This clever multicooker is a multi-tasking marvel, packed with endless smart features in one sleek appliance.
I’m the Senior Food Editor at Better Homes and Gardens, and every recipe comes with a lot of trial and error. This time, instead of a recipe, I’m testing out a kitchen appliance! I trialled the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker in the BHG test kitchen, and here’s how it fared.
Ninja’s Combi 14-In-1 Multicooker review verdict
Our rating: 8 out of 10
Why we rated it a (8 out of 10):
In the market for an air fryer? Keen for the machine to do more than one thing? This clever cooker is your answer. The range of clever functions takes this benchtop addition to must-have status. From steaming, to proving and even slow cooking it’s a great value-for-money option.
Pros
- 14 functions – it’s super versatile
- The Combi Meals function allows you to cook
- The wide, easy to open door makes it simple to take food in and out.
- The glass window and the light button allows you to easily check on how your food is cooking without opening the door
Cons
- At just under 10kg in weight, it’s quite sturdy but could be difficult to move on and off benches frequently
- The size of the trays are very specific, if you misplace or lose them it would be difficult to use the machine
What’s so special about Ninja’s Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker?
There is an overwhelming amount of options on the market for small oven-style appliances. And with bench space shrinking in our homes it’s important that new kitchen appliances work hard to earn their spot! The Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker incorporates some of the most popular small appliance features and combines them into one handy cooker.
I have a ruthless policy when it comes to adding new appliances to my small kitchen. Is it versatile? Does it have a unique feature I can’t get elsewhere? Does it make my cooking easier, faster or more enjoyable?
Before committing to taking it home, I experimented in our Test Kitchen at work to see how it stacked up.
How I tested the Ninja Combi Multicooker
I was excited to try out the Prove function of the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker. I decided to test a homemade pizza dough to test both the Proving function and Pizza mode.
Test 1: Making homemade pizza
The Proving function was a dream, and my dough rose beautifully. To use the proving function, all I had to do was lightly grease the Crisper Plate and then place it on top of the Combi Pan.
Then I poured 240ml of water into the base of the pan. After that, it was as simple as placing my kneaded dough onto the Crisper plate and transferring it into the MultiCooker.
From there, I made sure the setting was on Combi Cooker, I selected Prove and confirmed the time I wanted it to prove for. It defaults to proving for 45 minutes at 35C which I found was perfect.
Once the dough had risen and was ready to roll (literally!) I used the Inspiration Guide supplied with the machine for my first pizza. I created a thicker crust pizza in a rectangle shape that perfectly fit the Combi Pan.
Test 2: Perfecting the multicooker pizza technique
Test 2 was the same pizza dough, but instead split in half to create two thinner rectangle pizzas. I kept the second half loosely covered with plastic wrap while the first pizza cooked. I used the default setting on the Pizza setting (205C) for 12-15 minutes and they turned out great.
Final pizza test
Not satisfied with two pizza tests (and feeling confident after a few experiments), I decided to try a third pizza option. More traditional style round pizzas with a super crispy crust. Using the same dough I used before, I divided the dough into four and created individual round pizzas I cooked off separately.
I also increased the temperature on Pizza mode to 240C (the highest it could go) to see what level of crispiness I could achieve. These pizzas cooked in 8 minutes flat and were super crispy. Each pizza was around 20cm in diameter, perfect individual size pizzas for home. Plus with a cooking time under 10 minutes it would be easy for everyone to cook their own. Due to the high heat the pan was of course incredibly hot when removing so make sure you have good quality oven-mitts on hand.
Not a fan of making dough? Check out our shortcut pizza recipe– you can make it with just 5 ingredients!
Key features of the Ninja Multicooker
The main features of the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker are:
- The dual cooking levels mean you can cook a full family meal all at once. Cook rice or pasta in the deep Combi Pan while at the same time cooking meat and vegies in the Bake Tray, clever!
- No need to remember to defrost! The HyperSteam function rapidly thaws and cooks food, no defrosting needed
- The proving function takes the guesswork out of rising yeasted doughs. Especially in winter in a freezing house it’s hard to get just the right warmth for bread and pizza dough to rise.
- A simple tap on the light function turns on the internal light so you can check to see how your food is cooking. The light automatically switches off after about 10 seconds too
What accessories do you get in the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker?
Along with the machine itself, you also receive a Bake Tray (shallow pan), Combi Pan (the deeper pan) and Crisper Plate. The Crisper plate sits neatly in the Combi Pan and is can be used for both air frying and the proving function.
Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker size
The size of the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker is 39cm wide x 37cm deep x 33.2 high. You’ll definitely notice it on your benchtop, but the rectangular shape of the machine makes it feel compact and the usable oven space inside is generous. It weighs just under 10kg, which is something to consider if you’re looking to move it on and off benchtops a lot.
How to use Ninja’s Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker
With 14 functions, it’s natural that the machine feels a little overwhelming at the start. Luckily, the included Inspiration Guide has clear instructions and tips to help you navigate the functions. After a few goes using the booklet as a guide I was easily finding my way to the function I needed, no guide required!
The main feature to look out for is the SmartSwitch dial that allows you to change between ‘Combi Cooker’ and ‘Air Fryer/hob’ mode.
You’ll know which one you have selected by both the switch at the top and what is lit up on the main display. The vent for the MultiCooker is on the top of the machine, so it’s important you are using it in an open area of the kitchen and you may need to open a window for ventilation when the machine releases steam during cooking.
Overall, is Ninja’s Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker worth it?
The multiple features of the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker make it a great value for money investment. If you’re in the market for an air fryer but want more options to use the appliance for this little machine is a winner.
The flexibility to cook with steam, bake, air fry and even prove dough, plus more, makes it a great value kitchen addition.
Where to buy Ninja’s Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker
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