Ninja Slushi Assessment

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

I nonetheless love a very good slushie, and whereas blue raspberry will all the time 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 capability to whip up tasty frozen treats at residence. So, within the spirit of my five-year-old self, I gave it a attempt, utilizing it to make frozen juice, a slushy, a frappé, and a cocktail to see if it was any good. 

The Checks

• 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 wash. 
• 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 Simple to Use, and the Outcomes Had been Surprisingly Good 

I went into testing anticipating to should 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 stage (one to 10). The auger inside began spinning, splashing the liquid over a relaxing steel cylinder, slowly freezing it into chilly, crystalline items. As soon as it reached the correct consistency, the machine beeped to let me understand it was completed. 

Whereas not precisely as easy and silky as a drink made with an industrial machine, the entire treats I made have 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 way 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 notice about alcoholic drinks: Since alcohol inhibits freezing, a spiked slushie made with the Ninja can solely be gently alcoholic. Ninja’s Painkiller recipe referred to as for 1 / 4 cup of rum, and the drink served two to 3 folks, which shakes out to a bit of over a tablespoon of rum per individual (method lower than the customary two ounces). 

It’s Massive—However Quiet 

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

Contemplating how huge 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 manual notes that “creating drinks can take as much as 15–60 minutes relying on elements, quantity, and beginning temperature.” I’d err on the aspect of warning right here, particularly should you’re planning to serve a gaggle. Once I made a cider slushie with the Slush perform on stage six (the frozen-level vary is from one to 10), it took about an hour for the two.25 cups of juice to turn into a cohesive slush. Whereas the frozen Painkiller got here collectively in about 45 minutes, the cider slushie stored 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 pattern and took a mere 18 minutes to coagulate right into a slurpable deal with. 

Along with planning your recipe forward of time, Ninja recommends preserving the machine “upright for at the very 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 properly with a wide range of elements, even dairy and alcohol. The machine is massive, although, so if storage or counter area is a matter, be warned. 

Professionals

The Ninja Slushi does its namesake activity properly. It efficiently made frosty frozen juice, slurpable slushies, and frothy frappés. I preferred how straightforward it was to make use of: Simply open the latch on the tank, add your elements, choose your perform and freeze stage, 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 couple of pitfalls. First, its massive stature makes it troublesome to retailer, and in case you have low cupboards, good luck becoming it in your countertop. Second, the dispenser isn’t tremendous environment friendly—you must preserve the machine operating to serve slushies, which plop and glop right into a glass relatively 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 a bit of messy to wash too. Some liquid collected within the catch basin beneath the tank and spilled all over the place once I eliminated it. Lastly, it’s costly contemplating it seemingly gained’t be used day by day—except 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)
• Capabilities: Slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, and frozen juice
• Cleansing: Run rinse cycle to wash 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 Consultants

• Grace Kelly is an editor at Severe Eats, the place she makes a speciality of 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.