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 560 Gravity Series™ 800 Most Popular 800 sq in • Up to 10 hrs • Includes cast-iron griddle plate Shop the 800 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 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 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 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 → 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 →

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Gravity-Fed Grills - Leaving Pellet Grills in the Dust

Posted on April 25, 2023