The Ninja Woodfire Portable Barbecue Grill & Smoker OG701UK is an electric outdoor grill that aims to deliver proper smoky flavour without the hassle of gas bottles or bags of charcoal. It combines plug-in convenience with real wood pellets, so you can cook on balconies, patios and small gardens where traditional barbecues are awkward or not allowed.
With seven cooking functions, from grilling and smoking through to air frying and baking, it’s designed to be more of an outdoor cooking station than a simple burger sizzler. Ninja has built a strong reputation in the UK for easy-to-use, well-thought-out appliances, and this Woodfire model follows that template.
Owner feedback is excellent, with a 4.9 out of 5 rating from nearly 400 reviews, which gives strong confidence that the performance and reliability live up to the promise.
The Ninja Woodfire OG701UK is ideal for anyone who wants the taste of outdoor cooking but doesn’t want to wrestle with gas canisters or charcoal every time the sun comes out. If you live in a flat with a balcony, or have a compact patio where open-flame barbecues are a bit much, the electric design is a real advantage.
Its 28 x 37 cm cooking surface is big enough for up to eight burgers, so it suits couples, small families and relaxed get-togethers, rather than huge garden parties. If you tend to cook for four to six people, the size feels well judged – generous without taking over the outdoor space.
The seven-in-one functionality also makes sense if you like experimenting with different styles of cooking. Grill, smoke, air fry, bake and dehydrate modes mean it doubles as an outdoor oven and healthier fryer as well as a traditional barbecue. It’s a strong fit for keen home cooks and foodies who want versatility from one compact unit.
Budget-wise, this sits in the mid-to-upper bracket for electric barbecues, reflecting the brand name and the feature set. It’s not the cheapest way to grill a sausage, but if you want a flexible, low-fuss outdoor cooker you can use all year round, it’s a justifiable upgrade.
The standout strength is how easy it makes authentic-tasting barbecue cooking. Ninja’s Woodfire Technology uses real wood pellets to add smoke, while electric power keeps the heat consistent and simple to control. You get that proper barbecue taste without having to manage hot coals or flare-ups.
The seven cooking functions add a lot of flexibility. Being able to grill, smoke, air fry, bake and dehydrate in one box means you can do everything from seared steaks and smoked brisket to crispy chips and dehydrated snacks without heading back indoors. For smaller outdoor spaces, this all-in-one approach is particularly useful.
Capacity is sensible for most households. The 28 x 37 cm grill plate will comfortably handle up to eight burgers or a mix of meat and veg, and the 4 kg food capacity is ample for family meals. Adjustable temperature up to 240°C and clear button-and-dial controls help you fine-tune the cook without fuss.
Practical touches round it out. It’s portable with built-in handles, has a removable drip tray and crisper basket to keep cleaning straightforward, and the weather-resistant design means you can keep it on the patio year-round rather than lugging it in and out of storage every time you fancy a barbecue.
The main compromise is size. While the cooking area is great for families and small groups, it will feel limiting if you regularly cater for large parties – you’ll be cooking in batches rather than laying everything on at once.
The body is largely plastic, which helps keep weight down but doesn’t feel as robust as a heavy steel barbecue. It’s well designed, but if you prefer the heft and finish of a traditional metal grill, this may not quite scratch that itch.
There’s no stand included, and no wheels, so you either need a sturdy table or to buy a compatible stand separately. That adds to the overall cost and means it’s not as grab-and-go as some portable grills that come with folding legs.
Finally, while the feature set is strong, you don’t get extras like a rotisserie, and the 2 metre power cord means you may still need an outdoor extension lead, depending on your socket position.
Living with the Ninja Woodfire OG701UK is refreshingly straightforward. Setup is simple: plug it in, add wood pellets if you want smoke, select the function and temperature, and you’re ready to go. There’s no lighting, waiting for coals to ash over, or juggling gas knobs to keep the flame steady.
The compact footprint (roughly 34 x 46 x 46 cm) makes it easy to park on a sturdy table or outdoor kitchen surface, and the built-in handles help when moving it between storage and the patio. The absence of wheels isn’t an issue if you keep it in one spot, but it’s something to bear in mind if you plan to shift it around often.
The digital display and combination of buttons and rotary control make it simple to see what mode you’re in and adjust settings on the fly. With just one cooking zone to worry about, there’s not a lot to get wrong, even if you’re new to barbecuing.
Clean-up is more civilised than on a traditional grill. The removable drip tray and fat collection make it easy to dispose of grease, while the griddle-style plate and crisper basket can be taken out and cleaned more thoroughly. With no ash or soot to contend with, the whole process is far less messy, which encourages you to use it more often – even for quick midweek cooks.
Performance-wise, the Ninja Woodfire’s electric element and enclosed cooking area give it an edge in consistency. It heats up quickly and, with adjustable temperature up to 240°C, can deliver a proper sear on burgers, steaks and vegetables. The single-zone layout keeps things straightforward, which will appeal if you don’t need multiple heat areas.
The Woodfire Technology is the headline feature. By burning small amounts of dedicated wood pellets, it infuses food with real smoke rather than relying on flavoured elements or gimmicks. You can dial in how smoky you want things by choosing when and how often to use pellets, which makes it easy to suit different tastes.
The seven cooking functions significantly broaden what you can cook outdoors. Grill and Smoke cover classic barbecue duties, while Air Fry and Bake open the door to everything from chips and chicken wings to bread and desserts. Dehydrate is a nice touch for making jerky or dried fruit, and the ability to crisp using the included basket means you can serve pub-style sides alongside your grilled mains without firing up the indoor oven.
From a usability standpoint, features like electronic ignition (simply powering on), a clear display, and pre-set programmes for each mode reduce the learning curve. The design is also weather-resistant, so as long as it’s positioned sensibly and connected safely, you can use it throughout much of the year without worrying too much about the British weather.
While it lacks some premium extras such as multiple burners, an integrated stand or rotisserie, the feature set is impressively comprehensive for a portable electric model, and clearly geared towards making outdoor cooking feel more like using a familiar kitchen appliance.
At around £300, the Ninja Woodfire OG701UK sits towards the higher end of the electric barbecue market, but you are paying for more than a basic grill. The combination of genuine wood smoke, seven cooking functions and a weather-resistant, portable design makes it more of an outdoor multi-cooker than a simple barbecue.
The excellent owner feedback – a 4.9 out of 5 rating from nearly 400 reviews – strongly suggests most buyers feel they’ve had good value, both in terms of performance and build quality. When a product at this price point maintains such a high score across so many reviews, it’s a reassuring sign.
If you only barbecue a couple of times each summer and just want something simple for the odd sausage, this will feel like overkill and a cheaper, more basic grill may suit you better. But if you want an easy-to-live-with outdoor cooker you’ll use spring through autumn for grilling, smoking and air frying, the extra spend is easier to justify.
Overall, it represents good value for those who will make use of its versatility and convenience, even if it’s not the bargain-basement option.
The Ninja Woodfire Portable Barbecue Grill & Smoker OG701UK is a smart choice for anyone who wants real barbecue flavour without the hassle of managing flames, ash or gas. It’s compact, capable and genuinely versatile, with seven cooking modes that encourage you to cook a lot more than just burgers and sausages outside.
It’s not the biggest or cheapest grill, and the lack of integrated stand or wheels means you’ll need to think about where it lives. Heavy-duty traditionalists may also prefer the feel of a full metal charcoal or gas barbecue. But for balcony dwellers, patio owners and busy families who value convenience, clean operation and consistent results, it hits a very sweet spot.
If you’re happy to invest a bit more in an outdoor cooker that behaves like a trustworthy kitchen appliance – and you like the idea of year-round, plug-in barbecue cooking with proper wood smoke – the Ninja Woodfire OG701UK is easy to recommend.
