Our honest review of the new Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven

There’s simply nothing like delectable, flavor-packed, juicy and succulent pizza on a nice, hot day (cheers to an alfresco dining moment!)

We’re clinking our wine glasses right there with you, because Ninja recently launched its Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven that we excitedly got our hands on — before we kneaded fresh dough, whipped up homemade sauce and topped the hearty pie to perfection.

At first, I didn’t understand why outdoor pizza ovens were all the rage. After all, I’m Italian (which means my mom constantly has the oven on 400°F to bake fresh meatballs), so I’ve always thought, why not pop my pizza oven pan that has been in my family for years into my kitchen’s wall oven?

But, I was wrong; these trusty outdoor appliances — in particular, Ninja’s vibe-enhancing new launch — add much flavor and sublimity to your outdoor events, even if you’re simply looking to spice up your otherwise boring summertime dinner with your loved ones (which is how I first used the brand’s outdoor-stationed appliance). And, it makes much more than pizza alone.

Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven, $400

With the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven, you’ll appreciate its ability to make not only pizza but also max roast, specialty roast, broil, bake, smoke, dehydrate and keep food warm. In turn, it confers 700°F premium, brick oven-inspired results — including charring, caramelizing, blistering and even “crunching” for those satisfying flavors and textures.

---

With a range of 105-700°F, the Ninja Woodfire can add that coveted, authentic wood-fire flavor (making this outdoor appliance aptly named) to anything you decide to divvy into its durably coated frame. Impressively, it does it all with just a 1/2 cup of pellets (which are included upon purchase), thanks to its unique technology.

Though I only made two types of pizza with the Ninja oven, it’s also compatible to cook a 12-lb turkey, 9-lb pork shoulder, 12-lb prime rib dinner with veggies (perhaps by ordering from our best meat delivery services guide), a full sheet-pan meal and a standard 8×11 casserole dish. It’s pretty incredible — and, as a result, you’ll want to have all of your meals outside.

And, because of its high temperature threshold, the Ninja Woodfire is said to make high-heat char on steaks in less than seven minutes, helping to make full meals (as you would indoors) up to 40% faster.

How we tested

Before eating the satisfyingly crispy and piping hot pizza the Ninja Woodfire effectively made, I kept the following criteria in mind when assessing if the outdoor cooker is worth the buy:

• Ease of assembly: If I need to pore over an instruction manual for hours on end, an appliance is not for me. My brother helped me put the Ninja Woodfire together, and during that time (which took no more than 20 minutes, max), I took note of how the put-together process went.
• How simple it is to cook: Above all else, you’ll want an outdoor pizza oven that is just as effective as your indoor one (and perhaps, even more so!) From preheating to cook-time, I assessed how this model took me through the steps to make a pizza.
• Durability: While I’m not a professional appliance grader, I took note of its materials and how its parts maneuvered to discern if it’s worth the price tag.
• Special features: If I’m going to be installing and using a second oven in my household, it simply has to have something glamorous about it. I jotted down all the unique features that make this model worth the buy,
• Ease of cleaning: With so many appliances on the market coming with self-cleaning features (and others with an ‘easy to clean!’ label slapped to its product, I took note of how simple it was to clean — hours after my pizza came out of the oven, of course, for safety — and what that process was like.

Our review

Unboxing and installing

Inside the large box that’ll ship directly to your front door, you’ll find a pro-heat pan, a pizza stone, a roast rack (that mimics a cast iron cookware tray), an accessory frame, a pellet scoop, a quick-start guide and an all-purpose blend starter pack.

With the instruction manual, all pieces were simple to put together step-by-step. While the frame itself is surely durable and high-quality, the included accessory rack could slide better inside the pizza oven itself. The only additional item you’ll need is a screwdriver, which you likely have laying around in your tool box.

Though you’re paying a pretty penny for the outdoor pizza oven itself, the Ninja Woodfire Adjustable Outdoor Stand ($200) and Ninja Woodfire Attachable Side Table ($25) are sold separately. I’d highly recommend springing for the stand, as it makes for a size-appropriate spot for your oven to sit all nice and pretty, though you can probably skip the side table; unfortunately, it’s not as sturdy as I had hoped and unnecessary if you have an outdoor table positioned next to your oven.

How does the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven work?

I’m not going to lie, I dove right into trying the Ninja Woodfire. Totally cool, retro-inspired look aside, it has a slew of unique features worth noting.

For one, there are some suggested recipes to follow inside its manual that make the entire package a nice touch, especially for beginner pizza-makers and outdoor grillers. Though I followed Laura Vitale’s homemade pizza recipes for my two pies — a fresh Margherita pizza that I topped with sausage and basil and a white pizza speckled with broccoli, spinach and a mix of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses — I’m going to refer to those recipes my next time around.

To make the pizza, here’s how it’s done:

1. Make sure your oven prep area is ready: Install the included accessory frame first, then place the pizza stone on the frame. Note: if cooking a pan pizza, you’ll need to prepare it on a deep-dish pan (not included).
2. Add pellets: Dig the pellet scoop into the included bag and fill it to the top. Note: the scoop is designed to measure pellets needed for one smoke session. Pull the smoke box open (on the right side of the oven), pour pellets into the smoke box until it’s filled to the top and then close the smoke box. This step is optional, though I can only used pellets when testing this model.
3. Program and preheat: Turn the left-hand dial to select PIZZA. If you added pellets, press the WOODFIRE FLAVOR button. Use the right-hand dial to select your desired pizza type (options will show on the display). Then, use the right-hand dial to set the cook time. Note: the temperature can’t be set unless using the CUSTOM setting). After, press START/STOP to begin preheating (preheating will take approximately eight to 25 minutes, depending on the selected pizza type). Note: after the cook time ends, the oven will remain on up to 1 hour to allow for back-to-back cooking.
4. Add food and cook: When the oven has reached temperature, click ADD FOOD. The phrase ‘PRS START’ will appear on the display. Then, place your pizza directly on the stone and close the door. After, press START/STOP and the timer will begin counting down. Note: if you don’t have a pizza peel, flour a wooden cutting board and use it to slide the pizza onto the pizza stone.
5. Remove food and serve: When cook time is complete, the unit will beep and the phrase ‘GET FOOD’ will appear on the display. Remove the pizza with your pizza peel and let it cool slightly before cutting and enjoying.

If you wish to cook another pizza (as I did), press the TIME button and use the right-hand dial to set a new cook time. Add your next pizza into the oven and press START/STOP to start the timer. With the Ninja Woodfire, you can cook up to three additional pizzas back-to-back this way.

Unique features of the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven

As I was using the outdoor pizza oven (truthfully), I was happy I didn’t burn my house down. I’ve always been the sous chef to the grill when my boyfriend or father takes the lead in burger-flipping (and by sous chef, I mean I’d help placing the cheddar-topped chops onto our outdoor table).

Aside from this model being safe, I love the different types of pizza settings you can choose from. You’ll want to host a backyard soiree every day of the week, thanks to the ability to choose your preferred slice:

• Neapolitan: A chewy, puffy crust that’s spotted with crispy bubbles (‘the tried-and-true artisan pie’).
• Thin crust: Thin, stretched pizza with a crispy crust (the ‘pizzeria staple’).
• New York: Large, hand-tossed pizza with light browning and a foldable, chewy crust (‘Pizza Hut, reimagined’). This is the type I followed for both pies!
• Pan pizza: Baked in a deep dish or pan with a thick, chewy crust (‘the homemade Thick Sicilian or Chicago Deep Dish’).
• Frozen: Your favorite package pie can become a gooey masterpiece in minutes (‘the quick-n-easy pie to impress your guests’).

Aside from its specialty cooking features, Ninja truly thought of everything. In just 30 minutes, I had two filling, fresh, aromatic and Rustic Italian-inspired pies. As a note to my future self, I recommend following Ninja’s timer to a T (I thought my pizza looked a bit gooey at the center, but it has to settle). My first pie — pictured right — came out a bit more well-done than the first, yet still astoundingly delicious.

The model at-large is ultra-durable, much like the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer that we also reviewed.

Ease of cleaning

Much to my delight, cleaning was a snap. I’d recommend waiting about three hours before giving the Ninja Woodfire a deep clean, though; its high temperature threshold makes it super hot and you don’t want to risk any burns. Clean as follows:

1. Allow unit and accessories to cool before moving the unit and removing any accessories.
2. Wipe down inside and outside of the unit with a damp, non-abrasive cloth or paper towel. Note: you can also use a nylon brush with soapy water.
3. Place all clean, dry accessories back in their respective slots in the unit.

Cleaning your accessories

• Pizza stone: Do NOT wash with soapy water, submerge in water or put in the dishwasher. To prevent cracks, always allow your pizza stone to cool completely before cleaning. Scrape lightly with non-metal utensils. Wipe off any remaining debris with a soft cloth.
• Pro-heat pan: Do NOT put in the dishwasher. Allow to cool before hand-washing. Use dish soap, warm water and non-abrasive cleaning tools.
• Roast rack: Allow to cool before placing in the dishwasher. If washing by hand, use non-abrasive cleaning tools.
• Accessory frame: Allow to cool before placing in the dishwasher. If washing by hand, use non-abrasive cleaning tools.
• Smoke box: According to Ninja instructions, use a wire brush to clean the box after every 10 uses. Note: do NOT use liquid cleaning solution.

To preserve the longevity of your outdoor pizza oven, I recommend buying the Ninja Woodfire Premium Outdoor Oven Cover ($25) that’s sold separately. It rests on top of your entire unit, protecting it from the elements, even though the oven itself is waterproof.

The bottom line

Overall, the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Pizza Oven is well worth the splurge. Not only does it enhance your outdoor dining experience tenfold but it allows you to try your hand at savory, tasty and truly scrumptious pizza (among other dishes, which I have yet to try).

Oh, and if you don’t want the outdoor party to end, check out our review of the Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker — another checkbox in the brand’s favor (and, should we say, flavor).

---

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.