Posted at 11:00 • 24 Apr • Angela Mitchel
Gravity Fed Grills - Leaving Pellet Grills in the Dust
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, as the name suggests, uses gravity to maintain a consistent burn of charcoal for extended periods. Similar to a pellet grill, this design features a hopper that can hold lump charcoal, charcoal briquettes, and/or wood chunks.
To use the grill, you simply ignite the charcoal at the bottom of the hopper, set your preferred temperature, and let the grill work its magic.
The grill incorporates an electronic temperature system and a fan, ensuring that your charcoal burns at a consistent temperature for hours. The hopper can accommodate 10 pounds (4.5kg) of lump charcoal or 16 pounds (7.25kg) of charcoal briquettes, allowing for continuous burning for up to 8 hours without needing to add more fuel.
Gravity-fed grills offer versatility in smoking, grilling, and searing with just a touch of a button. They are user-friendly and help you achieve the delicious, smoky, charcoal flavor you crave without the hassle associated with traditional charcoal grills.
Masterbuilt Gravity Fed Grill & Smoker
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Pros and Cons of Gravity Fed Grill & Smoker
What we love about gravity-fed grills
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Consistent temperature: Integrated temperature control and fan maintain a steady temperature throughout the entire cooking process, allowing for even cooking and reducing the chance of overcooking or undercooking the food.
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Hassle-free cooking: Gravity-fed grills enable hassle-free cooking for hours on end, as the charcoal is continuously fed into the firebox, freeing up time for the cook to focus on other tasks or simply enjoy the gathering.
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Fuel efficiency: These grills are fuel-efficient because they use charcoal in a more controlled manner, minimizing waste and reducing the amount of charcoal needed for a cookout.
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Fast temperature adjustment: The ability to raise or lower the temperature in a matter of minutes allows for greater control over the cooking process.
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Flavor: Gravity-fed grills provide all the charcoal smoke flavor you love with no hassle.
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Long cook times: These grills are suitable for slow-cooking meats over several hours, allowing for tender, flavorful results.
What we think are disadvantages of gravity-fed grills
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Initial cost: Gravity-fed grills can be more expensive than traditional charcoal grills or gas grills, making them a more significant initial investment.
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Learning curve: It may take some time to learn how to properly use and maintain a gravity-fed grill, especially for those who are accustomed to more traditional grilling methods.
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No multi-zone cooking: Gravity-fed grills do not allow for multi-zone cooking, as the entire grill surface can only be set to one temperature.
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Portability: Gravity-fed grills are often larger and heavier than other types of grills, making them less portable and more difficult to move around.
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Availability of fuel: Charcoal is not always readily available in all areas, and using a specific type of charcoal may be necessary to achieve the desired results. This can be a challenge for some users.
Gravity-fed grills enable hassle-free cooking for hours on end, as the charcoal is continously fed into the firebox, freeing up time for the cook to focus on other tasks or simply enjoy the gathering.
Angela Mitchel
What are the available gravity-fed models in the market?
Masterbuilt pioneered the gravity-fed charcoal grill industry in 2019 by introducing a model that combined the convenience of pellet grills with charcoal grilling. The company holds a patent for this design, which explains the limited competition in the market.
Which Masterbuilt Gravity-fed model is right for you?
Masterbuilt Gravity 560 Overview & Specifications
With the Gravity Series™ 560 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker by Masterbuilt, you can smoke, grill, sear, bake, roast and so much more. Set the temperature on the digital control panel or your smart device and the DigitalFan™ maintains the desired cooking temperature. The GravityFed™ charcoal hopper holds over 12 hours of charcoal and gravity ensures you have constant fuel to the fire. The reversible cast-iron grates are perfect for smoking or searing and in just 13 minutes this grill can reach 187°C.
| Feature | Specification 560 |
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Cooking Area |
560 sq. in. |
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Hopper Capacity |
16lbs(7.25kg) briquetes / 10lb(4.5kg) lump charcoal |
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Single Hopper Cooking Time |
12 hours of use |
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Temperature Range |
Reaches 107°C in 7 minutes or 187°C in 13 minutes |
|
Fan |
DigitalFan™ technology for precise temperature control |
|
Control Panel |
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity to monitor your cook from your phone |
|
Dimensions |
1370mm (W) 620mm (D) x 1320mm (H) |
|
Warranty |
1 year manufacturer |
Masterbuilt Gravity 560 - Key Features and Benefits
- Compact Size: With dimensions of Height:1320mm x Width:1370mm x Length: 620mm, the 560 is perfect for smaller patios, decks, and backyards.
- Gravity Fed Hopper: The 560 features a 10-pound charcoal hopper, which can provide up to 12 hours of continuous smoking or grilling.
- Digital Control Panel: Easily adjust and monitor temperature settings Reaches 107°C in 7 minutes or 187°C in 13 minutes, ensuring consistent cooking results.
- Cooking Area: With 560 square inches of cooking space, this grill is perfect for small gatherings and family meals.
Masterbuilt Gravity 800 Overview & Specifications
With the Gravity Series™ 800 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker w/ Griddle by Masterbuilt®, experience the power of GravityFed™ charcoal grilling with traditional grates or a full flat top griddle. Set the temperature on the digital control panel or your smart device and the DigitalFan™ maintains the desired cooking temperature.
The charcoal hopper holds 4.5kgs of lump charcoal or 7kgs of briquettes for up to 10 hours of use and gravity ensures you have constant fuel to the fire. The reversible smoke + sear cast-iron grates and warming + smoking racks add up to a total of 5,160 square centimetres of cooking space. You can smoke, grill, sear, bake, roast and so much more.
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 Grill provides a total cooking space of 800 square inches. This cooking area is divided into two sections: a primary grilling area of approximately 500 square inches and a secondary warming rack of about 300 square inches. This generous cooking space allows for simultaneous cooking of various items, making it suitable for hosting gatherings or cooking for a large family.
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| Feature | Specification 800 |
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Cooking Area |
800 sq. in. |
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Hopper Capacity |
16lbs(7.25kg) briquetes / 10lb(4.5kg) lump charcoal |
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Single Hopper Cooking Time |
Up to 10 hours |
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Temperature Range |
Reaches 225°F in 8 minutes, 450°F in 10 minutes, or 700°F in 14 minutes |
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Fan |
DigitalFan™ technology for precise temperature control |
|
Control Panel |
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity to monitor your cook from your phone |
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Dimensions |
1390mm (W) x 770mm (D) x 1290mm (H) |
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Warranty |
1 year manufacturer |
Masterbuilt Gravity 800 - Key Features and Benefits
- Hybrid Cooking: The 800 allows you to switch between a cast iron griddle and a grill grate, offering greater flexibility in your cooking methods.
- Larger Hopper: The 16lbs charcoal hopper provides up to 10 hours of cooking time, perfect for long smoking sessions or back-to-back grilling.
- Foldable Front Shelf: The front shelf folds down for convenient storage, while also providing extra space for food preparation.
- Cooking Area: With 800 square inches of cooking space, this model is suitable for larger gatherings and parties.
Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 overview & specifications
With the Gravity Series™ 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker by Masterbuilt, you can smoke, grill, sear, bake, roast and so much more. Set the temperature on the digital control panel or your smart device and the DigitalFan™ maintains the desired cooking temperature.
The GravityFed™ charcoal hopper holds up to 8 hours of charcoal and gravity ensures you have constant fuel to the fire. The reversible smoke + sear cast-iron grates and FoldAway™ warming + smoking racks add up to a total of 6774cm² (1050 square inches) of cooking space.
| Feature | Specification 1050 |
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Cooking Area |
1050 sq. in. |
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Hopper Capacity |
16lbs(7.25kg) briquetes / 10lb(4.5kg) lump charcoal |
|
Single Hopper Cooking Time |
Up to 8 hours |
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Temperature Range |
Reaches 107°C in 10 minutes or 370°C in 15 minutes |
|
Fan |
DigitalFan™ technology for precise temperature control |
|
Control Panel |
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity to monitor your cook from your phone |
|
Dimensions |
1550mm (W) x 840mm (D) x1320mm (H) |
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Warranty |
1 year manufacturer |
Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 - Key Features and Benefits
- Massive Cooking Area: The 1050 offers a whopping 1,050 square inches of cooking space, allowing you to cook for a crowd with ease.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity: Monitor and control your grill remotely with the Masterbuilt app, allowing for ultimate convenience and ease of use.
- This model is suitable for larger gatherings and parties.
Choosing the best Masterbuilt Gravity Fed grill?
When choosing the best Masterbuilt Gravity Fed grill for you, consider your cooking needs, space constraints, and budget. The 560 is perfect for beginners or those with limited space, while the 800 offers versatility with its hybrid cooking capabilities. For the ultimate BBQ experience, the 1050 provides the most advanced features and the largest cooking area. Whichever model you choose, you can't go wrong with Masterbuilt's quality and performance.
Masterbuilt Accessories
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Masterbuilt Gravity Fed
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