Ninja Foodi SmartLid Multi Cooker OL650 Questions & Answers

Hi Rami, I’m not sure how having the separate pressure cooker lid makes any difference as far as cooking and cleaning, apart from requiring you to have extra storage space available in your cupboards for that extra lid.

I own this new model. It’s great. I am actually really really glad that it doesn’t have a separate lid to be honest.

As far as cleaning, It’s actually a good idea to run a steam cycle after cooking each time, to make sure the cleaning process is a lot quicker and easier.

I run the steam cycle after each use. And then I remove the silicone ring, metal pressure cooker valve, moisture/dew container and wash those in the kitchen sink.

Other than running the “steam”process, if you are worried about electricity and time using it, you could try to cut down on time, and add the same amount of water as using the pressure cooker mode which is usually about 250ml and run it on 5 minutes or 10 minutes in pressure cooker mode. Thereby still creating hot steam inside to help make the cleaning process easier.

Unless I am baking something like scones or bread rolls etc that doesn’t cause cooking splatter, I always run the steam cycle. After pressure cooking I’ve not needed to run the steam cycle either. It’s been easy enough to clean due to moisture used during pressure cooking.

As long as it’s cleaned after each use, it should remain easy to keep clean regardless of what you’re cooking.

In fact this newer model should be easier to clean compared with the previous models due to the other models from what I’ve previously seen has a cover over the element with gaps, which looks extremely fiddly to try and clean plus having to then unscrew it off to get to the underneath of it to clean.

With the older version, wouldn’t you still have to clean both the airfry (with element) parts as with the newer version, as well as cleaning the removable lid, after each use to remove cooking mess?

How does your sister clean her Ninja after cooking with Airfry mode, and any other fatty splattering food such as roast, steak? Perhaps ask her how she cleans her model.

If I can be of further help, let me know. I’m happy to help where possible.

Regards, Jo ( Product Review Ambassador)

Thanks for replying back but it’s still of no help. The additional lid will help the food particles not sticking to the coil as well as going behind the coil making it harder to clean. I recently booked some Quinoa in it and it was nightmare cleaning after. I run the steam cycle but if doesn’t remove the particles away. It is definitely a nuisance if you are cooking lentils, and small particle food like millets, quinoa etc..

Hi, Regarding the steam release you’re referring to here, I have my Ninja OL650 sitting underneath my range hood when using “Quick Release “ and when using “Natural Release “ I don’t need to have under the range hood, so depending on whether you have a range hood or not, you can use the alternative option of “Natural Release “ and then there won’t be any steam release pressure spouting out of the appliance.

To my knowledge all pressure cookers are the same when using the “Quick Release “ method. Even the type that you use on the stovetop.

You can read more about using those two methods of steam release for the Ninja OL650 by reading the instructions booklet on page 12 under the heading: Natural Release vs Quick Pressure Release and you can also read the folded quick view leaflet that came with the Ninja OL650 (besides the instructions book and recipe book) and on the back of this you’ll see “Helpful Hints “ which has “Pressure Cooking Tips” with the Natural + Quick guides and it explains what I’ve mentioned here for you.

Hopefully this helps you resolve this issue.

PS: If you don’t have that leaflet, you can google Ninja Foodi Quick Release vs Natural Release, and similar wording to locate articles about natural release and quick release in pressure cookers.

Regards, Product Review Ambassador, Jo Bevan

Hi Jo, thank you for your reply and advice. Unfortunately I can't sit under range hood and I should have been a bit more specific regarding excessive steam exhausting. It is not the pressure cooking steam release that is my issue...it is the steam function such as bake and steam etc...I bake breads, cakes and steam vegetables etc. The steam is exhausted from grills located at back of unit...and it is a lot of steam that floods out, a lot more than pressure cooking quick release (which I have discovered can be controlled by buying a diverted on Amazon). Do you use the steam functions much? I don't know if I have a faulty machine, I follow the instructions to the best of my knowledge.

Hi, Very sorry for a late response. I didn’t receive notification of your reply back to me. Yes, I do use the steam-airfry option and steam does release from around the top part of the lid vent. I have a range hood (not a very good one unfortunately) and have this switched on to exhaust some of the steam during cooking. Do you have an exhaust fan or range hood? I have overhead cupboards. Most homes have an exhaust fan in the ceiling of the kitchen if not a range hood. Perhaps try sitting your Ninja SmartLid multicooker on a breadboard on top of the stovetop like I have done. Basically it’s going to have steam in the same way as cooking in saucepan etc, and understand the frustration regarding that.

One of the features of this so called new model (OL650) is having one lid, cleaning can be made easier by regularly putting a cup of water in the pot with 1TBS Bi carb soda and a 1 whole lemon chopped up on pressure cook high for 50 mins this will dissolve grease and loosen soiled parts making it easier to wipe clean esp around the lid and element. Just for reference this model is not new has been available overseas since 2021 and the so called new model the 15 in 1 (OL750) due for release in Australia soon has also been out for a couple of years overseas it has two extra features automated steam release of your choice ie: natural, quick ect and comes with a temp probe that you can insert into meats and veg while cooking to get more accurate results but these Ninja probes have a reputation of not being that reliable.