Ninja AF400UKCP Air Fryer - Review

Air fryers have become increasingly popular kitchen appliances in recent years due to their ability to make fried food using little to no oil. This makes them a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP is one of the latest air fryer models from Ninja, a well-known brand for small kitchen appliances. This 4-quart air fryer is an Amazon exclusive model that comes with some unique features not found on other Ninja air fryers. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the design, features, performance, and overall usefulness of the Ninja AF400UKCP air fryer.

Design & Build Quality

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP has a sleek and modern design with a matte black finish. It is constructed primarily from plastic but feels quite sturdy and durable.

The air fryer measures approximately 11 x 12 x 14 inches (WxDxH) and weighs around 10 pounds, making it a good size for most kitchen countertops without taking up too much space. The plastic used seems thick and solid enough to withstand regular use and cleaning.

There are some metal components like the basket, heating element, and touchscreen display that add a more premium feel. The basket has a non-stick coating and smoothly glides in and out of the drawer-style body on rails.

Overall, the materials and construction give an impression of good quality and durability for the price point. The matte black finish resists fingerprints and scratches. While mostly plastic, the unit does not feel flimsy or cheap.

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP aims to deliver the features and performance of a premium air fryer but at a more affordable price point. It uses rapid AirCrisp technology to cook food using little to no oil, resulting in deliciously crispy textures without the greasiness. The wide temperature range of 40°C to 200°C allows you to prepare a variety of recipes from frozen foods to homemade fries and wings.

A key advantage of the Ninja AF400UKCP is the generous 5.2 liter cooking capacity which can accommodate up to 900g of fries or a medium chicken. The unit comes with a multi-layer rack and crisper basket to maximize cooking space. The touchscreen interface makes operation seamless with preset programs for popular foods like fries, meat, fish etc.

Cleaning up after use is simple as both the crisper basket and rack are dishwasher safe. The air fryer body just needs a quick wipe down. Overall, the AF400UKCP delivers solid performance and convenience in an attractively designed package. For more details and reviews, check out the Ninja AF160UK.

Features & Settings

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP comes with a variety of features and settings to provide versatility in air frying, grilling, roasting, baking, and dehydrating. It has a wide temperature range from 105°F to 400°F with 4 cooking functions - air fry, air roast, air broil, and dehydrate. There are also 4 customizable cooking presets to save your favorite recipes.

The easy-to-use control panel has several dedicated buttons for the cooking functions, temperature control, and integrated cooking timer which goes up to 24 hours. You can adjust the temperature in increments of 5°F for precise control. The cooking programs are pre-set with recommended temperatures and times, but they can be fully customized as well. The digital display is bright and clear, allowing you to monitor the settings. Overall, the control panel is well-designed for intuitive operation.

With its spacious 5.5 quart ceramic-coated non-stick basket, the Ninja Air Fryer can accommodate up to 3 pounds of fries, providing plenty of room for air circulation to achieve crispy results. The multi-layer rack allows you to cook multiple ingredients at once. The basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Safety features include overheat protection that prevents overcooking. There is also cool touch housing to protect from accidental contact. The basket handle remains cool while cooking. An integrated air fryer cookbook provides beginner-friendly recipes and guides.

In terms of size, the Ninja air fryer has a compact footprint at 11 x 12 x 12 inches. Weighing just 12.6 pounds, it won't take up too much counter space. The sleek all-black design looks great in any kitchen décor. With a 1 year warranty, you can buy with confidence.

For those looking for an alternative, consider the Devology DEV_2 Air Fryer. It has similar capabilities to the Ninja but also includes some unique features like a rotisserie spit for making kebabs or roasts. The Devology air fryer has 12 one-touch cooking functions including pizza, cake and fish settings. There are over 100 built-in recipes you can cook by just selecting the preset program.

The Devology DEV_2 has a 7 quart capacity, larger than the Ninja's 5.5 quarts. It can fit a 5 pound chicken or up to 5 pounds of fries. The integrated rotisserie tongs make it easy to flip and turn foods during cooking. Dual heating elements and a rear-mounted fan provide rapid 360 degree heating for quick and even cooking. The 60 minute integrated timer has an auto shut off for safety.

The digital touch screen interface displays cooking settings and has quick response touch buttons. The stainless steel exterior looks sleek and matches any decor. It is easy to clean with dishwasher safe parts. At 14.3 x 14.4 x 12.4 inches, the Devology air fryer is comparable in size to the Ninja model. It comes with a recipe book and cooking charts for guidance.

In summary, for those wanting more cooking versatility, the Devology DEV_2 Air Fryer is a great alternative to consider with its integrated rotisserie spit and broader range of functions. However the Ninja AF400UKCP remains a solid choice for basic air frying needs with a compact footprint and user-friendly interface.

Cooking Performance

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP delivers excellent air frying results that are remarkably close to deep fried food. Its Max Crisp technology circulates hot air around the food to achieve a crispy, crunchy exterior while keeping the interior moist.

Foods come out evenly cooked thanks to the unit's smart cook system that adjusts cooking times and temperatures. You don't have to flip or stir the contents during cooking. I've been impressed with how chicken wings, french fries, and other air fried foods turn out crispy on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside.

In addition to air frying, this model can bake, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. It does an excellent job at roasting vegetables, baking cakes, making jerky, and more. The wide temperature range of 105°F to 400°F allows you to cook a variety of foods.

The AF400UKCP delivers far superior results compared to a regular oven. Foods cook faster and come out crispier. The unit may even replace some of your other small appliances like the toaster oven.

Capacity

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP has a generous 4.7L capacity which allows you to cook meals for the whole family. The basket itself can hold up to 3L, letting you cook around 900g of fries or a medium chicken. The two removable drawers below the basket add even more room, giving you 1.7L of extra space to cook an additional side dish or dessert simultaneously.

The twin cooking chambers are perfect for cooking multiple components of a meal at the same time. For example, you could air fry chicken thighs in the basket while roasting vegetables like carrots and potatoes in the lower drawers. This saves time and allows you to cook a complete meal in one go.

With its flexible capacity options, the Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP can handle everything from individual portions to larger gatherings. The roomy basket has enough space for cooking for 2-4 people, while utilizing both the basket and drawers gives you the ability to prepare food for up to 6 people simultaneously. Overall an excellent option for small and large households alike.

Ease of Use & Cleaning

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP is extremely easy to use thanks to its intuitive control panel and preset programs. The touchscreen display allows you to simply select your desired cooking function such as air fry, roast, reheat or dehydrate with just a tap. It also has customizable manual settings for temperature and cook time.

The cooking programs are preset with recommended times and temperatures, so you don't have to guess. You can also easily adjust them to your liking. The integrated Smart Finish technology even estimates the remaining cook time as food cooks, helping prevent overcooking.

Cleaning up after use is straightforward since all removable parts are dishwasher safe, including the 4-quart crisper basket, lower cooking pot, and crumb removal drawer. The non-stick ceramic coating on the crisper basket also makes food release and residue cleanup much easier.

After cooking, the inner pot and crisper basket lift out for fast and simple hand washing as well. A quick wipe down of the interior and exterior of the appliance takes care of the rest. Overall, the intuitive controls, preset functions, and dishwasher-safe parts make this air fryer extremely user-friendly.

Noise Level

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP operates at a reasonable noise level, even on the highest temperature setting. It's not completely silent, but the fan and heating elements don't produce an excessive amount of noise that would be disruptive.

Based on customer reviews, the noise level is comparable to a standard convection oven or fan forced oven when in operation. You'll hear the fan circulating air and the clicking on/off of the heating elements, but it's not overly loud or intrusive. The noise is akin to a microwave oven.

Some users note you can hear the fan and heating elements kick on when preheating and starting a cooking cycle, but the noise dissipates once it reaches temperature. It's not going to drown out conversation or TV in the next room.

Overall, the noise production of the Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP is not bothersome or annoying. It operates at an average and expected noise level for a countertop appliance of this type. The fan and heating elements make some noise when cooking, but not anything excessive.

Accessories

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP comes with a few handy accessories to help you get the most out of this appliance.

In the box, you'll find a multi-layer rack which provides extra cooking capacity. The 4-quart ceramic-coated basket can fit about 3 pounds of fries, but the rack increases capacity by allowing you to layer foods. This is great for cooking things like fries, chicken wings, and vegetables all at the same time.

Also included are two cookbooks. The first is a Quick Start Guide with basic operating instructions and some simple recipes to try. The more comprehensive cookbook includes over 30 recipes specifically designed for the Air Fryer. From appetizers and snacks to mains and veggies, this book walks you through how to best leverage the Air Fryer's capabilities.

While not accessories per se, the unit does come with a removable crumb tray and dishwasher-safe parts. The crumb tray slides out for easy cleaning, helping keep the interior tidy. And being able to toss the basket and other components in the dishwasher makes cleanup a breeze.

Overall, the accessories and convenience features included with the Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP make it even easier to use this handy appliance. With the right tools and guidance, anyone can start air frying delicious foods at home.

Warranty

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP comes with a 1 year limited warranty from Ninja. This covers any defects in materials or workmanship for 1 year from the original date of purchase.

Some key points about the warranty:

• Covers the entire air fryer for 1 year.

• Valid only with proof of original purchase date.

• Warranty is void if the product has been modified or misused.

• Warranty covers free repair or replacement if an issue arises during the warranty period. Shipping costs may apply.

• Warranty provides peace of mind that the air fryer is backed for 1 year.

• Does not cover normal wear and tear or negligent damage.

So in summary, the 1 year limited warranty provides reasonable coverage in case any issues come up with the air fryer during regular use in the first year. But it does not cover accidental damage or long term wear.

Pros & Cons

The Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP has many benefits but also some downsides to consider:

Pros

• Large 5.7L capacity fits up to 1.5kg of fries
• Space-saving square design with 4 removable cooking drawers
• Versatile with 6 cooking functions - air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate, bake and grill
• Digital touchscreen with preset programs and adjustable temp/time
• Dishwasher safe parts for easy cleanup
• Quieter operation than many air fryers
• Comes with a recipe booklet

Cons

• Expensive, over £200 currently
• Bulky size takes up counter space
• Basket inserts limit cooking capacity
• Preset buttons don't allow custom temp/time settings
• Exterior gets hot during use
• Short 1-year warranty period

In summary, the Ninja Air Fryer AF400UKCP is a high-end model with lots of functionality but the high price and large footprint may deter some buyers. It excels at air frying and has useful preset programs. Drawbacks are limited customization, hot exterior, and short warranty.