Are you looking for a compact grill? Check out the Ninja Sizzle. The internal grill and griddle are perfect for quick meals.
What is a Ninja Sizzle
Ninja is known for its range of kitchen appliances, including the Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill and the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill.
They are also known for including tons of different functions in one appliance. Virtually all of their grills can grill, bake, roast, fry, etc.
But the Ninja Sizzle it’s different. It only has two functions: grill and griddle, but it is enough to cook quick and simple meals.
There is no assembly with Ninja Sizzle, which is great. Just take it out of the box and add the grill or griddle. Then plug it in and start cooking.
It comes with a removable splash-proof lid and each dish includes a built-in grease trap. That’s all! Very simple.
The Ninja Sizzle is powered by electricity. Before adding the grill or grill, you will see the burner. The design provides consistent heat throughout the unit.
Because I love this grill
Some may think that grilling on the Ninja Sizzle is not a real barbecue because it is electric, but I disagree. Because of the way it’s designed, you get a high dry heat like an outdoor grill.
I love it for quick meals and here’s why.
- Its size is great for when I only need to cook 2-3 steaks, 4-6 burgers, or a pound of shrimp.
- Creates perfect grill marks, just like an outdoor grill.
- It’s easy to adjust cooking temperatures for different dishes.
Unlike the George Foreman Grill, the Ninja Sizzle does not crush or steam your food. The Sizzle has a perforated mesh lid that you can close. The metal helps retain heat and the holes allow excess steam to escape.
I also like that it doesn’t take up a lot of counter or cabinet space. I can store it and easily take it out when it’s time to prepare a meal. Its size also makes it great for the camper.
SAFETY NOTE: For best results, use on a level surface like a flat countertop, so the grease runs naturally into the trap.
How to cook on the Ninja Sizzle
Cooking on Ninja Sizzle is very simple. First you need to decide whether you want to use the grill plate or the grill plate.
The grill plate will give you great grill marks and is great for steaks, chicken ribs and pork. The griddle is used to brown foods such as fajitas, smashburgers and scallops. It’s also great for fried rice, fluffy pancakes, bacon and eggs.
Once the griddle is in place, adjust the temperature dial and let the grill heat up for 7 minutes.
THOUGHTS: The only feature I wish this grill had was a timer or a tone to tell me when 7 minutes was up.
Ninja chefs provide recommended temperatures for each food item to reduce smoke and splatter. These are in the manual and pictured on the front of the grill.
The surface is non-stick, so there should be no need to add oil. If you want to add oil, use one that can handle high heat, such as canola or avocado oil. Ninja does not recommend using olive oil or butter.
After the grill has preheated, you can add your food. For better grill marks, press down on the food for a few seconds to stop the burn.
You can cook with the lid open or closed. When you close the lid, it helps radiate heat into the grill and cooks your food a little faster. I close the lid when I make fried eggs and when I want to melt cheese on burgers.
Closing the lid also helps reduce splatters on your kitchen counter.
Keep an eye on the food as it cooks. Once you get excellent grill or sear marks, turn the food and continue cooking to the desired internal temperature.
Ninja Sizzle comes with a quick start guide, which includes these tips, 10 recipes, and a grilling and griddle chart that outlines temperatures and times.
THOUGHTS: I used an infrared gun to look for hot spots or cold spots. Overall, I found it has even edge-to-edge heating.
How to clean the Ninja Sizzle
Once cooking is finished, turn off the grill. I do an initial cleaning while the grill is still hot. This helps prevent food from sticking.
When using the nonstick grill plate, grab a damp paper towel with a pair of tongs and slide it from the back of the grill toward the grease trap. Push any debris into the trap.
If you cooked on the nonstick griddle, use a plastic spatula to push any fat or food residue towards the trap.
Leave the lid open and let the Ninja Sizzle cool. Then, remove the straightener and wash it in the sink with warm, soapy water.
To clean the rest of the grill, simply use a damp paper towel to wipe the lid and exterior. If the lid gets too greasy, you can remove it and wash it in the dishwasher.
Accessories
Since this grill is pretty basic (in the best way possible), there are no accessories. You’ll need a plastic scoop and some tongs, but other than that, it’s ready to go straight away.
There are some aftermarket accessories online that you might want to check out like reusable mats that keep your dishes clean and the carry bag which contains Sizzle and plates.
Ninja Sizzle Specifications
- Height: 5.5 inches
- Length: 15 inches
- Depth: 14 inches
- Weight: 8 lbs
- Main Cooking Area: 9 inches deep by 14 inches wide (126 square inches)
- Fuel Source: Electric
- Temperature range: 250-500 degrees F
- Price: $140
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Price indicated at time of review; subject to change
Frequently asked questions
The Ninja Sizzle is ideal for thinner cuts of meat such as steaks, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, pork chops, seafood and burgers. You can also cook fajitas, fried rice, pancakes, bacon and eggs with the griddle. It’s also great for grilled or sautéed vegetables.
The interchangeable grill and griddle plates measure 14 x 9 inches and are large enough to hold 2-3 steaks, 6 burgers, or 6 pancakes.
There is no indicator on the grill to let you know that it is preheated. Ninja recommends setting the temperature and waiting 7 minutes. I’ve found that timeframing works great.
