Some Ninja Creami users are finding that their homemade sweet treats made with the viral machine are attracting unwanted diners.
TikTok creator Arriella Simons posted a video Aug. 10, sharing that she discovered the presence of maggots lodged in her Ninja Creami lid, after having just used the machine to make a frozen treat. The machines — a hybrid between a blender and ice cream maker — have gained enormous popularity on the app for their ability to easily create frozen desserts at home.
“We looked at the blender that I clean every single night because I make these Ninja Creamis every night … there are parasites or maggots or whatever trapped inside this thing,” Simons said in the video, as the camera captures a maggot wriggling around on the cap. The clip also shows a critter trapped inside the transparent lid, twisting and turning about.
The video went viral, drawing more than 14.2 million views as of Aug. 19, prompting many other Ninja Creami owners to check their dessert machines. It turns out that Simons was far from the only one who had the larval issue.
Simons did not respond to a request for comment from TODAY.com.
Some TikTok users posted videos of maggots in their machines, while others also shared additional aspects of the device that appeared difficult to clean, fueling concern around the Ninja Creami’s design.
SharkNinja, the maker of the product, told TODAY.com in an email that they were aware of Simons’ video and had been in contact with the creator.
“We reached out to the consumer directly to better understand what happened and discussed proper cleaning instructions,” Molly Delaney, a spokesperson for the company, said in an email. “She’s sending her unit back to our team as well.”
Delaney also noted that the machine’s components are designed to be “fully disassembled and cleaned after each use.”
“We provide detailed cleaning guidance in the product manual to help ensure the unit stays in proper working condition,” Delaney said.
In a follow-up video posted Aug. 14, Simons said she and her boyfriend attempted to deep-clean the machine, using a variety of tactics, including spraying the device in Lysol, soaking it in a 24-hour vinegar bath, scrubbing the inside of the lid with a small brush and dishwashing the parts. Still, Simons said, they saw a dead maggot trapped inside the lid. Simons also confirmed the company had reached out to her, requesting she send the machine to them.
“I use my Ninja Creami every single night,” Simons said. “You truly have to deep clean this to its core.”
Several other dessert enthusiasts lamented having the same issue as Simons. TikTok user @aliahlexi shared a video that captured her horror at discovering a maggot on the device, after having already eaten some of the treat that she made with the kitchen gadget.
Another user, @kearyuh, similarly shared a video that showed what appeared to be a handful of maggots trapped in her Ninja Creami’s lid.
User @issabelfonsecaa posted a video sharing that while she didn’t experience the same issue with critters in the machine, the device had many crevices that felt difficult or impossible to clean.
The SharkNinja spokesperson did not directly respond to questions over whether the company would be making changes to its design in response to the videos. But Delaney said the company is “always innovating our products and focused on improving the experience they deliver.”
“We encourage our consumers to follow the proper cleaning guidelines to maintain their machines,” Delaney said in an email. “We have an excellent customer service team and encourage anyone with questions to reach out to our care team for support.”
Delaney also shared step-by-step instructions on how to properly clean the machine:
- Before anything else: Rinse the outer bowl lid, then press the paddle latch to remove the Creamerizer Paddle.
- Dishwasher: Paddle, pint, outer bowl, and lids are all top-rack safe — load separately.
- Hand-wash: Warm, soapy water; use a cleaning utensil (not fingers) on the paddle.
- Lid: Run warm water through the paddle release lever and drain holes, then remove and wash the grey rubber seal underneath separately.
- Motor base: Unplug first — damp cloth only, no scrubbing pads. Wipe the spindle below the control panel after each use.
The Ninja Creami has had a cult following across social media for years for its ability to turn nearly anything, from blended fruit to premade protein shakes, into ice cream — particularly as more people have been attempting to find healthier, dairy-free alternatives to beloved treat. The machine, which retails for $249.99, has sold out multiple times in the past few years. SharkNinja recommends watching this video to learn how to clean the device.
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