Masterbuilt Gravity 800 vs. 1050: A Head-to-Head for the Ultimate Backyard Pitmaster

There is an old saying in the BBQ world that you have to choose between the flavor of charcoal and the convenience of a button. For a long time, that was true—until the Gravity Series hit the market. I’ve spent the last several months putting the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 and its larger sibling, the Gravity Series 1050, through a rigorous testing cycle. These aren’t just grills; they are automated charcoal-burning monsters that use a digital fan to mimic the precision of an oven while delivering the deep, wood-fired flavor of a traditional offset smoker.

Standing in front of these two black steel behemoths, the question isn’t whether they can cook a great brisket—they both can. The real question is how you plan to use your patio. One is a versatile multi-tool that wants to be your breakfast station and your dinner grill, while the other is a high-capacity fortress built for the cook who never wants to say “I don’t have enough room.” Here is my personal take on which one truly deserves the center spot on your deck.

The Key Difference: Griddle Versatility vs. Raw Capacity

The fundamental key difference between the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 and the 1050 centers on what comes in the box and how much meat you can fit inside. The Masterbuilt 800 is the “Swiss Army Knife” of the family, coming equipped with a full flat-top griddle insert that can be swapped for the traditional grates. It is a 3-in-1 system (smoke, grill, griddle) designed for the home cook who wants maximum variety.

The Masterbuilt 1050, meanwhile, is the “heavy lifter.” It offers a massive 1,050 square inches of cooking real estate—nearly 30% more than the 800. It also features a superior folding stainless steel front shelf, whereas the 800 has a fixed shelf. The 1050 is a pure grilling and smoking machine built for high-volume production, sacrificing the griddle capability for sheer, unadulterated space.

Comparison Table: Masterbuilt 800 vs. 1050

Feature	Masterbuilt 800 Digital Charcoal	Masterbuilt 1050 Digital Charcoal
Total Cooking Space	800 sq. in.	1,050 sq. in.
Hybrid Capability	Includes Griddle Insert	Grill/Smoke Only
Front Shelf Design	Fixed Stainless Steel	Large Folding Stainless Steel
Hopper Capacity	16 lbs Briquettes / 10 lbs Lump	16 lbs Briquettes / 10 lbs Lump
Maximum Temp	700°F	700°F
Temperature Control	WiFi / Bluetooth App	WiFi / Bluetooth App
Preheat Speed	225°F in 8 minutes	225°F in 8 minutes
Dimensions (WxHxD)	51″ x 51″ x 30″	61″ x 52″ x 33″
Buy NOW	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review: My Experience

Forget the marketing stickers for a second; I wanted to see how these motors actually behave when they’re fighting against a hopper full of dense lump charcoal on a windy afternoon. It’s one thing to read about “GravityFed” technology on a box, but it’s another to feel the vibration of the digital fan or watch the temperature graphs on your phone during a 12-hour brisket stall. By putting both the 800 and the 1050 through the exact same culinary gauntlet, I was able to pinpoint exactly where the “1050” earns its keep and where the 800 is all the power you’ll ever realistically need.

Design: Stability and Storage

Both of these units are built like industrial furnaces. They are heavy, made of high-grade steel, and feature the signature vertical hopper on the right side. However, the Masterbuilt 1050 feels significantly more “premium” in use because of that folding front shelf. When I was glazing six slabs of ribs, having that massive landing zone right in front of the grates felt like having a dedicated prep table. On the Masterbuilt 800, the shelf is fixed and smaller; it works, but it doesn’t give you that “command center” feel.

The Griddle Game-Changer

The Masterbuilt 800 has a secret weapon: the griddle. I took out the cast iron grates and dropped in the heavy-duty flat top to make a “Hibachi Night” dinner for my family. The 700°F capability of the charcoal-fed fan meant I could get a sear on steak and vegetables that my indoor stove could never dream of. The 1050 doesn’t come with this insert. If you want to make smash burgers or fried rice on the 1050, you’re looking at an expensive third-party purchase. For a family of four, the 800’s ability to pivot from a smoker to a diner-style griddle is a massive advantage.

Capacity: The Brisket Test

I attempted to crowd both units to see how they handled airflow.

• In the Masterbuilt 800, I could comfortably fit two large briskets or about four pork butts.
• In the Masterbuilt 1050, I was able to fit three briskets with room to spare for a tray of burnt ends.

The 1050 is much wider (61 inches vs 51 inches), which means the heat has more room to circulate around the meat. If you are a competition cook or someone who hosts the entire extended family for the 4th of July, that extra 250 square inches isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Digital Control and Connectivity

The Masterbuilt app is the same for both, and it is a lifesaver. I loaded the hoppers with Masterbuilt Lump Charcoal, lit the fire starter, and walked back inside. Both units reached my target 225°F in exactly 8 minutes. The DigitalFan on the 1050 sounds a bit more “heavy-duty” because it’s pushing more air into a larger chamber, but the stability was identical. Both units stayed within 3 degrees of my target temperature for the entire duration of a 9-hour cook.

Masterbuilt Gravity 800 Grill Griddle & Smoker

Pros:

• Unmatched Versatility: Includes the griddle insert, making it a true 3-in-1 kitchen.
• Efficient Footprint: Provides massive cooking power without requiring a three-car garage to store.
• Value for Money: Includes accessories that would cost hundreds extra on other models.
• Faster to 700°F: The smaller chamber reaches searing temps slightly faster.

Cons:

• Fixed Front Shelf: Not as convenient for prep as the folding version.
• Limited Capacity: May feel cramped if you’re cooking for more than 10-12 people.

Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 Grill Griddle & Smoker

Pros:

• The “King” of Capacity: 1,050 square inches handles the biggest parties with ease.
• Superior Prep Space: The large folding stainless steel shelf is the best in the industry.
• Better for Long Meats: The wider grates allow for extra-long racks of ribs or whole briskets without trimming.
• Pro-Grade Build: Feels slightly more balanced and stable due to its wider wheel base.

Cons:

• No Griddle: Does not include the flat-top insert out of the box.
• Massive Size: It’s a very wide unit that can be difficult to move on uneven patios.
• Higher Fuel Use: Heats a larger volume of air, consuming more charcoal for small cooks.

The Final Recommendation: Which Model Wins?

I recommend the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 if you are looking for the “all-around champion.” For the average family, the 800 offers the perfect balance of size and functionality. The fact that it comes with a griddle makes it a powerhouse for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is the best value in the Gravity Series lineup.

I recommend the Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 if you are a dedicated “quantity” cook. If your Saturday morning involves smoking four pork butts and three briskets simultaneously for a neighborhood gathering, you need the 1,050 square inches. The folding shelf alone makes the workflow significantly smoother for large-scale BBQ.

Personally, I keep the Masterbuilt 800 on my patio. The ability to make a full charcoal-fired breakfast on the griddle after smoking a pork shoulder overnight is a level of versatility that the 1050 just can’t match without extra parts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use wood chunks for more flavor?

A: Absolutely. The best method is to layer wood chunks with your charcoal in the hopper, or simply toss a few chunks into the ash bin so they smolder as the hot embers fall.

Q: How long does a full hopper of charcoal last?

A: Both hoppers hold about 16 lbs of briquettes, which generally lasts 8 to 10 hours at smoking temperatures (225°F). If you’re grilling at 700°F, you’ll burn through it much faster.

Q: Is the griddle on the 800 hard to season?

A: Not at all. It’s high-quality steel. Just treat it like a cast-iron skillet—apply a light coat of oil after every use and heat it up to create a non-stick surface.

Q: Does the 1050 require more assembly time than the 800?

A: Both units are complex builds that will take about 2 to 3 hours to assemble. The 1050 is simply heavier, so you will definitely want a second person to help you flip the main body onto its legs.