I don't grill. Too much work and fuss and mess for usually unreliable results. A propane grill is expensive and doesn't add much flavor. A charcoal grill is time consuming and fussy. And actually getting into the smoker craze looks a bit intimidating. I remember charred, dry burgers from my childhood. Steak that was burned on one side and raw on the other. No thanks! Did I mention we have winter here: feet of snow and negative temps and lots of wind?
A year or two ago a distant relation made supper on an electric grill, and we briefly looked into getting one, but never bit, it wasn't all that different than stovetop or broiler. I did buy a ninja foodi (pressure cooker/air fryer combo) last summer and have been super happy with that, but a grill? Then ninja decided the world needed their own version, and I was curious, but the price was a bit steep. I kept an eye on it but even on sale it was around $300. But I finally found a basic version (refurbished) for significantly less and gave it a try.
It is an electric grill with a smoker function used solely to impart flavor, the heat is all electric. I bought it in November (we had a foot of snow the week before Halloween but strangely moderate temps after that). I've used it weekly (including temps in the 20s F) since. I think I'm in love again, if one can have an affair with a kitchen appliance. Like the foodi, it has a plethora of functions, but you pretty much only use it for grill or smoker, like the foodi is either pressure cooker or air fryer and you don't use the other settings. I tried the air fryer but wasn't impressed, I'd rather do it in the foodi. I also haven't used the smoker setting on a long low temp yet, instead I stuck a 7 pound pork butt in the pressure cooker for an hour and then smoked it for an hour and the results were pretty good without having to cook it in the smoker for 6-8 hours.
It is small and portable, but it is also large enough to do quite a bit of meat at one time. Clean-up is a snap and you don't have to stand there watching the thing, just check it every so often, turning as needed, which is why I can use it in December! It gives a nice smoked flavor to things but isn't a true smoker, this won't replace your Traeger but it is a nice option for beginners and the timid or people with limited space/time. It cooks fast, food comes out tender and juicy (I do brine my meat which probably helps as well), and it is simple, easy, and fun to use. Definitely a great investment, especially for the first time griller/smoker!
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