7 Best Gravity Smoker In 2023: Review & Ranking
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Choosing a gravity smoker is not that easy, and it’s important to make sure that you choose the right one for your smoking needs. You want to ensure that you’re getting the best possible quality smoker for your money, and it’s important to do research before making any purchases. I’ve compiled the 7 best gravity smokers on the market so that you can make an informed decision.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
Smoking with charcoal is one of the oldest and most delicious techniques for flavoring food.
But it’s also one of the trickiest things to master. And because there are so many variables involved with smoking, it can be easy for beginners to get frustrated if they don’t understand how it all works.
But it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, using a gravity smoker allows you to enjoy perfectly smoked food, which is difficult to achieve with traditional charcoal meat smoking.
If you are unfamiliar with a gravity-style smoker, in this guide, I will break down what it is and how it works, along with the 6 best models on the market you can buy today.
Let’s dive in!
What is a gravity smoker?
Gravity smokers are also known as gravity-fed or gravity-feed smokers. They combine the best features of a charcoal smoker and a wood pellet grill. Here are the distinctions between the two.
A gravity smoker is a type of barbecue smoker that uses the force of gravity to feed charcoal into the firebox.
Charcoal chunks are placed in an ash pan below the gravity-fed hopper (charcoal chute), and when the embers from burning charcoal fall through the charcoal grate, they burn, producing smoke that can be used to cook and flavor your food.
How does gravity feed smokers work?
The gravity-fed smoker works by letting unlit charcoal fall to the bottom of the smoker, where it burns and heats up to make smoke that cooks your food.
First, there is a hopper that can be filled with charcoal and lit from the bottom. After setting your desired temperature with a controller, a variable-speed fan on the side of the firebox begins to blow through the coals to keep the air on them.
The PID controller will tell the fan to speed up or slow down depending on how much smoke your smoker requires.
The charcoal is burned from the bottom and replaced by the unlit charcoal above; it is fed by gravity so the smoker does not overheat.
There is an ash clean-out pan at the smokebox where we can place the wood chunks. Charcoal that falls through the grate from the hopper will burn the wood chunks, imparting a smoky flavor to the food. The ash pan also makes cleanup easier later.
What is the best gravity smoker?
Here are my top 7 picks for the best gravity smokers
- Best Overall: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
- Best For Easy Control: Bradley Smoker 4-Rack Outdoor Electric Smoker
- Best With Unique Design: Char-griller 980 Gravity Fed Charcoal Grill
- Best For Large Cooking Space: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
- Best For Durability: Old Country BBQ Pits Insulated Gravity Fed Smoker
- Best Budget: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560
- Best For Catering And Competiton: Myron Mixon G33
1. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
Best Overall
Overview
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 is the company’s second model to hit the market after the 560. The 800 is a more advanced version of the 560, with more features and a better design.
In this smoker, the top and entire lid that covers the top of the grill have been removed to allow for more space in the warming rack.
The main distinction between the two models is the cooking space — the 800 has a larger cooking capacity, allowing you to cook more food at once.
Another feature is the stainless steel front shelf—it is an excellent place to place your meat when preparing it for cooking, which is simple to clean and attractive.
But what sets this smoker apart from the other Masterbuilt gravity-style models is the included flat-top griddle, which is not available with the 560 or 1050 series.
Also, along with the griddle, you can get the most out of this unit by using the rotisserie kit, which is perfectly compatible with the 560, 800, and 1050 series.
Top Features
- This grill can get to 225 degrees Fahrenheit in 8 minutes, 450 degrees in 10 minutes, and 700 degrees in 14 minutes—allowing you to cook food quickly and efficiently.
- It includes the flat top griddle gives you more surface space to work with while cooking burgers, steaks, and more.
- The digital fan allows you to control the temperature precisely without babysitting.
- It has convenient fold-out cord storage in the back of the side shelf, so you can easily store your cord when not in use.
What I like/dislike about this product
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 is best for those looking for a heavy-duty grill that can quickly cook large quantities of meat. It’s also great if you want a grill that has multiple uses and can act as a grill, griddle, and more.
You can check the latest price and buy the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 here:
2. Bradley Smoker 4-Rack Outdoor Electric Smoker
Best for easy control
Overview
This smoker is perfect for professional chefs and busy BBQ enthusiasts.
It’s fully automatic, so you can load in your bisquettes and walk away without worrying about the fuel running out.
It has a cooking area of 572 square inches and a smoke diffuser system that keeps dirty smoke from building up.
This unit is powered by wood-smoking bisquettes – each of which can last 20 minutes. This tells you exactly how many pieces you need to put in the oven for one cook.
For example, if you want to cook for two hours, you’ll need to put in 6 bisquettes.
When it comes to cleaning, this smoker is easy to clean up after every cook. It’s also very easy to use and won’t require much maintenance.
One thing special about this smoker is the removable control panel. This is helpful if you live in an area with high humidity since it lets you remove the panel and store it indoors.
You can also go for the 6-rack model if you want more cooking space. This is also a great choice if you have a large family or a lot of guests.
What I like/dislike about this product
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
This smoker is ideal for those who want an automatic, hands-free way of cooking food all day.
You can check the latest price and buy the Bradley Smoker 4-Rack Outdoor Electric Smoker here:
3. Char-griller 980 Gravity Fed Charcoal Grill
Best With Unique Design
Overview
The Char-Griller 980 Gravity-Fed Charcoal Grill uses advanced digital technology and the force of gravity to give the food the classic taste of charcoal while giving you precise control over the temperature when smoking.
The blue cooking chamber lid is an eye-catching design element that makes this unit stand out.
The heat detector and drip pan are the most significant improvements to this unit over the Masterbuilt gravity series. With a grill reaching up to 700 degrees, a lack of grease management can result in flare-ups.
This grill is very versatile: it can be used for smoking, grilling, and everything in between.
It also comes with a front shelve that gives you a place to prepare your food.
Top Features
- Total Cooking Area: 980 Square Inches
- Primary Cooking Area: 680 Square Inches
- The cooking grates are coated in porcelain for easy cleanup.
- It features an LCD screen and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to set up your grill and monitor the progress of your meal at all times.
- It also has built-in wifi, so you can use it remotely from anywhere in your home or yard!
- This grill includes a meat probe, which allows you to monitor the temperature while cooking without having to buy an external thermometer.
- lt comes with a fixed side shelf and folding front shelf as standard features. These shelves help hold items such as plates, utensils, and spices while cooking.
- The included hopper can hold 16 lbs of briquette charcoal
- Easy Dump Ash Pan for easy disposal of ash.
What I like/dislike about this product
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
The Char-griller 980 Gravity Fed Charcoal Grill is perfect for people who want a grill that is well-built, easy to clean, and can cook large quantities of food.
This model comes with some of the best features on the market today and is backed by 1-year limited warranty.
You can check the latest price and buy the Char-Griller 980 Gravity-Fed Grill here:
Related article: Char griller 980 Vs. Masterbuilt 800: Which Is The Winner?
4. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
Best Overall
Overview
Among the Masterbuilt gravity series, the Masterbuilt 1050 has the most cooking space.
It’s ideal for smoking, searing, and slow-cooking a large amount of food.
The gravity-fed charcoal hopper holds up to 8 hours of briquettes and is easy to refill with a push-button lid.
The digital control panel includes an integrated meat temperature probe, making it easier than ever to cook perfect meals every time.
The built-in meat probe and connective technology allow you to easily monitor the temperature of your food as it cooks, ensuring that you get a perfect meal every time.
This unit is WI-FI and Bluetooth enabled, allowing you to monitor your cooking using the Masterbuilt smartphone app remotely.
Top Features
- Cooking space: 1050 square inches
- It reaches 225°F in 10 minutes or 700°F in 15 minutes.
- With a PID digital temperature control system, you’ll get precise fule heating speed and temperature every time.
- It comes with a gravity-fed charcoal hopper with a capacity of 16 pounds of briquettes.
- It features a foldable stainless steel front shelf for easy access to food and a stainless steel side shelf for holding plates and utensils.
- It comes with Bluetooth and wifi connectivity, so you can remotely control the smoker from your smartphone or tablet.
What I like/dislike about this product
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
Masterbuilt gravity series 1050 is best for cooking for a large group of people, especially if you want to cook lowly and slowly to get that tender and juicy smoked meat. It is easy to use and comes with a lot of features.
You can check the latest price and buy the Masterbuilt 1050 here:
5. Old Country Gravity Fed Smoker
Best for durability
Overview
The Old Country Gravity Fed Smoker is designed for serious meat smoking. It has all the features you need to make cooking easy and enjoyable—and with its commercial-grade construction, you won’t have to worry about your smoker turning into an expensive paperweight in a few years.
For starters, the 1,082-square-inch cooking surface provides plenty of room to prepare meals.
Then there’s the fully insulated chamber with three smoking racks, which can cook up to six briskets at the same time.
That allows for 12 hours of cooking time, which means less time spent loading up on charcoal and more time with family and friends!
And what about cleaning up after dinner? For easy access, simply slide out the trays and pop out the ashtray.
And because there isn’t a lot of air passing through the cooking chamber, you don’t need a water pan when cooking with this unit; as long as you keep the temperature consistent, your meat will remain moist and have a great smokey flavor.
Furthermore, the stainless steel cooking grates are simple to clean!
Top Features
- The 1,082-square-inch cooking surface provides ample space for your perfect meal.
- It lets you cook up to 12 hours of food without adding charcoal.
- The smoker comes with a carbon-steel construction that gives it durability.
- The smoker also comes with slide-out trays for easy access, making it easier to get your food ready!
- It has wheels for easy mobility.
- It holds up to 20 pounds of charcoal
- It has 3 clamps to ensure a tight seal
Side note:
This smoker creates the best results with charcoal briquettes thanks to their uniform shape, which makes it easy for them to slide through the grate.
What I like/dislike about this product
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
This smoker is perfect for a BBQ aficionado who wants a high-quality charcoal smoker with plenty of cooking space that provides the best charcoal smoke flavor without having to manage the temperature all day.
You can check the latest price and buy the Old Country Gravity Fed Smoker here:
6. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560
Best Overall
Overview
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 was the first customer-ready gravity feed smoker on the market and sold at a very reasonable price. Since it’s the first-ever model, it also had its fair share of minor issues that Masterbuilt has since fixed.
It is a powerful and versatile grill that can do it all—smoke, grill, sear, roast, and bake.
It’s equipped with an easy-to-use digital control panel and reversible cast-iron grates that allow you to smoke, grill, sear, bake and roast all in one space.
The DigitalFan keeps the desired cooking temperature by circulating air around the fire to keep it constant.
The flame height can be adjusted with just a few clicks on the digital control panel or with your smart device.
The gravity-fed charcoal hopper can hold up to 12 hours of charcoal, and gravity ensures that the fire has constant fuel.
Top Features
- Cooking space: 560 square inches
- It has a built-in temperature gauge and a meat probe thermometer to get the best-tasting results every time.
- The digital fan makes it easy to keep an eye on the temperature.
- The charcoal hopper can hold up to 10 pounds of lump charcoal or 16 pounds of briquettes for up to 12 hours of use, which means you can cook a lot at once without having to worry about running out of fuel!
What I like/dislike about this product
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 is an excellent choice for novice and experienced smokers looking to invest in a low-cost appliance that makes smoking meat easy.
You can check the latest price and buy the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 here:
7. Myron Mixon G33
Best For Catering And Competiton
Overview
The Myron Mixon G33 gravity feed smoker is a military-grade smoker built for durability and performance.
It has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a high-end smoker, like stainless steel hardware and a double-sealed firebox door.
This unit’s 33-square-foot cooking space is ideal for commercial applications, including catering, restaurants, and competitions.
It’s also got a round charcoal chute that can hold up to 20 pounds of briquettes, so you can smoke for up to 10 hours without having to worry about running out of fuel.
Additionally, it comes with 7 nickel-chrome racks that can be kept neatly organized and provide 4600 square inches of cooking surface.
However, it can support up to 11 smoking racks, providing approximately 7600 square inches of cooking surface, allowing you to cook 26 pork butts or 300 chicken wings at once.
It’s also got slam latch doors so that you can easily open and close the smoker and a built-in thermometer that allows you to monitor the temperature inside.
But what really sets this smoker apart is its water pan: it’s removable and easily accessible to allow you to add water, which will help keep the meat moist and prevent it from drying out.
Top Features
- It features military-grade insulation.
- It’s also got stainless steel hardware for durability and longevity, which means it’ll last through years of use.
- The rounded charcoal chute can accommodate 20 pounds of charcoal at once.
- Removable water pan.
- The double-sealed fire door ensures that your food stays smoky and rich-tasting even after hours of cooking.
The Bottom Line
The Myron Mixon G33 gravity feed smoker is best for the serious outdoor cooking enthusiast. It’s got the most features and is designed to last through years of use. While it may be a bit pricier than some, it’s worth every penny if you want all the bells and whistles.
You can check the latest price and buy the Myron Mixon G33 Gravity Feed Smoker here:
What to consider when buying gravity-fed smokers?
You don’t want to spend your money on a smoker that won’t get the job done. Below are a few things you should consider before buying one:
Fuel Type
You’ll want to consider the type of fuel you’ll need for your smoker. Some models require electricity, while others are designed for charcoal. If you plan on using charcoal for smoking, make sure that your model is designed for this purpose.
Ease of use
You’ll want to look for a smoker with a simple layout and intuitive controls. This will make it easier to get started and help you get the hang of things quickly.
Which size is the best fit for you?
Remember to take into account how much room you have in your backyard. A larger smoker is going to take up more room than a smaller one.
If you have the space, it’s always better to go for a larger size than what you think you’ll need. This way, you can always have enough food to feed your family and friends without running out!
Versatility
Do you want a model that can only smoke food or something that can also be used as a grill?
If you just want a smoker, you can go with a simple model with only one function.
However, if you want something that can do double duty as a smoker and grill, it’s best to look for a versatile model like the Masterbuilt 560, Masterbuilt 1050, or Char-Griller 980.
And beyond that, a good example of a versatile model is the Masterbuilt 800, which you can use as a smoker, flat-top griddle, or grill. This model is a great choice if you want something that can do it all!
What is your price range?
Consider how much you can afford to spend on your new smoking device. This will help you narrow down which models are best for you.
For example, if you’re looking for a relatively easy smoker but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, then it might be better to go with a less expensive model like the Masterbuilt 560.
Cooking Space
You’ll also want to consider how much space you need in the smoker. This will depend on how many people you plan to serve and how much food you need to smoke.
If you’re looking for a model with more room, then the Masterbuilt 1050 or the Old Country Gravity Fed Smoker is a good choice because it has more than 1000 square inches of cooking space.
Additional Features
There are a few other features you may want to consider when shopping for your smoker. These include:
WIFI & Bluetooth
If the smoker features WIFI & Bluetooth connectivity, it will allow you to monitor your meat without ever having to leave the comfort of your home, which is especially handy if you’re cooking for more than one person.
Meat Probe
Another feature worth considering is the meat probe thermometer. This allows you to monitor the internal temperature of your meat while it’s cooking, which means that you won’t have to worry about overcooking your food or burning it on the outside.
Build Quality
You want something that will last a long time but not break the bank in the process. A good smoker should be well-built, durable, and easy enough for anyone to use.
FAQs
Final Thought
Gravity-feed smoker has become tremendously more capable in a relatively short period of time as modern technology has been applied to charcoal smoking methods with traditional offset smokers.
In the end, the best gravity smoker is the one that suits your individual needs and has the features that you are looking for.
It is hard to rank these smokers from one to another because they all have their own specific purposes and distinctions. For an all-around smoker that will serve you well for many years, we recommend the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800, as it has ample cooking capacity, quality construction, and a reasonable price.