If you’re in the market for a new grill, you may be trying to decide between a Masterbuilt Gravity series grill and a pellet grill. Both offer convenient, wood-fired cooking, but there are some key differences between these two popular grill types.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Gravity series and pellet grills, looking at the pros and cons of each option. We’ll cover factors like temperature control, fuel, maintenance, cooking capability, and more.
Read on to find out which type of grill is better suited for your barbecue cooking needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Masterbuilt Gravity Series | Pellet Grills |
| Fuel Source | Lump charcoal | Wood pellets |
| Temperature Range | 225°F – 700°F | 180°F – 500°F+ |
| Temperature Control | Digital, 5 degree increments | Digital, 10+ degree increments |
| Hopper Capacity | Usually 20-40 lbs | Up to 40+ lbs |
| Cook Time Per Hopper Load | 10-12 hours | Up to 24+ hours |
| Construction | Ceramic interior, steel exterior | Steel |
| Cooking Area | 550 – 1050 sq. in. | 300 – 1500+ sq. in. |
| Ease of Use | Very easy, occasional refueling | Extremely easy, no refueling needed |
| Versatility | Grilling, smoking, baking, roasting | Grilling, smoking, baking, roasting |
| Flavor Profile | Charcoal flavor | Light smoke flavor |
| Cost | $500 – $1200+ | $400 – $2000+ |
What Is The Masterbuilt Gravity Series?
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series is a line of charcoal-fueled kamado-style grills and smokers.
Kamado grills are ceramic egg-shaped cookers that originated in Asia thousands of years ago.
Modern kamado grills like the Gravity Series use thick ceramic construction to provide excellent insulation.
As a result, these grills excel at maintaining precise temperatures and minimizing temperature swings once heated up.
Here are some key features of the Masterbuilt Gravity Series grills:
- Ceramic and steel construction – The inner ceramic shell retains heat well, while the exterior stainless steel provides durability.
- Precision temperature control – Users can adjust temperatures in 5-degree increments between 225°F to 700°F using a digital control panel.
- Convection fan – A built-in fan circulates hot air inside for convection cooking. This allows you to grill, roast, bake, and smoke.
- Hopper and ash drawer – Pellets or charcoal are loaded into an upper hopper. Ashes fall into a lower removable ash pan for easy cleanup.
- Large capacity – Gravity Series models come in 550, 800, and 1050 square inch cooking surface options.
What Is A Pellet Grill?
Pellet grills are fueled by compressed hardwood pellets, typically made from sawdust and wood chips. They offer precise, low-effort cooking via indirect flame and hot convection air.
Here are some key features of pellet grills:
- Electric ignition – An electric igniter instantly lights pellets dumped into the burn pot from a hopper. No charcoal chimney starter required.
- Digital temperature controls – Users can dial in their exact desired temperature setting, ranging from 180°F to 500°F+ on most models.
- Convection fan – A large fan circulates heated air for convection cooking. Like the Gravity Series, pellet grills can grill, roast, bake, and smoke.
- Hopper – A large pellet hopper can hold up to 20+ pounds of wood pellets, allowing for hours of unattended cooking time.
- Versatile cooking – Pellet grills excel at slow smoking but also direct and indirect high heat grilling. Models range from small portable types up to 1,200+ square inch capacity.
Differences Between Masterbuilt Gravity Series And Pellet Grills
- Temperature Control and Range
A key advantage of both the Gravity Series and pellet grills is their precise digital temperature control. This allows you to dial in the exact temperature you need for different recipes with little effort.
The Gravity Series ranges from 225-700°F. Most pellet grills start around 180°F for cold smoking up to 500°F+ for searing. So pellet grills have a bit wider temperature range overall.
Both types will hold set temperatures steady across their full range. Gravity Series may recover a bit faster after opening the lid with its ceramic insulation. But pellet grills are excellent as well due to constant automated feeding of fuel.
For most users, temperature versatility and consistency will be excellent on either type of grill. The digital controls ensure you’re always cooking at the right heat for perfect results.
- Fuel Source Differences
The biggest difference between these two grill types is their fuel source.
Let’s compare how charcoal vs. wood pellets impact your experience.
Gravity Series grills use lump charcoal loaded into the fuel hopper. Lump charcoal lights easily with a firestarter cube.
It burns hotter than briquettes and provides an authentic grilled over fire flavor.
The downside to lump charcoal is that it burns relatively quickly. You’ll need to periodically refill the hopper, especially when cooking for longer periods at low temps. Expect roughly 10-12 hours of cook time per 20 lb hopper load.
With pellet grills, you avoid constant refueling. The large pellet hopper combined with regulated feeding of pellets allows cooking for 24 hours or longer unattended. Set it and literally forget it!
However, some BBQ traditionalists feel pellet smoke flavor can be slightly muted compared to charcoal or wood chunks. Pellets also run $15-$20 for a 20 lb bag, so fuel costs are higher.
Both fuel types are easy to use in different ways. For effortless long cooks, pellets can’t be beat. If authentic charcoal flavor is a must, the Gravity Series may be preferable.
- Ease of Use
In terms of general ease of use when cooking, the experience is quite similar between the two grill types. Both are literally as simple as choosing your temp and walking away.
The digital control panels are well-designed and keep temperatures steady. You don’t have to constantly adjust vents or worry about temperature spikes and drops.
One difference is that pellet grills basically run themselves automatically once ignited. The Gravity Series requires occasionally opening the hopper and refilling charcoal every 10-12 hours.
Cleanup is easy on both grills – remove ashes from the drawer and brush grates occasionally. Pellet grills may require slightly more frequent burn pot cleaning to prevent jams.
Overall, both types essentially cook themselves. So those looking for fuss-free grilling and smoking will be pleased with either a Gravity grill or pellet model when it comes to ease of use.
- Versatility and Cooking Options
A major plus for both of these modern grill types is their versatility. They allow you to grill, smoke, roast, bake and more using convenient convection fan heating.
The Gravity Series and pellet grills excel at slow smoking huge cuts of meat at low temps for 6+ hours. You’ll also be able to infuse serious grill marks and delicious char flavor at their higher heat settings.
Pellet grills may have a slight edge for extremely low temperature smoking under 200°F. Their vertical design also accommodates hanging meat better than the shallow Gravity Series.
However, the Gravity Series offers 1050 square inches of cooking space – enough to grill a load of burgers or several racks of ribs at once. People with large families or who frequently cook for crowds may prefer this spacious capacity.
In terms of versatility, it’s hard to go wrong with either option. Both types go above basic grilling and allow you to become a serious smoking or baking pitmaster right in your backyard.
- Durability and Construction
Durability is another area where it’s hard to pick a clear winner. Both grills feature dual-walled stainless steel exteriors that can withstand years of outdoor cooking.
The ceramic interior on the Gravity Series is essentially indestructible as long as you don’t drop or seriously physically damage it. It will maintain heat for decades when cared for.
Pellet grills may have more potential failure points with their electronic igniters and augers. However, they’ve proven to be reliable when bought from quality brands. Well-constructed models will also last many years.
One difference is that replacing key parts down the line may be easier with pellet grills vs. dealing with cracked ceramic on the Gravity Series. But overall durability is excellent on both types when purchased from leading manufacturers.
- Maintenance and Cleanup
Maintenance needs are minimal on both the Gravity Series and pellet grills, adding to their user-friendly appeal.
As mentioned above, pellet grills may need slightly more frequent burn pot cleaning to prevent flame out errors. Their convection fans will also require occasional cleaning.
On the Gravity Series, you’ll need to replace the felt gasket around the lid/body every 2-3 years. And damaged ceramic interiors require professional replacement.
Daily cleanup is simple – empty ashes, wipe down grates, and remove grease drippings. Pellet grills may have an edge here with their grease drain systems on many models.
When it comes to maintenance, expect to spend just a few minutes per cookout and perform occasional deep cleaning annually or as needed. Either type of grill is designed to be relatively hassle-free in this regard.
- Cost Differences
There’s significant price overlap between quality pellet grills and the Gravity Series models. You can find good pellet grills starting around $400, with high-end commercial-grade models over $2,000.
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 model runs $799 MSRP. Smaller Masterbuilt Gravity smokers start around $500. Other brands like Kamado Joe or Primo ceramic grills can run $1200+.
Pellet grills will burn through pellets faster than the Gravity Series consumes charcoal. But pellets are only around $0.75 per pound for premium food-grade varieties.
Over time, you may save a bit on fuel costs by buying large bags of lump charcoal vs. pellets. But pellet grills allow cooking for extremely long periods without refueling.
Overall cost depends most on size and construction quality. Either type can provide excellent value. And you’ll recoup the upfront investment over time compared to constantly replacing cheap gas grills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, Masterbuilt Gravity grills are designed only for lump charcoal fuel. You should not use wood pellets in a Masterbuilt Gravity smoker, as it could damage the auger mechanism.
Yes, you can add chunks of smoking wood along with the charcoal in a Masterbuilt Gravity grill. Many users mix wood chunks directly in with the charcoal for extra smoke flavor. You can use various wood types like hickory, mesquite, apple, cherry, etc.
This is subjective, but some people feel traditional offset stick burners with real wood logs provide better flavor than pellet grills. Kamado-style charcoal grills like the Gravity Series also provide a unique cooking experience. But pellet grills are unbeatable for convenience.
Yes, Masterbuilt makes quality pellet grills and smokers. They’re a reputable brand that produces affordable but well-constructed pellet cookers. Masterbuilt pellet models like the 800 are a good introductory option in this category.
The Verdict
Gravity series grills and pellet grills both offer incredible convenience, versatility and control for wood-fired cooking. You really can’t go wrong with either type.
For set-it-and-forget-it smoking sessions over 8+ hours, pellet grills are hard to beat. Their hopper capacity and automated ignition are perfect for ultra-low-effort BBQ.
The Gravity Series provides unmatched ceramic heat retention. Its spacious capacity is also better for feeding larger gatherings. If you want that true charcoal grilled flavor, the Gravity models deliver.
Think about your budget, preferred fuel type, and cooking needs. And consider how much space you have on your patio or deck. This will help decide between these two excellent outdoor cooker options.
With quality construction and intelligent design, both the Masterbuilt Gravity Series and comparable pellet grills are sure to provide you with years of barbecue enjoyment. Your food will turn out perfectly cooked low and slow or seared over open flame.
Whichever modern grill type you pick, you can look forward to some mouthwatering BBQ results this summer and beyond!