Let’s be honest: my kitchen cabinets were reaching a breaking point with the sheer amount of specialized “gadgets” I’ve accumulated. I loved my old air fryer, but the peeling non-stick coating and the constant “transfer-to-Tupperware” dance for leftovers was getting old. That’s why the Ninja Crispi™ 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer (FN101GY) felt like such a breath of fresh air for my meal prep routine.
Finished in a sleek Cyberspace Gray, this isn’t just another bulky plastic box. It’s a complete “Prep, Cook, Store” system. Switching to a non-toxic, tempered glass setup gave me immediate peace of mind—no more worrying about PFAS or weird chemical smells at high heat. With the ability to hit 450°F on Max Crisp, it handles frozen snacks and proteins with incredible speed, yet the Recrisp function is what truly won me over for reviving yesterday’s pizza.
The real magic, however, is the versatility. I can air fry in the 4-quart or 6-cup containers, snap on the leak-proof lids, and toss them straight into the fridge or freezer. They’re even microwave and dishwasher safe! For anyone tired of the “basket-scrubbing” blues, this 4-in-1 system is a total game-changer.
For years, the air fryer market has been dominated by a singular design language: the bulky plastic “egg” with a sliding metal drawer. While effective, these designs brought two major headaches for the health-conscious and organized cook: the eventual peeling of non-stick chemical coatings (PTFE/PFAS) and the inevitable “dish mountain” created by transferring food from the basket to a serving dish and then to a storage container.
Enter the Ninja Crispi™ 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer (Model FN101GY) in Cyberspace Gray. After putting this unit through its paces for several weeks, it’s clear that Ninja isn’t just trying to sell another air fryer—they are attempting to re-engineer the entire lifecycle of a meal.
In this technical review, we will dissect the engineering, thermal performance, and practical utility of this 1500-watt “PowerPod” system to see if glass truly is the superior medium for high-heat convection cooking.
Specifications
| Component | Specification |
| Model | FN101GY (Cyberspace Gray) |
| Power Output | 1500 Watts / 120V |
| Temperature Range | Up to 450°F |
| Vessel Material | Heat-Tempered Borosilicate Glass |
| Safety Features | Automatic Shut-off, Cool-Touch Handles |
| Container 1 | 4-Quart Capacity (Main Meals) |
| Container 2 | 6-Cup Capacity (Sides/Personal) |
| Accessories | 2x Leak-Proof Lids, 1x Ceramic Crisper Plate |
Architectural Design and Component Breakdown
The Ninja Crispi deviates from the “all-in-one” chassis design. Instead, it utilizes a Modular PowerPod System.
The PowerPod (The “Brain”)
The heart of the FN101GY is the 1500-watt PowerPod. Finished in a sophisticated Cyberspace Gray, the Pod houses the heating element, the high-velocity fan, and the digital control interface.
- Thermal Output: It is capable of reaching a blistering 450°F (approx. 232°C).
- Interface: The interface is refreshingly minimalist. It features a power button, a “Mode” selector to toggle between its four functions, and capacitive +/- buttons for time adjustment.
- Ergonomics: The Pod features integrated cool-touch handles on the sides, allowing you to lift it off the glass container safely once the cycle is complete.
The Glass Vessel System
Ninja provides two heavy-duty borosilicate glass containers: a 4-Quart family-sized vessel and a 6-Cup personal/side-dish vessel.
- Material Science: Unlike the “mystery metal” baskets found in budget air fryers, this glass is non-toxic, BPA-free, and lead-free.
- Thermal Resistance: These containers are engineered for extreme temperature swings. They are freezer-safe, microwave-safe, and oven-safe (though the PowerPod handles the heating here).
- The Lids: The included storage lids are leak-proof and feature a four-hinge locking mechanism with a silicone gasket, turning your cooking vessel into a vacuum-sealed storage unit instantly.
Thermal Performance and Cooking Modes
The physics of glass cooking differs from metal. Metal reflects heat quickly but loses it just as fast. Glass, however, has high thermal mass; it takes a moment longer to “charge” with heat, but once it does, it radiates that heat evenly back into the food.
Max Crisp (450°F)
This is the “turbo” mode. It is specifically calibrated for frozen foods like breaded chicken tenders or thick-cut fries. In testing, the Max Crisp mode utilized the 1500W output to create a “vortex” of air within the glass chamber. Because the glass is transparent, you can actually watch the fat rendering and the skin crisping without opening the unit and losing 50 degrees of heat—a massive technical advantage over drawer-style models.
Air Fry
For fresh ingredients (vegetables, wings, salmon), the Air Fry mode provides a more balanced convection. Using the Ceramic-Coated Crisper Plate is essential here. The plate elevates the food approximately 0.5 inches from the bottom of the glass, allowing the high-velocity air to circulate 360 degrees. In my tests, chicken wings achieved a level of “snap” in the skin that usually requires a deep fryer, all while using significantly less oil.
Bake
The Bake function softens the airflow slightly to prevent the “sandblasting” effect that can ruin delicate batters. It turns the 4-quart container into a small convection oven. It’s perfect for a small loaf of cornbread or a batch of brownies. The glass provides a very even “bottom-up” heat distribution, preventing the scorched bottoms often found in thin-gauge metal air fryer baskets.
Recrisp
This is arguably the most “lifestyle-friendly” feature. Most of us hate “microwave-soggy” leftovers. The Recrisp mode uses a lower intensity to penetrate the food with heat while the fan dries out any surface moisture. It effectively turned a day-old, refrigerated grilled cheese sandwich back into a crunchy, gooey masterpiece in under 4 minutes.
The “Prep, Cook, Store” Workflow
The technical brilliance of the FN101GY lies in its efficiency of movement. Let’s look at the “User Journey” for a standard meal:
Prep: You season your vegetables or protein directly in the 4-quart glass container. No extra bowls needed.
Cook: You place the PowerPod on top, select your mode, and cook.
Serve: You remove the Pod and place the glass container directly on a trivet on the dinner table. It looks like a high-end serving dish, not a greasy fryer basket.
Store: Once the meal is done, you don’t scrape leftovers into a plastic container. You simply snap the leak-proof lid onto the glass vessel and put it in the fridge.
Reheat: The next day, you can either put the PowerPod back on to Recrisp, or if you’re in a rush, pop the glass container into the microwave.
This workflow eliminates at least three pieces of dishware (prep bowl, serving platter, storage container) from your cleaning rotation.
Maintenance and Longevity
One of the primary failure points of traditional air fryers is the degradation of the non-stick coating. Once that coating chips, the basket is technically unsafe to use and difficult to clean.
The Glass Advantage: Glass doesn’t have a coating to fail. Even if you burn honey-garlic sauce onto the bottom, you can soak it in hot soapy water or use a standard abrasive sponge without fear of damaging the cooking surface.
Dishwasher Safety: Both glass containers, the lids, and the ceramic crisper plate are top-rack (and even bottom-rack) dishwasher safe.
The PowerPod: Maintenance is limited to wiping the interior mesh screen with a damp cloth to prevent grease buildup on the heating element.
The Pros
- Health First
- Visual Monitoring
- Versatility
- Compact Storage
The Cons
- Thermal Mass
- Weight
- Heat Warning
Why should choose FN101GY
You should choose the Ninja Crispi (FN101GY) if you value health, aesthetics, and efficiency. Unlike traditional air fryers, its non-toxic glass construction eliminates worries about peeling chemical coatings (PTFE/PFAS) and lingering odors.
The “Prep-Cook-Store” workflow is a massive time-saver; you can air fry at 450°F, serve directly from the sleek glass, and snap on a lid for the fridge—all in one dish. With its 4-in-1 versatility and microwave-safe containers, it’s the ultimate space-saving solution for anyone tired of bulky plastic appliances and endless cleanup. It’s clean cooking, simplified.
How We Tasted
To see if the Ninja Crispi™ 4-in-1 Glass Air Fryer lives up to its “clean cooking” promises, we integrated it into the daily flow of two busy households. As users accustomed to traditional non-stick basket fryers, our benchmark was high—we tested for thermal consistency, the transition from cooking to storage, and whether a 1500W PowerPod system could truly compete with a full-sized air fryer during a frantic dinner rush.
Our testing was supplemented by two months of hands-on use from our lead reviewer. This dual-perspective approach allowed us to evaluate the FN101GY from two angles: a seasoned meal-prepper looking for a “one-dish” solution, and a health-conscious cook prioritizing non-toxic, PFAS-free materials. We pushed the 450°F Max Crisp cycle to its limit with frozen staples, tested the leak-proof seals of the storage lids after a week in the fridge, and put the tempered glass containers through dozens of high-heat dishwasher cycles to ensure the “Prep, Cook, Store” durability matched the marketing claims.
What We Tasted
Frozen Staples (Max Crisp at 450°F)
We started with the ultimate air fryer test: frozen crinkle-cut fries and breaded chicken tenders. Using the 4-quart glass container, the 450°F Max Crisp cycle delivered a deep, golden crunch in roughly 12 minutes—about 4 minutes faster than our standard oven. The glass stayed remarkably hot, keeping the second helping of fries crisp while we ate the first.
Fresh Proteins (Air Fry)
We tested 1.5 lbs of lemon-pepper chicken wings and two thick-cut salmon fillets.
- The Result: By using the ceramic-coated crisper plate, air circulated perfectly under the wings, rendering the fat until the skin was “shatter-crisp.”
- The View: Being able to watch the salmon change from translucent to opaque through the glass without lifting the lid meant we pulled it out at the exact moment of peak flakiness.
Small-Batch Sides (Bake)
Using the smaller 6-cup glass container, we baked a honey-garlic cauliflower medley and a small dish of cornbread. The glass provided an even, steady heat that prevented the “burnt edges” often seen in metal baskets. The cauliflower caramelized beautifully, and the cornbread had a moist crumb that rivaled a traditional cast-iron skillet.
The “Leftover” Challenge (Recrisp)
We deliberately refrigerated half a pepperoni pizza and soggy takeout egg rolls overnight. After a 5-minute Recrisp cycle, the pizza crust regained its “snap” without the cheese becoming rubbery, and the egg rolls lost their oily sogginess, tasting nearly identical to when they first arrived.
FAQs
Is the glass container actually safe for high-heat air frying?
Yes. The containers are made of heavy-duty, heat-tempered borosilicate glass specifically engineered to withstand temperatures up to 450°F. Unlike traditional air fryer baskets, this glass is non-toxic and PTFE/PFAS-free, meaning it won’t peel or release chemicals into your food over time.
Can I put the glass containers directly into the microwave or freezer?
Absolutely. One of the best technical features of the FN101GY is its “multi-climate” durability. You can prep a meal, freeze it in the glass container, thaw/cook it with the PowerPod, and even use the microwave for a quick reheat later—all using the same vessel.
How do I clean the PowerPod heating element?
Since the PowerPod contains the electrical components, it should never be submerged in water. Simply wait for it to cool completely, then wipe the interior mesh screen and heating element with a damp, soapy cloth to remove any grease splatter. The glass containers and lids are 100% dishwasher safe.
Does the exterior of the glass get hot during cooking?
Yes, significantly. Unlike plastic-housed air fryers that stay cool to the touch, the tempered glass radiates heat. You must use oven mitts or the integrated cool-touch handles on the PowerPod when moving the unit, and always place the hot glass on a heat-resistant trivet after cooking.
Final Verdict
The Ninja Crispi™ FN101GY is a sophisticated evolution of the air fryer. It successfully addresses the two biggest complaints of the “Air Fryer Era”: chemical coatings and clutter. By focusing on a high-quality glass medium and a portable heating “Pod,” Ninja has created a tool that feels more like a professional kitchen component and less like a plastic toy.
For the user who values a clean aesthetic, a non-toxic lifestyle, and a streamlined “one-dish” kitchen workflow, the Ninja Crispi is a technical triumph. It proves that sometimes, looking backward at traditional materials like glass is the best way to move forward in kitchen technology.
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