Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 Review: Suburban Smoker Game-Changer or Just Hype?

🔥 Review: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 – Suburban Smoker Game-Changer or Just Hype?

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 promises the holy grail of suburban BBQ: the ease of a pellet smoker with the flavor of charcoal—and it mostly delivers, with a few caveats that real-world users should know before firing it up.

✅ First Impressions: Solid Build, Easier Than Expected

Right out of the box, this grill makes a great impression. It’s well-built, with sturdy construction and thoughtful design. Contrary to some YouTube horror stories, assembly wasn’t nearly as difficult as advertised. Most users (myself included) were pleasantly surprised—this isn’t a weekend-consuming project.

⚡ Startup Experience: A Little More Work Than Expected

Here’s where expectations meet reality. While Masterbuilt markets the Gravity 800 as a “set it and forget it” smoker, starting it up can be frustrating. It often takes longer than advertised, and the process just isn’t as seamless as the flashy videos suggest. If you’re expecting the turn-key feel of a Traeger, be prepared for a bit more fuss.

🌐 Tech Features: Wi-Fi Connectivity Can Be Hit or Miss

Another pain point: Wi-Fi setup. Despite following instructions, connecting the grill to the Masterbuilt app proved tricky and unreliable. For those who value remote control and monitoring, this could be a sore spot.

🔥 Heat Performance: No Shortage of Firepower

One thing’s for sure: this grill gets hot—fast. Whether searing steaks or griddling burgers, it delivers serious temperature performance. I was particularly impressed with its ability to sear steaks to perfection and crank out smash burgers on the griddle that rival any flat-top diner.

🌬 Smoke Output: The Ongoing Flavor Debate

The Gravity 800 was supposed to be the flavor-forward alternative to pellet grills, but it’s not a slam dunk. While the ease of use is there, the smoke flavor may not be as intense as expected—especially if you’re coming from a wood-pellet setup. I found myself still on the fence about flavor after a few cooks.

Attempts to use wood chunks in the ash bin didn’t produce noticeable smoke, which was disappointing. I’ll be trying to add chunks directly to the charcoal hopper next to see if that helps.

🍔 Griddle Game: A Standout Feature

One of the Gravity 800’s best features isn’t even the smoker—it’s the built-in griddle. Smash burgers came out perfectly browned and crispy, with just the right sizzle. This alone adds huge versatility for weeknight meals and party menus alike.

🔄 Final Verdict, still deciding, but it is a Solid Suburban Option with Room to Tweak

If you’re a suburban BBQ fan looking for a charcoal smoker that cooks like a pellet grill, the Gravity Series 800 is a serious contender. It’s not perfect—startup quirks, Wi-Fi frustration, and modest smoke levels are worth noting—but it delivers on build quality, heat output, and cooking versatility.

With some dialing-in, especially around the smoke flavor, this unit could easily become the centerpiece of your backyard BBQ setup.

Masterbuilt Gravity Series Grills
View on Home Depot

👍 Best For:

Suburban cooks who want set-it-and-forget-it simplicity
Grillers who love variety (smoking, searing, griddling)
DIYers who aren’t afraid to tweak for better results

👎 Not Ideal For:

Hardcore wood-smoke purists
Those relying heavily on app-based features
Users expecting pellet-level plug-and-play simplicity