DON'T BUY Until You Watch This Review

Ok, ok, ok. I've finally made my verdict on the Masterbuilt Gravity Series vs Char Griller Gravity 980 debate. In this video I talk some pros and cons of both gravity fed smokers and I make a final decision on which one I prefer....AND let me preface by saying that this is my opinion based on dozens and dozens and dozens of cooks that I have performed on both smokers. In this video I will talk Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560, Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800, Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050, and the Char Griller Gravity Fed 980!

Products that I recommend for your everyday grilling:

The Masterbuilt 560 is the odd one out in the Masterbuilt line-up, as the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 and the Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 are basically the same besides physical size. The Masterbuilt 800 and Masterbuilt 1050 have the exact features, build, and functionality but the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 can be purchased with a griddle (not at Costco though... thats why its cheaper).

The Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 is a beast of a grill, and in fact has the largest main cooking surface out of all the grills! I think that is the most notable difference between all the gravity grills discussed in this video.

I dont want to spoil everything, but if you are considering a gravity fed smoker, take my opinions with a grain of salt.... both a great in their own ways, but we are human.... I'm allowed to have my preference and I feel that I defined that pretty clearly.

Hope you enjoyed this video! Be sure to subscribe, and I will see you next time at Andersons Smoke Show!

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#Gravitysmoker #charcoalgrill #smoker

[docohm]

Four years in Florida with my Masterbuilt 560. I kept it outside under a cover. After 4 years I need a new cover. I had to bypass the door switches to keep the fan working with the motherboard. I have some slight rust spots that I am going to sand down and repaint with Rustoleum high temp bbq paint. I need to remove and clean the thermocouple the motherboard uses. The bottom aft sheet metal heat shield below the grates behind the manifold and above the drip pan is rusted bad. The drip pan and fat basket are in great condition. Final thoughts. I love this grill. If you could put it in a shed or garage when not in use you wouldn't have the little rust issues. I love that I can use charcoal, lump, wood chunks or small sticks on this pit. I love that you can low smoke at 160 and sear at 700. I would recommend the MB800 if asked.

[GeekyMitch]

Just got the masterbuilt 800 and I have to say, as someone relatively new to smoking, I am impressed. Great step up from my zgrill pellet. July 4th I made a brisket on both and there was absolutely no comparison. HIGHLY recommend giving it a look if you're a pellet user looking for something that'll get a bit more of that smoke flavor in (and no smoke tube required).

Also highly recommend sucking it up and buying the masterbuilt fire starters that are made for these grills. I want to say it's a scam or price gouge or whatever but it honestly does make it a whole lot easier to get that bad boy lit in a hurry. WHile an oliveoil soaked papertowel does do it, it's doesn't do it as reliably...and trying to cram tumbleweed in there is a royal pain in the butt.

Great smoker all around - love that a 16 pound brisket fit comfortably on the middle rack too!

[samcro]

I have the MB1050. I hardly use the bottom grates unless I’m searing or grilling. I always use the middle grate to place the food with a thick cookie sheet below to catch drippings.

[GorillaJoesBBQ]

Ah man, this is gonna be a good one! I have the 980 and love it! Buddies at work have the masterbuilt and they love it haha. Seams like they both work awesome!

Just finished the video, completely agree with the inside rack being almost worthless in the 989, mine is never in, and the front shelf is almost useless with not being able to fit a cutting board and open the door. The only thing I haven't noticed on my 980 is how wobbly yours is. I move mine every time I cook and never thought it wasn't sturdy. Great review of both!!

[Oddzilla]

Thanks for the video! I've got the masterbuilt 560 and I love it. The only thing I have seen is that the temp probe appears to be set to compensate for the distance from the center to where the probe actually is. I bought a probe to clip near the food and it was always about 30 degrees difference when I set it to what it actually was showing with an additional probe I placed in to verify. This is just nitpicky from me, but I'd like to have an option to use a dynamic probe sometimes instead of a static probe (like a fireboard or other type setup, for example). The only other thing I'd say about the 560 is that the top of the hopped opens over the grill itself, instead of opening over the back. Again, just nitpicky.

[doublej]

You answered a bunch of questions right there for me, the only thing I would say bad about the MB is the switch’s but if a guy keeps them clean they work fine. But I have had some trouble with them other than that I’ve loved my 560.
The hole Wobble thing is probably a breaker for me. I’ll be getting the 800 next.
Thank for the video buddy, really answered a bunch of questions I had.
Alright I gotta go get ready for a big cook Saturday (30 people) is a big one for me
Thanks again brother 💯👍

[bryanwarning]

Great review! I have had both grills MB800 and the CG980. I switched to the CG980 due to its cooking size, but after two cooks, the fan burned and melted SMH. Come to find out after talking to CG, this grill is not recommended for use in windy weather. I used the MB800 in windy conditions, and it kept on cooking with no issues. In conclusion, I returned the CG980 and am returning to the Masterbuilt, but 1050 this time.

[mucacino]

Hey man, greetings from Czech Republic! I am in the half of this video, which is the first one I see from you and even without watching till the end, I have to thank you and give thumbs up! ! Very understandable, addressing exactly what I needed to know. Discovering and explaining those issues like little space between grill levels and front space hit by the handle, sturdiness and so on, makes sense. So, subscriptions to your channel, watching this till the end, and also check your other videos. I have Weber Genesis E-410 and not happy with it overall, missing the charcoal flavor and the heat on the grate is just low, low for steaks. I will choose my next grill with you, okay? 😀 Cheers! Jirka (George) 😀🤚🏻

[johnborsil]

There's quite a bit of videos explaining the Masterbuilt & BY FAR, this is THE BEST video explaining & educating people about it. You truly sound impartial. I was rooting for the Char Griller since I have the 5050, but I've been eyeing the 800 for quite some time now. The same issues I have with my 5050 is the same issues you explain here (porcelain instead of cast iron grates, lack of sturdiness, but somehow confusingly heavy). After a year of sitting on the fence, I think I'm decided on the 800. And right now, there's a "900" at Costco that comes with a pizza oven. Great video!

[jtlbb]

When I was at Lowes I couldn’t help but notice how wobbly the char griller was. I live in an extremely windy area and I have legit concerns about that. That’s why I’m going with the MB800. You’re the only reviewer I’ve seen mention how wobbly it is.

[crazyirish]

I’ve had a 1050 for awhile, actually my second one. You can’t just ignore the rust factor. They rust out too fast. The manifold could be covered better or porcelain covered along with the grates.

[jeffwertz]

Nice comparison. And the MB 800 gives you the griddle option as well, which I love to use. 😉

[jackieandleon]

Just picked up a MB gravity 800 for clearance at walmart. $350. First cook was ribs and turned out great. Thanks for the comparison.

[chrisstclair-cogd]

Great video. I got the MB 800 without the griddle. I'm going to get the LSS burner/grease catcher before I use it. I'm old and I live in Texas, and it's been over 100 degrees for over a month, so I haven't used it yet. As soon as I get the LSS part I'll do the burn in and seasoning, and set up the phone app. 😛

[mrboomdiada]

Thanks for the detailed, honest comparison. I love smoking on my mb but grilling still seems a little different than a traditional grill. Thinking about getting a shroud mod. Do you feel like grilling is equal on both?

[michaelanderson]

I will have owned the CG980 for a year on Christmas. After 3 months the fan melted, which somehow took out the controller. I made my own version of the LSS mod, and after a couple of months of back and forth with CG they sent a new fan and controller. I also replaced the silicon "flap" with a very thin, light piece of aluminum and two small hinges, and it functions good. The controller reads almost a hundred degrees higher than the actual center of the chamber, and i keep getting the fan error code, fan still looks new. Then discovered the firebox to chute seal was burned up. Replaced that...and still multiple fan codes during every cook. Its been a long, demoralizing year. I hate it, and will never buy anything affiliated with CG now, but i guess some people love them.

[netbravo]

I know I'm late to the party but, I just found you on YouTube. The Char Griller and the Masterbuilt are produced by separate companies both companies are owned by the world famous Milddleby company. They own brands like Viking and many other very top of the line culinary products. Your series on these grills was very helpful so thank you.... I bought both....

[francescocampisano]

I just got rid of my 1050. Had it since June of 2020. In central TX. Manifold, and inlet from fire chamber rusted through. Hopper developed large voids in the side walls in a couple places. No crazy use. Just bad materials. Lid hinge was also rusting. I loved that grill. Sure had quality issues with switches. Had to replace the fan under warranty. Had a few grease fires. But when it worked, it worked well. I might get the 980 to see if it lasts any better.

[danielsun]

Bought the 800 a few weeks just from your videos. Love it so far.

[dylkysdylkys]

Thank you for the review. Just to add few comments:

I have the 980 and it is very sturdy and does not wobble. Maybe you should check all the bolts in the frame and make sure they are tight. Don't ever trust the assemblers at big box stores, as they have to assembly many units quickly and have no reason to care if done properly.

I have always let my charcoal grills warm up for at least 45min before use to equal out the temps. I do my final food prep during that time.

My only complaint about the 980 is the poor flapper design. You have to be very careful not catch it on fire if you put wood chunks in the ash catcher. Yes, I burned my up one time. There are mods out there to move the fan and flapper further back. I have one on the way as of this writing.