Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker review: 1 appliance to rule them all

I'm always a little iffy about granting any piece of appliance in my kitchen the "pièce de résistance" title, but after reviewing Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker for a month, it's fast earning the moniker I was hesitant to award. As an avid home cook with a passion for kitchen innovation, I am no stranger to multi-cookers, and in fact, am a big proponent of multi-use appliances. I've abused a rice cooker with one-pot recipes until it gave up on me after five years, and have maximised the usage of my microwave oven with its 33 functions.

So yes, multi-cookers are totally up my alley, and when I got a chance to review the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker, of course I'm going to jump on it.

What is the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker?

Essentially a massive multi-cooker on steroids, the 6L Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 Smartlid weaves 11 functions into a single, efficient apparatus. I particularly enjoy the fact that the device allows me to seamlessly transition between pressure cooking, slow cooking, air frying, baking, dehydrating, searing/sautéing, steaming and more with a few buttons.

To fit it onto the limited kitchen top space I have at home, I needed to clear my existing rice cooker, air-fryer and a small steamer. After plonking it down, I must say, I don't miss the cluttered countertop at all! Effectively, it has replaced several kitchen gadgets, streamlined the cooking process and probably minimise cleanup efforts at the same time.

S$608 on Ninja's website

S$545 on Amazon S$608 on Lazada S$608 on Shopee

Prices were accurate at the time of publication, but are subjected to platform changes.

But how does it work in real life?

Pros of Ninja 11-In-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker

Ease of use

One of the highlights for me is the user-friendly interface. The pre-set cooking modes make the entire process a breeze – I generally just need to tap a few buttons and let the cooker does its job – while the SmartLid Slider allows for toggling between the open-lid modes (such as saute, steaming) and close-lid modes (pressure-cooking, dehydrating and more).

Culinary possibilities unlocked

The Ninja Foodi has opened up a world of culinary possibilities in my home and became a passport to explore the intricate flavors of Malay rendang, the sizzling allure of Chinese stir-fries, the aromatic spices of Indian curries, and the fusion marvels of Peranakan cuisine.

So, I got down to cooking prawn noodle soup for the appliance's first dish.

The large pot felt a little intimidating initially, especially for a household of two, but it allows me plenty of space to work with both shells and meat, cooking it faster than the previous time I tried preparing the same thing.

After saute-ing the huge batch of prawn shells I have in the freezer along with aromatics, I simply pour in water, salt it adequately, slide the slider to the right and activate the Pressure Cooking mode, cooking the broth to bring out a rich flavour – all in time for dinner. The pressure cooking mode is said to accelerate cooking times by up to 70%, whether in the Air Fry, Combi-Steam, Pressure Cook mode and more.

I found myself turning to the appliance for its steamer, airfry and slow cook mode often, all of which are highly complementary to my lifestyle.

Pitfalls of Ninja 11-In-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker

As with any appliance, there are bound to be improvements that can be made.

Because there are so many different functions to go through, you'll need to make sure to go through the manual properly as there are a few knobs and a slider you'll need to familiarise yourself with. The learning curve isn't steep, but it's fairly tedious.

For a small family, it could feel a little overkill, but I personally feel that it's a case of bigger the better, allowing for more diverse recipes (that you can share with your neighbours!)

While it replaced my rice cooker, air-fryer and a small steamer (these are the exact ones I have at home), the multi-cooker is a monster on its own, and demands a space all by itself. There's also a warning about placing the cooker under any shelving (possibly to avoid long-term accelerated disintegration of the shelving), which may be difficult for some households.

But all in all, it ticks all the boxes for a modern kitchen essential in terms of efficiency and versatility. If you're looking to elevate your culinary experiences and simplify your cooking routine, the Ninja Foodi is a must-have addition to your kitchen repertoire.

The Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker retails at SGD608.

For more info, check out https://sharkninja.sg/