The Ninja Foodi MAX Multi-Cooker, series OP500UK, is a versatile kitchen appliance designed to offer a wide range of cooking methods, combining the functionalities of a pressure cooker and an air fryer. This multi-cooker features two interchangeable lids: a pressure lid for tenderizing and a crisping lid for achieving crispy results.
Function Description
The multi-cooker offers several cooking functions, accessible via its control panel.
- Pressure Cook: This function is used for cooking food quickly while maintaining tenderness. It's ideal for meals that require fast cooking times under pressure. The unit builds pressure, indicated by "PRE" on the display, and then counts down the set cook time.
- Steam: Designed for gently cooking delicate foods at a high temperature. When using this function, the unit preheats to bring the liquid to a boil, displaying "PRE" and then "BOIL" before the timer counts down.
- Slow Cook: This function allows for cooking food at lower temperatures over longer periods, perfect for stews, roasts, and other dishes that benefit from extended cooking. Users can select between HI and LO temperature settings.
- Yogurt: This specialized function pasteurizes and ferments milk to create homemade yogurt. It involves several stages: pasteurization (displaying "BOIL"), cooling (displaying "COOL"), adding cultures (displaying "ADD" and "STIR"), and incubation (displaying "FMNT").
- Sear/Sauté: This function transforms the unit into a stovetop, enabling users to brown meats, sauté vegetables, and simmer sauces directly in the cooking pot. Temperature levels can be adjusted from LO to HI.
- Air Crisp: This function provides foods with crispiness and crunch using little to no oil, similar to an air fryer. It's suitable for items like chips, chicken wings, and other fried foods.
- Grill: Utilizes high temperatures to caramelize and brown food, giving it a grilled finish. No temperature adjustment is available or necessary for this function.
- Bake/Roast: This function allows the unit to be used like an oven for preparing tender meats, baked treats, and other roasted dishes.
- Dehydrate: This function is used to dehydrate meats, fruits, and vegetables, creating healthy snacks. It operates at lower temperatures over extended periods.
- Keep Warm: After pressure cooking, steaming, or slow cooking, the unit automatically switches to Keep Warm mode and starts counting up. This mode maintains food at a warm, food-safe temperature for up to 12 hours. It is not intended to warm food from a cold state.
Usage Features
The multi-cooker is designed for ease of use with its intuitive control panel and interchangeable lids.
- Swap the Top: The two lids (pressure lid and crisping lid) allow for seamless transitions between different cooking methods. The pressure lid is used for pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking, and yogurt, while the crisping lid is used for air crisping, grilling, baking/roasting, and dehydrating.
- Crisping Lid Operation: The crisping lid is attached to the unit and can be opened at any time during cooking to check on food. Opening the lid pauses the timer and turns off the heating element; closing it resumes cooking.
- Pressure Lid Operation: The pressure lid must be properly installed and locked into place for pressure cooking. The pressure release valve must be in the SEAL position for pressure cooking and in the VENT position for steam release or slow cooking. The lid will not unlock until the unit is completely depressurized.
- Control Panel: The control panel features a START/STOP dial/button for selecting functions, adjusting temperature and time, and starting/stopping cooking. Dedicated buttons for FUNCTION, TEMP, and TIME allow for precise control over cooking settings.
- Accessories: The unit comes with a 7.5L removable cooking pot, a Cook & Crisp™ Basket with a detachable diffuser, and a reversible rack. These accessories facilitate various cooking methods and ingredient arrangements. Optional accessories like a 2-tier reversible rack, loaf tin, multi-purpose silicone sling, glass lid, extra pack of silicone rings, folding crisping rack, and skewer stand are available for purchase to expand cooking capabilities.
- Preheating: For functions like Air Crisp, preheating is recommended. Users can add extra minutes to the cook time to allow the unit to preheat.
- Pressure Release: The unit offers both Natural Pressure Release and Quick Pressure Release. Natural release allows steam to dissipate gradually as the unit cools, while quick release involves manually turning the pressure release valve to the VENT position for a faster release of steam.
- Safety Features: The pressure lid locks during pressurization and will not unlock until pressure is released. Warnings are provided to ensure safe operation, such as not opening the lid while under pressure and avoiding contact with hot surfaces and steam.
Maintenance Features
Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential for the longevity and safe operation of the multi-cooker.
- Cleaning: The removable cooking pot, Cook & Crisp™ Basket, reversible rack, and condensation collector are dishwasher safe. The pressure lid, including the pressure release valve and anti-clog cap, can be washed with water and dish soap. The cooker base and control panel should be wiped clean with a damp cloth. The crisping lid should be wiped down with a wet cloth or paper towel after the heat shield cools.
- Silicone Ring: The silicone ring is reversible and should be properly seated in the silicone ring rack on the underside of the pressure lid. It should be removed and cleaned after each use to prevent odor absorption from acidic foods. If the silicone ring is torn, damaged, or deformed, it should be replaced immediately.
- Anti-Clog Cap: The anti-clog cap, located on the underside of the pressure lid, protects the inner valve from clogging and prevents food splatters. It should be cleaned after every use with a cleaning brush.
- Food Residue: For stubborn food residue on the cooking pot, reversible rack, or Cook & Crisp Basket, fill the pot with water and allow it to soak before cleaning. Use a non-abrasive cleanser or liquid dish soap with a nylon pad or brush.
- Storage: The appliance should be allowed to cool for approximately 30 minutes before handling, cleaning, or storing. All parts should be air-dried after cleaning.
- Utensils: Nonstick utensils are recommended for use in the cooking pot to avoid scratching the nonstick coating. Metal utensils should not be used.
- Troubleshooting: The manual provides a troubleshooting guide for common issues, such as the unit taking too long to come to pressure, error messages (e.g., "ADD POT," "OTHR LID," "SHUT LID," "TURN LID," "OPEN VENT," "ADD WATR," "ERR"), and steam release problems. Customer service contact information is provided for further assistance.
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