Jamie and I recently ordered the new Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System. Unfortunately, upon inspecting the blender, we found significant damage. The reservoir was beaten up, and a chunk of plastic was missing, likely caused by the blade. We reached out to Ninja customer service and will keep you updated on their response.
Initial Impressions
We contacted Ninja, and their customer service was exceptional. We spoke to a helpful representative in Colombia who quickly sent us a brand new pitcher, replacing the damaged one. Over the years, we've tested various blenders and food processors, but this was our first time experimenting with the dough blade.
Making Pizza Dough
Following the Ninja recipe book, we tried the "Dough Kickstarter Pizza Dough" recipe. Here's what we used:
- Fleischmann's pizza yeast
- Warm water
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- Salt
- 3 cups of flour
The dough came together in just 45 seconds. After kneading it for two minutes, we left it to rise for 45 minutes.
Testing the Blender Functions
Despite some minor issues, like water droplets getting inside the handle after washing, the blender performed well. It comes with two lids—one for chopping and one for discs. Depending on the lid used, the unit limits the options available on the dial, which is a smart feature.
Slicing and Shredding
We tested the slicing and shredding functions with cucumbers, carrots, and celery. The results were impressive:
- Slicing: Consistent and quick, perfect for cucumbers.
- Shredding: Ideal for making slaw or finely shredded carrots for baking.
Chopping
We used the chopping blade for onions, and it worked efficiently, producing evenly chopped pieces quickly.
Making a Smoothie
For a smoothie, we tried the Orange Blueberry Smoothie from the Ninja recipe book. We replaced raspberries with blueberries. Ingredients included:
- Two peeled and quartered oranges
- 1/4 cup of vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 cup of frozen blueberries
The smoothie had a strong orange flavor, but the consistency was smooth, with no chunks.
Grinding Coffee Beans
We used the additional coffee grinder attachment with McDonald's roasted coffee beans. The grinder worked well, producing finely ground coffee suitable for drip brewing.
Final Thoughts and Scoring
Overall, the Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System is a versatile and functional kitchen appliance. Here’s our scoring breakdown:
- Price Point: 8.1/10
- Functionality: 8.8/10
- Versatility: 9.5/10 (highest score we've given)
- Cleaning: 7.2/10 (challenging to clean and not dishwasher safe)
- Size: 8/10
- Storage: 6.8/10 (many components to store)
- Quality: 9.1/10 (Ninja resolved our issue promptly)
Overall Score: 8.2/10
While cleaning and storage are areas for improvement, the Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System offers excellent value for its price. For comparison, it stands out against more expensive models like Vitamix.
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