Masterbuilt Charcoal Grill Review
In this post we review the Masterbuilt Charcoal Grill and bbq range and consider the question, is Masterbuilt a good brand?
Our Review of the Masterbuilt Gravity Series Charcoal Grills
The 3 main bbqs in the Masterbuilt Gravity Series are the 560, 800 and 1,050 models. The 560 / 800 / 1050 refer to the size of the grill surface, although there is the slightly smaller (& cheaper portable bbq) which is worth considering - more on that later.
First, is Masterbuilt a good brand?
The Masterbuilt brand has been going since 1973, so for 50+ years they have been producing smokers, grills and bbqs all over the world. They claim to lead the way in the industry with their quality and innovation. They are always looking for new things to bring to the market - and with the gravity series you get...
"The flavour of charcoal, with the ease of gas!"
The gravity series is actually really easy to use.
- Simply light the firelighter
- Fill the hopper with charcoal
- Set the thermostat to the desired temperature
- Let the Electric fan and grill do the rest
- Get cooking!
So which to get?
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560, 800 or 1,050 Charcoal Grill
Ok, the main difference is the size!
How much space and flexibility do you want when you are cooking outdoors? The larger models also come with extras such as a full flat top griddle, interchangeable with the standard grate. There is also the recent addition with the pizza oven add-on.
As you can see, they all come with the gravity feed system on the right-hand side, and digital controls on the left panel. These control the fan, and therefore the temperature of your grill. The charcoal drops down the shute to where it burns, and the fan blows the correct amount of air across it to achieve the desired temp. You get a consistent temperature across the whole cooking service - with no hot or cold spots like on a traditional bbq. There are racks inside so you can move cooked food higher up to keep warm, and side shelves for convenience too.
Another great feature is that if you do need to top up the charcoal, you simply fill it from the top. No need to take the food or the hot griddle off the bbq, just top-up and carry on.
Other fantastic features of the gravity series range are:
- The digital fan maintains the cooking temperature - With the push of a button, the digitally controlled fan moves air flow from the hopper to the cooking chamber and maintains the desired cooking temp.
- The hopper holds enough charcoal for up to 10 hours of cooking - no need to remove charcoal after each use!
- The gravity system ensures constant fuel to the fire.
- Grill, sear, roast or low & slow cooking versatility. You can reach 370°C in 14 minutes, 110°C in 8 minutes - so whatever you need to do, you can be ready to cook quickly!
Discover the range here
You can check out these videos for a peek inside the grills!
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Electric Smoker
Get the flavour and versatility of charcoal with the ease of gas.
Finally, what about the Portable version we mentioned earlier?
Masterbuilt Portable BBQ
Charcoal BBQ in it's simplest form but with a digital facelift. The Masterbuilt® Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker provides the unmatched flavour of charcoal with the ease of a gas grill on the go. Forget manually adjusting the coals to get your grill to the right temperature – easily adjust the SteadyTemp™ dial to maintain desired temperature for up to 4 hours.
This bbq is great as a family bbq for the back garden - simply wheel it out of the garage and get cooking in minutes. Or take it with you... camping, to the beech, to your mates, down to the sports club, for a party ... Check out our latest adventures and where we have taken ours, on our YouTube Channel here
Take your portable Masterbuilt anywhere - your adventure awaits.
Discover the full range here