**REVIEW** The Ninja CE251 (detailed review)

The first part of this is a quick overview.  Following that is a very detailed review. You can skim through and stop at the highlighted points that interest you.

**there are never affiliate links in my reviews**

Because of my botched review of the electric percolator both here and on Amazon, I want to be very, very careful from here on out and especially with this one. I have waited a while to write this so that I've had a chance to use the machine more than a few times. I've been adding to the review over the weeks I've been using the Ninja. (NOTE: I started using the machine on 8/6 and I am finishing this review on 8/27. If there are any errors, I will have to catch them later. I'm too tired of writing this to read it anymore...)

I’m going to cover some concerns mentioned in other reviews and what I experienced. I will try to add some tips I have picked up online. I really need this review to be spot on.  (That whole percolator debacle has well and truly traumatized me.)

First, I will do an overview of the pros and cons for people in a hurry. For lots more detail, see the rest of the review.

Overview of the Ninja CE251

Pros:

• Has an Auto Shut-Off feature. This was my biggest disappointment with the percolator.
• The machine is not very noisy when brewing.
• Dumping used grounds is not messy at all if using a paper filter.
• Delivers consistently great-tasting coffee (I've been using mine for about a month at this point).
• Has function for programming delayed brewing (to wake up to coffee), and
• Has a "Small Batch" function to give a good flavor for smaller brew amounts. 
• Choice of 2 brew types: "Classic" or "Rich". (I use this to punch up weaker coffee types).
• The delay programming feature does not have to be reset every time if you use the same wake-up time every day. (Mine stays set at 6:30.)
• Easy to use and clean (once you get the hang of it).
• Reaches the suggested temperatures for brewing (195-205F). I registered temp of 199-208F.
• The "showerhead" drip design evenly soaks the grinds.
• The machine has a slight pause at the start of brewing for "blooming" the coffee. (I just learned about the concept of "blooming".)
• The removable (and less messy to fill) water reservoir.
• The carafe is not as fragile as expected & does not drip/leak/spill when pouring coffee.
• There is a Brew Stopper so you can cheat & grab some coffee while it's still brewing.
• Unlike with the Keurig, I can save money by using both whole bean and ground coffee.
• The Ninja is a nice-looking machine.
• The biggest positive is that the Ninja is (so far) a great machine for the price. I think it is worth what I paid.

Cons:

• The Power, Brew, and Clean buttons were really hard to press until I had used them a couple of times. The Power button is still really hard to depress (even after a month of daily use). I have to hold the machine to keep from scooting it back when I press the Power button.
• The "blooming" pause is really short. I think it only lasts about 4 or 5 seconds. I have read that up to 40 seconds is ideal. ~shrug~
• Dumping used grounds from the reusable filter is messy and hard to do.
• The Delay programming can be confusing at first. (But easy once you get the hang of it.)
• The glass carafe does, of course, "cook" the coffee after a while. The less coffee in the pot, the faster it degrades.
• The carafe has to be tipped and rocked to fully empty it of liquid.
• The lid of the brew basket opens upward. Because of this and steaming issues, it's not good to place the machine underneath low cabinets. (Also, you need easy access to the removable water reservoir.)
• The water reservoir is only good for the coffee you are making & has to be filled each time with whatever water you need.
• The "beep" alert for the end of a cycle is extremely hard to hear. I have been standing 5 feet away and barely noticed it.
• The Ninja in this model only comes in the black & steel design.
• There is no option for a thermal carafe. You can't even buy one for the Ninja because of the design of the drip mechanism.
• Many reviews state that it is hard to find a replacement carafe if you break one.

All in all, I think that the pros outweigh the cons a lot. Because I have seen reviews reporting problems in the 2nd year of use, I did buy the extended warranty for an extra 9 dollars.

Would I recommend this coffeemaker to friends and family? I already have. I got mine based mostly on the recommendation of a niece.

This is a quick video I did so you can see how it runs (during a cleaning cycle) and what it sounds like.

Now, if you want all the deep-dish skinny, continue on...

Okay. If you really mean it...

Packaging, size, weight & look 

• It comes in a box that tells what is inside. Ask for it to be sent in plain packaging if it's intended as a gift or you don't want nosy neighbors (or porch thieves) to know your business.
• The box contains a full Model Number that you can photograph for your records. I suggest keeping all the boxing/packaging for at least 6 months - just in case you need to do a return.
• The Ninja size dimensions are close to that of the Keurig K-Classic. However, the Keurig is heavier (because of its water reserve) and more rounded. I find the Ninja is easier to love and reposition.
• This model of the Ninja looks more streamlined. It comes only in a black and stainless steel design with a glass carafe. It looks stylish and I think the look will "age" well. My Keurig was red (to match my kitchen) but was mostly plastic. The plastic did wear over time with cleaning and use. The Keurig was cute but has a cheaper look than the Ninja.

Calling all porch thieves!!!

Countertop space & placement issues

This works best for me

• Because the brew basket on the Ninja opens upward, it might not fit under your cabinets. Even if it does fit, the steam might damage the cabinets over time.
• The water reservoir is on the right side. It's best to place the Ninja for easy removal or filling of the reservoir. More on this in a moment.
• The cord is long enough for my needs. However, there is a warning not to use it with extension cords so know that.
• I didn't find the cord length in the manual. In answer to a customer question on Amazon from 2018, SharkNinja gave the cord length as being 26 inches. In answer to a question elsewhere (search the question box), another person said the cord is 28 inches. I question both answers. My cord is decently long - maybe 26 inches long, but...  if you need to position the cord around or over things on a counter, it's not going to look that long.

Ninja CE251 compared to the Keurig K-Classic

• The Keurig is fast but the Ninja produces better flavor. Also, the Ninja is not super slow (see more later)
• I can use both whole bean and ground coffee with the Ninja.
• I like being able to make more or less coffee in one brewing. The Keurig was limited to servings of 6-10 ounces. 
• The Keurig pods came in a variety of flavors but were costly. More affordable pods lacked quality.
• Some pods could be defective and unusable. This didn't happen often and usually only happened with budget pods.
• I can better control the strength and quality of brew (even with "bad" coffee) with the Ninja and some other drip coffeemakers. Other Keurigs do have more options for this.
• The Ninja was cheaper to buy and is cheaper to use than the Keurig. 
• I paid $79 on Amazon for the Ninja + $8.55 for a 3-year protection plan. I think I paid around $80 at Walmart for the Keurig in 2017 with no protection plan. Both machines have gone up in price.
• For a coffee/pod price comparison, the Amazon brand of whole bean coffee (that I can ground fresh for each brew) is $6.99/12oz bag
• The Amazon brand of ground coffee is $5.30/12oz bag
• The Amazon brand of pods is $23.37/100ct
• My Keurig made 6-10 ounces of coffee per pod.
• I use 1 tablespoon of ground coffee to 6-8 ounces of water.
• You can do the math here. My brain exploded when I tried. I make my coffee in the Ninja based on 1 tablespoon to every 6 ounces of water.
• The amount of coffee I use will depend on the ground type. The finer the grind, the less coffee I use.
• The Keurig was, for me, purely functional. It's great for saving time and effort in coffee-making.
• I enjoy making coffee in the Ninja. Because I am learning more about coffee, I like the "involvement" of brewing in the Ninja - or a French press, Moka pot, pour-over, etc.
• Keurig pods can be less messy than using the reusable filter in the Ninja. The paper filters are just as mess-free as with pods and take up less room in the trash.
• The Keurig has that water-in-reserve function which is how it cuts down on time. 

The 2 machines

The Ninja is 
behind the Keurig

Response to other reviewers concerns

• The glass carafe:
• It is nowhere near as fragile as I expected from reading some reviews Maybe the company read those reviews and made some changes?
• I am careful with the carafe and especially follow a couple of tips:
• I try not to set it down anywhere but on the warming plate. If I do sit it elsewhere, I make sure to put a dry dishcloth or paper towel underneath.
• I never put it in the dishwasher. I don't even put it in the sink with other dishes. 
• I rinse it after every use with water closest to whatever temp the glass happens to be & then I handwash it once a week or so.
• I make sure that the warming plate is dry before I set the carafe on it. (By the way, even with the "brew stopper" function, the liquid does drip when you remove the carafe.)
• The carafe pours nicely without dripping or making a mess. However, to completely empty it of liquid, I have to turn it upside down and rock it back and forth.  This is irritating but not a  big deal.
• The lid of the carafe does not flip open. It slides. If you don't click the lid into place, the carafe will not fit back in the machine.
• I have not had issues with the carafe staining badly. And I don't wash it after every use - only rinsing it with warm water.

• The brew basket & reusable filter:
• As with the lid of the carafe, the removable brew basket has to click into place before you can close its lid. (I only remove the basket for weekly cleanings.)
• The brew basket holds a lot of moisture no matter which filter you choose. This is annoying because that moisture drips and spills when replacing the carafe. (Remember, it's best to keep the warming plate dry.) I have gotten in the habit of keeping a clean dry dishcloth nearby just to stick in the basket in between making coffee. Or I will use a paper towel to dry it out.
• The brew stopper is handy for cheating some coffee before it's finished brewing. However, it does tend to drip when you remove the carafe.  Make sure to dry that warming plate before replacing the carafe.
• The brew stopper does keep coffee from leaking all over when you carry it to the trash to dump the filter.
• I prefer to use a paper filter but I have used the reusable filter a few times. The reusable filter does not let grinds through. It does let some "silt" through that you only notice when you get to the dregs of the cup.
• You are not supposed to use a paper filter inside the reusable filter. This affects the coffee's flavor. Use either one or the other.
• TIP: Some people believe that letting some silt through improves the flavor of the coffee. I haven't paid enough attention yet to notice a difference. I do have friends who make their ground coffee like you would instant coffee. They just add the water to the grounds in their cup and let the grounds settle before drinking the brew. 

• That water reservoir:
• The reservoir can be confusing because a lot of us have owned Keurigs.
•  Unlike with a Keruig, the Ninja's reservoir holds water only for the current brew. You have to fill the reservoir each time you brew coffee.
• If you are making 6 cups of coffee and put 8 cups of water in the reservoir, the machine will use all 8 cups of water.
• The purpose of the Ninja's water reservoir is only to make less mess. It's easier to fill the reservoir instead of trying to pour water into the back or top of a machine.
• I placed my machine near enough to the sink that I don't have to remove the reservoir to fill it. I either just use the sprayer from the sink or - most often - use filtered water from a pitcher.
• Some reviewers mentioned their machine starting to leak after some use. One reviewer suggested this might be from weakening the seals on the reservoirs by removing and replacing them. This is one reason I try to fill it without removing it. (I remove the reservoir every so often just to clean it with soap and water.)
• If you do need to remove the reservoir to fill it, it is a lot easier and less messy than filling the backs or tops of other machines.

Not bad for a manual.
Could be better

Basic use 

& the functions

• The Power & setting the clock:
•  If the machine is plugged into the wall, the clock still works and you can simply press the Power button on the front of the machine to start making coffee. You can turn that Power On or Off by pushing it. 
• If you leave it on, it will go into a "sleep" mode after a certain amount of time. In other words, I can leave the house and the machine will power off if I forget to turn it off. The warming plate's power is adjustable. 
• You can turn it off so that it doesn't start warming after your coffee has brewed or you can adjust it to stay on up to 4 hours after the brewing cycle. (I like this because I have left the house and worried about whether or not I turned off the coffee pot, unplugged the iron, locked all the windows...LOL)

• Brewing:
• The machine delivers good flavors. Really good. I actually gave away some coffee after brewing it in the percolator and not liking the taste. I had a little of that coffee left over that I brewed in the Ninja. It was delicious. 
• The one thing I always like about the Keurig is the quick brewing so I'm glad that the Ninja is not as slow as I expected. I did about 5 cups (brewed on Rich which takes longer) from 10:10 to 10:18. I did 4 cups (on Small Batch and Classic) that started at 10:36 and beeped out at 10:42. 
• While the Keurig is still much faster, I couldn't program it to start in the mornings. To be honest, I'd rather have my coffee waiting fresh when I wake up than brewing fast at other times.

• The Clean function:
• This is a favorite for me because just seeing the button reminds me to clean the machine if I keep forgetting.
• The manual and other users suggest cleaning the machine when:
• it begins to take longer than 12- 15 minutes to brew or
• when there are changes in the coffee flavor and/or strength 
• I know that the Clean light will come on, but I am not sure if that is at set intervals or just when the machine has issues.
• I can run the Clean function at any time by filling the reservoir and pushing the button.
• I use the Clean function with water only about once a week. I will use it with a vinegar and water solution about every other week.
• In addition to running the Clean function, I wipe the machine down (outside the machine, inside the brew basket, and the top of the showerhead) and rinse the reservoir on a regular basis.
• The first time I ran the Clean cycle (after about 15 cups of coffee)
• I ran the cycle with the reservoir filled to the 12-cup capacity.
• I started the cycle at 6:45 and it stopped at 7:17.
• The manual does not clarify the difference between "cleaning" and "descaling". Using my common sense, I assume "cleaning" is doing the basic wipedown/water run-through and "descaling" is running vinegar through the machine. I have not yet decided if I will use citric acid in descaling this machine. I have used that with the Keurig and other drip machines. I have posted before about the money-saving uses for citric acid.

• The Delay Brew function (to set for your wakeup):
• This was the function I hated most until I figured it out. The manual does a terrible job of explaining how to use it. This is the Ninja video which does a better job. The following are the steps I use:

1. Make sure the time on the clock is correct to the current time and the Power light is On.

2. Add your water to the reservoir & coffee to the basket. 

• TIP - for a practice run, don't use any coffee; just run water through. Trust me.
3. Choose brew type (mine is Small Batch, Classic)
4. Press Delay and the clock will start flashing
5. Set what time you want the coffee to start brewing (ex 6:00 am - and make sure of the AM/PM selection)
6. Press Delay
• If the programming worked, the Power light should be lit up along with the Delay and your brew type buttons. The warming plate light should NOT be light up. If it lights up, you've messed up & the machine will start brewing.
• If you messed up or need to change the wakeup brew time or brew type, press the Power button. It will beep. Press again. When it goes off (not lit up) you can turn it back on and start over with the Delay Brew steps.  
• I did mess up the first couple of times & the coffee immediately started brewing. That's why you should practice without adding any coffee. 
• TIP: If you get up earlier and want to start the brew right away, just press the Warming plate button. That will start the machine.

***Here is a video from Ninja with the Delay instructions shown***

I hope that the video helped along with having the steps written out here in this review.

The Clean cycle is running

• Temperatures
• Coffee fanatics (of which I am becoming one) say that the best temp for brewing drip coffee is between 195F-205F.
• My Ninja (checked with a basic food thermometer) clocked between 199F-208F - depending on whether the thermometer was placed directly under the showerhead or in the carafe after the brew had finished. (I'm sure that the electric percolator got to around 200 to 210 when I scalded my hand. The difference with the Ninja is that it's a rounder, easier-to-handle carafe vs the tall easy-to-tip percolator.)
• My coffee is always hot enough to ad creamer from the fridge without overcooling the brew.

inserted directly into the brew basket

inserted under the showerhead
while brewing

In Summary

• The pros outweigh the cons for me with this machine. If I pick what I am happiest with,
• The coffee tastes so good most of the time.
• The Auto-Off function, of course
• Being able to program the brew to start when I want. Surprisingly, this comes in handy on my infusion days. I love having coffee afterward but am usually too wiped out to make any. My brother usually stops at McDonald's just for me to grab a coffee on the way home.
• After using it several times a day for about 4 weeks, I am more than happy.
• The quality of the brews can be inconsistent depending on:
• The coffee being brewed
• Whether I'm using the reusable filter or a paper filter
• The grind I select for the coffee-to-water ratio
• Whether I use Classic or Rich brew selection
• Basically, I have been responsible for all the quality issues - either by choice of coffee or preparation. 
• I've had no problems with the carafe - which was my biggest concern from reading other reviews. I take care of it but don't baby it.
• If I had to pick what still bugs me after this month of using it:
• The Power button being so hard to depress.
• The way the brew basket case holds & drips water in between dumping the filter.
• That the 2-cup batches of coffee "cook" very quickly. I will even sometimes make 3rd cup just to solve this. Ideally, 4 cups or more is best.

By the way, right after I got this coffeemaker, I had to buy some non-pod coffee. I got both whole bean and ground for myself and was given several coffees to sample. When asked by someone if I had settled on a preference, I had to say no. However, I am leaning toward these - in order of how much I like them:

1. Cafe Bustelo (done in the Ninja and as faux espresso with the stovetop percolator). It's less than $2.50 for the 10oz brick at Aldis where I can snack a couple of the bricks with my regular grocery delivery. Amazon is crazy stupid expensive with it. 
2. 8 O'clock Columbian Peaks whole bean (daily in the Ninja). This is under $7 for 11 ounces at Hyvee and a much better bargain at Amazon at about $10 for 22 ounces whole bean. I'm about to do a Subscribe & Save because I drink so much of this.
3. Illy Intenso whole bean (my next favorite to Bustelo for a very dark roast drip). This is around $12 via Instacart from Hyvee and Target for just 8.8 ounces of ground. Amazon hast the same sizes in the whole bean for about the same price. It's good stuff but high & I only use it when I have the extra money in the budget. "'Extra' money," she said, choking on her laughter.

I will, of course, be doing reviews on all the coffee I've gotten to try. Kaladi Brothers Coffee - which is just legendary in Anchorage - is online and is going to be sending samples. I plan to find something I like and get a subscription because of the free shipping. Yay. Then I will be able to drink their coffee out of my Kaladi travel thermos.

So there you go. Probably the most detailed review I have ever written. Probably more detailed than anyone has written about a coffeemaker. If you are geeky enough to want more details, check out this review. It gives a lot of specs and other technical information that I glossed over.

Peace

--Free