Masterbuilt Gravity 560 vs. 800: Is the Griddle Worth the Jump?

The smell of blue smoke drifting across a driveway is a siren song for any backyard cook, but for a long time, we had to choose between the primal ritual of charcoal and the lazy convenience of digital buttons. I spent years babysitting offset smokers, adjusting vents by a hair’s breadth, until the Masterbuilt Gravity Series landed on my patio. It promised the impossible: real wood and charcoal flavor with a “set-it-and-forget-it” digital brain.

Lately, the debate has shifted from “Are they good?” to “Which size is right?” I’ve logged hundreds of hours on both the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 and the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800. While they share the same vertical hopper and high-speed fan technology, they offer two very different lifestyles. One is a compact, efficiency-focused smoking machine, while the other is a sprawling, multi-talented outdoor kitchen. After searing steaks at 700°F and smoking briskets for 12 hours straight, I’ve found that the “best” model depends entirely on how much room you have on your patio—and whether you like making pancakes outside.

The Key Difference: Cooking Real Estate and Griddle Versatility

The fundamental key difference between the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 and the 800 lies in the total capacity and the specialized cooking inserts. The Masterbuilt 560 is designed for the space-conscious pitmaster, offering 560 square inches of cooking space. It is a dedicated grill and smoker that excels at efficiency and heat retention for smaller families.

The Masterbuilt 800, however, isn’t just larger with its 800 square inches of space; it’s a 3-in-1 hybrid. The 800 includes a full flat-top griddle insert that can replace the traditional cast iron grates, allowing you to switch from a low-and-slow smoker to a professional-grade breakfast station. While the 560 is a fantastic entry point into gravity-fed charcoal, the 800 is a total patio upgrade that adds griddling to the repertoire.

Comparison Table: Masterbuilt 560 vs. Masterbuilt 800

Feature	Masterbuilt Gravity 560	Masterbuilt Gravity 800
Total Cooking Area	560 sq. in.	800 sq. in.
Griddle Insert	No	Yes (Full Flat-Top Included)
Max Temperature	700°F	700°F
Heat-Up Time	225°F in 7 mins	225°F in 8 mins
Hopper Capacity	16 lbs Briquettes / 10 lbs Lump	16 lbs Briquettes / 10 lbs Lump
Shelving	Folding Front + Side Shelf	Fixed Stainless Front + Side Shelf
Best For	Couples & Small Patios	Families & Hibachi Lovers
Dimensions	More Compact / Space-Saving	Wide / Requires More Room
Buy NOW	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review: My Experience

Stepping out into the early morning air to light a grill shouldn’t feel like a chore, and that’s the first thing I noticed with these machines. The workflow is identical: you drop a fire starter in the bottom of the hopper, hit the power button on the digital controller, and let the fan take over. But the way these two units occupy your backyard space and handle a full tray of meat is where the real-world differences start to surface.

Design: Compact Efficiency vs. The Broad-Shouldered Hybrid

The Masterbuilt 560 is remarkably sleek. It doesn’t dominate the patio, which I appreciated when I lived in a place with a smaller deck. It feels “tight” and well-insulated. The powder-coated steel front shelf on the 560 is a highlight for me; it’s sturdy, folds down easily, and can hold up to 50 lbs of prep trays.

The Masterbuilt 800 is a different beast. It’s wider and looks more like a traditional barrel grill. It lacks the folding mechanism on the front shelf (it’s fixed stainless steel), which means it always takes up its full footprint. However, the 800 feels more “commercial.” When I’m moving around it, the extra width gives me more room to work without feeling like I’m bumping into the hopper.

Ease of Use: The “GravityFed” Advantage

The magic of the Gravity Series is the vertical hopper. You fill it with Masterbuilt Lump Charcoal, and as the bottom layers burn away, gravity simply drops the next batch into the “fire zone.”

• On the 560, I found it reached smoking temperatures (225°F) slightly faster—about 7 minutes. It’s a smaller chamber to heat, so it’s very responsive.
• On the 800, it took about 8 minutes.

Both units use the Masterbuilt App, which I used to monitor the internal meat probe from my phone. I’ll be honest: being able to adjust the temperature from my couch while it’s raining outside is a luxury I never want to give up.

Functions: The Griddle Game-Changer

This is where the Masterbuilt 800 separates itself. It comes with a heavy-duty griddle insert. One Saturday, I smoked a pork butt overnight on the 800’s cast iron grates. The next morning, I pulled the meat, swapped the grates for the griddle, and made carnitas-style tacos and fried eggs right on the grill.

The 560 is a pure grill and smoker. While you can certainly sear a mean steak on its reversible cast iron grates, you can’t make smash burgers or fajitas without buying a separate cast iron pan to sit on top of the grates. The 800’s integrated griddle system is seamless and makes the grill feel like a true outdoor kitchen.

Temperature Stability and Fuel

Both units claim up to 12 hours of use on a single hopper of charcoal at smoking temperatures. In my testing, the 560 was slightly more fuel-efficient. Because the cook chamber is smaller, the DigitalFan doesn’t have to work quite as hard to maintain the heat. However, on both models, the temperature stability is incredible. I’ve seen pellet grills struggle in the wind, but these gravity-fed units hold steady within a few degrees because they are burning “real” fuel that creates a much more intense, stable heat bed.

Masterbuilt Gravity 560 Grill & Smoker

Pros:

• Efficiency: Heats up faster and uses slightly less charcoal per cook.
• Storage: The folding front shelf and smaller footprint are perfect for tight spaces.
• Value Bundle: Often comes with a cover and front shelf included.
• Perfect for Couples: Plenty of room for a whole chicken and a tray of veggies.

Cons:

• Capacity: You’ll struggle to fit more than two briskets or three racks of ribs.
• Limited Versatility: No griddle insert included.

Masterbuilt Gravity 800 Grill, Griddle & Smoker

Pros:

• The Griddle: The included flat-top insert is a massive win for breakfast and hibachi fans.
• Massive Space: 800 sq. inches allows for true “party-sized” meal prep.
• High-Heat Searing: The larger grate surface is better for feeding a crowd of steak lovers.
• Pro Build: Stainless steel accents and a wider stance for better stability.

Cons:

• Fixed Shelf: The front shelf doesn’t fold, requiring more storage space.
• Footprint: It’s a wide unit that might feel oversized on a small balcony.

The Final Recommendation: Which Masterbuilt Wins?

I recommend the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 if you are primarily cooking for a family of 2 to 4 and have a limited amount of patio space. It is a precision smoking tool that offers the best charcoal flavor without the footprint of a massive rig. It’s also the better choice if you already own a dedicated griddle or Blackstone.

I recommend the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 if you want the ultimate “all-in-one” experience. The jump from 560 to 800 square inches is noticeable, but the real winner is that griddle. If you want to smoke ribs on Saturday and do a hibachi-style shrimp dinner on Sunday, the 800 is the most versatile charcoal grill on the market.

For my money, the Masterbuilt 800 is the one to beat. The added versatility of the griddle and the extra room to spread out your meat make it well worth the extra investment and the slightly larger footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use wood chunks in the hopper?

A: Yes! I recommend layering wood chunks in with your charcoal (like a parfait) for a consistent smoke, or tossing a few chunks into the ash bin so the embers fall on them.

Q: Is the 800 griddle hard to clean?

A: Not at all. It’s similar to a cast iron skillet. You just scrape it down while it’s hot, wipe it with a little oil, and it stays seasoned and non-stick.

Q: Does the 560 have the same app features as the 800?

A: Yes, both use the exact same digital controller and Masterbuilt app, allowing for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Q: How many racks of ribs fit on the 560?

A: You can comfortably fit 3 racks of ribs if you use the warming racks, or 2 large racks on the main bottom grates.