This versatile three-in-one unit is the Swiss Army knife of slow cookers.
Ry Crist
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
At a price of $199, the Ninja Cooking System is really three appliances in one: a slow cooker, an electric stovetop, and a countertop oven.
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Dial-a-meal
The well-designed dials on the front of the Ninja make it easy to select your cooking mode, as well as to adjust the time and temperature.
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Roomy cooking pot
The six-quart cooking pot is dishwasher safe and capable of holding enough food for the whole family.
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Slow cooker mac 'n' cheese
We slow-cooked roast chicken, pot roast, and white beans in the Ninja, all of which passed our taste tests. We even tried a slow cooker macaroni and cheese recipe, and the Ninja's batch got some of the highest marks.
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Countertop baking
Switch the Ninja into oven mode, and you'll be able to bake foods like these sweet potato waffle fries at temperatures up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Stovetop style cooking
In stovetop mode, you can cook at low, medium, or high temperatures. The Ninja nailed this frozen Gorgonzola gnocchi entree.
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Accessories
The Ninja comes with a metal roasting rack that makes steam baking a cinch (just add liquid below the rack). You'll also get a silicone muffin tray and a baking pan.
