Gravity-Fed Grills - Leaving Pellet Grills in the Dust
Gravity Fed Grills — Leaving Pellet Grills in the Dust
Posted at 11:00 • 24 Apr • Angela Mitchel
Imagine a world where the convenience of a pellet grill melds seamlessly with the authentic wood flavor you adore from traditional BBQs. The answer to your dreams might just be a gravity-fed charcoal grill.
What is a gravity-fed charcoal grill?
A gravity-fed charcoal grill uses gravity to maintain a consistent burn of charcoal for extended periods. Like a pellet grill, it features a hopper that feeds lump charcoal, briquettes, and/or wood chunks — but it delivers the authentic smoke flavour that only real charcoal can produce.
Simply ignite the charcoal at the bottom of the hopper, set your target temperature, and the built-in fan and digital controller do the rest. The hopper holds up to 16 pounds (7.25kg) of briquettes, providing continuous heat for up to 12 hours without any intervention.
Gravity-fed grills let you smoke, grill, sear, bake, and roast — all with the rich charcoal flavour you love, and none of the hassle of traditional charcoal management.
Masterbuilt Gravity Fed Grill & Smoker
Masterbuilt pioneered the gravity-fed charcoal grill in 2019 and holds a patent for the design — explaining the limited competition in the market. Their Gravity Series™ is available in three sizes to suit every space and cooking style.
Gravity Series™ 560
560 sq in • Up to 12 hrs • Perfect for smaller patios and beginners
Shop the 560Gravity Series™ 800 Most Popular
800 sq in • Up to 10 hrs • Includes cast-iron griddle plate
Shop the 800Gravity Series™ 1050
1050 sq in • Up to 8 hrs • Ultimate capacity for large gatherings
Shop the 1050Pros and Cons of Gravity Fed Grills
What we love
- Set-and-forget temperature control
- Hassle-free multi-hour cooks
- Authentic charcoal smoke flavour
- Fast temperature adjustment
- Fuel-efficient charcoal burn
- Suitable for low-and-slow or high-heat searing
Worth knowing
- Higher upfront cost than basic charcoal grills
- Slight learning curve for new users
- Single-zone temperature (no multi-zone cooking)
- Larger footprint — less portable
- Charcoal availability varies by region
“Gravity-fed grills enable hassle-free cooking for hours on end. The charcoal feeds itself into the firebox, freeing you up to focus on family and friends — not fuel management.”
— Angela MitchelSide-by-Side Model Comparison
Not sure which Masterbuilt Gravity Series is right for you? Here's how the three models stack up:
| Feature | 560 | 800 | 1050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Area | 560 sq in | 800 sq in | 1050 sq in |
| Hopper Capacity | 10lb lump / 16lb briquettes | 10lb lump / 16lb briquettes | 10lb lump / 16lb briquettes |
| Max Cook Time | Up to 12 hrs | Up to 10 hrs | Up to 8 hrs |
| Preheat Speed | 187°C in 13 min | 450°F in 10 min | 370°C in 15 min |
| Griddle Option | No | Yes ✔ | No |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth & Wi-Fi | Bluetooth & Wi-Fi | Bluetooth & Wi-Fi |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1370×620×1320 mm | 1390×770×1290 mm | 1550×840×1320 mm |
| Best For | Small spaces, beginners | Versatile everyday cook | Large groups, serious BBQers |
Which Masterbuilt Gravity-fed model is right for you?
Masterbuilt pioneered the gravity-fed charcoal grill industry in 2019. The company holds a patent for this design, which explains the limited competition in the market. Here's how to choose:
- Choose the 560 if you have a small patio or deck, or if you're new to gravity-fed grills
- Choose the 800 if you want the flexibility of a flat-top griddle alongside traditional grilling
- Choose the 1050 if you regularly cook for large groups and want maximum cooking real estate
Masterbuilt Gravity 560 — Overview & Specifications
With the Gravity Series™ 560, you can smoke, grill, sear, bake, and roast. The DigitalFan™ maintains your set temperature automatically, while the GravityFed™ hopper provides over 12 hours of fuel. Reversible cast-iron grates let you switch between smoking and searing, and the grill reaches 187°C in just 13 minutes.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cooking Area | 560 sq. in. |
| Hopper Capacity | 16lbs (7.25kg) briquettes / 10lb (4.5kg) lump charcoal |
| Max Cook Time | 12 hours per hopper |
| Preheat | 107°C in 7 min • 187°C in 13 min |
| Fan | DigitalFan™ for precise temperature control |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth & Wi-Fi app control |
| Dimensions | 1370mm (W) × 620mm (D) × 1320mm (H) |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
- Compact footprint — ideal for smaller patios, decks, and backyards
- 12-hour cook times — smoke a brisket overnight without refuelling
- 107°C in 7 minutes — low and slow ready faster than any charcoal kettle
- 560 sq in — enough for a full rack of ribs or a large pork shoulder
Apartment balconies, small backyards, and anyone new to gravity-fed cooking. The 560 delivers the full Masterbuilt experience in the most compact form factor.
Masterbuilt Gravity 800 — Overview & Specifications
The 800 adds a reversible flat-top griddle to the Gravity Series formula — switch between traditional cast-iron grates and a full flat-top cooking surface with a single component flip. The 5,160cm² total cooking area handles everything from breakfast eggs to slow-smoked brisket.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cooking Area | 800 sq. in. (500 primary + 300 warming rack) |
| Hopper Capacity | 16lbs (7.25kg) briquettes / 10lb (4.5kg) lump charcoal |
| Max Cook Time | Up to 10 hours per hopper |
| Preheat | 225°F in 8 min • 450°F in 10 min • 700°F in 14 min |
| Fan | DigitalFan™ for precise temperature control |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth & Wi-Fi app control |
| Dimensions | 1390mm (W) × 770mm (D) × 1290mm (H) |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
- Hybrid griddle + grill — the only Gravity Series model with a full flat-top option
- Foldable front shelf — extra prep space that folds away for compact storage
- 800 sq in — perfect for family gatherings and back-to-back grilling sessions
- 10-hour hopper — enough for long overnight smokes or a full day of BBQ
Home cooks who want maximum versatility — the 800 is the only model that lets you cook on a flat-top griddle and a traditional grill from the same unit. Great for families who love variety.
Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 — Overview & Specifications
The flagship of the Gravity Series, the 1050 delivers 6,774cm² of cooking real estate across reversible cast-iron grates and FoldAway™ warming racks. It's the model for those who entertain at scale — reaching extreme searing temperatures while maintaining the same effortless digital control.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cooking Area | 1050 sq. in. (6,774cm²) |
| Hopper Capacity | 16lbs (7.25kg) briquettes / 10lb (4.5kg) lump charcoal |
| Max Cook Time | Up to 8 hours per hopper |
| Preheat | 107°C in 10 min • 370°C in 15 min |
| Fan | DigitalFan™ for precise temperature control |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth & Wi-Fi app control |
| Dimensions | 1550mm (W) × 840mm (D) × 1320mm (H) |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
- 1,050 sq in cooking area — cook multiple briskets, ribs, and sides simultaneously
- FoldAway™ warming racks — maximise usable space or fold away for taller cuts
- 370°C searing capability — restaurant-quality crust on steaks
- Full Masterbuilt app control — monitor and adjust from your phone anywhere
Serious BBQ enthusiasts and those who regularly host large groups. If you've outgrown your current grill or want to cook competition-style at home, this is your machine.
Our verdict: Which Masterbuilt Gravity Fed grill should you buy?
All three models share the same core technology — GravityFed™ hopper, DigitalFan™ temperature control, and Masterbuilt app connectivity. The difference comes down to space, budget, and how you cook:
- The 560 is the smartest entry point — compact, capable, and great value
- The 800 is the most versatile — the griddle option alone is worth the upgrade for many cooks
- The 1050 is for those who want the absolute best — the cooking space and searing temperature are unmatched in its class
Whichever you choose, you're getting Masterbuilt's proven gravity-fed technology and the kind of charcoal flavour that no pellet grill can replicate.
Masterbuilt Accessories
Rotisseries, griddle plates, covers, charcoal and more — everything to get more from your grill.
Shop Accessories →All Gravity Series Grills
Browse the full Masterbuilt Gravity Series™ range and find your perfect match.
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