in air fryer mode +smoke
Should have done the thighs in the crisper on air crisp mode for slower cooking and more smoke taste 🤔
There is also a “cold smoke” on Smoker selection…just turn temp all the way down.
I can’t believe you trimmed off the “oysters” from the thighs. It’s probably the best part of the thigh that can get the heck cooked out of it but is still yummy! Regardless that, the end result looked great. Maybe for people who like these kind of new age cookers, possibly doing a over night dry brine with a smoked salt would help. Here in Hawaii, Keawe (pronounced Keh-yah-veh) aka Mesquite smoked Rock Salt is popular. IMO, if it took 1 hour to cook the chicken to what you showed.. the trick would be to get it flavored as close as possible the real thing. Love your channel!
Thank you for watching. I love brining chicken. It's like insurance against overcooking. Thighs are usually immune due to the fat content.
Amy and Eric. Thanks for your honest assessment of the grill. I was curious as to how it stacked up against an actual "smoker grill".
Thank you. It's not the same. But it has good points on its own. I'm just not a fan of the convection fan.
I have this grill and love it for what it is. You have to remember... this is more of a "convection oven" that applies smoke flavor. It is NOT a smoker. It is not using the pellets to cook the meat thus no smoke ring. With that said, I do get a lot of smoke flavor with my cooks. I don't use the Ninja pellets as I have run out and I purchased different pellets. The other pellet give me a better taste and more smoke flavor.
Spot on with what you said there. Would you mind sharing the name of the other pellets you're using? (Hint at the name or what to search for if you don't want to mention it directly 😛)
You are correct with your assessment of a convection oven with smoke flavor. Ninja has a way of marketing their appliances. You just have to use them for how they are made to work, not what you "think" they are supposed to do. I just wish there was a way to disable that convection fan as I'm not a fan of it. I like electric grills, but without the fan. The Traeger pellets are awesome. Wish the WoodFire came with them instead of the sample junk they provided. I think the 'no smoke ring' is due to the meat doesn't absorb enough smoke prior to hitting a certain temperature, like what happens in charcoal grills and smokers (and pellet smokers).
@@rfc1795 I like the Traeger Signature pellets (maple/cherry). I haven't tried their other pellets (as I got a 20 pound bag to work through).
You can grill and smoke at the same time. Put the grill and smoker on at the same time.
You need to use the smoker setting only and it only takes 20 minutes to cook chicken thighs. Don't use the air fryer or grill setting. Just the smoker setting only
I have to agree with you, there is no smoking taste to any of the food I have cooked.
I did have a little better luck with the Traeger pellets. But...I agree that when you are used to a regular smoker, it is hard to use anything else! Thanks for watching, Iracraver!
If you don't know you can cold smoke on the cld setting. Enjoy 💥
Warning if you're in the UK, our ver doesn't have the cold smoke option. You get to it on your ver by pressing the smoke temp minus button & when it stops counting down it flips to CLD smoke. Have to say I'm real disappointed with UK ver. Lowest temp ours will smoke is at 120c, (248f), chicken cooks way before you get the full effect of the smoke & it leaves the meat very dark.
@@user-zh2mb9xl6o Sorry, that's a shame! 🙄
@@user-zh2mb9xl6o Mmm .. yeah, I'm noticing it cooks way fast on the smoke setting. 😕
Thank you. I'll have to try that.
Which pellets are you using? if the Ninja ones, those are awful...get your own pellets with your own flavor...that will change the taste radically! thanks for the video!
What pellets do you recommend?
I agree. The Ninja pellets are the worst! I am using Traeger's Signature (Maple/Cherry), but I'd like to try the Reserve (Apple/Cherry) when I'm done with this bag.
@@rfc1795 Anything Traeger. Just pick which wood you prefer. This is almost making me want to buy a Traeger!
This was a nice video. Definitely for beginners. Thanks for spending the time and effort to produce it! Cheers!
Thank you. I don't want to come off as being negative about it, since it works a bit different than I expected, thus there's a learning curve. Lots of people like it, but it is way different than other electric grills and smokers. But that's not Ninja's fault or anything.
me encantan tus videos y la marca ninja un abrazo desde España para ti y tu esposo
Use the Robust pellets.
I love how you trim your chicken thighs. It looks like the Ninja is made for people who aren’t the connoisseurs that you and Eric are. I bet you figure this thing out though. It looks like a great machine!
Thank you. The machine isn't "bad". We just have to get used to it since it operates way different than anything else. The temp control is off. It runs hotter. The fan is the worst! But there is a cold smoke feature I can try out. Avoiding Ninja's pellets is the first thing to do. Using less smoke is another goal. But I don't totally hate it. Just have to figure it out :-)
Food looks good.
Coating it with butter before the cook was probably not helpful regarding smoke absorption.
It was mustard lol
would’ve tasted smokier if you started it up with the chicken inside it already
I'm trying balance the smoke flavor and over smoking it. I think the fact it heats up quickly and is a very small smoke chamber (and ti will continue to smoke as long as there are pellets). I'm using half the pellets, and getting to like it.
Heard numerous fb posts that it is 20 to 25 degrees hotter than what it says….
I herd the same!
Probably right.
❤❤ Yum!
The pellets that come are made for Ninja by Bear Mountain Lake and they are TERRIBLE. get the Crown Royal flavored pellets !! Youll thank me later .
I'm using the Traeger Signature, and they're much better. never heard of Crown Royal, but anything made from whiskey barrels has my vote :-)
Stop over-criticizing the grill, it works great! It’s not a full size smoker and a lot of people are ok with that assessment. This grill has a target group and you’re not it. Just being honest with you and others who are listening to you🤔
Thank you for watching. I realize every cook is responsible for learning how to use their equipment. My comments show my experience with this that you can't treat this the same as other smokers because it is quite different (mostly because of the convection fan that makes things cook much faster). Once you get past that, it's a great grill. If you've never used anything before, there's no re-learning. I guess that's my main message. This does seem to over smoke unless you're careful and things cook fast. If you love Memphis style ribs, then this is for you. I now use the Traeger pellets, and it's much better. The Ninja supplied pellets are the worst. I do like how this cuts cooking time way down and clean-up is a breeze.
You just cut the good part off
Competition BBQ is mostly about presentation as judges will taste with their eyes before they take a bite. Amy just wants it to look pretty is all.
Thanks for the honest review, i was considering purchasing one but couldn't pull the trigger. Now im glad i didnt
Mistake!!!!! People who drive Bentleys should not describe the driving experience to a Honda driver, it’s not a fair comparison. But you’re an adult and I’m sure you knew this. Checkout CJ’s reviews. Never trust a Peanut Gallery review from the other room🤣
I'm not advising anyone to not buy this. It is not the same thing as a real smoker. The convection fan, the disgusting sample pellets, and incorrect temperature settings all can lead to a bad meal. You just have to learn how to use it is all. CJ makes good videos, but I'm not sold on them. There is a bit of learning. This was my experience using it. In general, I prefer charcoal to anything. But pellets are much quicker and easier to use, which may lend to why this is so popular. If Ninja's marketing made it a little more obvious on how to tone down the temperature and over smoking, then that would be great. But they can't shoot themselves in the foot with their "WoodFire Technology" can they? I like the Traeger Signature pellets WAY more than the junk they supplied. So just figuring out how to use this differently is all.
I WOULD PUT A LITTLE CHARCOAL IN THE SMOKER, THE SMOKER PROBABLY NEEDS A FAN.
Changing the pellets was the first improvement. Using less pellets also helps. The fan makes this cook too fast. I know Ninja has a huge following, but some of their appliances work better than others. Some are marketed really well. Some just take time to figure out. So going from charcoal grills and smokers to this thing with the fan, just takes a little time to adjust. Just a different animal is all.