Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer Oven: Is It Worth the Hype or Just Taking the Micky?
Alright, let’s get straight to the point. Ninja has rolled out a new countertop oven and air fryer hybrid, and it’s currently available in the US for a tempting $349.99. If you’re looking to grab one in the UK, hold your horses – it’s not yet on the shelves here, but I’ve got some *brilliant* suggestions for the best air fryer ovens available. Spoiler alert: the right choice will have you ditching your main oven for good, trust me.
### Ninja’s Main Attraction: Large Capacity, Smaller Footprint
This monster boasts more capacity than your average air fryer – it’s almost like your built-in oven but benefits from air fry technology. You know the drill: faster, more efficient, and even those sad frozen chips turn out crispy. But here’s the highlight: you can actually fit a pizza in this thing. Most of those “large” air fryers claim versatility, but when push comes to shove, you can’t even squeeze a pizza in. Pointless.
Believe me, I’ve played with air fryers for a month and the oven gathered dust until pizza night rolled around. This Ninja model? You won’t even need to turn on the big oven – unless you’re roasting a whole beast or something similar.
### Sturdy Yet Stylish
If you’re accustomed to Ninja’s typical plastic contraptions, this robust model will truly astonish you. The stainless-steel finish looks like it belongs in an upscale kitchen rather than hanging out on a clearance shelf at Tesco. Finally, something that doesn’t scream “cheap junk”.
But it’s not all about the fancy looks; it delivers the full Ninja experience.
### 12 Cooking Functions – Do You Really Need All of Them?
They’ve crammed 12 cooking functions into this gadget, but let’s be real, how many will you actually use? Bake, air fry, and maybe reheat – okay, perhaps an odd pizza mode. But do we *actually* need a setting for bagels? If your bagels are fancy enough to require their own function, you’re probably not the target audience for this review.
For the record, here are the functions: bake, broil, reheat, keep warm, toast (who uses an oven for toasting?), bagel, air fry, convection bake, pizza, air roast, whole roast, and dehydrate. So, if you’re keen on experimenting, you’re in for a treat.
### The Big Feature: Two Cooking Zones!
Here’s what might truly be worth your investment – this unit features two entirely separate cooking zones! There’s a division, with approximately two-thirds of the cooking space below and a mini one-third up top. It’s uniquely designed so cleverly that even your granny will be amazed. You can whip up two completely different meals at varying temperatures and have them finish perfectly in sync! Complete wizardry.
And to answer your question, no, cooking fish in one side won’t infuse your toasties with a dockyard aroma. It employs some “Flavorseal” technology to keep the scents contained. So if you’re a fish enthusiast but can’t stand fish-flavored desserts, Ninja’s got you sorted.
### No Hassle, Just Cook – Thanks to the Flexdoor
Oh, and another nice feature – Ninja’s new “Flexdoor”. Essentially, it’s a clever hinge that allows you to open only the top section when preparing smaller items. No need to interrupt whatever culinary masterpiece you’ve got roasting below. It’s a small detail, but incredibly useful when multitasking with numerous dishes.
### But It’s Gargantuan!
Here’s a heads up – this appliance is *enormous*. We’re talking 18.6 inches deep, 16.39 inches wide, and 13.26 inches tall. If you happen to have one of those compact kitchens like mine, you better measure properly, as this will occupy a significant amount of your counter space. If you’re short on space, it might just turn into a high-end footrest.
### All the Accessories You’ll Ever Need
Good news: Ninja includes all the extras you might need (and some you probably won’t use). You receive two baking pans, two wire racks, one air fry basket, and a crumb tray – all the essentials for pretending to be a culinary expert. And if you’re a bit clumsy in the kitchen, they’ve even included a recipe guide to help you get started.
But let’s be honest – if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself googling “simple air fryer chips” ten minutes after unboxing it.
### Verdict: Is It Worth the Investment?
So, is it any good? Absolutely, it’s quite impressive. For $349.99, you’re acquiring a reliable piece of equipment that will likely outlive Brexit. If space is tight, think twice. But if you’re a fan of air fryers seeking something that delivers a lot more (including pizza, that’s essential), then the Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer Oven is a hefty contender. Just between us, you’ll probably end up using only three of the twelve functions.
Where to purchase? You can pick it up **[from Ninja](https://www.ninjakitchen.com/products/ninja-double-stack-xl-countertop-oven-air-fryer-zidDCT601?)** or on **[Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Countertop-FlavorSeal-Technology-DCT601/dp/B0DB6FG29Z/)**.
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### Summary: The Only Things That Should Be Double-Stacked Are Burgers, Not Your Countertop
In summary, if Ninja’s Double Stack XL Air Fryer Oven were a person, it’d be that one friend who’s always in the gym – big and capable of many things, but let’s face it, you don’t really need all of them. Sizeable on the countertop, practical with dual sections, and enough gimmicks to keep you amused. Just don’t anticipate using them all.
