Ninja air fryer users discover 'hidden' feature that's left them mindblown

Ninja air fryer users are only just learning about a ‘hidden’ addition to their kitchen device that could prove essential when it comes to cooking Christmas dinner.

Whether you’re a brand-new air fryer user or have been a hardcore fan for years, there always seems to be something new to learn.

The latest lesson, which has gone viral on social media, is that the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone air fryer (model no AF451UK) houses a ‘secret’ accessory.

If you recently purchased one of the devices to help with your festive feast, then we implore you to look for a discreet compartment on the left side.

As shown by TikToker @bowesy5, inside you may find a small, digital probe that plugs into the front of the appliance and can be inserted into your food to monitor its temperature in real-time as it cooks.

The video, which has amassed more than 7.5 million views, even caught the attention of Ninja, who commented: “You lot really don’t read our manuals, do you.”

Other Ninja air fryer customers admitted the revelation had left them ‘mind-blown’.

What does a digital probe do?

A digital probe is designed to help you make sure your food is cooked through thoroughly - a must for Christmas turkey and other meats.

However, the Ninja probe differs slightly as it can be left inside the drawer while cooking. It can also sync with the Ninja app and update you with the internal temperature as it cooks.

If your air fryer doesn't come with a probe included, then don’t worry; you can buy a wireless version separately.

The official Ninja branded meat thermometer is currently on sale for 23 percent off.

That means instead of forking out £89.99, you can grab the gadget for £69.

If you’ve been worried about getting the bake just right on your Yule log, or just want to make sure your turkey is cooked to perfection, then this is the gadget for you.

More than 1,000 Amazon shoppers have purchased the Bluetooth hero in the past month, with almost 80 percent of reviewers giving it a five-star rating.

“Fantastic bit of kit, 100 percent recommended cooks everything to perfection,” said one happy shopper.

A second wrote: “Very impressed with this little gadget, it has really helped to achieve perfectly cooked meats. Brilliant results so far. Highly recommended.”

Ninja ProChef wireless meat probe features

• Bluetooth compatibility
• Long-lasting 30-hour battery life to cook without worry
• Heat-resistant up to 370°C
• Waterproof
• Engineered for indoor and outdoor use
• Can be used with Ninja appliances to get cooking recommendations and more accurate cooking times
• Can connect to downloadable mobile app for live updates
• In the box: Digital probe, charging case, 1x AA battery

How hot should me food actually be?

Unlike a traditional food thermometer, the Ninja probe is designed to be left in during the cooking progress.

This is so you can keep tabs on your food, making sure each item adheres to Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommendations

According to the FSA, the middle of your meat product should follow one of the below temperature/time combinations:

• 60°C for 45 minutes
• 65°C for 10 minutes
• 70°C for 2 minutes
• 75°C for 30 seconds
• 80°C for 6 seconds

Alternatives to the Ninja meat probe

If you think £69 is a little steep for a food thermometer, then perhaps this waterproof ThermoPro model will be more appealing.

For a limited time, the dinky device has 10 percent off the usual asking price, bringing it down from £9.99 to just £8.99.

The foldable, waterproof device also features a lock function, so you can continue looking at how hot your steak is without having to lean over the grill.

More than 75 percent of reviewers have awarded the ThermoPro food thermometer a five-star rating, with one calling it an ‘amazing piece of kit’.

“The accuracy is spot-on, and the display clarity is excellent for quick readings. It feels very durable, and the simple design is a great idea for quick use,” they continued. “It has delivered perfectly cooked meat every single time—does exactly what it should!”

A second reported: “Works perfectly! Feels quality, great value for money.”