Are yo thinking about getting a MasterBuilt Gravity Fed grill/smoker? We picked one up a little over a month ago. Here we will go over what everything you need to know about it and how it has been working out for my family.

For reference, we have had a PittBoss Viatical pellet smoker for a few years. I did enjoy smoking on it. But when our grill needed replaced, we were looking into something that could kill two birds with one stone to save space. We had a gas/charcoal grill combo, the Pitt Boss pellet smoker and a Blackstone. This is where the MasterBuilt Gravity Fed 1050 comes into play.

The MasterBuilt Gravity Fed 1050 is a smoker that has been designed to make smoking meat easier, more efficient, and more convenient. With its unique gravity-fed design, this smoker has become a favorite among our famaily. In this article, we will take a closer look at the MasterBuilt Gravity Fed 1050 and explore its features, benefits, and how it can help you elevate your barbecue game.

Design of the MasterBuilt Gravity Series

The MasterBuilt Gravity Fed 1050 has a unique design that sets it apart from other smokers. Unlike traditional smokers that rely on a firebox to generate heat or a pellet smoker that doesn’t give a heavy smoke taste, this smoker is equipped with a gravity-fed hopper that automatically feeds charcoal into the firebox. This design eliminates the need for constant monitoring and replenishing of charcoal, which can be time-consuming and tedious.

The hopper can hold up to 16 pounds of charcoal, which is enough to last for 10+ hours of smoking. The smoker is not just a smoker either. It is also a grill and even a blackstone. Besides smoking meats, it is also used to cook your hotdogs, burgers, etc. TheMaster Built 800 series comes with a griddle but on the 1050 series, you will need to pick this up separate.

The smoker has four cooking racks, which can be adjusted to accommodate different types of meat and sizes. The racks are made of heavy-duty stainless steel, which can withstand high temperatures and are easy to clean.

The smoker also has a built-in meat probe thermometer that allows you to monitor the internal temperature of the meat without opening the smoker. This feature helps to maintain a consistent temperature inside the smoker, which is critical for achieving perfectly smoked meat.

Benefits of the MasterBuilt Gravity Fed Grill/Smoker

The MasterBuilt Gravity Fed has several benefits that make it an excellent choice for every barbecue enthusiast.

Firstly, the gravity-fed hopper design eliminates the need for constant monitoring and replenishing of charcoal. This feature makes smoking meat more convenient and doesn’t require to be with at all times. You can even do your smoking overnight and set the app alarm for temperature.

Second, the four cooking racks provide plenty of space for smoking different types of meat and sizes. This feature allows you to smoke a variety of meats at the same time, which is perfect for hosting large gatherings or events.

Next, the built-in meat probe thermometer allows you to monitor the internal temperature of the meat without opening the smoker. This feature helps to maintain a consistent temperature inside the smoker, which is critical for achieving perfectly smoked meat. The temperature and meat probes work through an app. Yes through your wifi :). Note: MasterBuilt has had app issues since release. The most recent update seems to have fixed all the connection issues. It has been working solid for us for about 3 weeks.

Replacement parts for the MasterBuilt Gravity Fed grill/smokers are cheap and easy to find which is always good. If you like upgrades, there are a ton of mods that can also be done.

Finally, the heavy-duty stainless steel construction of the cooking racks makes them durable and easy to clean. This feature ensures that the smoker will last for many years and can withstand high temperatures.

How to Use the MasterBuilt Gravity Fed

Using the MasterBuilt Gravity Fed is easy and straightforward. Here is a basic step-by-step guide. If you would like a actual recipes, the MasterBuilt app will have these.

1. Fill the hopper with charcoal.
2. Add wood chips or chunks to the firebox  or layered in the hopper for smoke flavor.
3. Put a fire starter (like these) under the charcoal in the designated spot and start the charcoal. Leave hopper door open for 2 minutes
4. Pull out the two air flow blockers
5. Preheat the smoker to the desired temperature.
6. Place the meat on the cooking racks.
7. Insert the meat probe thermometer into the thickest part of the meat.
8. Close the smoker and let the meat smoke/grill until it reaches the desired internal temperature.
9. Remove the meat from the smoker and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning and maintaining the MasterBuilt Gravity Fed 1050 is essential for ensuring that it lasts for many years. Here are some tips for cleaning and maintaining your smoker:

1. Clean the cooking racks after each use with a wire brush or scraper.
2. Empty the ash from the hopper and firebox after each use.
3. Use aluminum foil on your heat shield. This can be changed out quickly after a couple uses.
4. Do burn off after each use
5. Don’t forget to pull your drip pan and slide to clean after each use
6. Tie your fan wires up under the grill when putting together

Overall we have loved the MasterBuilt Gravity Fed Smoker/Grill. One thing we did not invest in is the griddle. As mentioned above, we already had a Blackstone. We love that as well and decided to keep it so I’m unable to speak on ho the griddle works on the MB. But we were able to replace out large grill and pellet smoker with one device which we love.

So you me be trying to decide between the MasterBuilt 1050 vs MasterBuilt 800. So which one is for you?

MasterBuilt 800 vs MasterBuilt 1050

There is not a lot of differences between the Master Built 800 and 1050, but there are a few. The main decision maker for my family was size/cooking space and not needing the included griddle with the 800.

Cooking Space

The MasterBuilt 800 has a total cooking space of 800 square inches, which is divided between four chrome-coated smoking racks. This space is enough to smoke large cuts of meat or multiple smaller cuts at the same time.

The Master Built 1050 has a larger cooking space of 1050 square inches, which is divided between four heavy-duty stainless steel cooking racks. This space is enough to smoke even more meat or larger cuts of meat.

Temperature Control

Both the MasterBuilt 800 and the MasterBuilt 1050 have adjustable dampers that allow you to control the airflow and temperature inside the smoker. These is no differences that I know of.

Included Griddle with 800 Series

The MasterBuilt 800 has a griddle that comes with the grill. The 1050 Series does not but can be purchased separately (like this one)

Price

The MasterBuilt 1050 is more expensive than the MasterBuilt 800. However, the extra cost is justified by the larger cooking space, the unique gravity-fed design, and the built-in meat probe thermometer.

Which One to Choose?

The choice between the Masterbuilt 800 and the Masterbuilt 1050 depends on your needs and budget.

If you have a small family, not a lot of space and do not entertain a lot of people, the 800 would be a good fit. If you have the room or a large family, the 1050 would be a perfect fit. We went with the 1050 because we live to grill and entertain a lot during the summer months.

In conclusion, both the MasterBuilt 800 and the MasterBuilt 1050 are excellent smokers that can help you achieve perfectly smoked meat. The choice between these two models depends on your needs, budget, and space to accommodate.