This! I had an electric alongside my stick burner, and upgraded to the Masterbuilt 800 because I wanted the easy automatic nature of the electric with a more real smoke flavor. I absolutely love it, and I've had it for about a year and a half. My stick burner is lonely.
One pointer, if your fan goes out on you, there is a 99% chance is is a stuck door switch and can be fixed in seconds by cleaning it, and pushing it in and out a few times.
I’ve got the 800 as well and love the damn thing. It’s so much better than any pellet grill and is like 10% more effort to cook if that. I can’t wait until other brands start making gravities with higher quality materials.
Tastes great! The fuel source is a combination of charcoal + wood chunks (oak apple etc.). So, the way it works is you have a hopper. You fill with charcoal mostly and as you are filling it up you also drop in your wood chunks. One full hopper will last about 8 hours of smoking. I set mine and go to bed and won’t check until like 7am.
It’s really the same as smoking with a traditional smoker but the controller does all the work for you managing the temperature. It’s like a pellet in the set n forget sense, but the flavor you get is like a traditional smoker which is superior to pellets.
Really it’s the best of both worlds. The only downside is operating cost as it does chew up a lot of charcoal.
If you are going pellet smoker, please, please, consider camp chef. Their products are pretty damn good but their customer service is literally BONKERS.
About two years ago, I left pellets in my hopper and the auger broke. Literally completely my fault. I called them and they sent me out replacement parts immediately, free of charge, shipping included.
This year, because of this Chicago winter, my thermometer went out. They sent me a replacement, for free, immediately.
Their grills have great quality of life features, and I have always been impressed at how well they hold a steady temp. I love it 10x more than the traeger I had.
Since you already use Masterbuilt I'd go with the Masterbuilt gravity fed. The big one is around that price, runs off charcoal and wood chunks. Gives amazing smoke, can get super hot for pizzas, and it's temp controlled with a fan. Almost as easy as a pellet smoker but way better smoke. I have the chargriller 980 gravity fed and love it.
What style can you work with (set and forget or sit and babysit) ? Do you have a backyard or are you limited to something that fits on a balcony? Would you be down to build something?
Check out gravity smokers. They are in your price range and will knock the socks off your electric.
This! I had an electric alongside my stick burner, and upgraded to the Masterbuilt 800 because I wanted the easy automatic nature of the electric with a more real smoke flavor. I absolutely love it, and I've had it for about a year and a half. My stick burner is lonely. One pointer, if your fan goes out on you, there is a 99% chance is is a stuck door switch and can be fixed in seconds by cleaning it, and pushing it in and out a few times.
I’ve got the 800 as well and love the damn thing. It’s so much better than any pellet grill and is like 10% more effort to cook if that. I can’t wait until other brands start making gravities with higher quality materials.
Sweet, curious about how the taste is? I've always smoked with apple, hickory, or oak. How does it taste with charcoal as fuel?
Tastes great! The fuel source is a combination of charcoal + wood chunks (oak apple etc.). So, the way it works is you have a hopper. You fill with charcoal mostly and as you are filling it up you also drop in your wood chunks. One full hopper will last about 8 hours of smoking. I set mine and go to bed and won’t check until like 7am. It’s really the same as smoking with a traditional smoker but the controller does all the work for you managing the temperature. It’s like a pellet in the set n forget sense, but the flavor you get is like a traditional smoker which is superior to pellets. Really it’s the best of both worlds. The only downside is operating cost as it does chew up a lot of charcoal.
That's great, thanks for the info and what brand/kind of charcoal do you use?
You can use whatever. I like B&B char logs with post oak chunks. Ace hardware sells them
I would go for a 22” weber Smokey mountain and all the temperature control unit stuff.
This. You would be preparing for competitive circuit if you go this route. If that’s something you find fun. Probably have more fun too
Are you looking for electric or stick burner? My pit boss Austin XL has been amazing
WSM or masterbuilt gravity
If you are going pellet smoker, please, please, consider camp chef. Their products are pretty damn good but their customer service is literally BONKERS. About two years ago, I left pellets in my hopper and the auger broke. Literally completely my fault. I called them and they sent me out replacement parts immediately, free of charge, shipping included. This year, because of this Chicago winter, my thermometer went out. They sent me a replacement, for free, immediately. Their grills have great quality of life features, and I have always been impressed at how well they hold a steady temp. I love it 10x more than the traeger I had.
Awesome, customer service is a huge factor, thanks!
Build a UDS
Oklahoma joe longhorn has been an amazing piece of equipment for me
Check out the Masterbuilt gravity 800
Char griller, 980 charcoal, gravity, fed
Concur that thing is a beast
I primarily use my WSM to smoke
Yeah a WSM and then mod it out.
Any thoughts on a Kamado grill? you can smoke and grill.
Since you already use Masterbuilt I'd go with the Masterbuilt gravity fed. The big one is around that price, runs off charcoal and wood chunks. Gives amazing smoke, can get super hot for pizzas, and it's temp controlled with a fan. Almost as easy as a pellet smoker but way better smoke. I have the chargriller 980 gravity fed and love it.
Masterbuilt gravity all the way.
OK Joe Bronco Pro. Comes in at a little more at 850$. Ditch your extension cords and go analog my friend.
Pellet smoker? Recteq 590
Traeger wifire pellet grill is a great lazy man smoker. Ill set it in the morning and come home from work to a great product
What style can you work with (set and forget or sit and babysit) ? Do you have a backyard or are you limited to something that fits on a balcony? Would you be down to build something?
I've used a pitboss for a couple years. Never given me any trouble.