I cooked everything on the Ninja FlexFlame — and the results surprised me

I can safely say the Ninja FlexFlame is unlike anything the brand has released before. And at $999, not only is it Ninja’s most expensive product yet, but it’s also its most ambitious.

Propane-powered but digitally controlled, this outdoor cooker isn’t just a grill: it’s also a smoker, a griddle, a pizza oven, and a roaster all built into one setup.

It's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, so I’ve spent a couple of weeks grilling, smoking and baking with the FlexFlame, trying to gauge whether it falls into the “jack of all trades but master of none” category by trying to do too much. I went into testing thinking it was a gamble for Ninja to introduce its convention technology into the equation, touting a grill that can reach 600 degrees in as little as 7 minutes.

Without spoiling too much of my full Ninja FlexFlame review below, I’ll tell you it earned a permanent place in my outdoor cooking setup for the summer — but not without some important caveats that will determine whether it’s the best grill for you.

Ninja FlexFlame review: Cheat sheet

• What is the Ninja FlexFlame? The Ninja FlexFlame is an outdoor cooking system that combines a propane grill, smoker, griddle, pizza oven, and roaster in one versatile, electric-assisted unit.
• What is the Ninja FlexFlame grill cost? The FlexFlame costs $999 for the grill alone. Ninja offers two bundle options if you’d like to include accessories: FlexFlame + Outdoor Cooking Essentials ($1,099) and FlexFlame + 5-in-1 Cooking Bundle ($1,274). Both offer savings rather than buying all your FlexFlame accessories separately.
• Does the Ninja FlexFlame come with a cover? No, the Ninja FlexFlame does not come with a cover, but I recommend getting one to protect it from weather, especially given the electrical components. The cover costs $99.
• Does the Ninja FlexFlame need to be plugged in? Yes, the Ninja FlexFlame needs to be plugged in to power the control panel and integrated convection fan. This is a non-starter if you don’t have easy access to an outdoor outlet.
• Can the Ninja FlexFlame be converted for natural gas? No, the Ninja FlexFlame is not compatible with a natural gas line or natural gas conversion kits, unlike some grills that offer a natural gas-specific SKU.

Ninja FlexFlame Specs

Ninja FlexFlame review: The ups

Easy assembly

I’ve built a lot of grills in my time, and this was easily one of the most pain-free setups I’ve done. You attach the grill to the base, screw in the control panel, pop on the doors, slide in the grease trap, and that’s basically it. I love how Ninja splits all the screws and smaller parts into individual bags that correspond with the assembly steps.

Even though this is one of Ninja’s most advanced outdoor products, it doesn’t make you work for the first cook. You can be up and grilling in under an hour. I would recommend giving the grates and cooking surfaces a good wash before your first use, and pay attention to whether your surface needs to be seasoned. For example, the full and half griddle accessories both require you to know how to season a flat top griddle first.

Heats up quickly

One of the most impressive things about the Ninja FlexFlame is how quickly it heats up. Thanks to a powerful built-in convection fan that circulates hot air from the flames around the cookbox, the grill can reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 7 minutes. The temperature is tracked in real-time on the digital control panel, and during my tests, it hit target temps faster than most grills I’ve used, including some much higher-end models.

Now, let me set expectations: it’s loud. Not leaf blower loud, but not far off. The convection fan has an industrial whirr that’s very noticeable when the lid is closed and the heat is circulating. That said, the fan smartly pauses whenever you open the lid, and as soon as you close it again, the fan kicks back on to quickly bring the grill back up to temp. I wouldn’t call it dealbreaker by any means, unless of course you’re worried about a noise complaint from close-proximity neighbors.

Nice variety of cooking modes

The FlexFlame isn’t just about grilling. You can:

• Grill with propane
• 2-Zone grill for reverse searing
• Smoke using real wood pellets
• Roast and bake like a convection oven
• Griddle on full or half plates (separate accessory required)
• Cook pizza on a stone (separate accessory required)

I tried every mode, and all of them worked as advertised. I grilled kebabs and steak, smoked beef ribs with a real bark and smoke ring, roasted a whole chicken to golden perfection, and cooked breakfast bacon on the griddle.

Every feature felt purposeful. I’m certain some people will purchase this and never use at least a few of the settings, but with the help of the comprehensive user guide that comes with the FlexFlame, there’s guidance on how to get started.

Great smoker functionality

I know I’ve already outlined the cooking modes, but there is one that surprised me the most. When I’ve tested Ninja’s Woodfire products that have small smoke boxes, I’ve enjoyed the subtle touches of smoky flavor but I wouldn’t say something like the Woodfire Outdoor Oven can genuinely smoke big cuts of meat.

But with a 2-pound pellet box, the FlexFlame doesn’t just flavor your food with smoke, it actually smokes it. I got bark, smoke rings, and fall-apart ribs in three hours.

Yes, you’ll need to refill the smoke box during longer cooks, but the fact that this kind of performance is coming from a gas-powered grill is seriously impressive. Just be ready to stock up on pellets because their sampler bags will run out quickly (and no, you don’t have to use Ninja’s brand).

Ninja FlexFlame review: The downs

Requires electricity

The FlexFlame may be a propane grill, but it still needs to be plugged in. The electric power runs the digital controls and the internal fan (which is a key part of its performance).

If you’re grilling off-grid, tailgating without a generator, or just don’t want cords on your patio, this could be a dealbreaker. A lot of people don’t think about needing electrical power when buying a gas grill, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Ninja sees a majority of returns related to those expectations.

Accessories add up

Out of the box, you get the basics: the main grill, a solid set of grates, and an average-sided elevated top rack. But to unlock all the modes I outlined above, you’ll need accessories.

Some are more essential than others (like the cover), but if you want the full FlexFlame experience with smoking, griddling and pizza-making, expect to tack on another couple hundred bucks. As with any “system,” your experience will be elevated based on how much you’re willing to spend.

Considering the grill already costs $999, I wouldn’t recommend it to someone looking for “just a grill.” If I had no interest or need in combining smoker or griddle functionality, I’d personally opt for the $799 Weber Spirit EP-425 for an appliance with basically the same amount of cooking area.

Ninja FlexFlame review: Verdict

The Ninja FlexFlame is a serious cooking system for people who want serious outdoor cooking versatility. If you’re just making burgers every weekend, this might be more of a system than you need, and the Weber Spirit I mentioned is still a better pick among the best grills for simpler needs and tighter budgets.

But if you’re ready to cook a variety of meals outside, and like the idea of combining all outdoor cooking appliances into one system, the FlexFlame is worth the investment. It’s not just a 5-in-1 appliance, it’s five really good appliances in one.