Masterbuilt Gravity 800 vs. 1050: Which Charcoal Powerhouse Rules the Backyard?

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you combine the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of a pellet grill with the unapologetic, smoky soul of real lump charcoal. For years, I’ve been chasing that perfect balance, and it led me straight to the Masterbuilt Gravity Series. These machines have completely shifted my weekend routine, replacing the constant lid-lifting and vent-adjusting of traditional offsets with a digital fan that does the heavy lifting for me.

But as I stood in my driveway looking at the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 and its massive older brother, the Gravity Series 1050, I realized that “bigger” isn’t the only metric that matters. While they share the same gravity-fed DNA and the same high-tech app connectivity, they are built for slightly different types of pitmasters. After a month of back-to-back cooks—from overnight briskets to Tuesday night smash burgers—I’ve figured out exactly where these two diverge and which one actually earns its keep on your patio.

The Key Difference: Capacity vs. Versatility

The primary key difference between the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 and the 1050 is the total cooking real estate and the included accessories. The Masterbuilt 1050 is the titan of the lineup, offering 1,050 square inches of cooking space and a heavy-duty folding stainless steel front shelf. It is designed for those who routinely cook for large crowds or competition-style quantities of meat.

Conversely, the Masterbuilt 800 offers 800 square inches of space but introduces a major hardware perk: it comes with a full flat-top griddle insert. While the 1050 is a pure grill and smoker, the 800 is a 3-in-1 hybrid that allows you to swap out the cast iron grates for a griddle, making it the only model in this comparison that can handle pancakes and bacon alongside a rack of ribs.

Comparison Table: Masterbuilt 800 vs. 1050

Feature	Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800	Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
Cooking Area	800 Sq. Inches	1,050 Sq. Inches
Griddle Included	Yes (Full Flat-Top Insert)	No
Hopper Capacity	16 lbs Briquettes / 10 lbs Lump	16 lbs Briquettes / 10 lbs Lump
Max Temperature	700°F	700°F
Front Shelf	Fixed Stainless Steel	Large Folding Stainless Steel
Heat-Up Time	225°F in 8 mins / 700°F in 14 mins	225°F in 8 mins / 700°F in 15 mins
Dimensions	Approx. 51″ Wide	61″ Wide
Best For	Families & Breakfast Lovers	Large Parties & Pitmasters
Buy NOW	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review: My Experience

I moved the testing from the data sheet to the actual heat of the driveway because I wanted to feel how these hoppers handle a 12-hour burn and whether the extra space of the 1050 justifies its larger footprint. Beyond the square footage, I was looking for the “livability” factors—how easy it is to prep food on the shelves and how the digital fan manages the airflow when the lid is constantly being opened. If you’re wondering if the 800’s griddle is a gimmick or if the 1050 is overkill, here is the breakdown of my time in the smoke.

Design and Build: The “Big Mac” of Grills

Both of these units are intimidatingly large. They are built like tanks, with heavy-gauge steel and a vertical hopper that looks like something off a steam locomotive.

• The Masterbuilt 1050 felt like a permanent fixture. At 61 inches wide, it’s a beast to move around. However, the folding front shelf is a masterpiece. When I was prepping three racks of ribs, having that extra stainless steel space right in front of the grates was a lifesaver.
• The Masterbuilt 800 is more manageable. It still feels substantial, but it fits into a standard patio corner much better. It has a fixed front shelf which is sturdy, but I definitely missed the folding capability of the 1050 when I wasn’t using it.

Ease of Use: The Gravity-Fed Advantage

The “GravityFed” system is identical on both, and it is honestly brilliant. You load the charcoal into the side hopper, light a fire starter at the bottom, and the DigitalFan takes over.

I found that both reached 225°F in under 10 minutes. When I cranked them up to 700°F for a sear, the 800 was slightly faster, likely due to the smaller internal volume it had to heat. The Masterbuilt app worked well for me on both; I could sit on my couch and monitor the internal meat probe while the charcoal did its thing. It’s the closest thing to a pellet grill experience, but with that unmistakable charcoal flavor profile.

Functionality: The Griddle Factor

This is where the Masterbuilt 800 stole my heart. It comes with a full griddle insert that replaces the grates. One Saturday morning, I pulled the grates out, dropped in the griddle, and made a full breakfast for six people. The heat distribution across the flat top was surprisingly even.

The Masterbuilt 1050 cannot do this out of the box. While you get nearly 30% more space for smoking briskets, you lose that breakfast/hibachi versatility. If you already have a dedicated flat-top grill, the 1050 is your winner. If you want one machine to do it all, the 800 is a powerhouse.

Temperature Control and Smoke Quality

I ran an overnight brisket test on both. Both hoppers held about 15-16 lbs of briquettes, which lasted roughly 8 to 9 hours at 225°F. The smoke quality is fantastic—clean, blue smoke that you just can’t get from wood pellets.

The 1050 has more “headroom” inside, which I found helpful for airflow when I had a full load of meat. However, both maintained their temperatures within a 5-degree window, even when the wind picked up. The digital controller is intuitive and arguably one of the most stable on the market for charcoal.

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 Grill Griddle & Smoker

Pros:

• 3-in-1 Versatility: The included griddle insert is a massive value add.
• Faster Searing: Heats up to 700°F slightly quicker than the larger 1050.
• Patio-Friendly: Offers a lot of cooking power without taking up the entire yard.
• Price: Generally more affordable while still offering the same tech features.

Cons:

• Fixed Shelf: The front prep shelf doesn’t fold down, making it slightly more cumbersome to store.
• Capacity: If you’re cooking 5+ briskets at once, you’ll run out of room.

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Grill Griddle & Smoker

Pros:

• Massive Real Estate: 1,050 square inches is enough to feed a small army.
• Premium Prep Space: The large folding stainless steel shelf is incredibly convenient.
• Better Airflow: The larger cook chamber handles “full loads” of meat with less crowding.
• Status Symbol: It is the flagship of the line and feels like it.

Cons:

• No Griddle: You have to buy a third-party accessory if you want flat-top capabilities.
• Footprint: It’s a massive unit that requires a lot of storage space.
• Fuel Consumption: Heating that large chamber for a small meal feels a bit wasteful.

The Final Recommendation: Which Gravity Wins?

I recommend the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 if you are a family cook who loves variety. The ability to switch from a low-and-slow pork shoulder on Saturday to a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning makes this the most versatile grill I’ve ever used. For 90% of people, 800 square inches is more than enough space.

I recommend the Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 if you are the designated “Party House.” If your backyard is the hub for holiday cookouts, or if you find yourself frequently smoking multiple briskets and pork butts at the same time, the extra space and the superior folding shelf make the 1050 the ultimate pitmaster tool.

Personally, I would choose the Masterbuilt 800. That griddle insert is simply too useful to pass up, and the footprint is much easier to live with on a daily basis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use wood chunks in these grills?

A: Yes! You can mix wood chunks in with the charcoal in the hopper, or place them in the ash bin so the hot embers fall on them. This gives you a massive boost in smoke flavor.

Q: Do I need an electrical outlet for these?

A: Yes. The DigitalFan and the controller require power. You will need to plug it into a standard outlet or use a portable power station.

Q: Does the Masterbuilt 1050 come with a griddle?

A: No. The 1050 is designed strictly for grilling and smoking on cast iron grates. You would need to purchase an aftermarket griddle if you wanted that functionality.

Q: How often do I need to clean the ash?

A: You should empty the ash bin after every long cook. Because it burns real charcoal, it produces significantly more ash than a pellet grill.