Ninja SS351 Foodi Power Blender Review

When it comes to blending up all kinds of recipes in the kitchen, having a reliable machine is so important. As a blender lover, I’m always on the lookout for appliances that can handle whatever I throw at them. 

So when I heard about the Ninja SS351 Foodi Power Blender hitting the market, I was definitely intrigued. Ninja is a brand most people have used before and trusted for muscle through tougher jobs. So, the promise of a blender powerful enough for everything from smoothies to dough got me excited to test it out.

In this review, I’ll share my experience with this model. By the end, you’ll have a good idea if this blender has what it takes to become your new go-to tool for recipes of all kinds.

Also, I compared this blender with 6 different blenders so that I can see how it can beat its competitors.

So keep reading to learn my honest take on how It stacks up.

Overall Size and Weight

This full-size blender stands at 14.3 inches tall, which fits nicely under my kitchen cabinets. I appreciate that it’s a bit shorter than some other models, making it easy to access without having to shuffle things around.

The width is 8.0 inches, giving it a slim profile that doesn’t crowd my counter space. I have room for other kitchen gadgets, which is a plus. With a depth of 8.3 inches, it fits comfortably without sticking out too much. I didn’t realize how important that would be until I started blending and needed space for my ingredients.

At 8.2 pounds, it feels solid but is still manageable. I can move it around without too much hassle, and it stays in place while blending. It’s heavy enough to feel sturdy, which I like when I’m making smoothies or soups.

One thing to note is that this model doesn’t have an immersion blender attachment, so there’s no shaft length to consider. I found this blender to be slightly smaller than the Ninja TB401 and Ninja BL770, but it’s still bulky enough to require dedicated space. I’ve chosen to keep it on my counter, but if you prefer a clutter-free look, you’ll want to make sure you have a large cupboard for storage.

The main jar is removable, which makes it much easier to store when I’m not using it. Overall, the Ninja SS351 is a substantial appliance that has impressed me with its performance and versatility. It’s powerful enough to handle various tasks, and I’m happy with how it fits into my kitchen routine.

Jar Capacity and Material with LID

The Ninja SS351 Foodi Power Blender comes with impressive jar capacities that make it versatile for various recipes. The main jar has a generous capacity of 72 ounces, which translates to 64 ounces of liquid. This size is perfect for making large batches of smoothies, soups, or sauces. I found that it allows me to blend enough for the whole family in one go, which saves time during meal prep.

In addition to the main jar, there is a 24-ounce personal jar included. This smaller jar is ideal for single-serve recipes, especially when I’m craving a quick smoothie. It’s easy to use and perfect for making just enough for one person. There’s also a 14-ounce option called the "Smoothie Bowl Maker" or "Power Nutri Bowl." This jar is designed for smaller batches of thicker recipes, such as nut butter or smoothies packed with frozen fruit. I love how this option allows me to create thicker textures without wasting ingredients.

When it comes to the lid, it features a locking mechanism that secures it in place during blending. I appreciate this design because it ensures that nothing spills out while I’m blending. The lid has a small, window-like spout, which makes it convenient to pour ingredients in or out. There’s a release button that allows me to easily remove the lid from the jar when I’m done blending. However, it’s important to align the lid correctly with the spout corner of the jar to lock it into place properly.

Motor Built Quality 

The Ninja SS351 Foodi Power Pitcher System is designed with good build quality. Most of the blender is made from plastic, but the thickness varies between different parts. The motor base is also plastic, but it doesn't have a premium or thick feel to it. This might be a concern for some users looking for a more robust base.

However, the jars and lids are a different story. They feel sturdier because they are a bit thicker than the base. This gives me more confidence when using them for blending. The Power Nutri Bowl jar has a manually rotating arm mechanism that feels well-built and reliable. This feature adds to its overall quality and makes blending easier.

The base transmission is made of plastic, but it connects securely to the blade assembly’s rubber transmission. This design helps ensure that everything works smoothly during blending. Additionally, the blender has four suction cup feet. These feet are a great feature because they keep the blender in place while I’m using it, preventing any slipping or movement.

Blade Quality and Speed

The Power Pitcher System offers two different blade setups to handle different blending needs. The full-size pitcher that holds up to 72 ounces uses a set of six sharp blades that can easily be removed for cleaning. Having the blades detachable is super convenient when dealing with messy ingredients that tend to stick. 

The two smaller jars that hold 24 ounces and 14 ounces respectively come equipped with what Ninja calls "Hybrid Edge Blades". These consist of eight total blades that screw directly onto the bottom of the jars. Both blade configurations are top-rack dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze even after pulverizing tougher foods.

In terms of power, the system delivers a solid 1200 watts of motor force. This provides enough oomph for most blending tasks around the home. It can pulverize ice with ease and thoroughly mix thick batters. Where it could potentially struggle is with extremely fibrous ingredients like leafy greens or tough vegetables. 

The speed range spans from a minimum of 1300 RPM up to a max of 4000 RPM. While this offers some adjustability, the differences between the 10 preset speeds aren't huge. You don't get extremely fine control. And the top speed of 4000 RPM isn't lightning fast compared to higher-end blenders. 

This could be an issue when pureeing very thick mixtures that pack a lot of fiber and need that extra boost of velocity to completely break down. You may need to use short pulsing at higher speeds and scrape down the sides more. However, for smoothies, nut butters, and average blending jobs, the power and speeds should perform well.

The multiple speed settings and 1200 watts do provide a good amount of versatility for most home cooks and bakers. The convenience of the detachable blades and dishwasher-safe parts makes it a solid, hassle-free choice for everyday use. Just be aware of its minor limitations with super fibrous ingredients or very thick mixtures.

The Ninja SS351 blender comes equipped with not one, but two sets of blade assemblies. The first is used with a full-size jar and has six sharp blades. You can also remove these blades so that you can wash them. The additional jars have 'Hybrid Edge Blades', which come with eight sharp blades. They screw onto the additional jars. Both sets of blade assemblies are safe to toss in the dishwasher.

Performance 

Smoothie 

I've found the Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System does a great job with smaller amounts of fibrous ingredients. It's able to turn something like kale into a luxuriously smooth puree with just a few tiny flecks remaining. Some less powerful blenders might leave more chunky bits in the mix.

While it does an admirable job of puréeing greens and other fibrous foods, you do need to let it run for an extended period to fully break everything down. It takes a bit more time than other models to reach that ultra-silky consistency. But I think the tradeoff is worth it for the blender's versatility.

The large pitcher does an especially impressive job with leafy greens and other tough foods. After pulsing and blending for a minute or two, the texture is luxuriously creamy. You'll only find the smallest specks of fiber left, a real testament to its blending prowess.

Making Soup

The Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System is a powerful blender, but it does have some limitations when it comes to blending hot ingredients. It’s not designed for hot blending, so you need to let your ingredients cool down before adding them to the jar. This can be a bit of a hassle if you’re in a hurry or if you're used to blending soups right after cooking.

Additionally, I noticed that the blender struggles with fibrous vegetables like kale or broccoli. When I tried to make pureed soups or sauces, I found that it didn’t achieve the smooth texture I was hoping for. The blades have trouble breaking down tougher ingredients, which can be frustrating if you're looking for that silky consistency.

On the bright side, the Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System has a spacious 72-ounce main jar. This large capacity is great because it allows me to fit a full recipe in one batch. I appreciate not having to blend in multiple rounds, especially when I’m cooking for a group.

Nut Butter

The Ninja SS351 foodi system does an incredible job making nut butter using the smaller "Smoothie Bowl Maker" jar. This 14-ounce container has a really neat feature - a rotating arm mechanism that stirs the ingredients for you. You simply turn the knob on top and it does all the work.

This is a huge time saver compared to other blenders where you'd need to constantly stop and manually stir the mixture inside the main pitcher. The compact jar also helps keep the nuts close to the blades for fast, even processing. Within just a few minutes, you can end up with silky smooth nut butter that's ready to spread!

The auto-stirring makes the whole process low effort while producing fantastic results. No more tedious stirring between pulses. Just load up the jar, blend, and let the rotating arm do its thing. Before long you'll be rewarded with a luxuriously creamy nut butter. It's a fantastic tool for homemade nut butter and other blended recipes like nut milk that require stirring.

Making Dough 

The Ninja SS351 Foodi Power Blender comes with a large 72-ounce pitcher that’s perfect for making dough. I found this size to be ideal when I need to prepare large batches, whether it’s for bread, pizza, or any other dough-based recipe. The pitcher’s capacity means I can mix a substantial amount of dough in one go, which is incredibly convenient when baking for a group or preparing meals ahead of time.

One of the standout features is the dough mixer. It has the torque to fold in ingredients quickly and evenly, which is something I really appreciate. When I’m in a hurry or don’t want to spend too much time mixing, this blender gets the job done efficiently. In fact, it can mix up to 2 pounds of dough in as little as 30 seconds. This speed doesn’t compromise the quality of the dough either. The ingredients are well-incorporated, and the texture comes out just right, whether I’m making soft, fluffy bread or a crispy pizza crust.

Overall, the Ninja SS351’s pitcher and dough mixer make it a fantastic tool for anyone who enjoys baking. It takes the effort out of mixing, and the large capacity means I can prepare big batches without breaking a sweat.

How to Use Ninja SS351 Foodi Power Blender

This Ninja Foodi blender gives you a nice balance of manual control alongside some helpful preset functions. At the center is a dial that serves dual purposes - letting you either select specific speeds or start built-in blending programs.

When you want full control, simply toggle it to manual mode with a press of the iQ button. Then use the dial to choose from 10 different speed levels, displayed clearly on the screen. This allows for fine-tuning textures exactly how you like.

Or, if you're short on time or just want an "easy button", opt for one of the 5 program cycles instead. 

The Smoothie setting blends for a solid 65 seconds - plenty of time to puree thicker mixtures into a silky drink. The bowl is slightly shorter at 40 seconds, perfect for lighter mixtures you'll top with fruit or granola.

Spread runs for 75 seconds to whip nut butter or hummus until ultra creamy. Chop zips through dicing tasks in a lightning-fast 5 seconds. And Dough kneads dough for 45 seconds so you don't have to muscle through it by hand.

An extra Extract program (also 75 seconds) is only available in the mini jars, ideal for small batches of nut milk. Whichever you choose, the display counts down so you know when it's done.

A pulse button comes in handy for tasks like crushing ice. And an interesting note - if using a mini jar in manual mode, it automatically defaults to the highest speed setting 10 for maximum power in a small container.

How to Clean Ninja SS351 Foodi Power Blender

The cleaning process for this Ninja ss351 foodi power blender & processor system varies a bit depending on the container. The smaller "Smoothie Bowl Maker" jar is easy to cleanse. Simply add soapy water and run the blender to swish it all around.

Any remnants clinging to the auto-stirring arms come off with a quick scrub. The jar opening is also wide enough to fit your hand, so no fiddly brushes are required. It's a pretty painless process overall.

On the other hand, cleaning the main large pitcher can be more of a chore. You have to concentrate when dealing with those sharp blades. It's easy to slip up and nick yourself if you're not careful.

The mechanism where the blades connect to the bottom also tends to trap food particles, making it tricky to scrub away messes. I find myself having to dismantle that entire assembly to properly disinfect all the nooks and crannies.

Noise Level

When it comes to noise levels, this blender definitely leans toward the louder side. Blenders naturally tend to be noisy appliances since they involve high-powered blades whirling at top speeds. 

But based on the decibel readings, this model surpasses what I'd consider average loudness. Then again, the average loudness for a blender is still pretty loud!

I've found some other full-sized options on the market that manage to blend just as well with slightly less grating volume levels. Models like the Ninja BL642 and Ninja BN801 blend just as smoothly while cutting down on a few decibels of noise pollution in the kitchen. 

If noise is a big consideration, those alternatives may be worth looking at instead. But for most people, the power and performance of this Ninja will probably outweigh noisier operation as a minor tradeoff. Just be prepared to raise the volume on your playlist while blending!

My Verdict

After putting the Ninja SS351 through its paces over many recipes, I think it's safe to say this blender delivers impressive power and performance for multiple purposes. While it has some limitations, the versatility, and overall blending quality make it a great option.

Pros include the outstanding ice-crushing ability, smooth consistency when pureeing foods, and convenient programmable settings. Cleanup is also simple compared to other high-powered machines. I also appreciated how compact it is for the countertop.

As for drawbacks, I did find it can struggle a bit with super thick mixtures or very fibrous ingredients like leafy greens. The noise level is on the loud side, though not unusual for a powerful blender.

Considering the price point, I think Ninja has created a blender that can stand up to daily use in most home kitchens. It may not be the absolute best at everything, but comes pretty darn close at a much more affordable cost than competitors.