Model: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker - Charcoal Grills at Academy Sports
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I have this. On the one hand the concept is great as is the execution. You do truly get a self regulating charcoal burning grill that can double as a smoker or get up to 700 degrees to sear stuff.
On the other hand, when building it, the quality of the components is very evident that this won't last forever as metal is very thin & will certainly rust out sooner than you'd like.
Check out the Char-Griller 980 at the same price (edit: actually Char-Griller is $100 less). Better built and has some improvements learned from letting Masterbuilt go first. Better fire box (fire bricks instead of metal), porcelain coated parts, better manifold, better grease trap design and generally thicker steel as well.
Not trying to threadcrap, honest question- isn't masterbuilt one of those brands that's basically disposable after a few years (rusts out, etc). Even at a discount, I'm hesitant to pay Weber/traeger prices if it's not built to last.
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Well Webber or traeger are typically more money than Masterbult. I have had 2, 30" and 40" electric smokers. After about 3-4 years the 30" died and I thought I could fix it with parts (pretty good part support). I couldn't, called them up and they gave me a great discount on a 40" shipped to my door. I have had this one for 4 years now, I just had to replace the controller because I moved to a new place and it wasn't under an over hang and it got water logged. $60 later, new controller and now I have Bluetooth support too. Keep a cover on thier stuff, I find that it helps and also keep it out of rain storms if you can and it will last for a good bit. I still recommend them for people getting into smoking, good entry point and you can make some killer food with it. Once it does die, decide if you want to go to something nicer or not.
Appreciate the details. As far as price goes though, for $700 though it's at the point where you have a whole lot of higher end options, and definitely at the point where I wouldn't be happy about pitching it after a few years for something nicer.
I have this. On the one hand the concept is great as is the execution. You do truly get a self regulating charcoal burning grill that can double as a smoker or get up to 700 degrees to sear stuff.
On the other hand, when building it, the quality of the components is very evident that this won't last forever as metal is very thin & will certainly rust out sooner than you'd like.
Check out the Char-Griller 980 at the same price (edit: actually Char-Griller is $100 less). Better built and has some improvements learned from letting Masterbuilt go first. Better fire box (fire bricks instead of metal), porcelain coated parts, better manifold, better grease trap design and generally thicker steel as well.
the firebox in the masterbuilt is also made of fire bricks. the metal that's there is to protect it during shipment. I'm curious to hear feedback on the char griller. I've been enjoying my 800 quite a bit
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank dankpharmacist
06-21-2021 at 04:36 PM.
I own this. Sensors fail. burn off required. Poor engineering. Love the 550 for $300 but it has issues. Id never spend $700 on this. Grease fires cant be controlled which is why a burnoff is required after use. If you disagree please tell me how much you used yours cuz I used mine A LOT. My chimney wall is almost fully burned thru. Great design, poor materials and execution.
Appreciate the details. As far as price goes though, for $700 though it's at the point where you have a whole lot of higher end options, and definitely at the point where I wouldn't be happy about pitching it after a few years for something nicer.
Yes, I was talking more about the $300-$400 electric smokers I have had. I did look at this one at full price and at $700 it is to the point that I would like to see Weber written on the cover not Masterbuilt. If this was $500, different story. But support is good and parts are available which is nice.
This thing is a monster. Coming from a Weber Smokey mountain. It fires up super easily and holds the temp perfectly with any lump I've thrown into it. Wally sent a slightly dented unit but I kept it because I didn't notice until I spent like 2 hours assembling
From my vast (20 minutes) experience, I believe this smoker / grill is a pretty good grill for a couple of reasons. The stack on the side allows you to not have to fill up constantly. The inside of it allows you to have great versatility with what you cook and square is actually pretty efficient for space when cooking, even for a grill. You can easily make it "smart" by adding 3rd party sensors off Amazon. I REALLY think its a poor choice to get a grill that has flashy things on it because they almost always skimp elsewhere like thickness of metal (super important), overall build quality, etc.
If you do plan on getting this, make sure you look up ways to keep your smoker from rusting.. this isn't exactly the cheapest so I'm sure you'll want to keep it around for a while.. just covering it typically isn't enough and there's some really easy methods out there. Also, make sure you use high quality briquettes if you can afford it, it really does help.
I would avoid these masterbuilt gravity series. I have had 2 of them in less than a year. The first one went out on day 87 of ownership so I was able to exchange. And funny enough the second one will also not hold a consistent temp. What I mean is, if I set it up to 225. It'll keep climbing and climbing. On my last cook it got close to 400. I literally just picked up a different smoker today. After my experience I will never own another masterbuilt. I loved this grill and have smoked some mean briskets. I just cannot deal with the nonstop issues tho. Buy at your own risk.
Not trying to threadcrap, honest question- isn't masterbuilt one of those brands that's basically disposable after a few years (rusts out, etc). Even at a discount, I'm hesitant to pay Weber/traeger prices if it's not built to last.
Well the same thing from traeger or Weber doesn't exist yet. So that's not an option. Next year you'll see Weber release a gravity fed charcoal smoker and it will probably be 1200 - 1400. Examples would be their recent pellet grills which they waited to bring out and their price points. I own a Oklahoma Joe pellet and the masterbuilt and sold my 6 burner Weber genesis to make room for this masterbuilt. No it's not the same "quality" but the flavor is significantly better than Weber propane.
I have the Chargriller and am quite happy with it. I was looking at the Masterbuilt series before getting the CG. The 560 size would fit my needs better but I was looking at a LOT of expensive mods.
Given now awesome gravity fed charcoal grills seem to be, I would expect more competitors.
If you're considering this, I'd really look into the mods people are doing to help with longevity (e.g. steel sleeves in the hopper/burn box). Great concept and attempt at bringing to the masses, just not there yet in my opinion and too many red flags.
Well the same thing from traeger or Weber doesn't exist yet. So that's not an option. Next year you'll see Weber release a gravity fed charcoal smoker and it will probably be 1200 - 1400. Examples would be their recent pellet grills which they waited to bring out and their price points. I own a Oklahoma Joe pellet and the masterbuilt and sold my 6 burner Weber genesis to make room for this masterbuilt. No it's not the same "quality" but the flavor is significantly better than Weber propane.
Yeah, sorry didn't mean to confuse anyone and imply Weber of traeger have similar models yet. Just meant that there are lots of other high quality grills/smokers in this price range.
And I hope you're right about Weber introducing one next year! The sooner they introduce it, the sooner they can work the bugs out and release a V2. love the concept of these, but won't buy one until I can be reasonable confident it'll last for a decade-ish. For those who do buy this, enjoy the smokes with it on the 4th!
Yeah, sorry didn't mean to confuse anyone and imply Weber of traeger have similar models yet. Just meant that there are lots of other high quality grills/smokers in this price range.
And I hope you're right about Weber introducing one next year! The sooner they introduce it, the sooner they can work the bugs out and release a V2. love the concept of these, but won't buy one until I can be reasonable confident it'll last for a decade-ish. For those who do buy this, enjoy the smokes with it on the 4th!
Yep no worries, I got mine as a Walmart display for 187 earlier this year… I've gotten my money's worth! Also if you take reasonable care it's held up very well. Also masterbuilt shipped me replacement parts for items with scratches etc. so no complaints. Best flavor I've had from a home grill ever, I keep the pellet grill because my wife enjoys the ease of it. Masterbuilt is supposed to be doing more enhancements on the furniture models.
I have this and really appreciate its versatility.
The one issue that I had was one of the door sensors kept reading as open and the fan wouldn't kick on and the temperature just plummeted. It wasn't a faulty switch but more of a design issue from Masterbuilt. At lower temps (under 250 for smoking) the unit was fine, but the first time I cranked the heat up for searing a steak the ash door warped and the unit didn't maintain the heat.
There's a very simple workaround to this issue, but it likely voids the warranty.
Overall, however, I really like this smoker/grill. I cooked my first brisket for 11 people over memorial day and got a beautiful smoke ring and tons of flavor. Would recommend, but thought I'd add a heads up that there is one issue people should expect to pop up.
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On the other hand, when building it, the quality of the components is very evident that this won't last forever as metal is very thin & will certainly rust out sooner than you'd like.
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On the other hand, when building it, the quality of the components is very evident that this won't last forever as metal is very thin & will certainly rust out sooner than you'd like.
No in AZ
I have the char griller 980 and never looked back
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank dankpharmacist
Yes, I was talking more about the $300-$400 electric smokers I have had. I did look at this one at full price and at $700 it is to the point that I would like to see Weber written on the cover not Masterbuilt. If this was $500, different story. But support is good and parts are available which is nice.
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From my vast (20 minutes) experience, I believe this smoker / grill is a pretty good grill for a couple of reasons. The stack on the side allows you to not have to fill up constantly. The inside of it allows you to have great versatility with what you cook and square is actually pretty efficient for space when cooking, even for a grill. You can easily make it "smart" by adding 3rd party sensors off Amazon. I REALLY think its a poor choice to get a grill that has flashy things on it because they almost always skimp elsewhere like thickness of metal (super important), overall build quality, etc.
If you do plan on getting this, make sure you look up ways to keep your smoker from rusting.. this isn't exactly the cheapest so I'm sure you'll want to keep it around for a while.. just covering it typically isn't enough and there's some really easy methods out there. Also, make sure you use high quality briquettes if you can afford it, it really does help.
Well the same thing from traeger or Weber doesn't exist yet. So that's not an option. Next year you'll see Weber release a gravity fed charcoal smoker and it will probably be 1200 - 1400. Examples would be their recent pellet grills which they waited to bring out and their price points. I own a Oklahoma Joe pellet and the masterbuilt and sold my 6 burner Weber genesis to make room for this masterbuilt. No it's not the same "quality" but the flavor is significantly better than Weber propane.
Given now awesome gravity fed charcoal grills seem to be, I would expect more competitors.
And I hope you're right about Weber introducing one next year! The sooner they introduce it, the sooner they can work the bugs out and release a V2. love the concept of these, but won't buy one until I can be reasonable confident it'll last for a decade-ish. For those who do buy this, enjoy the smokes with it on the 4th!
And I hope you're right about Weber introducing one next year! The sooner they introduce it, the sooner they can work the bugs out and release a V2. love the concept of these, but won't buy one until I can be reasonable confident it'll last for a decade-ish. For those who do buy this, enjoy the smokes with it on the 4th!
Yep no worries, I got mine as a Walmart display for 187 earlier this year… I've gotten my money's worth! Also if you take reasonable care it's held up very well. Also masterbuilt shipped me replacement parts for items with scratches etc. so no complaints. Best flavor I've had from a home grill ever, I keep the pellet grill because my wife enjoys the ease of it. Masterbuilt is supposed to be doing more enhancements on the furniture models.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
The one issue that I had was one of the door sensors kept reading as open and the fan wouldn't kick on and the temperature just plummeted. It wasn't a faulty switch but more of a design issue from Masterbuilt. At lower temps (under 250 for smoking) the unit was fine, but the first time I cranked the heat up for searing a steak the ash door warped and the unit didn't maintain the heat.
There's a very simple workaround to this issue, but it likely voids the warranty.
Overall, however, I really like this smoker/grill. I cooked my first brisket for 11 people over memorial day and got a beautiful smoke ring and tons of flavor. Would recommend, but thought I'd add a heads up that there is one issue people should expect to pop up.