Ninja FlexFlame Review: Can This 5-in-1 Grill Really Do It All?

At the end of 2024, I got the chance to learn about Ninja's newest outdoor 5-in-1 cooking system, the FlexFlame Grill and Smoker, before it hit the market. There was a lot of excitement around it because not only is the FlexFlame Ninja's first full-sized outdoor grill, it doubles as a smoker, and you can buy accessories to turn it into a griddle and a pizza oven; plus, it can bake — the dream grill for people who want it all but are short on space.

After, I got to enjoy an assortment of food cooked on it — from ribs to corn and even a chocolate chip cookie!— I knew I had to try it out to see how it would fare in our Lab tests as well as at home.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, my team and I have tested more than 50 outdoor grills in the past few years, including gas grills, charcoal grills, pellet smokers, griddles and more. When we test grills, we assess their performance and ease of use by evaluating how evenly they grill, how well they sear steak and how golden brown and juicy they can make chicken thighs, all while monitoring any potential smoking and flare-ups. We also take note of the grill's features, including the shelves, tool holders, wheels, storage space, fuel source and more.

Here's what I think about the Ninja Flexflame Grill and Smoker after testing it and using it to cook for my family and friends for three months.

Ninja FlexFlame Grill

$1,000 at Amazon

$1,000 at Best Buy

Pros

• Multifunctional; combines gas grill, smoker, griddle and pizza oven
• Convection fan helps cut cook time compared to traditional gas grills
• User-friendly

Cons

• Pricey
• Needs extension cord

Dimensions: 59.57" x 25.08" x 48.31" | Fuel type: Gas | Number of burners: 3 | Primary cooking area: 544 sq. in.

The Ninja FlexFlame is a full-sized gas grill that uses electricity to ignite. It resembles an average outdoor grill with a few additions. It has a rectangular design with a large, sturdy handle that stays cool to the touch during cooking. The right side of the grill's lid is equipped with a small smokebox where you can place wood pellets for added flavor and smoking.

The inside of the grill has a total cooking area of 544 square inches, including a warming rack. There's a fan on the inside of the right wall that circulates the smoky flavor when the lid is closed, and you cannot turn it off or control the speed.

The grill has two side shelves and some storage space. It doesn't come with tool holders, but they can be purchased separately. It features four wheels for easy maneuvering, with two of them locking.

The right side shelf is equipped with a digital control panel that allows you to program the grill. You can choose from four settings, including "Low and Slow," "Roast/Bake," "2 Zone" and "Grill/Pizza," and you can adjust the temperature in each setting.

You can turn your Ninja FlexFlame into a griddle by buying the griddle accessories and into a pizza oven with Ninja's Pizza Bundle.

Gas grill Lab test results:

✔️ Heat distribution: To determine how well the grill distributes heat, I filled the grill grates with slices of white bread and set the heat to medium for a specific amount of time. The test revealed some hot spots, particularly on the side closer to the fan, and some cold spots between the burners.

I then conducted the same test using the full-sized griddle plate and got similar results. Luckily, I was still able to make crispy yet tender bacon, with some pieces being more cooked than others.

✔️ Steak test: I used the "Grill/Pizza" function, which has the highest temperature range and uses all three grilling zones, to cook a steak. I experienced some flare-ups during cooking, but nothing uncontrollable. The steak had a nice char on one side from the flares, but there weren't very pronounced grill marks on the other side. Overall, it was tender and flavorful.

✔️ Chicken test: Next, I grilled four chicken pieces using the "Roast and Bake" setting. The chicken had a nice brown color on the outside with a juicy interior. The exterior wasn't as crisp as I hoped, but it was still delicious.

Smoker Lab test results:

✔️ Reverse sear test: For this test, I cooked a New York strip steak on the "Low & Slow" function and added pellets to the smokebox for a smoky flavor. At the end, I turned up the heat to sear the outside. The steak had nice grill marks on both sides after I turned up the heat, and it was juicy and infused with smoke flavor on the inside.

✔️ Chicken test: I cooked chicken thighs on the "Low and Slow" setting with some pellets. After 40 minutes on medium, the thighs were cooked but very light in color. I turned up the heat to add some color and texture. The results were juicy, even though I had to cook the thighs a bit longer than expected, and there was a slight smoke ring with a light smoky flavor.

✔️ Burgers and hot dogs: Though the summer season is just getting started, I was able to throw some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill a few times for my family. When grilling, I used the "Grill/Pizza" setting and kept the temperature around 400°F.

I noticed a few flare-ups from the burger's fat and juices. On a traditional grill, I typically close the lid to help smother the flame, but it took a little longer with the FlexFlame, likely because the fan circulates when the lid is closed. The burgers turned out a little more charred than I would have liked, but they still had good flavor.

Hot dogs cooked nicely with pronounced grill marks.

✔️ Salmon and shrimp: Cooking delicate foods like seafood can be intimidating on the grill, but cooking on the FlexFlame was easy. The grill marks on the salmon weren't as pronounced as I would've hoped, but the inside was perfectly cooked and flaky.

When cooking shrimp, I recommend keeping a close eye on it. The grill cooks foods in a fraction of the time they would typically take, so dishes can easily become overcooked.

✔️ Veggies and fruits: Over the past few months, I've roasted corn, grilled asparagus, peaches, onions and more on the FlexFlame. When making corn, I was able to achieve a nice char on the outside without overcooking. Peaches and asparagus, however, got slightly overcooked, likely because the internal fan speeds up the cooking process.

✔️ Pizza: I made pizza in the FlexFlame using premade dough, freshly shredded mozzarella, tomato sauce and pepperoni slices. Once the grill (set up with the pizza stone attachment) was hot, I put the pizza onto the stone and let it cook for about 10 minutes to achieve a crispy crust on both the top and bottom. You can cook your pizza for less time for a softer crust. The results impressed family and friends; it was comparable to slices that you can get from a pizzeria.

I'm not going to lie: The FlexFlame's box is large and slightly intimidating, and even though I've built several grills over the past few years, the weight and size took me by surprise. Once I opened it, however, everything was neatly organized, and the body of the grill was mostly assembled.

The instructions were clear and easy to follow, and everything was laid out step-by-step, including all the bolts and screws, which made assembling the FlexFlame much easier than with other grills. It also included a wrench and a long barrel screwdriver, which helped access awkward and tight areas. There is also an instructional video on YouTube that can be helpful for beginners.

While the Ninja FlexFlame uses propane to run, you'll need electricity to ignite the flame. The power cord is short, so you'll need an extension cord, which the brand makes clear on the site and in the instruction manual.

Once you start using the grill, you'll get a better idea of how long items take to cook. When starting, be sure to use thermometers when possible. Ninja has a wireless thermometer that you can use, or you can use one from Meater, like I did. Tracking your food's temperature is especially important with the FlexFlame, specifically because of the convection-like fan that runs internally. While the fan helps circulate air and heat, which reduces cooking time, it also means keeping a close eye on your food, especially when first using the FlexFlame, as dishes can overcook if you don't maintain a close watch.

Like with any gas grill, it's essential to clean your Ninja FlexFlame after every use to help prevent flare-ups. At the end of my cook, I like to use a grill brush to scrape the grates and let any remaining food burn off before shutting it down. I use a microfiber cloth to clean the outside as needed and a grill cover to help keep it looking fresh.

I haven't had to empty the grease tray yet, but it's important to change it before it gets full.

Pros

• User friendly: For those unfamiliar with grilling, the FlexFlame is straightforward and intuitive. There's a digital screen and a dial to let you select the exact temperature, and the additional accessories are easy to use.
• Multiple functions and accessories: Not everyone has money or space for multiple outdoor appliances, which is why the FlexFlame stands out from other gas grills on the market. It allows you to experience using various outdoor appliances in one.
• Cooks food in a fraction of the time: The internal fan circulates heat, which helps reduce cooking time. When using a meat thermometer, I noticed that most foods cooked in less time than recommended. With that said, you can easily overcook your food, so keep an eye on your grill when cooking, especially when initially using the FlexFlame.
• Easy to clean: After using the FlexFlame for three months, there is some staining, like with most grills, but overall, it was easy to clean. I cleaned the grates using several types of grill brushes and was impressed by how well they cleaned, especially when using both hot and cold cleaning techniques. When steam cleaning, residue released with ease; when using a metal bristle brush, it cleaned well but required a bit more effort.

Cons

• Price: The base $1,000 price tag isn't inexpensive, and if you opt for the accessories (pizza stone, griddle, etc.), the cost can increase even further. With that said, the FlexFlame can still be more cost-effective than buying individual outdoor appliances that perform the same functions as the Ninja.
• Cord: While many grills and griddles require electricity to work, the short cord was a disappointment, considering the price tag. To use the FlexFlame, an extension cord is needed and must be purchased separately.

If you want a grill that also functions as a smoker, griddle and pizza oven, then I would say yes, you should buy the Ninja FlexFlame. The grill allows you to make different types of dishes without taking up additional space in your yard. It's easy to use, even if you aren't a grilling expert.

The internal fan helps circulate air while cooking, acting like a convection fan to reduce the cooking time of your meal. Additionally, the smoke infusion can add flavor to almost anything you cook on it.

Raena Loper is a contributing analyst for Good Housekeeping and has tested several categories over the years including air fryers, indoor smokers and of course the latest grill from Ninja, the FlexFlame. In her spare time, Raena enjoys outdoor cooking but specifically smoking meats like brisket and ribs.

For this article she worked alongside Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou who oversees all testing in the Lab and has tested over 50 grills since she started at GH in 2019. She has tested all types of grills and outdoor appliances from pellet grills to kamado grills and smokers.

Raena Loper

Contributing Writer and Analyst

Raena Loper (she/her) is a fashion journalist and product analyst based in New Jersey whose work has appeared in Forbes, Good Housekeeping and O, The Oprah Magazine. Raena is a graduate from Montclair State University where she earned a degree in fashion studies as well as gender, sexuality and women's studies. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, cooking BBQ and spending time with family. 

Reviewed byNicole Papantoniou

Kitchen Appliances Lab Director

Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.