BBQ Buyer's Guide to Electric Gravity Feed Smokers

[@robertfrischmon678]

I have a gravity 560. I love the concept. I love being able to make a pizza at night and ribs the next day. Unfortunately, the quality of the build doesn't match the brilliance of the concept. I have had to replace all of the electronic parts on the grill. I purchased two masterbuilt controllers. After they broke. (three in total) I finally bought a Fireboard. It works great. It is truly remote and it seems to run the fan better as well. After having issues with the switches ( and purchasing more switches) I found a hack that bypassed the switches. This all happened last year. This year, the fan broke about three months ago. So now that I have replaced everything, it's working great! Lately, I have noticed that large chunks of rusted metal is coming off. I have a cover for it and yet it still is rusting on the inside. I am now investigating on how to put a new piece of sheet metal on the grill. As I said, I love the grill. I just hate that they didn't put the same amount of effort and respect for craftsmanship into the build as they did the concept. After all said and done, I suppose I have invested an additional 300 dollars in the grill. So if you are going to buy a masterbuilt gravity series grill expect to pay an additional 300 dollars to make up for the lack of quality in the build. It sad because I really love the grill!

[@KAMP8505]

The XT is great

[@Yvesvh]

Thanks for the video and your thoughts. I'm still going for the Gravity 600 though. Main reasons are build quality & magnetic switches over the Gravity 800. That said; I really would have liked the griddle option.

[@SmokeMasterD]

Good for you. And maybe I was going too hard on the 600. I hope it works out well for you.

[@curtisrogers4190]

I am also on the wait list for the XT, I have a Masterbuilt electric smoker and the 1050, but this XT is as you said, on another level of all the other products made by Masterbuilt.

[@Bloodstryke]

Thank you for making this video. I'm on the waiting list for the Masterbuilt XT. But if I find any clearance units of the other models, I would definitely grab one of those to try out. I have not tried any gravity smokers yet but they look promising.

[@ijustwantedtocomment]

I think you're short changing the 600 a bit... magnetic switches, larger hopper, improved firebox, porcelain coated manifold. In a perfect world, they'd give us an 800 with the upgraded the 600 has.

[@SmokeMasterD]

I think you’re right!

[@jaimeredrayo]

I want the XTbut just got the 1050 on a killer deal from Home Depot and can’t justify the price…I’ll wait for the same killer deal after a few years. But great video and great information.

[@Threefiddyz]

my char griller 980 has outlasted my masterbuilt because of the coating on the mainfold. my masterbuilt was nothing but rust bucket and whole thing fell apart with our humidity

[@justinwinslow310]

I've had the Char Griller 980 for two years now and its still an amazing smoker! Everything still works as it should so nothing going bad on it so far. I garage it during the winter and if its raining in the summer. so it really only is used in the sun. I figure i paid alot of money for it might as well keep it in good shape!

[@edubsoultrain6792]

Thanks for your video! I currently have a masterbuilt 1050 with LSS modifications. The XT I think is like a shiny penny, yes I want it, but don’t really need it right now. Whenever anyone asks me what cooker I would recommend for a backyard weekend warrior I tell them the masterbuilt gravity 800. You cannot beat its out of the box versatility!

[@adammcalister8713]

I have a Masterbuilt 900 (Costco's Version of the 800) and love it. I was looking for a second smoker for at the camper so I didn't have to keep bringing the 900 back and forth. I searched for closeout deals and the used marketplaces for either a 800 and 1050, but had no luck in my area. I ended up getting a great deal on a Tahoma and I am actually really excited to use it for the first time this weekend. I will post a follow up after my first couple of cooks.

[@alinthemind]

Will Costco restock these or potentially the XT?

[@Dabbin-420]

the 600 has 360 sq inch on the main grate. 240 sq inch on 2nd rack! thanks for the graphs!

[@conradkostelecky7935]

The biggest disappointment on my 1050 were the plunger switches. I had 1 fail on my second cook. Luckily they are available on Amazon and they are cheap, so got a few extra just in case.

[@gambit5324]

@conradkostelecky7935 i have the 1050 as well, and the plunger switches kept on sticking on mine, i contacted Masterbuilt customer support and they sent me out two spare ones free of charge. customer support is great, would recommend, if your switches fail, save your money and give them a call and they will send you some spares

[@caseyeberle7998]

Or just remove them and twist the two wires together at the controller.

[@jonnyrmatthews]

I have a 980. I want to say this is my second season with it. I'm disappointed but I still use it. I got a good deal on it. My background is an upright homemade ugly drum and then I got a Weber kettle to smoke with. Needing more space from time to time thinking the auto temp control would allow me to cook more often out of convenience I went with the 980. I have modified it with LSS extender for fan. I've put gaskets where they should go. I feel like I need to trick it to get to the correct temperature. By design I'm not a big fan of putting wood with the charcoal. I feel it creates a bit of dirty smoke and a commitment to that dirt smoke. So I end up going through a good bit of wood in the tray. I've learned that Im probably an offset smoker sort of guy and a direct cooker box. I like to manage the fire and air.

[@SmokeMasterD]

If it's not for you, then it's not for you. I also like offset and the box style so I definitely understand (my 980 stays at the lake house). Good luck getting your right situation 👍