Best Gravity-Fed Charcoal Smokers

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The short answer

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 is the best gravity-fed charcoal smoker for most people: real charcoal flavor, digital temperature control with app connectivity, and a griddle insert for breakfast and smash burgers. Pick the Gravity Series 1050 if you cook for crowds, the Gravity Series 560 to save money and space, or the Char-Griller Gravity 980 as the main alternative to Masterbuilt. Gravity smokers deliver pellet-grill convenience with charcoal flavor and high searing heat.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Model	Cooking area (manufacturer)	Best for	Amazon
Best overall	Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800	About 800 sq in, griddle included	Families who want grill + smoker + griddle	Amazon
Best for crowds	Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050	About 1,050 sq in	Big cookouts, multiple briskets	Amazon
Best value	Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560	About 560 sq in	Smaller patios and families	Amazon
Best alternative	Char-Griller Gravity 980	About 980 sq in (total)	Buyers who want a big cooker from another brand	Amazon
Newest Masterbuilt	Masterbuilt Gravity XT	See current listing	Buyers wanting the latest features	Amazon

Cooking areas are manufacturer figures and usually include warming racks.

How we picked

We compared manufacturer specifications, owner reviews across major retailers and published reviews from barbecue sites. Gravity smokers are a young category, so we paid particular attention to long-term owner feedback on the components that matter most: the hopper and its seal, the fan and controller, the firebox and ash bin, and how well the cooker holds low smoking temperatures.

How a gravity-fed charcoal smoker works

A tall hopper next to the cook chamber holds lump charcoal or briquettes. Gravity feeds the charcoal down into a firebox at the bottom, where it burns. A digital controller reads a temperature probe and runs a fan that pushes air into the fire: more air for more heat, less air to hold low temperatures. Heat and smoke travel into the cook chamber. You can add wood chunks to the hopper or ash area for extra smoke.

The result is a smoker you set like a pellet grill but that burns real charcoal, so it can run much hotter than most pellet grills for searing, and lets you use whatever charcoal and wood you like. Unlike pellet grills, there’s no auger to jam.

1. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800: best overall

The 800 is the sweet spot of the lineup. It offers a generous cooking area, digital control with WiFi or Bluetooth app connectivity, and Masterbuilt includes a flat-top griddle insert, so one cooker handles low-and-slow smoking, high-heat grilling and griddle cooking. Masterbuilt lists a temperature range from low smoking temperatures up to around 700°F, well above typical pellet grills.

Good to know: owners recommend seasoning the cooker properly before the first cook, keeping the hopper lid closed, and cleaning out ash regularly. Some add aftermarket gasket or hopper upgrades to improve sealing over time.

Choose it if: you want one outdoor cooker that smokes, sears and griddles, with app control.

Check the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 on Amazon →

2. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050: best for crowds

The 1050 scales up the same design with a bigger cook chamber and a larger hopper for longer cooks between refills. It’s the pick when you regularly smoke multiple pork butts, briskets or a dozen racks of ribs. Masterbuilt advertises long burn times from a full hopper at smoking temperatures; actual time depends on weather, temperature setting and fuel.

Good to know: it’s a big, heavy cooker; plan the patio space and expect a longer assembly.

Check the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 on Amazon →

3. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560: best value

The 560 is the entry point to gravity-fed smoking. You get the same core concept (hopper, fan, digital controller and app connectivity) in a smaller, more affordable package. It’s ideal for families of four or so and for patios where a big cooker won’t fit.

Good to know: the smaller hopper means more frequent refills on very long cooks, and a whole packer brisket can be a tight fit.

Check the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 on Amazon →

4. Char-Griller Gravity 980: best alternative

Char-Griller’s Gravity 980 is the main competitor to Masterbuilt’s lineup, offering a large total cooking area, a gravity hopper, digital temperature control and app connectivity. Its heavy build and generous capacity appeal to buyers who want a big cooker without going to the largest Masterbuilt.

Good to know: read recent owner reviews on the controller and app before buying, and confirm what the specific listing includes.

Check the Char-Griller Gravity 980 on Amazon →

5. Masterbuilt Gravity XT: newest Masterbuilt

Masterbuilt has continued to develop the line with newer models such as the Gravity XT. If you want the latest controller and design refinements, compare the XT’s current listing against the 800 and 1050 for cooking area, hopper size and features.

Check the Masterbuilt Gravity XT on Amazon →

Tips for better results on a gravity smoker

• Season it first: run the empty cooker hot for the time the manual specifies to burn off manufacturing oils before you cook food.
• Keep the hopper lid shut: the hopper must stay sealed so the fire doesn’t creep up into the charcoal stack. Close it fully every time you refill.
• Add wood chunks for smoke: a few fist-sized chunks mixed into the charcoal or placed in the ash area give more noticeable smoke flavor than charcoal alone.
• Empty the ash: ash buildup restricts airflow and can make temperatures swing. Clear it before every long cook once it has cooled completely.
• Verify temperature at the grate: use a separate probe thermometer near the meat to confirm what the controller reports.

Gravity-fed vs pellet grill vs kamado

	Gravity-fed charcoal	Pellet grill	Kamado
Fuel	Lump or briquettes + wood	Wood pellets	Lump charcoal + wood
Control	Digital fan controller	Digital auger controller	Manual vents (fan optional)
Max heat	Very high	Usually around 500°F	Very high
Smoke flavor	Charcoal plus wood, bolder than pellets	Mild	Charcoal plus wood
Needs power	Yes	Yes	No

Buying checklist

• Size: match cooking area to your typical cook, not your biggest holiday. The 560 suits small families, the 800 most households, the 1050 big gatherings.
• Hopper capacity: bigger hoppers mean fewer refills on overnight cooks.
• Power: you need an outdoor outlet or a suitable outdoor-rated extension cord for the fan and controller.
• Fuel: lump charcoal burns hotter with less ash; briquettes burn steadier and longer. Avoid lighter fluid and instant-light charcoal in the hopper.
• Accessories: a cover protects the electronics; aftermarket hopper and gasket upgrades are popular.
• Safety: use outdoors only with clearance from structures; charcoal produces carbon monoxide. Let ash cool fully before disposal.

FAQ

What is a gravity-fed charcoal smoker?

It’s a smoker with a tall charcoal hopper that feeds fuel into a firebox by gravity, plus a digital controller and fan that hold your set temperature, so you get charcoal flavor with pellet-grill-style convenience.

Is a gravity smoker better than a pellet grill?

It gets hotter and gives bolder charcoal flavor, so it’s better for searing and for people who want more smoke. Pellet grills are simpler to clean and more established, with fewer reports of hopper sealing issues.

Can you use briquettes in a Masterbuilt Gravity smoker?

Yes. Masterbuilt says both lump charcoal and briquettes can be used. Avoid charcoal pre-treated with lighter fluid.

Which Masterbuilt Gravity size should I buy?

The 560 suits small families and patios, the 800 is the best all-round size and includes a griddle, and the 1050 is for big gatherings and long cooks.

Do gravity-fed smokers need electricity?

Yes. The fan and digital controller need power, so you’ll need an outdoor outlet or a suitable extension cord.