Comparison Ninja Foodi SmartLid OL650 vs Ninja Foodi SmartLid OL550

The rated volume of the working capacity of the multicooker. The larger it is, the more food can be cooked in the device at a time. The standard indicator for modern multicookers is 4-5 L, this is enough for use in an average family of 3 — 4 people. A device with a smaller volume is useful for cooking for 1-2 people — you will not have to overpay for unnecessary capacity. If you have to cook for a large family, it makes sense to pay attention to more capacious models.

The rated power of a multicooker determines the speed at which it heats up when cooking. Manufacturers usually choose a power level that ensures efficient heating of the working capacity for its intended purpose. However, models of the same size and similar features can vary in terms of power. It's important to consider that a more powerful multicooker is generally more advanced and efficient, allowing for additional features like frying or baking. On the downside, higher power consumption is typically associated with higher costs.

Speaking about energy consumption, it is worth saying that it is relatively small in household multicookers — from 750 to 1000 W for most models. Devices with more than 1000 W are rare, relatively low power options are more common — 500 – 750 W and even less than 500 W.

The total number of cooking programs provided in the device.

The greater this number — the more extensive the possibilities of the multicooker, the wider the choice of the user. However, note that a specific set of modes may be different, this point in each case should be clarified separately. See "Programs" for details on specific modes. As for specific values, the most modest models nowadays have up to 10 programs, devices for 10 — 20 programs and even more are quite popular, and in the most multifunctional solutions this number can be more than 35.

The available operating modes of a multicooker provide a reliable indication of what you can typically expect when using the device. Among the main modes there are warming up, free mode, express, steaming, stewing, frying / deep frying, boiling, kneading dough, dough proofing, roasting, simmering, smoking, baking, sous-vide, sterilization. More details about each of them:

— The free mode, as its name implies, gives users the freedom to manually adjust all the operating parameters of the device, such as temperature and cooking time. In more advanced models, it may even offer the option to program specific stages of cooking, such as initially applying high heat, gradually reducing it, and then maintaining the desired temperature for the finished product.

— Warming up. The pre-set program for warming up pre-cooked meals typically involves heating them at a relatively low temperature. It may also include a featu...re to maintain this temperature until the device is manually turned off.

— Express. The Express mode offers a high-intensity heating setting in the cooking chamber, enabling faster cooking of various foods like cereals, legumes, scrambled eggs, dumplings, and pasta. It is specifically recommended for situations when time is limited. However, it is important to note that this mode is not suitable for baking items like pies, bread, or biscuits.

— Frying/deep frying. The ability to work in the frying mode assumes a high temperature and the presence of oil instead of water. Usually, the multicooker lid does not close in this mode.

— Boiling. The cooking mode in a multicooker rapidly brings liquid to a boil and then reduces the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. This mode is versatile and suitable for preparing a wide range of dishes, including boiled eggs, pasta, boiled vegetables (such as potatoes, beets, and carrots), soups, and beverages. Additionally, some multicookers offer a steam cooking option, where a special stand is used to elevate the food above the boiling liquid, allowing for steaming without direct contact.

— Roasting. The roasting mode in a multicooker involves applying high heat to the dish to create a crispy crust on the surface. While similar to baking, the roasting program has its distinct features. It may provide more intense heating or include a technique known as "short-term baking," where the product is prepared differently and then baked for a brief period (around 30-60 seconds) to achieve the desired crust formation.

— Stewing. This programme involves working at relatively low temperatures for a long time. It allows you to cook a fairly extensive range of dishes: soups, stews, some types of cereals, etc.

— Simmering. The simmer programme simulates cooking at the lowest intensity in a sealed container, similar to cooking in a classic oven. This method can be used in particular for roasts and cabbage rolls.

— Smoking. The smoking program in a multicooker typically enables traditional smoking by using smoke generated from burning wood chips. To ensure that regular dishes do not acquire a "smoked" flavor, a separate container is usually required. It's worth noting that not all multicooker models with a smoking program come equipped with additional containers.

— Baking. This programme is similar to the operation of a conventional oven: high temperature and closed (in contrast to the frying mode) lid. Suitable for flour baking, as well as various casseroles.

— Steaming. Steam cooking is recognized as a gentle cooking method and is commonly employed in dietary nutrition, including for children. To facilitate steam cooking, multicookers need to have a dedicated program as well as additional equipment such as baskets and a water tray, similar to traditional double boilers. These accessories may be included with the multicooker upon purchase.

— Dough kneading.The special dough preparation program in a multicooker eliminates the need for manual kneading, saving you from the tedious task. Typically, this function utilizes a separate bowl with a specialized spatula for the kneading process. It's important to note that different models may offer the preparation of various types of dough, and this information can be found in the detailed specifications.

— Proofing dough. The dough proofing mode involves the creation of optimal microclimatic conditions for raising yeast dough. In proofing mode, the multicooker heats up just above room temperature, typically around 30°C. The average proofing time for the dough is about 30 minutes.

— Sous-vide — a special technology of cooking in a vacuum. In sous-vide cooking, the food is first placed in a vacuum-sealed bag and then cooked slowly and at a low temperature, precisely controlled by the multicooker. This method involves processing the food at temperatures of up to 80°C for a period of 2-4 hours or even longer. Sous-vide technology ensures extremely even cooking of the food. It also offers the advantage of minimizing loss in weight and volume of the ingredients. Sous-vide is commonly used for preparing healthy and dietary dishes. The slow and vacuum-sealed heat treatment helps retain the juiciness and tenderness of the food, while the low temperature prevents the formation of a brown crust.

— Sterilization. Programme for sterilization of dishes used in the cooking of home preservation. Usually involves boiling for some time.

— Bowl with handles. The presence of handles on the bowl makes the multicooker more practical and convenient to use, providing a more convenient and reliable grip on the container. Handles for large-volume bowls are especially relevant. Most often, the working surface of the handles has a heat-resistant coating that quickly dissipates heat; other models can be equipped with bakelite or Teflon-coated handles — thanks to this, the bowl can be freely removed, even if it is still hot.

— Grill. A special grill that is installed in the multicooker bowl, and products for grilling are placed on it. In this mode it is possible to cook meat, fish and vegetables with an appetizing crispy crust. The cooking temperature is usually around 220 – 240 °C.

— Steamer stand. Multicooker bowl stand with characteristic perforations for steaming healthy food. As a rule, it is equipped with small legs and is placed above some water at the bottom of the multicooker bowl. Boiling water turns into steam, and passing through the holes in the stand this steam cooks the food. Steaming is considered one of the most gentle cooking modes and is widely used in dietary nutrition, including children's nutrition. — Steamer basket. The steamer basket is a hanging container with a perforated bottom, installed in the upper part of the multicook...er bowl. Water is poured directly into the bowl, which boils and turns into steam. This steam is forced through the holes in the container and cooks healthy food.

— Deep-frying basket. The deep-frying basket typically features a metal mesh structure, primarily employed for frying foods in a deep layer of heated oil or fat. It proves useful for preparing items like French fries, battered foods (vegetables, mushrooms, fish, etc.), chips, and similar dishes. Many deep-frying baskets come equipped with handles or a lifting mechanism for easy immersion and removal of food from the oil.

— Frying pan. Availability of own frying pan included in the delivery of the device. Multicookers with a frying pan, as a rule, have a movable heater that can be raised and the frying pan placed on it, and at the end of cooking, lowered to the standard position.

— Yogurt jars. The delivery set includes special jars for making yogurt (for more details, see “Programmes”). For a number of reasons, it is considered optimal for this product to use several small jars instead of one large container.