Choosing between the Masterbuilt 560, 800, and 1050 is like picking a favorite child – it’s tough! I’ve been in your shoes, sifting through reviews, and listening to countless BBQ tales.
So, which grill truly lives up to the hype? Let’s uncover the truth together and find the perfect match for your grilling dreams…
Recommended Reads
For enthusiasts looking to get the most out of their Masterbuilt Gravity Series grills, we’ve curated a list of articles that delve deeper into these specific models:
- Masterbuilt 560 Detailed Review: A comprehensive look at the 560 model, its features, pros, cons, and user experiences.
- Masterbuilt 1050 Mods: Discover modifications and upgrades to enhance the performance of your Masterbuilt 1050.
A table comparing the features, Size and cooking capacity of the three models.
| Checkpoints | Masterbuilt 560 | Masterbuilt 800 | Masterbuilt 1050 |
| Usage of the unit | Grill, Smoker | Grill, Smoker, Griddle | Grill, Smoker |
| Temperature Range (F) | 150-700 | 100-700 | 150-700 |
| Cooking Space | 560 | 800 | 1050 |
| Dimension | H 51.97’’ x W 54.13’’x L 24.65’’ | H 51″ x W 31″ x L 55″ | H 52.16’’ x W 61.02’’x L 33.07’’ |
| Cooking Grates Size | 54″ x 24″ | Main grates W 16.38″ D/L 11.88 H 0.38 | Top grate is 26.75″ x 4.25″ and the bottom grate is 28″ x 17.75″ |
| Cooking Grates Material | Porcelain coated racks | Porcelain coated racks | Porcelain coated racks |
| Front Shelves | No | Yes Stainless Steel | Yes Stainless Steel |
| Bottom Shelves | Yes, Expanded metal | Yes, Solid With Imprint For Manifold Not In Use | Yes, Premium metal which is better than the 560 |
| App | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Controller | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Cord Management Bracket | No | Yes | Yes |
| Drip Tray Location | Lower Front | Lower Front | Lower Front |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inner Walls | Aluminized Steel | Porcelain-Coated | Porcelain-Coated |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
# Major Difference
Size and Cooking Area
The cooking area is often the primary consideration for many when choosing a grill:
# Masterbuilt 560:
Cooking Area: 560 square inches.
Design: Compact and ideal for small gatherings or family BBQs.
Features: It’s celebrated for its rapid start-up, allowing you to get grilling in no time. The digital fan ensures precise temperature control, making sure your food is cooked just right. Its fuel efficiency is notable, ensuring you get the most out of your charcoal..
Feedback: While users appreciate its efficiency and temperature control, some have raised concerns about its build quality.
# Masterbuilt 800:
Cooking Area: 800 square inches.
Design: A versatile size that’s perfect for medium-sized gatherings.
Features: This model stands out with its baking and roasting capabilities, allowing for a wider range of culinary exploration. The griddle option is a unique feature, perfect for breakfast items or searing. The digital control panel ensures precision, giving you more control over your cooking.
Feedback: Users love the added baking and roasting features. The griddle option has been a hit, especially for those looking to diversify their grilling menu.
# Masterbuilt 1050:
Cooking Area: A generous 1050 square inches.
Design: Built for large parties and events, this model ensures nobody goes hungry.
Features: Its vast cooking area is a major draw, but it also offers adjustable smoke settings, allowing you to get that perfect smoky flavor. The build is designed for durability, ensuring it stands up to frequent use.
Feedback: The 1050 consistently receives praise for its robustness and performance. The adjustable smoke settings are a favorite feature among many users.
Three grills with their respective sizes highlighted.
| Masterbuilt 560 | Masterbuilt 800 | Masterbuilt 1050 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Area | 560 square inches | 800 square inches | 1050 square inches |
| Key Features |
– Rapid start-up – Digital fan – Fuel efficiency |
– Baking & roasting – Griddle option – Digital control |
– Vast cooking area – Adjustable smoke settings |
| User Feedback | Some concerns about build quality | Loved for its versatility | Praised for its robustness & size |
Features and Specs
Each model, while belonging to the Gravity Series, offers distinct features:
- Masterbuilt 560: Renowned for its rapid start-up, digital fan for precise temperature control, and optimal fuel efficiency.
- Masterbuilt 800: Introduces baking and roasting capabilities, a griddle option, and a digital control panel for precision.
- Masterbuilt 1050: Distinguished by its spacious cooking area, adjustable smoke settings, and a build designed for durability.
More Features and Functionality
Each model in the Gravity Series boasts features tailored to enhance the grilling experience:
- Masterbuilt 560:
- Rapid Start-Up: Its ability to reach 225°F in just 7 minutes and 700°F in 13 minutes is unmatched. This ensures that spontaneous BBQ plans aren’t delayed.
- Digital Fan: The integrated digital fan ensures precise temperature control. Whether you’re slow-cooking ribs or searing a steak, the 560 has got you covered.
- Fuel Efficiency: The grill’s design ensures optimal use of charcoal, making it both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
- Masterbuilt 800:
- Versatility: Beyond grilling and smoking, the 800 introduces baking and roasting capabilities. Imagine baking a pizza or roasting a chicken in your backyard!
- Griddle Option: The 800 comes with a griddle option, perfect for those breakfast cookouts – pancakes, bacon, and eggs on a grill!
- Digital Control: Like the 560, the 800 also offers a digital control panel, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection.
- Masterbuilt 1050:
- Spacious Cooking Area: Ideal for large gatherings, the 1050 ensures that you can cook multiple dishes simultaneously.
- Smoke Settings: With adjustable smoke settings, you can decide the intensity of the smoky flavor in your food.
- Durable Build: Built with high-quality materials, the 1050 is designed to withstand intense grilling sessions and varying weather conditions.
Grilling Tips for Optimal Results:
- Even Heat Distribution: Before placing your food on the grill, let it heat up for about 10-15 minutes. This ensures even heat distribution, leading to consistent cooking.
- Use a Thermometer: Especially for meats, using a thermometer can help you achieve the desired level of doneness.
- Clean After Each Use: While it might seem tedious, cleaning your grill grates after each use ensures longevity and better tasting food.
Comparison with Competitors:
While there are several grills available in the market, the Masterbuilt Gravity Series stands out due to its unique combination of features, durability, and price point. Unlike many pellet grills, the Masterbuilt models offer an authentic charcoal flavor, ensuring a genuine BBQ experience.
Maintenance and Care:
Regular maintenance ensures that your grill lasts longer and performs optimally. After each use, ensure you empty the ash from the ash pan. At least once a month, give your grill a thorough cleaning, checking for any wear and tear.
Recipes to Try:
- Masterbuilt 560: Given its rapid heating, the 560 is perfect for quick grilling recipes like burgers, sausages, and vegetable skewers.
- Masterbuilt 800: Utilize its baking feature by trying a BBQ chicken pizza or a smoked apple pie.
- Masterbuilt 1050: With its expansive cooking area, try larger dishes like a whole smoked turkey or a rack of ribs.
User Feedbacks
All three models are celebrated in the BBQ community. However, some users pointed out minor issues with the 560’s build quality. In contrast, the 800 and 1050 consistently receive accolades for their robustness and top-notch performance.
# Other Difference
Hopper :
You might have noticed that the hopper lid of the Masterbuilt 560 and 1050 slopes towards the smoker’s lid whenever you open the hopper lid.
Another thing is power cord management which is located on the back of the 800 and 1050 grill.
There is a small bracket that you may use to loop the cord around to prevent tangles and dragging it around.
From this we also learn how to care and handle electronic parts.
When it comes to power cord quality, I believe the Masterbuilt 800 and 1050 are better..
Front Shelves :
The Masterbuilt 560 does not come with a front shelf but the Masterbuilt 1050 and 800 have stainless steel front shelves for extra preparation space.
I have taught how to install a new shelf by removing the old shelf and modifying it. You must check out that modification content..
Bottom Shelves :
There is only a slight difference in the size of these three bottom shelves.
The expanded bottom shelf of Masterbuilt 560 is made of good quality metal.
The bottom shelf of the Masterbuilt 800 is great too. When the manifold is not in use, you can rest assured by keeping it on the shelf.
The Masterbuilt 1050’s lower shelf is equally as sturdy. Also, it is really sturdy.
Wall :
The aluminized steel wall of the Masterbuilt 560 Smoker is stronger and lasts longer. Although 800 and 1050 gravity smokers have porcelain-coated double walls.
Griddle :
If you are looking for a gravity smoker with a griddle, then the Masterbuilt 800 smoker is perfect for you.
The griddle doesn’t come with the Masterbuilt 560 and 1050 Gravity Series Smokers.
You will have to purchase a griddle separately that fits the Masterbuilt 1050 and 560.
Then the shroud of this smoker provides heat to your griddle or pizza stone..
Fuel Capacity :
The hopper of the Masterbuilt 560 and 1050 can accommodate 16 lbs of briquettes or lump charcoal. The Masterbuilt 560 lasts for 12 hours and the 1050 lasts for 8 hours.
Whether Masterbuilt 800 stores 16 pounds of briquettes or 10 pounds of lump charcoal for up to 10 hours..
# Similarities
Controller and the App :
Yes, all these Masterbuilt Gravity Smoker has a controller and the app with bluetooth and wifi.
An optional free app comes with Masterbuilt which allows you to control and monitor the temperature of the cook.
Some customer reviews say that opening the grill lid disconnects the app and then they need to turn the app back on.
But I have no experience with disconnecting the app yet. So friends, please check once before making a purchase..
Side shelf :
All three Masterbuilt Gravity Smokers have a side shelf.
Masterbuilt 800 and 1050 are constructed of stainless steel, whereas Masterbuilt 560 is made of powder-coated steel.
Temp Gauge :
The temperature gauge comes with these three series of Masterbuilt Gravity Smokers.
Meat Probe :
Yes, you’ll also get meat probes for perfect results and accurate temperature with these three gravity smokers.
Wheels :
Talking about the wheels, there is no difference between the three smokers in this area too.
# Common Issues
Painting :
The paint peels off of all these Masterbuilt Gravity Smokers. Especially in the area inside the hopper.
FAQs
# Is the Rotisserie attachment kit compatible with all models of the Gravity Series?
Yes, it’s compatible with the 1050, 800, and 560.
# What are the primary differences between the Masterbuilt Gravity Series models?
Differences lie in size, features, and price.
# Where can I view the warranty details for my Masterbuilt BBQ or smoker?
On the official Masterbuilt website you can view the warranty details for my Masterbuilt BBQ or smoker.
# Are there any assembly differences between the Gravity Series models?
Refer to the user manual specific to each model for detailed assembly guidance..
Conclusion
Wrapping things up, I’ve spent a good amount of time with each of these Masterbuilt models – the 560, 800, and Masterbuilt 1050.
From my experience, the 560 has been a gem. Its dual charcoal and wood pellet functionalities offer a versatile grilling experience that I’ve come to love.
The 800, on the other hand, has been my go-to for those larger gatherings. Its expansive cooking area ensures everyone gets their fill.
And for those times when I’ve wanted to go all out? The Masterbuilt 1050, with its advanced features and massive capacity, has been unbeatable.
Ultimately, if you’re anything like me, your choice will come down to what you’re looking for in a grill and how you envision your BBQ sessions.