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Ninja FlexFlame PG301 Review

Annemarije de Boer Avatar
Updated Jul 6, 2025 9:00 PM

True Score

90
90
3

Experts

92
65

Consumers

Product Awards

Top 5

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Ninja FlexFlame PG301 isn’t just a grill—it’s a compact outdoor cooking powerhouse. If you love the idea of searing a steak, baking a pizza, smoking a chicken, and griddling breakfast—all from one sleek unit—this grill delivers.

Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The FlexFlame punches above its weight as a revolutionary 5-in-1 outdoor cooking system that redefines backyard culinary possibilities. Its versatility, fast preheat times, and convection-powered consistency are impressive, delivering everything from perfectly seared steaks to wood-fired pizzas in a single, compact unit. This propane-electric hybrid combines 37,000 BTUs with precision convection technology, achieving 500°F in just over 6 minutes while ensuring even heat distribution across 544 square inches of cooking space.

The integrated wood pellet system adds authentic smoke flavor without requiring a separate smoker, while intuitive LED-lit controls and solid 130-pound construction provide professional-grade reliability. The overwhelming sentiment is that the FlexFlame delivers near-premium performance for a mid-range price, making it one of the most capable multi-use grills in its class for adventurous home chefs.

Consensus

our Verdict

The Ninja FlexFlame PG301 transforms outdoor cooking from a simple grilling experience into a complete culinary workstation. By seamlessly blending propane power with electric precision through its convection fan system, this grill eliminates the need for multiple appliances while maintaining exceptional performance standards. The modular design excels at everything from high-heat searing to low-temperature smoking, supported by rapid preheating capabilities and consistent temperature control that rivals indoor kitchen equipment. While the power requirement may limit placement options, the trade-off delivers faster, more predictable results that make complex outdoor cooking accessible to home chefs of all skill levels.

ReasonS to Buy

    • Multi-function performance with 5 cook modes: grill, smoke, bake, griddle, roast

    • Convection fan technology for faster, more even heating

    • Integrated pellet tray adds smoke flavor with no extra smoker needed

    • Fast preheat: 500°F in just over 6 minutes

    • Solid build quality with 130 lbs of weather-resistant materials

    • Excellent value for cooks who want a single device that does it all

Reason to Avoid

    • Must be plugged in to use fan and electronic controls (limits placement)

    • Pellet tray requires frequent refills during long smokes (every 30–40 minutes)

Ninja FlexFlame PG301 Specs

BTU OutputBTU Output37,000
BurnersBurners3
Cooking AreaCooking Area544 sq. in.
FuelFuelPropane + 120V electric
WeightWeight80 lbs

Design

The Ninja FlexFlame PG301 isn’t just a grill—it’s a modular heat machine disguised as backyard gear. Ninja went all-in on this propane-electric combo that redefines what outdoor cooking can look like. You get three burners, 37,000 BTUs of total heat output, that are horizontal not vertical, a convection fan that actually makes a difference, and five distinct cooking modes—all in one unit.

The Ninja feels solid at nearly 80 pounds and glides smoothly on its wheels. Side shelves are sturdy and practical, and the LED-lit controls keep it usable at night. Just remember: it needs an outdoor power outlet to run the convection fan and digital ignition.

The wood pellet tray is integrated neatly, adding light smoke flavor with no extra accessories needed. All this comes together in a clean, compact footprint offering 544 square inches of total cooking space (424 main + 120 warming rack).

Dimensions and Build

  • Width: 59.6 inches
  • Height: 48.3 inches
  • Depth: 25.1 inches
  • Weight: 130 lbs

The Ninja FlexFlame PG301 sports a medium-large footprint for a backyard grill but retains easy mobility thanks to smooth-rolling wheels and a balanced cart design. Its double-walled stainless steel hood, powder-coated base, and sturdy side shelves make it feel more premium than other grills in this price range. While the base is coated steel (not full stainless), it’s thick and resilient, during our testing the outside Lid temp. stayed below 97 degrees with the the internal Temp set at 500 degrees plus LED-lit dials, and convection fan integration are rare at this level.

grilling Performance

This is where the FlexFlame earns its name. During our preheat test, the grill hit 500°F in just 6 minutes and 22 seconds, with all burners set to high and the lid closed. That’s one of the fastest heat-up times we’ve recorded in this category, and it’s thanks in part to the built-in convection fan.

Heat distribution across the grates was mostly even. Our bread test revealed a slight cool spot in the rear section, but it stayed within a 10°F margin—solid performance overall. We recorded excellent searing results on burgers after just 3 minutes and cooked chicken thighs to a perfect 165°F in 23 minutes using the smoker mode at 400°F.

The grill recovered quickly during lid-open tests: when the lid was opened at 450°F, it dropped to 344°F and regained full temp in just 1 minute 20 seconds. At 350°F, it recovered in under a minute. This impressive rebound performance means you can check your food without worrying about extended cooking times or uneven results.

EASE OF USE

From unboxing to burgers, this grill keeps things simple. Assembly instructions were straightforward, and while build took about an hour, the result felt premium. The ignition system scored a 9/10—quick, reliable, and responsive. The knobs are intuitive and the LED lighting adds style without gimmickry.

Cleaning is about average. The grease tray is effective but slightly awkward to remove, especially when hot. That said, the grates cleaned up easily, and the pellet ash was minimal after a smoke session.

The digital interface and fan system are easy enough for beginners but precise enough for backyard perfectionists.

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    Who Should Buy

    • Home chefs who want an all-in-one grill + smoker + oven + griddle
    • Anyone with limited space who can’t fit multiple appliances
    • Backyard cooks looking for precise convection cooking and fast preheats
    • People who want light smoke flavor without investing in a full pellet smoker

    Who Shouldn’t Buy

    • Grillers who don’t have outdoor power (it must be plugged in)
    • Purists who want stronger smoke flavor from full pellet systems
    • Buyers who prefer stainless steel everything and top-tier weatherproofing
    • Users expecting built-in probes or app controls

    Product Comparison

    Ninja FlexFlame PG301 Review

    Monument Denali 605

    True Score

    90
    82
    75

    Ranking

    #

    1

    /

    3

    #

    2

    /

    3

    #

    3

    /

    3

    BTU Output

    37,000

    35,000

    84,000

    Burners

    3

    4

    6

    Cooking Area

    544 sq. in.

    533 sq. in.

    900 sq. in.

    Fuel

    Propane + 120V electric

    Propane

    Propane

    Weight

    80 lbs

    103 lbs

    72.3 lbs

    How it Compares

    Score Card

    E

    Expert Score

    90

    *.75

    We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

    C

    Customer Score

    92

    *.25

    We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

    True Score

    90

    Expert Scores

    • Smoked BBQ Source
      80

      Category Trust Rating

      80
      I threw everything at it—beef ribs, chicken, pizzas, even smoked cheese—and I gotta say, I… Read More

      By:

    • Gadget Review
      93

      Category Trust Rating

      90
      The Ninja FlexFlame PG301 isn’t just a grill—it’s a compact outdoor cooking powerhouse. If you…

      By:

      Rex Freiburger & Annemarije de Boer
    • The Barbecue Lab
      69

      Category Trust Rating

      69
      The Ninja Flex Flame is a versatile propane grill with a wood pellet feature for… Read More

      By:

      David Gafford

    Customer Scores

    Real Amazon User Reviews

    ⭐ Positive Reviews (Pros)

    • Multi-Cook Versatility & Results (5+ reviews):
      “I’ve baked sourdough, made pizza, grilled steaks—everything turned out amazing. It’s the only grill I need now.”
      – ★★★★★ Verified Purchase
    • Excellent Heat and Flavor (4+ reviews):
      “The convection fan really makes a difference. Chicken skin gets crispy, and food cooks evenly with no flare-ups.”
      – ★★★★★ Verified Purchase
    • Easy Assembly & Build Quality (3+ reviews):
      “Packaging and instructions were top notch. Everything was easy to assemble and feels premium.”
      – ★★★★★ Verified Purchase
    • Quick Preheat & Easy Cleanup (2+ reviews):
      “Heats to 500° in just over 6 minutes. Grease tray is big, and grates are easy to clean.”
      – ★★★★★ Verified Purchase

    ⚠️ Critical Reviews (Cons)

    • Requires Power Outlet (3+ reviews):
      “Be prepared to plug it in—no power, no fan or ignition. You’ll need an extension cord if your outlet’s far.”
      – ★★★★☆ Verified Purchase
    • Pellet Refill & Light Smoke (2 reviews):
      “Pellets only last 30–40 minutes, so you’ll need to keep refilling for longer smokes. Flavor is subtle, not intense.”
      – ★★★★☆ Verified Purchase