The wind howled outside my window. Cold rain hit the glass hard. I looked at the raw meat on my counter. I felt very hungry. I wanted a good meal. But, my patio was completely flooded. I needed a quick indoor fix. I plugged in my hot indoor grill. This rainy day sparked my deep Ninja Bg550co Vs Fg551 debate. Both machines promise quick, tasty meals indoors. I put them to a hard test to see which one wins.
Ninja Bg550co Review
I bought this club model at a big box store. The box was huge and heavy. I set it up on my clean counter. You can cook thick steaks right inside your house.
Pros and Cons
Let us break down the good and the bad. No machine is totally perfect.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cooks thick meat very fast | Unit is heavy to move |
| Makes dark, neat grill marks | Takes up major counter space |
| Keeps smoke out of the room | Cooling fan runs very loud |
My Two-Month Test
I plugged this grill in every single day for two solid months. My family really loves to eat fresh meat. We tried plain chicken breasts first. I used simple salt, black pepper, and garlic. The machine beeped loud when it was hot.
I dropped the raw chicken right in. It hissed loudly upon hitting the hot grate. Thick smoke stayed trapped inside the big machine. My kitchen air stayed completely clear. I felt so happy about that simple fact. The meat was so soft and pink inside.
Recommendation
I tell my close friends to buy this. It is truly perfect for large, hungry families. It cooks fast and saves you precious time. Do not buy it if you live in a tiny home. It will eat all your counter space.
Ninja Fg551 Review
This is the standard model you see in most normal stores. It has a shiny silver front finish. You get six distinct ways to cook your daily food. It can air fry, bake, roast, and grill with ease.
Pros and Cons
Here are the strong points and the weak points. I learned these firm facts through hard daily use.
| Pros | Cons |
| Perfect meat doneness every time | Bulky and tall box design |
| Very easy digital button controls | Preheating can take a while |
| Great slick, non-stick wash parts | Power cord is a bit short |
Real Daily Use
I woke up early one morning to make a big breakfast. I threw thick bacon strips into the deep air fry basket. The hot fat dripped right down into the bottom pan. The bacon came out so perfectly crisp. It snapped loudly when I bit right into it.
I must also talk about the smart cook system. It fully changes the cooking game. I put raw, frozen salmon right on the hot grate. I stuck the metal probe deep inside. The fish cooked perfectly. It flaked apart smoothly with a basic fork.
Recommendation
This exact model is great for daily home cooks. If you want one machine to do six jobs, buy this. It works like a true kitchen workhorse. Think hard if you really hate loud noise, though. The fan is quite loud.
Detail Comparison for Ninja Bg550co Vs Fg551
We have looked closely at both big units on their own. Now, we must put them head to head. I will break down this tight fight into five key areas. This deep look will help you make a very smart choice.
Capacity & Size: Ninja Bg550co Vs Fg551
Both of these solid machines are absolute giants. They command total respect on your kitchen counter. I tried to fit six huge burgers on the grates. They fit easily with extra room to spare. The deep air fry basket is huge. I poured an entire bag of frozen fries right into it. They all cooked hot at the exact same time.
| Feature | Ninja Bg550co | Ninja Fg551 |
| Hot Grill Grate | Fits 6 large steaks | Fits 6 large steaks |
| Air Fry Basket | Holds 4 full quarts | Holds 4 full quarts |
| Unit Footprint | Very large and bulky | Very large and bulky |
Rating: Ninja Bg550co: 9/10, Ninja Fg551: 9/10
Cooking Performance: Ninja Bg550co Vs Fg551
Raw heat is the name of the game here. Both grills blast hot air in a fast circle. They hit five hundred degrees very fast. This extreme heat sears the raw meat fast. It traps the sweet juices deep inside. I cooked pork chops on both machines at the same time. I could not taste any difference. They both gave me dark, sweet grill marks.
| Feature | Ninja Bg550co | Ninja Fg551 |
| Max Heat Level | 500 Degrees F | 500 Degrees F |
| Hot Fan Speed | Blows very fast | Blows very fast |
| Meat Sear Quality | Dark, deep grill marks | Dark, deep grill marks |
Rating: Ninja Bg550co: 10/10, Ninja Fg551: 10/10
Temperature Range & Controls: Ninja Bg550co Vs Fg551
You do not need a math degree to use these grills. The digital light screens are bright and bold. The clean buttons react to a very soft touch. You can set the heat very low if needed. I made tough beef jerky on the dehydrate mode. It took long hours, but it worked great. The smart probe plugs right into the front face.
| Feature | Ninja Bg550co | Ninja Fg551 |
| Front Panel Style | Easy digital buttons | Easy digital buttons |
| Total Heat Range | Wide cooking scope | Wide cooking scope |
| Meat Thermometer | Built-in dual sensor | Built-in dual sensor |
Rating: Ninja Bg550co: 9/10, Ninja Fg551: 9/10
Cleaning & Maintenance: Ninja Bg550co Vs Fg551
Cooking is fun, but washing dishes is a chore. Both big grills use a dark ceramic coat on the parts. This slick coat is very smooth. Sticky BBQ sauce wipes right off with a wet rag. I love that I can put the main parts in my dish washer. It saves my tired hands. The top metal screen stops grease from hitting the heat coils. This screen gets filthy.
| Feature | Ninja Bg550co | Ninja Fg551 |
| Slick Grate Coat | Ceramic non-stick | Ceramic non-stick |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes, for main parts | Yes, for main parts |
| Hard Scrub Effort | Medium for top guard | Medium for top guard |
Rating: Ninja Bg550co: 8/10, Ninja Fg551: 8/10
Build Quality & Design: Ninja Bg550co Vs Fg551
These units are not cheap plastic toys at all. They are built to last for many long years. The heavy base units feel like solid metal safes. The top lids swing open on thick, strong hinges. They do not wobble or shake. The neat silver and black color scheme looks very clean. The standard parts feel completely identical. I could swap the metal grates, and they fit perfect.
| Feature | Ninja Bg550co | Ninja Fg551 |
| Unit Main Look | Sleek silver and black | Sleek silver and black |
| Top Lid Hinge | Very thick and sturdy | Very thick and sturdy |
| Total Overall Feel | Very heavy and solid | Very heavy and solid |
Rating: Ninja Bg550co: 9/10, Ninja Fg551: 9/10
Conclusion
My grand kitchen test has come to an end. The tight Ninja Bg550co Vs Fg551 fight ends in a pure tie. They share the same smart brain. They share the exact same power. Go find the best low price online today. Buy the exact one that is on major sale.