The nightly dinner rush used to be my biggest source of stress. Juggling multiple pots and pans, trying to time everything perfectly, and then facing a mountain of dishes was exhausting. I craved wholesome, home-cooked meals for my family but often lacked the time and energy. I knew there had to be a better way to reclaim my evenings without resorting to takeout. An appliance like the Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker would have been an absolute game-changer back then.
Before diving into a specific product, it’s worth considering if a multicooker is what you truly need. These all-in-one appliances are designed to solve several common kitchen problems: they save precious counter space by replacing multiple gadgets, drastically cut down on cooking and cleaning time, and offer incredible versatility. The ideal customer is someone with a busy lifestyle—parents, working professionals, or even students living in small apartments with limited kitchen space. They are perfect for anyone who loves the idea of cooking a complete, multi-textured meal using just one device.
However, a multicooker might not be for everyone. If you’re a culinary purist who enjoys the distinct process and control of using individual pots, pans, and a conventional oven, you might find the all-in-one approach a bit restrictive. Likewise, if your cooking is generally very simple and doesn’t involve multiple components, the extensive features of a high-end multicooker could be overkill. Before you buy, consider your counter space, your typical cooking habits, the number of people you cook for, and which functions you’ll genuinely use.
- 14-in-1 VERSATILITY: Combi Meals, Combi Crisp, Combi Bake, Rice/Pasta, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Bake, Toast, Pizza, Slow Cook, Proof, Sous...
- COMPLETE MEALS THAT COOK IN 15 MINS: Cook your proteins, veggies, and pasta or grains all at the same time and make a meal 50% faster...
A First Look at the All-in-One Powerhouse
The Ninja Combi SFP701 arrives with a bold promise: to cook complete, delicious meals in as little as 15 minutes. It’s a countertop unit that functions as a multicooker, oven, and air fryer, designed to be the only cooking appliance you’ll ever need. Inside the box, you get the main unit, a large Combi Cooker Pan, a bake tray, and a crisper tray, along with a recipe book to get you started. Having used previous Ninja products, I can see this is a major evolution, particularly from the Ninja Speedi. The front-loading door and glass window are significant upgrades, making it feel more like a high-tech countertop oven than a sealed pressure cooker. This product is for the home cook who values speed, efficiency, and convenience above all else.
Pros:
* Incredibly versatile with 14 different cooking functions.
* Delivers on its promise of fast, complete meals.
* Front-access door with a window for easy monitoring.
* Family-sized capacity can feed up to 8 people.
* Key accessories are dishwasher-safe for simple cleanup.
Cons:
* It has a large footprint and requires significant counter space.
* There’s a learning curve to master all the modes.
* The fan can be quite loud, especially on Air Fry mode.
- 𝘼𝙞𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Innovative TurboBlaze Technology delivers a powerful 3600 rpm fan speed...
- AIR CRISP TECHNOLOGY: 400℉ superheated air surrounds food for hot, crispy results with little to no oil.
- CAPACITY: 3-quart air fryer perfect for cooking meals for 2-4 people, featuring an elegant ROSE finish.
A Deep Dive into the Combi’s Features and My Experience
After months of putting this machine through its paces, I can confidently say it has transformed how I approach weeknight cooking. It’s not just about one feature; it’s about how they all work together to create a seamless cooking experience.
The Magic of Combi Cooker Technology
The star of the show is Ninja’s unique Combi Cooker Technology. It combines what they call “HyperSteam” with rapid cyclonic air (the same technology behind their famous air fryers). This isn’t just a gimmick. The super-heated steam cooks food incredibly fast and, most importantly, locks in moisture. While the steam is working its magic, the circulating hot air gets to work on the outside, creating that perfect crispy, golden-brown finish.
The first time I used this on a whole chicken, I was skeptical. I’m used to chickens taking over an hour in a conventional oven. With the Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker, I had a perfectly cooked, unbelievably juicy 5-pound chicken with crispy skin in a fraction of that time. The benefit extends beyond cooking from scratch. Reheating leftovers is where this technology truly shines. Pizza comes out with a crispy crust, not soggy. Leftover steak or roast is warmed through without becoming dry and tough. It breathes new life into food in a way a microwave simply can’t.
A True Kitchen Workhorse with 14-in-1 Versatility
The sheer number of functions packed into this multi-cooker is astounding. It has dedicated settings for Combi Meals, Combi Crisp, and Combi Bake, but also standalone functions like Rice/Pasta, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Bake, Toast, Pizza, Slow Cook, Proof, Sous Vide, Air Fry, and Broil. Before the Combi, my counter held a toaster, a separate air fryer, and I’d often pull out my slow cooker from the pantry. This one machine has replaced all of them.
The Sear/Sauté function is surprisingly powerful, allowing you to brown meats directly in the Combi Pan before slow cooking, building a deep flavor base. The Proof setting has been a delight for making homemade bread, providing a consistent, warm environment for the dough to rise. While I haven’t used the Sous Vide function yet, knowing it’s there for future culinary adventures is a huge plus. This isn’t just an air fryer with a few extra buttons; it’s a comprehensive cooking station.
Speed and Efficiency: The 15-Minute Meal Promise
The “Combi Meals” function is the weeknight hero. The concept is simple: you place your grains or pasta with liquid in the bottom Combi Pan, and then place your protein and vegetables on the crisper tray above it. You select the function, and the machine cooks everything simultaneously. My go-to has become lemon-herb salmon with asparagus and quinoa. The quinoa cooks perfectly in the steam below while the salmon and asparagus roast to perfection on top.
The best part? It’s genuinely fast. From start to finish, many of these meals are ready in 15-20 minutes. There’s no preheating time required, which shaves even more minutes off the process. However, one lesson I learned early on is that you need to be mindful. The machine defaults to a set time, so you have to “babysit” your food a bit to avoid overcooking, especially items on the top tray which is quite close to the heating element. A quick stir or check for doneness is sometimes necessary, but it’s a small price to pay for the speed.
Smart Design and User-Friendly Operation
The physical design is a massive improvement over top-loading multicookers. The dropdown door and large viewing window make it feel like a professional countertop oven. You can watch your cheese melt or your bread turn golden brown without ever opening the door and letting heat escape. The single control knob is intuitive, allowing you to easily switch between modes and adjust time and temperature.
Cleaning is also relatively straightforward. The stainless steel interior wipes down easily, and the Combi Pan, bake tray, and crisper tray are all dishwasher safe. My one minor complaint is with the fixed drip tray for condensation. It’s not removable, so you have to soak up the collected water with a paper towel, which feels like a slight design oversight.
What Other Users Are Saying
I spent some time looking through online forums and reviews to see if my positive experience was a common one, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. One user, a self-proclaimed Ninja enthusiast, called this appliance a “whole new world of possibilities” compared to the older Speedi model, highlighting the front door as the best feature. Another busy parent shared that it cuts their active cooking time down to just 15 minutes, giving them precious time back in their evenings to relax with family.
Final Verdict: Is the Ninja Combi the Right Fit for You?
The daily challenge of putting a delicious, balanced meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen is a real struggle for many of us. The mess, the timing, and the sheer effort can be draining. The Ninja Combi SFP701 directly tackles this problem with remarkable effectiveness. Its incredible speed, all-in-one versatility that declutters your countertop, and the innovative steam-and-crisp technology make it a powerhouse solution. If you’re ready to simplify your cooking process and reclaim your weeknights, this machine is a worthy investment. Click here to check out the Ninja Combi and discover a new way to cook.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API