Can you use a Ninja Woodfire indoors?

What Ninja says

Ninja's listings call the Woodfire OG701UK and the Woodfire Pro Connect XL OG901UK outdoor electric BBQ grills, with seven outdoor cooking functions, built for gardens, patios, balconies, camping and other outdoor spaces. They are rated IPX4 for water resistance, which means they cope with splashes and rain, a sign they are designed to live outside.

The manuals include an outdoor-use-only instruction and minimum clearances around the grill. Using it indoors would go against the instructions and could affect the guarantee.

Why it must stay outside

The smoker box burns hardwood pellets to make smoke. Burning wood in an enclosed room fills it with smoke and fumes, sets off alarms and, because any burning produces carbon monoxide, is not safe in a closed space. Even when you do not use pellets, grilling at high heat makes a lot of grease smoke.

The grill also gets very hot on the outside and needs clear space around it for heat to escape. Kitchens, worktops under cupboards and conservatories do not give that clearance.

The same applies when the grill is cooling down. Do not bring it inside straight after a cook to get it out of the rain, because the body, grill plate and smoker box stay hot for some time and the pellets may still be smouldering. Leave it outdoors, unplugged and with the lid closed, until it is fully cool.

Note:Do not use a Ninja Woodfire or any outdoor grill indoors, in a garage, conservatory, shed, tent or caravan. Keep the clearances in the manual, place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface and plug it into a suitable outdoor socket.

Covered patios, gazebos and balconies

A partly covered patio or an open-sided shelter may be acceptable if it is well ventilated and the manual's clearances, including above the grill, are met. A pop-up gazebo with sides, a porch or a lean-to that traps smoke is not suitable. Our using a BBQ under cover guide explains the general principles.

Ninja lists balconies as a suitable place, and many people buy the Woodfire because charcoal and gas are banned on their balcony. Check your lease and building rules first, as some ban all barbecues, and think about neighbours: pellet smoke drifts. Using Grill mode without pellets reduces smoke.

Indoor alternatives

If you want to grill indoors, choose an appliance designed for it. Ninja makes indoor grills, such as the Ninja Foodi Max Pro Health Grill and Air Fryer and the Sizzle Pro XL indoor grill and flat plate, which are listed for kitchen use. They give grill marks and browning but not wood smoke.

For smoky flavour without an outdoor grill, some cooks use smoked salt, smoked paprika or a smoking gun for finished dishes. None replaces a real outdoor smoke, but they are safe indoors when used as their makers intend.

Choosing an outdoor electric grill

If you have a balcony or small patio and want smoke flavour, the Woodfire range is designed for exactly that. Compare the models in Ninja Woodfire models compared. If you mainly want high-heat grilling, Weber's Lumin and Pulse electric grills reach over 300 °C; see best electric BBQs for balconies.

Whichever you pick, plan where it will be used and stored, and where the nearest outdoor socket is, before you buy. A grill kept indoors and carried out to cook is fine, as long as it cools fully before it comes back in.

Compare electric BBQs →

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a Ninja Woodfire in the kitchen without pellets? No. It is an outdoor appliance whatever mode you use, and grilling still produces smoke and heat.

Can I use a Ninja Woodfire in a garage with the door open? No. Garages are enclosed spaces; use it in the open air with the manual's clearances.

Can I store a Ninja Woodfire indoors? Yes, many people store it inside once fully cool and clean, and carry it out to cook.

Can I use it on a balcony? Ninja lists balconies as suitable, but check your lease and building rules first.