Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800/900 - One Year Review

[@sourdoughhome2571]

Using your guide (thank you!) I installed a FireBoard 2 Pro. I've done two cooks on it, and the warm up has been faster for me than you suggested. I set the fan speed to 100%. I started the cook with the FireBoard on it's internal battery which meant the fan would be around 50% maximum speed. I realized I'd messed up, ran inside and got the battery and plugged it in. The fan speed jumped up to 100% As usual, the temperature climbed slowly at first and then took off like a rocket. It was at 300F in 9 minutes from the time I turned on the FireBoard. it's not much slower, if any, than the MB controller.

[@jasonjennings6686]

I have beem really enjoying this skoker. Being from Texas and moving to SoCal, I miss great bbq. I was using a pellet smoker with an additional pellet tube to get more smoke flavor but it was still lacking. I decided fo give this a go and I love it! Im a tinkerer and have added more in mods than I think I paid for it. I custom designed and 3d printed a housing for a fireboard 1 since I already had one. Custom designed and printed rocker switch housings to allow me to turn off the fans if I want when opening the various doors. I have the following klotes mods: front shelf, water pan/drip hybrid covering for the manifold, ashbin grate, hopper gasket and door cover to help with the creosote build up, rear vent, and the firebox mod that allows you to reinforce it with stainless steel so it doesn't disintegrate. I also added a braun gooseneck light with magnet that allows me to see the grates where I'm cooking and also look down inside the hopper which is nice. I did have a question for you. What is those little round looking things on the right side of the smoker above the ash bin door?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

Those are just basic magnetic thermometer probe holders. You just coil them up and I magnet them to the side there.

[@jasonjennings6686]

@@Smokingmeatsbbq oh cool! I'm designing something similar that has individual coils of thermometers that you can take out and it goes into a case with a lid. Do you leave thermometers coiled on there uncovered or are they protected by the smoker cover?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

@@jasonjennings6686 I use the Masterbuilt cover when in storage :)

[@docohm50]

I bought my MB560 in 2020. Only problem I had was the switches which I bypassed. My cover faded but still works great. I chose this vertical smoker because I can maintain 160-700 deg F and I can burn charcoal, chunk, and stick with it. If I had to do it again I would buy the MB1050 for larger cooking area. If you don't have a Blackstone griddle buy the MB800. Pellet smokers can't get past 450F and can't match the smoke ring of the MB Gravity series.

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

Amen!!🙏

[@JeremyKudryk]

How does one bypass the switches?

[@docohm50]

@@JeremyKudryk cut the wire at the switch and splice both wires together. It will tell the motherboard the door is closed

[@hazman440]

I have a 560 and 1050 and love them both I put all off LSS mods on both before the were ever lit and just ordered the top and center racks from 'Joe's Grill Grates' in Arizona to complete the 1050 ... I gave the 560 to my son in law just before the holidays

[@rcsquabbler69]

Nice! I’m sure your son will greatly appreciate the 560!

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

The LSS mods are very nice! Glad you’ve enjoyed yours as much as I have.

[@ninjastiz9046]

I also have a 1050 with the LSS mods. That manifold cover that holds the foil pans is a game changer for keeping the grill clean

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

I'll have to check into that. Been holding off on more mods before I check out the newest version of the gravity they announced recently. @@ninjastiz9046

[@JoeAnshien]

I have the 800 and love it. It replaced my WSM, Kettle, and flat top. I will be doing some mods at some point as even with them there is nothing in the market that can do what this does at any price.

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

This is very well said!

[@geoffreybrando]

Very good review! Where did you get the meat smoking guide attached to the side of the hopper? is it magnetic or heat resistant? I am interested it would be great if you can share a link. Thanks

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

I will share it in the description. It was an Amazon purchase.

[@indyslimshady]

Great video! Do you think we need Firebox Mod, Manifold Cover (to avoid fires), and hopper cover (to avoid smoke leaking out)? If you have DIY ideas that will be very helpful to know as well and possible future videos. Thanks!

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

I don't think the firebox is needing mods, mine has been fine. The manifold cover? I'm not sure what you mean there. Just keep the grill clean to avoid fires if you are cooking above 350. The hopper cover isn't needed, just some tinfoil and keeping it clean of creosote around the seal.

[@warforlibertyNH]

Good stuff. Do you only throw the splits on the elevated grate on the ash bin, or do you also put splits in the hopper?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

I do both. I think my favorite is in the hopper for consistency. Sometimes I just throw them in the ash bin if I'm doing different cooks and just want to run the hopper full of charcoal.

[@quique18poker]

When you put the splits in the hopper, do you just stand it up and put charcoal around it? I had a 560 for 3 years then found an 800 for $249 at Walmart and upgraded. @@Smokingmeatsbbq

[@GregRocheleau]

Overall I enjoy this grill. It cooks very well. The only modification I have done is I made a small bracket under the fire box to accommodate a fire starter.

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

It rocks!

[@jasonjennings6686]

I read somewhere on one of the forums that someone uses a paper towel folded with a line of cooking grease/oil down it and that works every time. I may need to try that out soon.

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

@@jasonjennings6686 it can work for sure! I never had an issue using the Masterbuilt fire starters or those little hay hail looking starters.

[@orlandomarrufo6523]

Thank You for the video. Very Informative.

[@andrewcrabill5946]

Hey thanks- this put me over the top on buying one, I’d seen some bad reviews surrounding the quality (of perhaps the earliest release). Do you have a video on installing the fireboard?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

Sure do! Check out the other videos on the channel.

[@potterportraits]

I have a camp chef pellett grill. I rarely have to vacuum it as it has a trap door for the ash you just pull a lever when youre done. Id really like one of these gravity grills but i use the pellett grill for everything from pizza to frozen chicken nuggets. Just the ease of being able to hit start and go prep food is nice. And or call the wife and say hey hun will you start the grill. 😅.. I do feel like i can get some better meals out of the gravity but i haven't justified it in my head yet. And space wise id need to get rid of the pellett grill.

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

I will agree that a pellet smoker is faster to start… however it’s not that big of a difference. That’s where the differences end. After that these things can do anything and more that a pellet can do. And do it with flavor!

[@potterportraits]

@Smokingmeatsbbq I was going to upgrade my pellett grill but I'm thinking about giving mine to my father and getting a gravity. Then if I'm satisfied getting him one.

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

Great plan!

[@northox]

Ok, sold.

[@ninjastiz9046]

The only ones talking smack about masterbuilt gravity grills are the ones that bought pellet smokers and realized they're inferior 😂

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

hah true!

[@Medsas]

i have both haha 😅

[@ninjastiz9046]

I also have both and a Weber kettle master touch which I use for steaks because it uses the smallest amount of charcoal. I'm just saying if I had to choose between ANY pellet grill/smoker and masterbuilt gravity fed, I'd go gravity any day. The friggin dino ribs from porter road on the gravity that I make are insane. Pellets have their place for sure and are great

[@ninjastiz9046]

I went crazy and got all the LSS mods for my masterbuilt and it only made it better. There's only one moving part. A $12 dollar fan that is sold on Amazon. Love it

[@eightbll1017]

After three pellet smokers I'm done. Back to charcoal/wood for me.

[@Huy0035]

As I am highly considering this grill. I would love to know how well it would cook a neapolitan style pizza using the pizza oven assessory at temps around 800-850. How well does the grill perform if you run the temps up +900? Will it hold it well and if so what fuels were used? Is it damaging the grill? Also, since I am considering this for the pizza cooking abilities as well. I wonder how it would cook a neopolitian style without the pizza oven and with a large pizza stone that's say plus 1" thick? I know you said it can hold those super low temps. What fuels ie; charcoal, wood chunks, or lump charcoal, did you use? And did the fire want to go out? Would it be good for jerky or maybe smoked cheeses... hmm. Also, thanks for not putting all that terrible background music into your videos like a lot off youtube bbqer's do. Its quite annoying and very distracting. Thanks!

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

I've never cooked with any sort of temps that high, but if you are using a pizza oven attachment, you will reach higher temps in the oven attachment before the entire grill actually hits those temps. If you did indeed get your grill to 900, you'd damage it. There's a reason the MB stock control unit won't go that high. Also, as an OONI pizza oven owner, you don't really need 900 temps to cook a neo pizza. Frankly, the MBG can do great pizza and many others have proven that. perhaps I need to try it myself. As far as fuel, I switch between Lump (hot and fast) and Charcoal (low and slow). Typically I'm using B&B products. Fire won't go out at super low temps with the fireboard keeping it going. You can absolutely do cold-smoke cheese and jerky with it. Appreciate the feedback about the music. I try to do what I'd prefer to listen to as well :)

[@Huy0035]

@@Smokingmeatsbbq great to hear. Thank you for the response

[@mossy112965]

You never covered how you run the hickory splits? They appear too large to go in the ash try, I assume you put them in the fire box with charcoal?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

I’ll have to do a video on that but yes I just put them in the ash bin. I cut them to size so they fit. Smaller chunks work just as fine too. If you run splits in the chimney… you place the split in vertical to one side and then fill charcoal around it. And so on.

[@wareagle0585]

How much wood chunks would you use for an average sized butt ? Thinking about getting one of these and trashing my pit boss pellet. I use my blackstone mostly when I want burgers but will use this as well when I want that fire kissed burger. Are flare ups a major problem ?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

Flare ups are nothing if you keep it clean. I use probably 4-6 chunks for a butt. Once you get past half way, you don’t need much.

[@danielmason1562]

I have been using a Masterbuilt electric smoker for 4 years. It's not wide enough for full racks or whole brisket. My question is, when the meat is done, do l just have to burn up the remaining charcoal. Seems wasteful. What's the strategy? How do you estimate amount of fuel and cook time? Thank you

[@vicrattlehead220]

@2:34 He removes slides. This opens the airflow for the coals to burn. So when done cooking replace these slides and it will snuff out the coals and you can use what is left on the next cook.

[@DN-ps4bn]

I wonder if you could just burn wood instead of charcoal??? Have you tried it?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

It would burn wood and I have tried it. Easier to keep it fed with the mix.

[@jeffreydennis4300]

You mentioned B&B for fuel. Are you running lump or briquettes?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

Typically briqs since I’ve had issues with bridging with lump occasionally. Just use wood in the ash pan and it’s the perfect combo!

[@DN-ps4bn]

I have a 900 and for some reason I cant find any videos on the 900

[@StevesRC]

It’s just an 800 with a pizza oven option right? Just watch 800 vids :)

[@johnmccaffery5186]

Hey, you never said or listed the damper mod in the back of the grill, where did you get that or what kind is it?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

My apologies. I've updated the description. It is from a company called Klotes Mods.

[@johnmccaffery5186]

@@Smokingmeatsbbq thanks for the info! I D made as a must-have mod on this smoker. I’m going to be picking one up later in the spring and really look forward to it.

[@darinmorgan5261]

What is the mod on the handle?

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

This is a weber grill light. Its a snug fit, but its nice to have light when you open the hood at night. I'll put the link in the description of this video now.

[@pbeaurivage]

I tried with my solar bank 20000mAh with an outpouring of 2.1A and doesn’t work, when a setup de temperature, my gravity 900 restart. Do I need another thing to transform my Masterbuilt electric in a solar one? Thanks!

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

Are you using the adapter cable I recommended?

[@pbeaurivage]

@@Smokingmeatsbbq yes & the battery

[@pbeaurivage]

But I don’t have the fireboard

[@celicalostandfound]

I have had my Masterbuilt 3 years now. Hands down the best griller/smoker I have ever used. Having said that there is a new griller/smoker on the market I got my eye on......

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

What’s that?

[@celicalostandfound]

@@Smokingmeatsbbq The Spider Huntsman.

[@tank5944]

How does that big brisket rack work being 16.5 in wide? The cast iron grates are 16"

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

All I know is that it fits :)

[@Mr8ohms]

Wow your lucky over a year had to replace my controller twice, 2 of the door switches failed, and the worst, one of the wires for the temperature sensor came off the worst plug ever made, the connection to the plug with a 4-40 nut and the controller somehow still worked and ran the grill full blast until I came and saw the paint melting off the back of the grill. Don't buy Masterbuilt it's dangerous.

[@Smoke_N_EmbersBBQ]

@Smokingmeatsbbq great video. Got a steal for $200 for someone moving. Cant wait to so my first cook. I just started my channel. Come swing by if you can.

[@Smokingmeatsbbq]

Subbed!

[@Smoke_N_EmbersBBQ]

@Smokingmeatsbbq I appreciate you.