Ninja Slushi Evaluate

After I was a child there was nothing fairly like an ice-cold blue raspberry comfort retailer Slurpee to get me by means of the day. (It’s powerful being a five-year-old.) That blue, saccharine slushie was virtually creamy, with a fizzy tang from the neon syrup blended in. It was an enormous deal with since my mother and father had been staunchly anti-junk meals, save for the occasional field of mac and cheese. 

I nonetheless love an excellent slushie, and whereas blue raspberry will at all times maintain a spot in my coronary heart, I’ve additionally developed a liking for extra grownup frozen treats: icy margaritas, frosé, or a luscious, creamy piña colada. Whereas these are normally reserved for restaurant orders, the Ninja Slushi has been making waves on-line for its means to whip up tasty frozen treats at house. So, within the spirit of my five-year-old self, I gave it a strive, utilizing it to make frozen juice, a slushy, a frappé, and a cocktail to see if it was any good. 

The Assessments

• Frozen Juice Check: I used the Frozen Juice perform to show orange juice into an icy combination, noting how straightforward it was to fill and dispense from the machine. I additionally evaluated the ultimate texture and style, and if the machine was straightforward to scrub. 
• Slushie Check: I made an apple cider slushie utilizing the Slushie perform. I famous how lengthy it took to freeze, the ensuing texture, and if the machine was straightforward to make use of and clear. 
• Frozen Cocktail Check: I adopted a Ninja recipe for a frozen Painkiller. I needed to see how the Ninja Slushi carried out when making an alcoholic beverage since alcohol can inhibit freezing. 
• Frappé Check: I adopted a Ninja recipe for a pumpkin spice frappé to see how the machine dealt with a dairy-based drink. 

What We Discovered 

It Was Straightforward to Use, and the Outcomes Have been Surprisingly Good 

I went into testing anticipating to need to pore over the handbook. However the Slushi proved straightforward to make use of. I simply poured liquids into the tank, turned the machine on, after which chosen the perform (slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, or frozen juice) and freeze degree (one to 10). The auger inside began spinning, splashing the liquid over a relaxing metallic cylinder, slowly freezing it into chilly, crystalline items. As soon as it reached the right consistency, the machine beeped to let me comprehend it was completed. 

Whereas not precisely as clean and silky as a drink made with an industrial machine, the entire treats I made had been frosty and scrumptious. The cider slushy was frozen into small, even flakes, whereas the pumpkin spice frappe had a chunky however flaky texture that was straightforward to sip by means of a straw. I used to be most impressed with the Painkiller spiked slush, which had a near-creamy texture with very positive ice flakes. General, whether or not it was juice, a dairy delight, or a frozen cocktail, the Ninja efficiently froze every thing I put in it. 

A fast be aware about alcoholic drinks: Since alcohol inhibits freezing, a spiked slushie made with the Ninja can solely be gently alcoholic. Ninja’s Painkiller recipe known as for 1 / 4 cup of rum, and the drink served two to a few folks, which shakes out to somewhat over a tablespoon of rum per particular person (means lower than the customary two ounces). 

It’s Massive—However Quiet 

The slushie machines I’ve seen in eating places and comfort shops are giant; they need to be since they maintain gallons of slush able to serve all day. Whereas the Ninja Slushi is much from as large as its industrial cousins, it nonetheless takes up an excellent quantity of counter and space for storing. It’s 16.3 by 6.5 by 17 inches and has an 88-ounce-capacity tank (about 11 cups), that means you probably have low cupboards, it won’t match. I fortunately had cupboards that had been tall sufficient to accommodate it, however storage proved tougher. I wound up relegating it to the basement after use. So, in case you really need the Ninja Slushi, be prepared for its giant measurement. 

Contemplating how large it was and the way lengthy it ran when chilling liquids, the Slushi was surprisingly quiet. Assume dishwasher-running background noise—hardly the screech of the Ninja Creami, one other icy deal with machine. 

It Can Take a Lengthy Time 

The handbook notes that “creating drinks can take as much as 15–60 minutes relying on components, quantity, and beginning temperature.” I’d err on the aspect of warning right here, particularly in case you’re planning to serve a bunch. After I made a cider slushie with the Slush perform on degree six (the frozen-level vary is from one to 10), it took about an hour for the two.25 cups of juice to turn out to be a cohesive slush. Whereas the frozen Painkiller got here collectively in about 45 minutes, the cider slushie saved churning for an additional 30, which was puzzling. The machine didn’t beep and as a substitute mechanically shut off when the combination turned too thick. (I’m not likely positive what occurred right here.) The frappé bucked the longer timeline development and took a mere 18 minutes to coagulate right into a slurpable deal with. 

Along with planning your recipe forward of time, Ninja recommends holding the machine “upright for at the least 2 hours earlier than first use.” That is its pure state, so it ought to be straightforward sufficient to do. 

The Verdict 

The Ninja Slushi machine was straightforward to make use of and produced properly textured frozen drinks. It labored effectively with a wide range of components, even dairy and alcohol. The machine is giant, although, so if storage or counter house is a matter, be warned. 

Professionals

The Ninja Slushi does its namesake process effectively. It efficiently made frosty frozen juice, slurpable slushies, and frothy frappés. I appreciated how straightforward it was to make use of: Simply open the latch on the tank, add your components, choose your perform and freeze degree, and the machine will begin whirring. The rinse perform was useful, too, making it simpler to completely clear the tank of any sugary residue. 

Cons 

It’s not all enjoyable and video games with the Ninja Slushi—there are a number of pitfalls. First, its giant stature makes it troublesome to retailer, and you probably have low cupboards, good luck becoming it in your countertop. Second, the dispenser isn’t tremendous environment friendly—you must hold the machine operating to serve slushies, which plop and glop right into a glass reasonably than stream easily. The feel of the frozen drinks, whereas good, wasn’t fairly as silky as ones made by an industrial machine. It was somewhat messy to scrub too. Some liquid collected within the catch basin beneath the tank and spilled in all places after I eliminated it. Lastly, it’s costly contemplating it probably gained’t be used every day—until you’re a slushie fiend. 

Key Specs 

• Dimensions: 16.3 x 6.5 x 17 inches
• Weight: 24.25 kilos
• Wattage: 200 watts
• Tank capability: 88 fluid ounces (11 cups)
• Features: Slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, and frozen juice
• Cleansing: Run rinse cycle to scrub nooks and crannies. Then, take away the tank and wash with heat, soapy water. Rinse totally and permit to air dry. 

Why We’re the Specialists

• Grace Kelly is an editor at Critical Eats, the place she focuses on all issues kitchen gear. 
• She’s been reviewing kitchen gear for about three years. 
• She labored in restaurant kitchens and bars and has been a journalist for almost 10 years.  
• For this overview, Grace examined the Ninja Slushi by indulging her childhood hankering for slushies and testing almost each perform.