I just got my hands on this Ninja DoubleStack SL201 air fryer and it’s been a whirlwind of culinary experiments! It’s seriously HUGE way bigger than I expected.
Think of it as a double-decker bus for your food but instead of people it’s filled with crispy delights.
But does this giant air fryer live up to the hype? That’s the million-dollar question isn’t it?
The Double-Decker Dilemma: Size and Design
First off let’s talk about its sheer size.
This Ninja DoubleStack SL201 is a total rollercoaster ride. It’s got some cool features but man, those uneven cooking results and slow cooking times are a total bummer 😫.
Think you can handle the gamble? Maybe check out some other options instead 😜
This thing is a BEAST.
I mean it’s taller than my microwave which is saying something! The stacked design is unique – two baskets sitting on top of each other – which saves counter space compared to those side-by-side models.
However it does demand a lot of vertical space so make sure you’ve got the headroom before you even think about unboxing this thing! It’s definitely not for those with tiny kitchens.
The Stacked Advantage (or Is It?)
Now this stacked design is a double-edged sword.
While it’s space-saving in terms of width the placement of the heating elements at the back is a significant drawback.
This uneven heat distribution is the main reason why I’m a bit torn about this air fryer.
The front of the basket my friends gets significantly less love from those heating elements than the back.
Think about it – a delicious crispy back and a slightly soggy front.
Not ideal.
Cooking Performance: A Tale of Two Baskets
The Ninja DoubleStack SL201 boasts an impressive 8-quart capacity – enough to feed a small army (or my family of five comfortably). Both baskets offer a generous cooking surface allowing you to spread out your food in a single layer for even cooking. In theory. In practice this even cooking theory kinda falls flat.
Even Cooking? More Like Evenly Uneven…
I’ve tried everything – chicken wings veggies even some fancy frozen appetizers.
The results? Inconsistent.
Some parts come out perfectly golden brown and crispy while others remain pale and undercooked or worse overcooked and burnt.
It’s like a culinary game of roulette – will it be crispy or sad? It’s a bit of a gamble and that’s not exactly ideal for a kitchen appliance is it?
Speed Demons Need Not Apply
This air fryer is…slow.
Seriously.
The preheating time feels endless and the overall cooking time is significantly longer than other air fryers I’ve used.
This Ninja DoubleStack SL201 is a total rollercoaster ride. It’s got some cool features but man, those uneven cooking results and slow cooking times are a total bummer 😫.
Think you can handle the gamble? Maybe check out some other options instead 😜
This Ninja DoubleStack SL201 is a total rollercoaster ride. It’s got some cool features but man, those uneven cooking results and slow cooking times are a total bummer 😫.
Think you can handle the gamble? Maybe check out some other options instead 😜
I’m used to quick weeknight dinners and this one significantly delays the process.
It’s not a deal-breaker for everyone but it’s something to keep in mind.
If you’re short on time this isn’t your speediest option.
Features and Functionality: A Mixed Bag
Let’s move on to the features.
The Ninja DoubleStack SL201 offers a decent range of presets: Air Fry Air Broil Bake Roast Reheat and Dehydrate.
It even has a cool “DoubleStack” button for cooking on two levels in each basket.
Clever right? But the execution…
Smart Features Slightly Dumb Execution
While the idea of ‘Smart Finish’ (cooking different foods at different settings ending at the same time) is brilliant the execution isn’t flawless.
The ‘Match Cook’ feature meant to cook both baskets identically occasionally falters.
I’ve noticed slight inconsistencies even when using this feature.
The lack of a shake reminder is also a minor inconvenience as you have to remember to manually shake things up.
It’s all a bit hit-and-miss to be honest.
Technology promises so much but doesn’t always deliver.
The Buttons: A Touchy Subject
Let’s be honest.
The buttons feel…cheap.
They require a hefty amount of pressure to register especially the temperature time and arrow buttons.
And the beeping sound with each press? It’s so incredibly annoying it feels like a cheap alarm clock in the kitchen.
The overall build quality feels surprisingly flimsy given the price point.
Cleaning: Ceramic Coating Conundrums
The crisper trays have a ceramic coating a feature I initially appreciated because it meant avoiding non-stick materials.
However this ceramic coating is a nightmare to clean by hand.
The PTFE non-stick coating on the basket itself is easier to deal with.
So while it’s a good idea it’s got a significant cleaning downside.
I end up spending more time cleaning than actually cooking which isn’t very efficient.
Overall Verdict: Worth the Hype?
The Ninja DoubleStack SL201 is a large-capacity air fryer with some impressive features on paper.
The dual-basket design is space-saving (width-wise) and the capacity is great for large families or gatherings.
However the uneven cooking slow cooking times and cheap-feeling buttons are significant drawbacks.
The inconsistent cooking results are a deal-breaker for me.
I found the cleaning to be a real pain and the slow speed is a frustrating element if I want a quick meal.
Despite its versatility the performance issues overshadow its other features.
Is it worth the hype? For me not quite.
It’s a bit of a disappointment given its price and brand reputation.
There are better air fryers out there that offer better consistency and speed for a similar price point and that’s something to keep in mind.
Perhaps a better-designed model will address these issues in the future.