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  1. Home
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  3. Gravity-Fed Grills - Leaving Pellet Grills in the Dust
Gravity-Fed Grills - Leaving Pellet Grills in the Dust

Gravity-Fed Grills - Leaving Pellet Grills in the Dust

Lachlan Barnes · April 25, 2023

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.

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560

Gravity Series™ 560

560 sq in • Up to 12 hrs • Perfect for smaller patios and beginners

Shop the 560
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800

Gravity Series™ 800 Most Popular

800 sq in • Up to 10 hrs • Includes cast-iron griddle plate

Shop the 800
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050

Gravity Series™ 1050

1050 sq in • Up to 8 hrs • Ultimate capacity for large gatherings

Shop the 1050

Pros 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 Mitchel

Side-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 Gravity Series comparison chart

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
🏠
Best for

Apartment balconies, small backyards, and anyone new to gravity-fed cooking. The 560 delivers the full Masterbuilt experience in the most compact form factor.

Shop the Gravity Series™ 560 →
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560

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
🍳
Best for

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.

Shop the Gravity Series™ 800 →
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800

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
🔥
Best for

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.

Shop the Gravity Series™ 1050 →
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 features

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.

View All Models →
BBQ Charcoal Grill Masterbuilt

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