Ninja has expanded its countertop appliance lineup with its first microwave, but the company is not treating it like a standard reheating box. The new Ninja Crispi Microwave pairs conventional microwave functions with an air fryer mode, giving users a way to move from heating food quickly to finishing it with hot air for a crisper result. According to the report, the appliance is intended to help avoid the limp texture that often comes with reheated food while also reducing the need for two separate kitchen devices.
The microwave goes on sale through SharkNinja’s online store for $449. It includes familiar presets such as popcorn, defrost, frozen dinner, and a setting for softening butter. Instead of a rotating plate, the 1,000-watt unit uses a flatbed interior, which Ninja says creates 40 percent more usable cooking space than a conventional microwave. The design is also meant to make cleaning easier, and the company says the open layout can fit two bags of popcorn or as many as four bowls of food.
How the air-fryer function works
After microwaving, the machine can switch to air fryer mode, which offers its own presets including air bake, max crisp, and air broil. Ninja says the air fryer can heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and uses a 5.5-quart glass container with an insert that allows air to circulate underneath the food. The container is said to hold an 8-pound chicken, and it ships with two lids: one for storage and another with a vent for steaming vegetables.
The product reflects a broader trend in kitchen technology: combining multiple cooking functions into a single appliance to save space and add convenience. In this case, Ninja is positioning the Crispi Microwave as a multitasker that can handle everyday microwave duties while also delivering a more finished texture for foods that would otherwise come out soft. For consumers, that means one countertop device could cover reheating, crisping, and even some air-baking tasks without requiring separate machines.
Source: theverge.com
