List of Contents
Introduction
If you want the flavour of a wood-fired barbecue without managing charcoal, gas bottles or a traditional smoker, the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker OG751 takes a different approach.
It combines an electric heating element with real hardwood pellets used to add woodfire flavour. It can grill, smoke, air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate and reheat, while an integrated Smart Probe monitors the internal temperature of food.
But versatility does not automatically make a product a great smoker. The OG751 has a relatively compact cooking area, requires a power connection and is designed around convenience rather than the hands-on process associated with traditional charcoal and offset smokers.
So, is the Ninja Woodfire a serious smoking machine or simply a versatile outdoor cooking appliance that happens to smoke?
Based on manufacturer specifications, independent testing and patterns in customer feedback, here’s what you need to know.
Feature | Ninja Woodfire OG751 |
Model | OG751 |
Power | 1760W electric |
Cooking functions | Grill, Smoke, Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Dehydrate, Reheat |
Cooking surface | 141 sq in / approximately 910 cm² |
Smart Probe | Yes |
Wood pellets | Ninja Woodfire 100% hardwood pellets |
Pellet purpose | Flavour rather than primary fuel |
Construction | Weather-resistant outdoor design |
Cooking area | Compact |
Current Australian manufacturer price | Around $750 RRP |
Warranty | 2 years in Australia |
Ninja’s Australian product information confirms the seven cooking functions, 1760W electrical power, Smart Probe, wood-pellet flavour system and weather-resistant design. The Australian Ninja store currently lists the OG751 at $749.99, although retailer pricing can be considerably lower during promotions.
What Is the Ninja Woodfire OG751?
The OG751 is an outdoor electric grill designed to combine several cooking appliances in one unit.
Its key difference from a conventional electric grill is Ninja’s Woodfire Technology. The appliance uses electricity for heat while real hardwood pellets provide the smoke and woodfire flavour. Ninja specifically states that the pellets are used for flavour rather than as the primary fuel source, with approximately half a cup required.
The smoker function is therefore not equivalent to operating a traditional pellet smoker where pellets are continuously burned as both heat and fuel.
Instead, the OG751 is aimed at people who want smoking capability alongside everyday grilling and other cooking functions.
That distinction is important when comparing it with dedicated smokers.
Who Makes the Ninja Woodfire?
The Ninja brand is part of SharkNinja, the consumer appliance company behind Ninja’s range of kitchen and outdoor cooking products. The Australian product documentation identifies SharkNinja as the manufacturer and lists a two-year warranty for the OG751.
Ninja’s approach with the Woodfire is consistent with its broader appliance strategy: combine multiple cooking functions into one relatively compact machine rather than build a single-purpose smoker.
Key Features (Based on Manufacturer Specs)
1. Seven Cooking Functions
The OG751 offers:
- Grill
- Smoker
- Air Fry
- Bake
- Roast
- Dehydrate
- Reheat
This is one of its biggest advantages over a conventional smoker. You are not buying an appliance that only comes out when you want to smoke meat.
2. Real Wood Pellets
The Woodfire system uses 100% real hardwood pellets.
Ninja supplies two pellet blends with the OG751: Robust and All Purpose. The pellets are used to create woodfire flavour rather than to power the heating system.
3. Smart Probe
The integrated Smart Probe monitors the internal temperature of the food.
The OG751 includes four protein settings and nine customisable doneness levels, according to Ninja’s Australian specifications. This is designed to reduce the need to continually check meat with a separate thermometer.
4. Electric Operation
The 1760W heating system means there is no charcoal or propane involved.
That also means you need access to an appropriate outdoor electrical supply. Ninja positions the appliance as suitable for outdoor use and notes its weather-resistant design.
5. Compact Cooking Surface
The OG751 has a 141-square-inch non-stick grill grate, or approximately 910 cm².
This is enough for everyday meals and smaller cooks, but it is not comparable to the cooking capacity of a full-size barbecue or large dedicated smoker.
Build Quality & Design (From Customer Feedback)
Independent testing generally views the Woodfire as a relatively compact and portable appliance rather than a heavy-duty smoker.
OutdoorGearLab measured a cooking surface of 180 square inches on its tested configuration and described the unit as relatively lightweight, with useful carrying handles. Its testers also highlighted the compact cooking area and raised some durability concerns around exposed components and plastic carry handles.
Customer feedback is more positive about the appliance’s practicality. Australian customer reviews commonly highlight the combination of functions, ease of cleaning and convenience. ProductReview.com.au, for example, includes users praising its multiple cooking modes and describing it as a versatile outdoor cooking appliance.
The overall picture is fairly consistent: the Woodfire is designed to be practical and multifunctional rather than built like a traditional heavy steel smoker.
Performance: How Does the Ninja Woodfire Actually Cook?
Heating & Temperature Control
The OG751 uses electric heating rather than burning pellets to generate its cooking heat.
That makes the cooking process simpler than a traditional charcoal smoker, where the user must manage fuel, airflow and fire temperature.
Independent testing found the Woodfire easy to operate and versatile, although Tom’s Guide reported some unpredictability in cooking results and noted that the compact grill cannot produce large quantities of food quickly.
The Smart Probe is particularly useful when cooking meat because it lets the appliance monitor internal food temperature rather than relying entirely on cooking time.
One important caveat: Ninja’s Australian product information does not provide a single maximum/minimum temperature range for the OG751 in the same straightforward way that it does for some other Woodfire products. Its own recipes, however, include smoking at 120°C and other functions at temperatures such as 180°C and 200°C.
Smoke Production
This is where the Woodfire differs most from a conventional smoker.
The pellets are there to create flavour. They are not the primary heat source. Ninja says only half a cup of pellets is required for its Woodfire flavour system.
That makes the system convenient, but it also means expectations need to be realistic.
Independent testing by Consumer Reports found that the smoking setting can produce noticeably smoky food and that the appliance automatically manages the smoking process. Their testers described smoked ribs as very good, although not identical to ribs cooked over charcoal.
OutdoorGearLab likewise praised the Woodfire for its versatility and ease of use, but identified its reliance on Ninja-specific pellets as one of its drawbacks.
For someone who wants straightforward smoky flavour without learning traditional fire management, this is a strength.
For a barbecue enthusiast looking for hours of continuous, heavily smoke-driven cooking, a dedicated smoker is likely to offer greater control.
Capacity & Versatility
The Woodfire’s versatility is arguably its strongest selling point.
You can smoke meat, grill steaks, roast food or use the crisper basket for air frying. Consumer Reports found the air-frying basket capable of handling around 3–4 pounds of chicken wings or a standard bag of frozen fries in its testing, although larger batches required more cooking time and more frequent rotation.
The smoking capacity is also more substantial than the compact exterior might suggest. Ninja’s cooking guide includes recipes for foods such as chuck roast, brisket and ribs, with recommended smoking temperatures and cooking times.
However, the physical cooking surface remains relatively small.
That makes the OG751 better suited to everyday household cooking and smaller gatherings than large-scale entertaining.
Ease of Use (Review-Based)
Ease of use is one area where the Ninja consistently receives positive attention.
OutdoorGearLab described the design as user-friendly, highlighting its presets and cooking prompts.
Tom’s Guide similarly praised the Woodfire for being easy to use and clean.
The basic process is considerably simpler than traditional smoking:
- Select the cooking function.
- Set the temperature and time where required.
- Add pellets when using the Woodfire flavour function.
- Insert the Smart Probe when required.
- Start cooking.
- Let the appliance monitor the food.
The smoker function automatically enables Woodfire Flavour Technology, according to Ninja’s quick-start documentation. The same guide states that pellet ignition takes approximately 5–7 minutes before the smoking timer begins.
There is still a learning curve, particularly around pellet flavours, cooking times and understanding how the appliance behaves with different foods. But it is considerably less involved than managing a charcoal fire.
What Do Users Like About the Ninja Woodfire?
Looking across professional testing and customer feedback, several themes appear repeatedly.
Versatility
This is probably the most consistent positive.
Users can grill, smoke and air fry with the same appliance, while Ninja adds baking, roasting, dehydrating and reheating.
Ease of Use
Reviewers commonly praise the relatively straightforward controls and automated cooking features.
Woodfire Flavour Without Traditional Fire Management
The Woodfire system gives users access to real wood smoke without requiring charcoal or a separate smoker fire.
Compact Outdoor Cooking
Its relatively small footprint makes it attractive for people who do not want a large permanent barbecue setup.
Easy Transition Into Smoking
The automated approach makes it less intimidating for people who have never used a dedicated smoker before.
What Are the Drawbacks?
Limited Cooking Area
The 141-square-inch grill surface is the clearest limitation for larger meals.
It Still Needs Electricity
Unlike a conventional charcoal barbecue, you cannot use it without a suitable power connection.
Proprietary Pellet System
Ninja’s Woodfire system is designed around its own pellets, which adds an ongoing consumable cost and limits fuel choice compared with conventional smokers. OutdoorGearLab specifically identified the requirement for Ninja-specific pellets as a drawback.
Not a Traditional Smoker
The electric heating element does the cooking while the pellets provide flavour.
That is excellent for convenience, but it is fundamentally different from using an offset, charcoal or traditional pellet smoker.
Batch Cooking for Larger Groups
Independent testing has found that the compact format can make large-volume cooking slower.
Pros & Cons
- Seven cooking functions in one appliance
- Real hardwood pellets for woodfire flavour
- Integrated Smart Probe
- No charcoal or gas required
- Relatively simple to operate
- Compact compared with full-size outdoor cooking equipment
- Can grill, smoke and air fry
- Weather-resistant design
- Useful for everyday cooking as well as smoking
- Relatively small cooking surface
- Requires an electrical outlet
- Uses Ninja Woodfire pellets
- Less suited to large-volume cooking
- Not designed to replicate the full control of a traditional smoker
- More expensive than a basic electric grill
- Some independent testing has raised questions about durability of certain exterior components
Who Is the Ninja Woodfire Best For?
Best for beginners
If you are interested in smoking but do not want to learn fire management, the OG751 is an accessible entry point.
The electric heating system, presets and Smart Probe remove several of the variables involved in traditional smoking.
Best for small households
The compact cooking surface makes more sense for everyday household meals than cooking for a large crowd.
Best for people who want one outdoor appliance
If you want a smoker, grill and air fryer without buying three separate appliances, the Woodfire makes a strong case for itself.
Best for convenience-focused cooks
The appliance is particularly well suited to people who want smoky flavour without spending hours managing charcoal, airflow and fuel.
Less suitable for serious smoking enthusiasts
If your priority is long-duration, highly controlled smoking with extensive control over fire, fuel and smoke levels, a dedicated smoker will give you more control.
Ninja Woodfire vs Traditional Smoking
The biggest mistake would be judging the OG751 solely as a traditional smoker.
It is better understood as a multifunctional outdoor cooker with genuine smoking capability.
A traditional smoker gives you greater involvement and control over the smoking process. The Ninja gives you automation and versatility.
Neither approach is inherently better. They serve different purposes.
If you enjoy tending a fire and experimenting with smoke, the Ninja may feel restrictive.
If you simply want to put a brisket or ribs on, monitor the internal temperature and get on with the rest of your day, the Ninja’s automation is much more appealing.
Final Verdict
The Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker OG751 is not the best choice for someone looking for a dedicated, high-capacity smoker.
It is, however, a compelling option for someone who wants grilling, smoking and air frying in one relatively compact outdoor appliance.
Its biggest strength is convenience. Electricity provides the heat, real hardwood pellets provide the smoke flavour, and the Smart Probe helps monitor the food. Independent reviews have generally found it easy to use and versatile, while customer feedback frequently highlights the same combination of convenience and multifunctionality.
The trade-off is capacity and control. The OG751 is relatively compact, uses Ninja’s pellet system and does not offer the same hands-on fire management as a conventional smoker.
The bottom line: if you want an approachable way to add smoking to your outdoor cooking without buying a dedicated smoker, the Ninja Woodfire is a strong option. If smoking is your primary hobby and you want maximum control over a long, low-and-slow cook, look beyond a multifunctional electric grill.
For most buyers, the real value of the Ninja Woodfire is not that it replaces every type of barbecue. It is that one appliance can handle a surprisingly broad range of outdoor cooking jobs without requiring the complexity of traditional fuel-based equipment.