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Why This One Is Different From a Standard Air Fryer
The Ninja Foodi MAX AG651UK is not an air fryer with a grill function bolted on. It has a 240°C cyclonic grilling element at the top and a contact grill plate below, creating genuine contact grilling — the kind that produces sear marks and caramelisation that air frying alone cannot.
This matters because a standard air fryer circulates hot dry air. It crisps and roasts; it doesn’t sear. The Foodi MAX applies direct, intense heat from above and below simultaneously, producing steak, chicken, and fish with proper char marks and a sear that looks and tastes like outdoor grilling.
Ninja Foodi MAX AG651UK Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 cooking functions |
| Functions | Max Grill, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Air Fry, Reheat |
| Grill temp (max) | 240°C |
| Grill plate | Non-stick, removable |
| Probe | Included — internal temp monitoring |
| Dimensions | 34 cm W × 40 cm D × 28 cm H |
| Weight | 5.6 kg |
| Dishwasher safe | Grill plate, crisper basket, cooking pot |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Price | ~£200 |
The Probe Is the Standout Feature
The included temperature probe inserts into the food and connects to the machine. You set a target internal temperature and the Foodi MAX monitors and alerts you when it’s reached. For steak: set to 57°C for medium-rare, insert probe, walk away. It beeps when done.
This is significantly better than timing-based grilling where steak thickness and starting temperature introduce too many variables. I’ve produced consistently medium-rare steak on the first try with the probe in a way I never managed consistently on a hob.
For chicken (75°C), pork (63°C), and fish (63°C), the same principle applies. Probe cooking is more accurate than timer cooking for every protein.
What Works
Genuine grill marks and sear
On Max Grill at 240°C, the Foodi produces real grill marks on steak and chicken. Not cosmetic marks from a hot pan, but the caramelised strips produced by direct high-heat contact. The Maillard browning is visible, smells correct, and tastes like grilled food rather than air-fried food.
Compared to my air fryer (Cosori Pro II): the air fryer produces crispy chicken skin; the Foodi produces grilled-chicken-flavoured chicken skin. Different outputs, both correct for their intended purpose.
Grills a full family dinner
The grill plate accommodates 4–5 chicken breasts, 4 steaks, or 6–8 sausages simultaneously. For a family of five, one round of grilling covers dinner. The 6-litre crisper basket handles chips and sides simultaneously using the air fry function.
Indoor grilling without smoke filling the house
The Foodi’s lid closes during cooking, containing the smoke and steam rather than distributing it through your kitchen. My actual outdoor grill fills the kitchen with smoke through the open back door within minutes. The Foodi, closed, produces less ambient smoke than a pan-fried steak on the hob.
Easy cleanup
All cooking surfaces — grill plate, crisper basket, cooking pot — are dishwasher safe and genuinely non-stick after dozens of uses. The grill plate is the critical surface: I wipe it with kitchen paper while warm, then wash in warm water. 4 minutes total.
The air fry function works properly
Unlike some grill-focused machines where air frying is a secondary compromise, the Foodi MAX air fryer function produces results I’d accept from a dedicated air fryer. Chips are properly crispy, chicken thighs cook evenly, vegetables roast correctly. As an air fryer replacement, it performs.
What Doesn’t Work
Size is significant
34 × 40 cm footprint is large. The Foodi MAX takes up more counter space than a standard air fryer. In a kitchen where counter space is already contested, this is a real consideration.
At £200 it costs more than air fryer + grill pan
A Cosori Pro II (£90) + a good cast iron grill pan (£35) = £125. You lose the probe, the closed-lid smoke containment, and the convenience of one appliance — but you gain better separate performance in both functions.
For families who grill 3+ times per week indoors, the Foodi MAX’s all-in-one convenience is worth the premium. For occasional grilling, the cheaper two-appliance approach works.
Doesn’t replace an outdoor grill for social cooking
You can’t crowd around a Foodi MAX the way you can around a barbecue. The indoor grill is excellent for Wednesday night dinner; it’s not a substitute for a summer gathering where the grill is part of the social experience.
Practical Results: Head-to-Head vs Air Fryer
| Food | Air Fryer result | Foodi MAX result |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken thighs | Crispy skin, juicy meat | Grill marks, smoky flavour, probe-accurate |
| Steak | Browns but doesn’t sear | Proper char, probe to exact doneness |
| Salmon | Cooked, not caramelised | Grill marks, slightly charred edges |
| Sausages | Crispy all over | Grill lines, slightly slower |
| Chips | Better (basket shape ideal) | Good but not as crispy |
Who Should Buy the Ninja Foodi MAX
Buy it if: You currently use an indoor grill pan or wish you could grill more without the outdoor setup. You cook steak, chicken, or fish under the grill or on a grill pan multiple times per week. You want one appliance that genuinely does both functions well.
Skip it if: You primarily air fry and rarely grill. You have significant outdoor grilling access. You’re on a budget and can split the investment between a cheaper air fryer and a grill pan.
[CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON]
FAQs
Does it produce a lot of smoke?
Less than a grill pan on the hob, more than an air fryer. The closed lid contains most of the smoke. Open a window for steaks; it’s not necessary for chicken.
Can I use the probe and air fry simultaneously?
No — the probe monitors one food item at a time and is designed for the grill function specifically. Air frying with the probe is not the intended use.
How does the Foodi MAX compare to the NutriGrill?
The Ninja NutriGrill (AG301) is the smaller, lower-powered version without the MAX’s 240°C capability. The MAX is meaningfully better for searing. If you want real char marks, buy the MAX.