IG600 / IG650 Series Ninja® Foodi® XL Pro Grill & Griddle - FAQs

This article contains the FAQs for the IG600 / IG650 Series Ninja® Foodi® XL Pro Grill & Griddle. This supports the following product SKUs IG600, IG600C, IG601, IG651, IG651C and IG651Q.

Display Messages

“Add Food” appears on the control panel display
The unit has completed preheating and it is now time to add your ingredients.
“Shut Lid” appears on the control panel display
The hood is open and needs to be closed for the selected function to start/run.
“Plug In” appears on the control panel display (applicable to the IG651 only)

The thermometer is not plugged into the jack on the right side of the control panel. 

Plug the thermometer in before proceeding. 

Press the thermometer in until it clicks into place.

"Add Grate" appears on the control display

The grill grate must be installed in the base of the unit before cooking. To install the pro powered grill grate, position it in the front of the base so it hooks in, then press down on the back of the grate until it clicks in place.

 

Preheating

How long does the unit take to preheat?

Air Crisp: Approximately 3 minutes

BBQ Griddle: Approximately 9 to 10 minutes 

Grill: Approximately 8 to 10 minutes 

Roast: Approximately 3 minutes 

Bake: Approximately 3 minutes

Broil (IG601/651 only): Preheating is not required for this function

Dehydrate (IG601/651 only): Preheating is not required for this function

How do I know when preheating is complete?
At the start of preheating, the progress bars will begin illuminating. Once preheating is complete, the progress bar will stop illuminating and the unit will display “ADD FOOD”. Preheat time varies depending on function and temperature.
Should I add my ingredients before or after preheating?
For best results, let the unit preheat before adding ingredients.
Can I cancel or override preheating?

For best results, preheating is highly recommended. You can skip it by selecting the PREHEAT button after you press the START/STOP button.

Why is the unit taking so long to preheat?
Preheat times may vary depending on the voltage provided by your outlet. Another reason the unit may still be preheating is if you add food to the grill before preheating is complete. Make sure to add food only when preheating is complete, and the unit displays “ADD FOOD”.
Why does the preheat progress bar not start from the beginning?
If the unit is warm from previously being used, it will not require the full preheating time.
Why is there no noise during BBQ Griddle preheat even though the preheat progress bars are showing?
As long as the progress bars show, your unit is preheating. BBQ Griddle will preheat the bottom plate, and the fan will turn on several minutes into preheating.

 

Thermometer (IG65x only)

Where do I find my smart thermometer?

The smart thermometer is located on the bottom right side of the grill inside the on-board storage compartment, labeled with a red sticker. 

How do I clean the thermometer?
The Foodi Smart Thermometer and holder are hand-wash only with a damp cloth. Never place unit or thermometer in dishwasher or submerse in liquid of any kind.
Why is my food overcooked or undercooked even though I used the thermometer?

It is important to insert the thermometer lengthwise into the thickest part of the ingredient to get the most accurate reading. Make sure to allow food to rest for 3–5 minutes to complete cooking. For more information, refer to the Owner's Guide in the "Using the Foodi™ Smart Thermometer” section or refer to the first page of the Quick Start Guide.

Why does the unit have a 1–9 scale for the Beef Preset?

The 1–9 scale provides a wide range of options for each doneness level so you can customize doneness to your liking. 

1–2 = Rare Doneness 

3–4 = Medium-Rare Doneness 

5–6 = Medium Doneness 

7–8 = Medium-Well Doneness 

9 = Well Done

Why is the unit jumping from my present doneness level to “RARE”?

Once a preset is chosen and cooking begins, the unit will jump back to “RARE”. This indicates the unit has begun cooking.

As the the thermometer reads the internal temperature of the meat, the unit will move to the next cooking level from rare until the level you selected has been reached. 

The current temperature of the thermometer is visible on the right side of the digital display. The temperature on the left side of the screen is the upper limit of the current cooking level.

Will the thermometer grip melt if it touches the hot grill grate?
No, the grip is made of a high-temperature silicone that can handle the grill’s high temperatures.

 

Cleaning

How should I clean my grill?

Unplug unit from wall outlet before cleaning. Keep the hood open after removing your food to allow the unit to cool quicker.

  • The Inner Hood should be wiped down with a damp towel or cloth after each use to deodorize the unit and remove any grease.
  • The Powered Grill Grate is not dishwasher safe, but it can be washed with soap, water, and a non-abrasive sponge. If there is stuck-on food residue, soak in warm, soapy water before cleaning.
  • The BBQ Griddle Plate, Crisper Basket and Splatter Shield are dishwasher safe, and they can also be washed with soap, water, and a non-abrasive sponge. If there is stuck-on food residue, soak in warm, soapy water before cleaning.
    • To deep clean the Splatter Shield, put in a pot of water and boil for 10 minutes, then rinse with room-temperature water and allow to dry completely.
  • The Smart Thermometer should be hand-washed with a damp cloth only. DO NOT place the thermometer in dishwasher or immerse in liquid of any kind.  
  • DO NOT use abrasive tools or cleaners on the main unit or any accessories.
  • DO NOT immerse the main unit in water or any other liquid. 

DO NOT place the main unit in dishwasher.

How do I clean the splatter shield?

We recommend the following:

Clean the splatter shield after every use. Soaking the splatter shield overnight will help soften any baked-on grease. After soaking, clean the splatter shield with a non-abrasive sponge or brush to remove the grease from the stainless steel frame and front tabs. Deep clean the splatter shield by putting it in a pot of water and boiling it for 10 minutes. Then, rinse with room-temperature water and allow to dry completely. Over time the splatter shield may discolor as grease burns onto it. This will not effect the performance of the splatter shield.

Is my grill dishwasher safe?

All accessories, except the unit base, grill plate and thermometer* (*IG65x only) are dishwasher safe. Be sure to clean all accessories, including the splatter shield and main unit, after each use.

How do I clean the thermometer on my IG651?
The Foodi Smart Thermometer and holder are hand-wash only with a damp cloth. Never place unit or thermometer in dishwasher or submerse in liquid of any kind.
Why is the underside of the grill grate dirty?
You may notice some residue on the backside of the powered grill grate after the first few dishwasher cycles. This is completely normal and does not mean there are any functionality issues with the unit. The residue can be wiped off with a damp cloth if desired but will disappear on its own after the first few washes.

 

Cooking

What type of oil should I use when grilling?

We recommend using one of the following oils when grilling: 

  • Canola
  • Refined coconut 
  • Avocado 
  • Vegetable
  • Grapeseed 

We DO NOT recommend using the following oils when grilling: 

  • Olive 
  • Butter 
  • Margarine
How do I pause the unit so I can check my food?

When you open the hood during Roast, Broil, Bake, Air Crisp or Dehydrate, the unit will automatically pause. 

The unit will not pause during Grill and BBQ Griddle when the hood is opened.

Can I batch cook with this unit?
If batch cooking meats, for best results, we recommend in between batches to close the hood and run the programmed function for 2 to 3 minutes before adding more food.
Can I use the BBQ Griddle function and griddle accessory after having cooked on the grill grate?
Yes, but we highly recommend cleaning the grill grate first so there is no debris to interfere with the griddle-to-grill-grate contact.
Do I need to let my food rest?
After grilling meat, let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before cutting it. As it rests, it will retain more moisture and stay juicy.
Do I need to defrost frozen foods before grilling them?

No, you can cook all your favorite ingredients on the Foodi Grill straight from the freezer. However, ingredients must be thawed when using the thermometer on the IG651 series.

My food is burned.
Do not add food until recommended preheat time is complete. For best results, check progress throughout cooking, and remove food when desired level of brownness has been achieved. Remove food immediately after the cook time is complete to avoid overcooking.
Why is grease dripping from the lid during cooking?

You can try cooking high-fat-content foods (such as pork bacon) with the lid closed to reduce grease dripping. Also, clean your grill lid regularly to mitigate any grease buildup while cooking. See the instruction booklet for recommendations on cleaning the grill and accessories.

Which accessories should I be using to get the best results for each cooking function?

It is suggested to use each function with its recommended accessory to prevent smoke. See page 6 of the Quick Start Guide for reference.

Do I need to use the splatter shield for all cooking functions?
Yes, the splatter shield should always be used when cooking with the unit. The splatter shield will keep the top heating elements clean and help prevent smoke.
How do I pause the countdown timer?
The countdown timer will pause automatically when you open the hood of the unit. Please note that pressing the START/STOP button during cooking will cancel the current cooking function.
Why is my food slipping into the grease catch?

When placing food on the grill grate, press down gently to increase contact between food and grill. To prevent foods like sausages and asparagus from rolling off the grill grate, place them vertically on the grill grate (parallel with the lines on the grill grate).

As you continue cooking with the grill grate, foods should slip less.

Why is grease dripping from the hood of the unit?
Grease leaking may come from a buildup of grease over time. It is recommended to clean the inside of the grill hood and splatter shield after each use to prevent grease buildup and potential leaking.
Can I remove the crisper basket from the unit to check on food while the unit is running?
Yes, we recommend checking on food regularly during cooking. When you open the hood, the unit will pause. Use silicone-tipped tongs to toss ingredients or oven mitts to shake the basket. When done, replace the basket and close the hood. Cooking will automatically resume after the hood is closed.

 

General Product Questions

Why did a circuit breaker trip while using the unit?

The unit uses 1760 watts of power, so it must be plugged into an outlet on a 15-amp circuit breaker. Using an outlet on a 10-amp breaker will cause the breaker to trip. 

It is also important that the unit be the only appliance plugged into an outlet when in use. To avoid tripping a breaker, make sure the unit is the only appliance plugged into an outlet on a 15-amp breaker.

How do I install the grill grate?

To install the powered grill grate, position it into the front of the base so it hooks in, then press down on the back of the grate until it clicks in place.

What is the capacity of the unit?
The unit can hold up to 4 quarts of food at once.
What are the dimensions of the accessories?

The crisper basket is approximately 12.5 ̎ x 8.25 ̎ x 3 ̎ and holds 4 quarts. 

The grill grate is approximately 13 ̎ x 9 ̎. 

The griddle plate is approximately 12.5 ̎x 8.5 ̎.

Are the coated accessories nonstick?

Yes, the Powered Grill Grate, BBQ Griddle Plate, and Crisper Basket are all nonstick with a ceramic coating that is PTFE free. The griddle and basket are dishwasher safe but the grill grate is not dishwasher safe.

Is it safe to place the crisper basket or pot on my countertop?
Place the crisper basket and pot on heat-safe surfaces only and use caution when handling, as both will become hot during cooking.
Will the outside of the unit get hot?
Although the outside of the unit will heat up during cooking, the control panel and hood handle will remain safe to touch at any time during cooking.
Why is my grill so noisy?
The unit utilizes a high powered fan motor to circulate hot air during preheat and cooking. You may notice this as ambient noise while the unit is operating. BBQ Griddle will preheat the bottom plate with little to no fan noise initially, and the fan will turn on several minutes into preheating.
How long does the unit take to cool down?

The grill is designed to retain heat for even and thorough cooking and may take a while to cool down. 

Cool down times will vary depending on cook function, temperature, and duration used. 

The grill will take longer to cool after using the Grill Max function than when using the dehydrate function. 

You can leave the hood open to cool the unit down more quickly after cooking.

How do I stack my components for storage? / Why are my components clashing with the hood when I try to close it?

First, ensure the grill grate is properly installed. 

Place flat top BBQ griddle on the grill grate so the griddle sits flat, and spouts are aligned with the front left corner of the unit. 

Then carefully place the air fry basket on the griddle and push it toward the back of the unit slightly. 

The basket should remain nestled in the griddle plate. 

Carefully close the lid. The lid should close without interference with the basket.

How do I remove the grill grate?
Locate the orange rectangular button in the back left corner of your grill. Press this button to release the grill grate.