Ninja OP500UK Review: 7.5L Foodi MAX Guide

Short answer: the Ninja Foodi MAX OP500UK is a UK 7.5-litre pressure multi-cooker with a separate 4.7-litre Cook & Crisp basket, a removable pressure lid and a permanently hinged crisping lid. It is useful when you genuinely want pressure cooking, slow cooking and air crisping in one large appliance. It is less suitable if your priority is a wide air-frying surface, a light appliance to store after every use, or a single uncomplicated lid.

Editorial disclosure: This is a specification-led review, not a hands-on test. We checked SharkNinja’s current OP500UK listing, the exact OP500UK instructions and current compatible-parts pages on 22 October 2026. Performance judgments below are limited to what the design and documented controls can support.

Confirm the model: OP500UK

“Ninja Foodi MAX” is used across several product families. This guide is specifically about the OP500UK, the UK 9-in-1 Foodi MAX with a 7.5-litre pressure-cooking pot and two-lid TenderCrisp layout. It is not the smaller OP350UK, a SmartLid OL-series cooker, or an AF400UK dual-drawer air fryer.

Checking the model label matters when buying accessories or a used unit. SharkNinja’s current parts listings identify the 4.7-litre basket, pressure lid, reversible rack and replacement silicone rings as OP500-compatible, but compatibility varies across the broader Foodi range.

Ninja OP500UK specifications

Specification	Officially documented detail
Model	OP500UK
Main cooking pot	7.5 L removable ceramic-coated non-stick pot
Air-crisp insert	4.7 L Cook & Crisp basket with detachable diffuser
Basket food claim	SharkNinja lists capacity for up to 1.8 kg of chips; practical browning may require smaller batches
Power	1,760 W
Electrical market	UK model, 230 V
Functions	Pressure Cook, Air Crisp/Air Fry, Slow Cook, Steam, Bake/Roast, Sear/Sauté, Grill, Yoghurt and Dehydrate
Air Crisp range	150–200°C in the OP500UK instructions
Bake/Roast range	120–200°C
Lids	Removable pressure lid plus attached hinged crisping lid
Included cooking accessories	7.5 L pot, 4.7 L Cook & Crisp basket, two-tier reversible rack and recipe guide
Weight	13.4 kg on SharkNinja’s current listing
Guarantee	Two years on the current UK product listing; registration and conditions may apply

The old version of this page called the OP500UK a 6.5-quart appliance. That figure does not match the current UK manufacturer listing. Seven and a half litres is about 7.9 US quarts, but the 4.7-litre crisping basket—not the pot conversion—is the more useful air-frying number.

Pot capacity is not air-frying capacity

The 7.5-litre figure describes the pressure-cooking pot. Food that needs circulating hot air sits in the smaller Cook & Crisp basket or on the reversible rack. SharkNinja describes the basket as 4.7 litres and says it can hold up to 1.8 kg of chips.

That maximum is not a promise of evenly browned chips in one dense load. Air frying works best when hot air can reach exposed surfaces, so a shallower batch with room to shake generally has a better chance of even browning than a tightly packed basket. Our air-fryer capacity guide explains why a headline litre figure should not be treated as usable crisping area.

For pressure cooking, soups, stews and layered meals, the large pot is the advantage. For chips, wings and breaded foods, a wide standalone basket or dual-drawer fryer may be easier to spread out.

How the two-lid system works

The OP500UK does not use one lid for every mode. The pressure lid twists into place for Pressure Cook. The crisping lid is permanently attached to the cooker on a hinge and is used for Air Crisp, Bake/Roast, Grill and Dehydrate.

This layout supports the Foodi’s key workflow: pressure-cook food until tender, release pressure safely, remove the pressure lid and lower the crisping lid to brown the surface. It can be practical for chicken, ribs, potatoes and casseroles with a crisp topping.

The trade-off is physical. The raised crisping lid needs vertical clearance, while the separate pressure lid needs somewhere clean and safe to sit when it is not in use. At 13.4 kg, the appliance is better planned as a counter resident than assumed to be something everyone will lift in and out of a high cupboard.

What the nine functions actually mean

Function	What changes	Practical use
Pressure Cook	Uses the locking pressure lid and sealed steam pressure	Beans, tougher meat, stocks and fast tenderising
Steam	Uses steam without the crisping heater	Vegetables, dumplings and delicate foods
Slow Cook	Long, lower-temperature cooking in the main pot	Stews, sauces and planned batch meals
Sear/Sauté	Direct heat in the pot with the lid open	Browning meat, softening onions and reducing sauces
Air Crisp	150–200°C circulating heat through the attached lid	Chips, wings, breaded food and crisping after pressure cooking
Bake/Roast	120–200°C oven-style heat	Roasts, breads, cakes and baked dishes sized for the pot
Grill	High top heat; the manual says temperature adjustment is not required	Browning toppings and grilling food on the raised rack
Dehydrate	Low heat for long timed sessions	Fruit, herbs and jerky prepared to an appropriate food-safety method
Yoghurt	Controlled incubation after milk preparation	Homemade yoghurt using the manual’s process

Nine buttons do not mean nine separate appliances disappear from every kitchen. The Foodi is strongest when its pressure and crisping stages are used together. A dedicated air fryer can offer a wider cooking surface, and a conventional oven can accept larger bakeware.

Air Crisp controls and realistic expectations

The exact OP500UK instructions set Air Crisp from 150°C to 200°C. They recommend adding five minutes to the cooking time when you want to preheat. Opening the hinged lid pauses the timer and switches off the heating element; closing it resumes cooking. This makes it possible to lift and shake the basket during a cycle.

The adjustable temperature is more flexible than a two-setting crisping lid, but specifications cannot prove that food will be crisper than in another machine. Load depth, moisture, oil, turning and food shape all affect browning. This review therefore does not assign a crispiness score.

If air frying is your main use, compare the OP500UK’s basket-and-pot layout with our multi-cooker air-fryer types guide. The OP500UK versus Crock-Pot Express Crisp comparison also explains how a fixed crisping lid differs from a fully removable powered lid.

Pressure cooking: do the water test first

Ninja recommends a water test for first-time pressure-cooker users. The OP500UK instructions specify 750 ml of room-temperature water, the pressure valve in the SEAL position, High pressure and a two-minute cook. The display shows PRE while pressure builds; the countdown starts only after the cooker reaches pressure.

Pressure build time depends on the amount and starting temperature of the contents and may take up to about 20 minutes. This preheating phase is separate from the programmed cook time, so a “two-minute” pressure recipe is not a two-minute total meal.

Use quick release only when the recipe calls for it. Steam exits forcefully from the pressure valve. Keep hands and face clear, wait for the float valve to drop and lift the unlocked lid away from you so condensation does not run toward you.

Controls and learning curve

The front panel combines function selection with a START/STOP dial, temperature and time controls. The labels are clearer once you understand which lid belongs to which function, but pressure settings, release methods, rack positions and the difference between pot and basket capacity create more setup than a basic drawer air fryer.

The included recipe guide is useful for learning liquid quantities and two-stage cooking. When adapting an unrelated recipe, check the OP500UK manual rather than assuming settings from another Ninja Foodi model transfer directly.

Cleaning the OP500UK

The pressure lid, cooking pot, silicone ring, reversible rack, Cook & Crisp basket and detachable diffuser can be washed in the dishwasher according to the OP500UK instructions. The current replacement pot and basket are described as ceramic-coated and non-stick.

Dishwasher-compatible does not mean scrub-proof. Soak stuck food and use a soft sponge, nylon brush or non-abrasive cleaner. Avoid scouring pads that can damage the coating. Our guide to non-stick air-fryer coatings covers the signs that an insert should be replaced.

The cooker base must never be immersed or placed in a dishwasher. Wipe the base and control panel with a damp cloth. Once the crisping-lid heat shield is cool, wipe that lid rather than submerging it. Wash the pressure-release valve and anti-clog cap with water and dish soap, but do not dismantle the valve or float-valve assembly.

Remove debris from the silicone ring and its rack after use. Replace a ring with cracks, cuts or deformation, because it is part of the pressure seal. SharkNinja currently lists compatible replacement silicone rings for the OP500 series.

Who should buy it?

Good fit: a UK household that will use pressure cooking and air crisping together, wants a large pot for stews or batch meals, and has permanent counter space.
Possible fit: a household replacing a pressure cooker and slow cooker, provided the hinged-lid clearance and weight are acceptable.
Less suitable: someone mainly cooking chips or breaded food who values maximum horizontal air-fry area.
Less suitable: a small kitchen where the appliance must be moved and stored after each use.
Do not import casually: OP500UK is documented as a 230 V UK model. Check plug, voltage, warranty and parts support before using it elsewhere. Our wattage guide explains the circuit checks for high-power cooking appliances.

Used OP500UK buying checklist

Confirm the rating label says OP500UK.
Check that the removable pressure lid, silicone ring, pressure valve and anti-clog cap are present and undamaged.
Confirm the 7.5-litre pot, 4.7-litre Cook & Crisp basket with diffuser and two-tier reversible rack are included.
Inspect the pot and basket for deep scratches, peeling, exposed metal or warping.
Raise and lower the hinged crisping lid; check the handle, hinge and heat shield for damage or heavy grease buildup.
Inspect the cord, plug, control panel and base for heat damage.
Ask whether the seller completed pressure cooking safely and whether the silicone ring retains strong odours.
Price missing accessories before buying. Compatible official parts exist, but availability and price can change.

Frequently asked questions

Is the OP500UK 6.5 quarts?

No. SharkNinja’s UK listing specifies a 7.5-litre pot. That is about 7.9 US quarts. The separate Cook & Crisp basket is 4.7 litres.

Does the OP500UK have one lid or two?

It has two working lids: a removable locking pressure lid and a powered crisping lid attached to the cooker on a hinge.

What is the maximum Air Crisp temperature?

The exact OP500UK instructions give an Air Crisp range of 150–200°C. Do not substitute the range from a different Foodi generation.

Can the parts go in a dishwasher?

The manual permits dishwasher cleaning for the pressure lid, pot, silicone ring, reversible rack, Cook & Crisp basket and diffuser. Never immerse or dishwash the powered cooker base. Wipe the cooled crisping lid.

Can it replace a standalone air fryer?

It can air crisp, but whether it replaces a drawer air fryer depends on the food you cook. Its basket sits inside a deep pot and offers less open horizontal area than many wide basket or dual-drawer models.

Are OP500UK and OP350UK accessories interchangeable?

Some official parts list compatibility with both models, but not every accessory is universal. Check the exact accessory code and SharkNinja compatibility list before ordering.

Verdict

The OP500UK’s real advantage is not simply that it “also air fries.” It is the ability to pressure-cook in a 7.5-litre pot and then crisp with the attached lid without moving the food to another appliance. That can be valuable for large, tender-then-brown meals.

The trade-offs are equally clear: a 13.4 kg counter footprint, two lids, a smaller 4.7-litre crisping basket inside the main pot and more cleaning and safety steps than a basic drawer fryer. Buy it for the combined workflow—not because “9-in-1” automatically means it is best at every function.

Official sources

Choose by your kitchen and meals

Ninja Air Fryers: Model Reviews and Buying Guide · Ninja Air Fryers by Household: Portions, Meals and Timing · Ninja Air Fryer Size Guide: Baskets, Pots and Counter Space · Ninja Air Fryer Types: Drawers, Glass, Grills and Multicookers · Ninja Buying Priorities: Cleaning, Controls, Materials and Value.

For the closest buying trade-off, read Ninja Foodi Two-Lid vs SmartLid: European and UK Models.

About the Author

Clara Bennett

I write practical, model-specific air fryer reviews and comparisons. I focus on usable capacity, household fit, cleaning, materials, day-to-day ownership and value so you can choose the right appliance with fewer surprises.

Read my full profile and review method