Ninja Foodi MAX SmartLid Multi-Cooker

Assembling the Cook & Crisp™ Basket

Always install the cooking pot before adding accessories or ingredients.

1. Place the diffuser on a flat surface.
2. Place the basket on the diffuser.
3. Press down firmly.

Helpful Hints:

• When following a recipe, always use the exact amount of liquid, even when scaling down proteins or vegetables. Refer to the Recipe Guide for exact liquid measurements for beans, grains, starches, and more.
• When using Combi-Steam mode functions, always add liquid to the pot. Any liquid can be used for pressure cooking. Use broths or sauces instead of water to infuse additional flavor.
• Always use a minimum of 250ml of liquid. Depending on your recipe, you may need up to 750ml.
• To convert oven recipes, use the Bake function and reduce the cook temperature by 10°C.
• When switching from pressure cooking to crisping, empty the pot of any remaining liquid for best crisping results.

Lifting the Lid and Using the SmartLid Slider™

Move the slider from left to right to unlock 3 modes and 15 cooking functions.

Opening & Closing the Lid:

Always use the lift tab to open the lid, pointing away from you, and to close the lid to keep your hand away from hot steam and convection heat. The lift tab is NOT a handle. Opening the lid from the side may result in serious burns.

Using the 2-Tier Reversible Rack

Reversible Rack - Higher Position: Grill chicken, steak, fish, and more.

Reversible Rack - Lower Position: Steam vegetables or use it to elevate baking tins for even airflow.

2-Tier Assembly: Increase capacity for complete Combi-Steam meals or to cook up to 8 chicken breasts or fish fillets at once.

Assembling the 2-Tier Reversible Rack:

1. Place the Reversible Rack in the pot in the lower position. Note: For easier cleaning, coat the rack with cooking spray before placing ingredients on it.
2. Drop the top layer through the reversible rack handles. Note: Place ingredients on the lower layer before adding the top layer. Make sure the top layer's handles are facing up when you slide it over the bottom layer.
3. The top layer will fit securely into handle slots.

Pressure Cooking Tips

• If the unit is not coming to pressure, check that the silicone ring is fully installed by pressing it into place all around the metal ring rack. Make sure the ring is completely clean and undamaged.
• The time to build pressure will vary based on selected pressure, temperature of the pot, and temperature and quantity of the ingredients (up to 20 minutes or more). Frozen and/or large amounts of ingredients will increase the time to pressure significantly (45 minutes or more).

Pressure Release Options:

• Natural Release: The unit will naturally depressurize when the cook time ends. The heat will turn off, but the food inside will continue to cook with the residual steam. This is used for large or delicate foods and any starchy ingredients.
• Quick Release: Quick release is used for smaller foods or ingredients that are sensitive to overcooking. DO NOT quick release pressure when cooking starchy or foamy foods. To quick release, use the dial to select this option.
• Delayed Release: Set delayed release for recipes that require more time at pressure once the cook time has ended. If selected, the default time will be 10 minutes; adjust the time by selecting the RELEASE PRESSURE button and then using the up and down arrows. The unit will then quick release pressure. This is especially useful for rice and grains.

Note: Steam exits from the top of the Pressure Release Valve. DO NOT reach over the valve.

Using the Control Panel

A. SMARTLID SLIDER™: There are 3 positions to the SmartLid Slider™. Each position controls a different set of functions.

1. PRESSURE
2. COMBI-STEAM MODE
3. AIR FRY/HOB

B. RELEASE PRESSURE button: Use to quickly release pressure or program Delayed Release settings. This will illuminate only after the Pressure function begins.

C. Left Arrows: Use the up and down arrows to the left of the display to adjust the cook temperature or outcome when using the digital cooking probe.

D. Right Arrows: Use the up and down arrows to the right of the display to adjust the cook time or food type when using the probe.

E. PRESET button: Choose the option of using the digital cooking probe to cook meat or fish exactly as you like it.

F. MANUAL button: Switches the display screen so you can manually set the internal outcome when using the probe.

G. START/STOP button: Press to start cooking. Pressing this button while the unit is cooking will stop the current function.

H. KEEP WARM: After pressure cooking, steaming, or slow cooking, the unit will automatically switch to KEEP WARM mode and start counting up. KEEP WARM will stay on for 12 hours. You may press the KEEP WARM button or the START/STOP button to turn it off.

Dial: As soon as the SmartLid Slider™ is in 1 of the 3 available positions, the available functions will illuminate. Use the dial to select one of the available functions.

Power button: The power button turns the unit on and off and stops all cooking functions.

Using the Multi-Cooker Functions

1. Pressure Mode

“PrE ---” will display while pressure builds, then the timer will start counting down.

1. Place ingredients on the required accessory or in the pot. Add liquid according to the recipe.
2. Close lid. Move slider to the PRESSURE position to lock the lid. The slider will move only when the lid is closed.
3. Unit will default to NATURAL RELEASE. If desired, use the dial to select QUICK RELEASE or DELAYED RELEASE.
4. Turn the pressure release valve to SEAL.
5. Set temperature (HI or LO) and time. Press START/STOP.
6. “PrE” and progress bars indicate pressure is building. When the unit comes to pressure, the cook time will start counting down.
7. When cooking is complete, the unit will beep and pressure will release automatically if set to QUICK or DELAYED. The unit will then switch to Keep Warm and count up. Press the Release Pressure button to release pressure manually.
8. You may open the lid as soon as “OPN Lid” appears on the display.

Note: Lid remains locked during cooking.

2. Combi-Steam Mode

“PrE ---” will display while steam builds, then the timer will start counting down for convection cooking.

1. Add the required water or stock specified by the recipe.
2. Place ingredients on the required accessory.
3. Close the lid and move the slider to the Combi-Steam mode position. Turn the dial to select a function.
4. Turn the pressure release valve on the lid to SEAL or VENT (the position does not matter in this mode).
5. Set temperature and time for convection cooking. Steam temperature and time are auto-detected and don't need to be set. Press START/STOP.
6. “PrE” and progress bars indicate the unit is coming to steam temperature. When the unit switches to convection cooking, the timer will start counting down.

Note: Keep the lid closed to allow steam and convection heat to work together. Open the lid only if the recipe calls for it, as cooking will pause when the lid is open, and this could impact results.

3. Air Fry & Hob Mode

Cooking will start when you press START/STOP.

1. Place ingredients on the required accessory or in the pot.
2. Close the lid and move the slider to the right (AIR FRY/HOB). Turn the dial to select a function.
3. Turn the pressure release valve on the lid to SEAL or VENT (the position does not matter in this mode).
4. Set temperature and time. Press START/STOP.
5. Open the lid to pause Air Fry, Bake, Grill, or Prove. Close the lid to resume.

Functions in Air Fry & Hob Mode:

• Air Fry: Give foods crispiness and crunch with little to no oil. Use the Cook & Crisp™ Basket. Shake the basket or toss with silicone-tipped tongs for even browning.
• Grill: Cook at high heat to caramelize and brown foods. Use the Reversible Rack in the higher position.
• Bake: Prepare oven-tender meats, baked treats, and more. Use the Reversible Rack in the lower position or the Cook & Crisp™ Basket.
• Dehydrate: Dehydrate meats, fruits, and vegetables. Use the Reversible Rack with the top layer installed.
• Prove: Create an environment for dough to rest and rise. Use the Cook & Crisp™ Basket.
• Sear/Sauté: Brown meats, sauté vegetables, and simmer sauces.
• Steam: Gently cook delicate foods at a high temperature. Use the Reversible Rack in the lower position.
• Slow Cook: Cook at a lower temperature for longer periods of time.
• Yogurt: Make homemade yogurt.