Great video! Honestly I don't trust either of these grills to last very long before dying. One shop is now producing an adapter to allow you to use a Fireboard to control the Masterbuilt because their controllers are so flakey when they get a couple years on them. Both these seem like they're built pretty darn cheap relative to their cost. The weird brick issue with the Masterbuilt series really put me off those too. The Char-Griller has the weird flapper issue, although that seems easily mitigated. I think I prefer the relative simplicity and lower price of the new Char-Griller Auto Kamado, even though it's significantly smaller. That, or I will wait for a more robust option to come to market... Thanks for producing such useful content!
I haven't gotten hands on with the Auto Kamado yet, but I hope to in the future. That's an interesting concept to be sure. For me, Gravity charcoal grills have been a great concept that have been used in Comps for years, but primarily at the $2,000-$5,000 price points for much more robust units. Even then, those cookers didn't have a digital controller, so you were maintaining the temp with a simple ball valve most of the time, which is admittedly more work. I'm excited to see where the concept goes from here. I'd really love to see someone come to market with a gravity grill that is built to last 6-10 years. I doubt that it'll be sold in big box stores with the price it'll need to be, but I look forward to the day that there's a marriage of the $2,000 Comp gravity pits and these units here. I know it won't be long.
@@TheBarbecueLab I'm hopeful Napoleon or Broil King can kick one out that's a step up from these two. I can't imagine Weber offering one as they're pretty well married to kettles, although perhaps a kettle similar to the Auto Kamado? Lifetime is a really interesting wildcard here too, given their recent release of that pellet/gas hybrid beast:)
It would be nice to see someone like Yoder making a gravity grill/smoker running with the fireboard controller. I would definitely give them my money to replace my Masterbuilt. I love my Masterbuilt and it has done me good these past 2+ years. It's still running solid. But they did have to build them not as solid to hit that $500 price tag.
@@franciscoluna3464 I'm right with you. Yoder or Lone Star Grills have my initial vote to take this design to the next level. I can't image what the price would need to be with the price of metal so high right now.
Not sure what you mean by the weird brick issue with Masterbuilt. They’ve specifically addressed that. What it comes down to is people simply not trusting Masterbuilt. I’m not putting in the firebox mod because I’m trusting Masterbuilt. And even if the firebricks themselves wear out, replacement firebricks are significantly cheaper than the mod. As for the controller, I hardly touch it. The app works very well for me. Masterbuilt must’ve updated the firmware because I’ve not experience any of the issues with the app I hear others have. I honestly don’t see why this won’t last several years. Maybe not a lifetime but I don’t need it to last a lifetime. Even if it only last 5 years, to me that’s money well spent. The only real complaint I have with it is that it’s not easy to tell how much charcoal you have in the hopper. They should’ve designed some type of level indicator.
This was one of my dream grills I have always wanted by chance I went to Walmart today and I take a look in the garden section at the grill while pulling in and behold a clearance sign in front of this exact grill say 75.00. Well I guess Walmart really came thru with this late Christmas present. The only thing wrong with it was a lil rust on the griddle and the probes was messing. I now have my dream grill and only paid 75
Just bought the MasterBuilt 800. I was shopping for a birthday present for my daughter at Walmart. When I noticed the floor model MasterBuilt 800 had been clearance priced at $260! Didn’t really need another BBQ but couldn’t resist that. Haven’t used it yet, but looking forward to my first cook.
Wow for $260 I'd scoop one up in a heart beat. My current gas smoker is a MS Thermotemp and it's on its way out after about 3 years. Luckily I got it on sale. I wouldn't pay $700-800 for the MB800 due to long term reliability issues but under $300 and I'd give it a shot.
@@eskimofo9i6 I bought the MB800 a year ago and love it. I use a mix of wood and charcoal. I use it mostly for cooks that are at least an hour, the rest goes on the Napoleon gas grill.
I bought my 560 spring 2020. Since I'm retired on a fixed income cost vs quality and value were a big concern. If I had to do over I would still own a 560. Other than bypassing the switches for the two hopper doors, it is the same as it was from the factory. I only cook on it once or twice a week (weather permitting). The smoker works great and same for the grill. Right now I have two racks of baby backs and two strips of beef short ribs on smoking. Thing is still working great three years later.
At least two small companies make serious stainless steel mods for the Masterbuilt which resolve most of the longevity issues. They add ~50% to the original retail price but it makes the MB a very good product. I also understand the controller and app have been improved. Also, MB offers rotisserie and pizza oven (w/ stone) accessories, while the griddle is included with the 800. I think a griddle is available as an extra for the 560 and 1050. A couple other channels compare these two gravity grills and point out the Char-grillers legs seem a bit unstable. The gravity-fed charcoal system is a great hybrid for the benefits of charcoal and wood with the convenience of extended smoke time with the hopper and a fan to control temp. I had a pellet grill for some time. While they are very convenient, they don’t do smoke or sear very well imho. A few brands newer models have managed to improve the sear issue with a slide on the baffle bn the firebox and the grates. Smoke remains an issue with pellets but can be remedied to a degree with smoke tubes, anything I found those unreliable. I understand dedicated vertical pellet smokers do produce a bit better smoke than their horizontal brothers.
Good video. I keep going back and forth. I like the design and shape of the char griller better, but like the rotisserie option on the master built bc I want to rotisserie some things. Did you check by chance if the meter built would actually hold low temps? Like 150-200. This would be handy for sausage making
I just ordered a master built 800 and Lss mods kit. It seems like I’ve made a great decision to purchase this grill. I’m replacing my old offset for this grill because I still wanted to smoke flavor I could get from it. It was a decision between the traegar or another pellet grill. I choose this grill. I’m excited and can’t wait until it comes so I can start grilling.
Great review. I looked at both today. My RecTec is 13 yrs old, I have two Weber Kettles and a UDS. Looking to consolidate which lead me to these grills. I’ve been leaning toward the MasterBilt and your video seems to indicate I’m leaning in the right direction.
Odd how you had the trouble with the Char-griller as compared to others on RU-vid. From other tests I have seen, the 980 has a built in off-set for the temp which is calibrated to the center of the grill and runs fairly true.
It's a common issue. Mine has it and many people have complained online about it. Chargriller has done a pretty good job removing and hiding those reviews. With that said it is consistent. So it will keep that temperature true. It's just annoying that you need an additional temperature probe in there to know what the actual temperature is.
I have the same problem with my Chargriller 980. It seems to be a common issue. I tried changing temperature probe, changing the computer/processor, changing everything I could on it. Still having issues and their customer support acts like I'm crazy and not using the grill right. I have now seen multiple people report the same issue online. At least it keeps the temperature consistent but it's very annoying for an expensive grill to have this issue and for the company to completely ignore it.
For what it’s worth… I own neither, but have been interested enough in the CG to follow a group on Facebook that is devoted to that product. I seem to recall a post where temperature divergence was a result of the unit not being level enough, so that the fan wasn’t spinning the correct speed to match the desired temperature setting. It’s possible that the uneven surface in this video caused the same issue.
I read the same thing and tried to level it and confirmed with a level that it was perfect and still have the issue. I think some of the units are just lemons and Chargriller won't admit it. They are really good at asking you to do tedious tests and burn multiple bags of charcoal, and trouble shoot everything ten times. At the end they still will say "there is nothing wrong" but they know there is something definitely wrong. I still use mine regularly, the new upgrade in the app has made it impossible to use wifi with it but you can still connect to bluetooth if you are close enough. It makes amazing tasting food, one has to make sure they have probes in the chamber to monitor the temperatures and adjust accordingly. @@johny7388
Any information about the phone apps for the controllers (wifi? Bluetooth?)? The phone apps and connectivity are important as they may contain firmware updates (ex. could fix the temperature offset of the chargriller). Also, what were the results of your biscuit test (ie. Were there any hot spots across the cook areas you noticed -- the purpose of the buscuit test)? Finally, what was your impression of the hopper durability? Ive read a lot of folks are modding the masterbuilt hopper with more metal because its hopper is too thin (burning, warping, and disintegrating). Great video nonetheless!
The REAL question is, what about the Charcoal chimney surrounding metal chamber that melts away because of how thin the metal is on the Masterbuilt?! It exposes insulation to your food if you don't pay attention to that area. Does the Chargriller have that same issue??
Great content! I have the masterbuilt 1050 and I love how it smokes and grills. Char griller definitely looks nice but the inaccurate temp reading is what put me off. I do have a question? What’s your opinion on the master-built mods that are in the market. I’m rocking the masterbuilt without them and it seems to be doing fine. Just curious!
I haven't tried any of the mods that are out there for the Gravity Series, but I love that when people find something they don't like, they invent new ways to solve the problem. On the Char-Griller, I had to replace the fan and flap after it wasn't fitted correctly at the factory. I just remembered that since it was about 9 months ago. Haven't had a problem with it since, but it running under set temp was a constant. On the Masterbuilt, I never had a problem with the controller after I pulled the cable out of the back trying to put it away the first time I used it. They sent me a new controller and I've been super careful ever since, but I wish the cable had a quick disconnect. So, no mods for me at this point, but they aren't without their areas that they could be improved. Glad to hear yours is working great!
I bought my this month and have only noticed the temp off by less 5 degrees unless you’re putting in a ton off wood chip which is the instructions say do don’t. How much is the temperature off your
@@nathanieljackson5423 I don’t own the chargriller but I’ve learned to never trust the internal temp that comes with any smoker. I run my own temp probes and get dialed in that way.
I have the Char-Griller 980. 1st and foremost, I love the flavor and final end result of my food. However, when it comes to build quality I’m afraid to move it because the screws fall out. I’ve have multiple coding errors which include “open” either the feed lid or bottom door. The fan died on me as well as the power supply. Customer service was “complicated” not bad just difficult to get things going. It took over a month the get replacement part and I was never able to speak to a live person. Everything was done through email and when I was fed up someone said they would call which never happened. You have to take photos of the issue and email it. Not something II don’t want to experience again. Unfortunately, I need to contact them again for the replacement fan.
I'm sorry to hear that. It's never fun to have a customer service story that goes like this. I can't imagine that any company sets out for this to be their experience, but I'm sure systems and savings lead to this kind of end result sometimes. I hope you can work it out with them. I love the idea of both grills here, but I'd also love to see a heavier longer lasting model of this design at some point.
Yes unfortunate because I love the ease of it when it was working correctly. There was a little bit of a learning curve in the beginning, the temps were off but I learned the grill and know what to expect. I’m saving up for a traditional stick burner, no parts to assemble and never have to worry about electronics lol. Gonna have to sacrifice convenience but that’s ok.
Yeah, it's less convenient, but very rewarding to learn a stick burner. I love using the ones I have, I just need to find the time to dedicate to those long cooks.
Have a masterbuilt 560 and all my switches are bypassed and the manifold is rusted out.Had it 4 years but they don’t last.Char griller has better chimney and seems to be built better
Which part is the manifold? Thanks for sharing! I love the design of the MB over the Char Griller, and just prefer the overall design of it, but some say the Chargriller is built a bit better in terms of quality.. I’m still deciding on the 800 or the CG
I've made a lot of smashburgers for family and friends, but the best smashburger I've ever made was on the griddle of the 800. There's just something about charcoal flavor getting into a smashburger that you don't get anywhere else.
I've mixed charcoal and wood chunks in the hopper, and it's actually recommended by the manufacturer. The ratio they suggest is no more than 10% wood from what the designer told me, so I've stuck to that ratio and it's worked great for me. Nice wood smoke and charcoal heat. Haven't tried wood chips, but I know chunks works just fine.
Wood chips no. They're far too small. Wood chunks yes. There is a recommended max around 1.5lbs of wood chunks layered into the hopper and a lesser amount of wood chunks to the ash pan
I'm disappointed with this review. You did a great job on how they both cook, but neglected the grease management, build quality, known issues, and wifi/app comparisons. I'm still on the fence on which to buy. All other head to head comparisons recommend the 980 given the better build quality. Your review leans towards the 800, but neglected build quality as part of your review. My research continues....
This is clearly a biased review towards the masterbuilt. The chargriller has a better build quality and this video makes it seem the opposite. You even included that the rack hook broke because YOU put your body weight on it. The char griller has higher quality grates that are built to last and this video favored the MB because of your own bias. The chargriller holds within 20 degrees of set temp, MB holds temp more consistently but char griller has more even heat distribution
Are you by chance running it with the lid up? Or maybe the switch for the lid is faulty? The controller is programmed not to let the temp go over 500 degrees if the lid is open.
When using the griddle, I'm cooking at 500° and higher and leaving the lid open while I cook, so there really isn't any smoke to speak of at those temperatures, and since I'm not closing the lid, nothing is trapped around the food, so it's clean in my experience. I suppose if I closed the lid and only tried to use the griddle at 275° then there'd be an issue, but with the lid open and the fire up higher, we didn't encounter that during our experience.
@@TheBarbecueLabdoes the grill get above 500 when you have the lid open and the griddle installed? I thought there was a feature that’s supposed keep it at 500 max when lid is open
You guys must be tossing these things around on the patio to have that much trouble with screws and things coming loose. At home, people usually place the grill in its place and don’t really move it around.
