One major step he forgot, ALWAYS remove the top and bottom metal slides before attempting you light the charcoal. Without removing them, you can't get your temp up!
**WARNING** MASTERBUILT LIED! I know everyone saw the videos and complaints of the cheap metal in the firebox burning holes in it after just a few uses, and I know you saw that email from MB stating the metal panels were for shipping and meant to burn away and that there are “fire bricks” behind it. That is a lie. Someone just made a video showing what the actual insulation is, and it is NOT fire brick. It is soft insulation that disintegrates to the touch so that when the charcoal slides down it will scrape off the insulation. Here is the video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7pB7s6dYUmY.html People are reporting on other forums that the insulation is showing up in their ash bucket, which means it blows into the cook chamber. MB knew it would be a disaster so they lied. Actual IFB kiln/oven fire bricks cost less than 3 dollars and would actually last years, instead they decided to go even cheaper with insulation that looks like it belongs in your attic and lie about it. There is no way around it. The original metal panels will fall apart after a few uses and the exposed insulation will scrape off. That’s just the bottom line. Amazing MB would create and sell such a product to the mass market. This literally won’t last a year. I suspect we will probably need to add new gaskets down the line as well. I had a piece of metal chip off from the firebox after just seasoning the grill and that’s what made me look into all this. BUYER BEWARE
Mines came last week and I brought the 560 Basic Mod kit from L.S.S. Mods and it should be here in about a week and then it’s game on! Nice vid...thanks guys.
This grill in my experience needs major upgrades if you wanna grill at high temps often. Mines less than 2 years old and the manifold is rusted to hell, falling apart, and the inside of the firebox is pretty well eaten away. I know there are mods and stuff people are doing, i just want something thats going to work long term from the factory. I grilled ALL THE TIME at 700 degrees the first year and it is fantastic for steaks. But just didnt last. Its obviously a killer grill for low and slow smoking too.
I'm glad to see even the expert forgets to remove the blast gates. We all do it at least once. Great grill, even though I can't connect to Bluetooth. Don't really need it.
I'm about sold. He said its got 4 probe hookups and you can monitor and control it from your wifi or bluetooth though maybe they need a computer program you could use with a tablet or computer besides a bluetooth ap? I like it has meat temp alarms too. Is it just a bluetooth issue with your phone maybe?
I'm most concerned with build quality and how long it will last. Have seen a lot recently showing some concerns for corrosion and such. Will have to see.
It's a good pit, app sucks. They could of made the opening smaller to where the charcoal falls. I've noticed good size charcoals can fall through. Other than that I like it.
Thanks Chris. If you're anything like me, there's always room for another grill in the backyard, lol. I'd make room for one of these or the 1050 anytime.
I own this Chinese grill for over a year and it's a rusted POS and would never ever buy one again and no it's never been rained on just the humidity of the south Alabama. POG
I have had a traeger and now I have a green mountain and I don’t understand when he said they expect a wood flavor but don’t get it from pellet grills. When really I’ve gotten nothing but great taste off of both my pellet grills. I can totally see this thing being awesome and giving a different flavor then a pellet grill but that’s the things it’s not doing something better it’s just doing it differently
Hi all, this from someone who does not use a charcoal grill at this time. I do like the idea of this system and have seen it used by a few BBQ channels. However, I noted during the video (@6:45) that the charcoal feeder is not plumb to the cooking chamber. When that is combined with a few comments here questions may be raised about build quality or materials durability of this grill. Is this standard for the manufacturer? Or was the 'road show' just not paying attention during assembly. I don't mind paying what is needed to get something that'll last and look intentional for the life of the unit, i.e. not with an off-plumb giant box bolted to the side.
Real bummer when the grill shuts itself off and your grill goes cold in the middle of a smoke. Evidently this is due to the app and doesn’t happen if not using the app? Goes along with the fact that this thing REALLY needs a low/high temp warning. Other than that the 560 is the best thing that’s ever happened to home smokers.
Brian Clain Clan you would think the king of charcoal would stick to what they know best. I’m looking forward to the 1050 seems like they really beefed it up. Not sure how I feel about the $800 price tag on it and they could have at least thrown in an extra probe.
I first found out about these a couple weeks back after coming home with my first charcoal grill. This thing would have been the cat's ass for me, but I'd want to know how the electonics handle extreme cold (I live on the Canadian prairies, where -40 is a warm day) before ponying up the $700CAD if I decide to upgrade for the house and move the kettle I just picked up out to the cabin.
I just ran mine last night at 12f temp and had no issues hitting temps! I know you get colder but she did awesome. Went from 250 to 500 in less than two minutes.
That's something I'm wondering too. I'm just a hair east of Manitoba, and we get those lovely -40s through the winter too - just not with prairie winds. Although I generally pass on grilling once it's below -25. That just makes it unpleasant for ME to stand outside in. It's not bad to zip out once in a few hours to check on something in my Pit Boss, but wouldn't be super enjoyable if I was grilling steaks or something. They're on clearance for $249 right now though ... and I can't think of any good reasons NOT to get one at that price.
I really like the way this smoker works, but I would like to see a Rotisserie attachement in future models. My main question is where are the Gravity Series made?
I'm not sure where it's made, but my experience is that if it's made in America, you'll see it all over marketing materials and packaging. I'd contact Masterbuilt customer service for more information on that question as I don't know.
I quite like the look of the Gravity series, but I am seeing several people posting about how they have issues with connectivity. by the time I'm able to get a new grill maybe they'll have gotten it fixed though lol
I haven't cooked on the Gravity Series, but I sure do love the bark that it was putting on some of the demo meat at the BBQ Expo. I'd love to see what the fuss is about if I can get into a store here some day. #frigginlockdown
@@TheBarbecueLab I hear that, I was hoping to see one at the home depot when I was there a little while back cause online it said they had them, but I didn't see any :/ anyways yea I really like the idea of this, the bark I get on my "el cheapo" electric smoker I got from my father in law I'm assuming is nothing like on a charcoal smoker/ grill :D can't wait to finally try it out lol
Stephen Lloyd I can speak to my experience running on my IPhone. I haven’t had any issues with the app connecting. I’ve heard of some others having issues. There was an app update released last week and in looking at some videos out there, a lot of people’s issues connecting have been resolved, including android users. As far as having to push the connect button when the grill is opened, the way masterbuilt explained it to me was that it’s a liability issue. You know that you’re connecting to the grill and walking away from it when you hit that button. They also said it’s deemed to be a monitoring function, where you can change temps, check probe temps, set timers all through the app, but not walk away and forget. Just what they told me for what it’s worth. I love it so far.
If you're trying to connect with an android phone, check which frequency your router is broadcasting. The app will connect either connect with 2.4 or 5GHz.
I had a Smoke Hollow Hearth XL 2,700 sq. Inches. Propane. Master built bought them out and they are no longer made. Burnt up in house fire ( long story). I’m looking for one with approximately same capacity. I can’t find one anywhere near that capacity. I don’t want a pellet smoker. I have been looking at these but not big enough. Even the large one isn’t big enough. Also, can you use just wood chunks and not charcoal or do you hove to use both? Getting old and don’t like staying up all night for long smoke. Cost not an issue. Insurance paying for 3 that I lost. Do catering on occasion so I need the capacity. Pellet grills just don’t cut it on the flavor. Any suggestions?
Are you wanting it for smoking or grilling or both? If smoking is what you’re looking to use it for, I’d give a long look at a competition grade gravity feed. Let me know and I can send a few recommendations.
I saw it today at Cabela’s. Looks very interesting. Hadn’t thought about cleanup when I was looking at it. I suppose covering the manifold with aluminum foil would be ok. How do you think the aluminum foil would hold up to the 700° temperature?
There is no doubt that there were some some short cuts taken to get to a price point. The metal used in the fire box should be at least 3/16" steel not some light gauge metal. It seems so many company's are trying to get into the bbq cooker market right now that one really has to look at the longevity and design of the various cookers and wait at least a year to see how they end up working out. Just my 2 cents. These cookers from other videos I have seen have had their fair share of short comings and design flaws.
I hear what you're saying Conrad, but it's hard for me to imagine how much the unit you're describing would cost by the time it got into stores. One of my favorite pit manufacturers is a small operation in Indiana called T&K Smokers, and they make Gravity Feed smokers like the one you describe here, and I love them. They're a fantastic pit, but they start at the $2,800 mark for a small gravity fed smoker. I think we all know that the big box stores won't be able to carry those since the market is so small, so there's a supply issue at the price point people are willing to pay for a pit today. While there are some who are willing to drop a couple thousand dollars on a smoker, the majority of the population is looking for something less than $500 to indulge their hobby. I know I don't have a great solution for how to make an incredible smoker for $250 including research and development and all the costs associated with bringing a grill to market and still be able to make a profit under a $500 sales point. To the people out there who know they can do better, I say go for it! Start that company and show us all how it can be better. I know I'll be there at the front of the line ready to test it out and help tell your story.
I don't find that I'm getting much white billowy smoke with our Gravity series. Maybe try a different type of charcoal or varying how much wood you use in either your charcoal reservoir or your ash pan. I generally just add in 3-4 chunks of wood with my charcoal when I'm filling the hopper, and then put 1-2 chunks of wood in the ash pan, and that gives me pretty clean smoke.
There is a larger model that's already been released, but I don't think they've started marketing it yet. I believe it's called the Gravity Series 1050.
Love the concept but i. Have concerns about what is now being. Reporting about the temp brewing way off from real and also hotspots. What is master built doing too or react this?..
All smokers/grills have “hot spots”. Even my BGE, which is round, has a hot spot. The key is to learn where they are in your cooker and adjust your recipes and techniques to suit.
I’m going on 4 months with my Gravity 560 and still have issues with Bluetooth .... and WIFI has never been available!! Reached out to Masterbuilt and all they said was they are trying to get an update to fix the issue.. this was out the box.. $500 I would expect to use the main feature I was designed for ...
Man, that stinks Jay. Sorry to hear that's been your experience. I know my KC Combo had those issues at launch, and they've been fixed now, so here's hoping that there's a resolution right around the corner for you. #SmokeOn
I love the look and theory of this grill. Can't wait to get mine. One question. I store my grill covered but outside. I've never owned a grill with electronics in it, will these controls be able to stand being outside all winter with only a cover over the grill?
I think that's a great question for any owners of the grill who are on this thread. I don't have a gravity series unit, but I'd have a hard time imagining it not being built to withstand year round outdoor exposure. Maybe we can get some others to chime in.
If long supply chain like China made..that usually means thin gate steel. It means making it to fit into a box for shipping. It means bolt together assembly required. It won't be all welded thick steel able to withstand outdoors for years on end. Cover it would be my recomendation.
I own a Rec Tec pellet grill and it has electronics, a fan and an auger and I have no issues with it living in the suburbs of Chicago. It's very well made, mostly stainless steel though. The Masterbuilt seems like lower quality thinner steel.
We will be posting a head to head review of the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 and the CharGriller Gravity 980 in about a week. We'll walk through both grills and talk about construction, materials and everything else gravity feed, so stay tuned to the channel, and that will be out soon. I think it will answer your questions about construction better than I can here in the comments.
I’ve had a 560 for just shy of 3 years. Already needs replacing. It is literally disintegrating in front of my eyes. It is junk and not made to last. Love the concept but it is made as cheap as they could possibly make it and does NOT stand the test of time, not even 2 1/2 years.
The app constantly disconnects the firebox burns through in a couple cooks nobody is buying the its by design thing and the grill temp is almost always 30 degrees cooler than the readout. Love the concept but they cut to many corners..
How long before it burns through. Metal looks like its more decorative than durable. I'd pay more for one that wasn't made out of thin crappy metal. Trying to make one for the fake BBQ enthusiast won't work. People won't drop $250 for a pellet grill that they don't have to watch because they say 5 hours is too long to cook ribs, even though they don't have to stand there for 5 hours. This is more for a mid level enthusiast who is willing to part with $1000. Give them a $1000 product that won't burn through.
Great concept overall, however I want a sturdier product that will stand a the test of time. I recommend going to see the Gravity Series in person to determine for yourself. I really wanted to like this Gravity Series but it is more for the weekend BBQ warrior. Build it better, make it last for years and people will buy it regardless the price and you will have a customer following for life....hint hint ...wink wink....Weber.....uh Big Green Egg...etc..etc..etc. If you design and build subpar products then your company brand will forever be associated as such. Great first run Masterbuilt. If you want a gravity fed smoker then take a look at Old Country BBQ Pits Gravity Fed Smoker or the Assassin Gravity Fed Smoker. they do not sear but smoke with the best of them! Great video keep up the good work Barbeque Lab!
Don't understand how this is a "grill" there's no direct heat. It's all indirect heat, so ultimately it's an oven and the same problem I have with pellet grills.
Don't bother downloading the app for this grill. It's crap. Always disconnects. Will never stay connected. Just look at the reviews for it. 1.9 out of 5. The grill itself is awesome.
Looks like it’s built to brake. Imagine what are you going to do if the fan brakes or the computer that controls the fan shits the bed. Looks like pain in the ass to maintain.
I hate the fact I bought this 560 and if I want it to last, I have to retrofit the cheap ass firebox with a better metal lining to keep the box from rotting away after several cooks, Master Built used cheap ass China metal for a firebox????? And why paint the inside of the firebox and use cheap ass gaskets on the doors,,,,,,,,,,other than the cheap ass firebox, it's a super charcoal cooker/smoker.
I’ll stick with my pellets for now not much advantage to it plus takes up too much room very happy with flavor from pellets what is he talking about sounds like he’s getting paid car salesman I’ll stick with pellets easy clean up and great tasting food
@@duncanjames914 Charcoal all the way and was going to buy a pellet grill until I saw this gravity smoker. Did my first grill with indirect heat, smoking T-bone steaks, used the meat probe for internal temp at 105°, removed the steaks, cranked the heat up to 700° in less then 4-5 minuets seared each side for one minute. Wife emphatically stated these were the best medium rare steaks I've ever cooked. There was a hint of hickory smoke flavor from my hickory chips and the rest was not much talking but a who bunch of chewing at the dinner table. Just sayin'. So easy!
Why mix charcoal and wood and call it a smoker! I have both a stick burner and pellet smoker.Pellet smoker is the most convenient way to go.I have a camp chef and the build quality isn't the best but the features blows this out of the water. My Oaklahoma Joe is built like a tank but that's for purists!!!😊
