Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker - MB20041223

I did a 20 lb brisket one weekend. Came out perfectly. The next weekend we had a pizza party. And last night we grilled ribeyes. This is the most versatile cooking machine I've ever owned.

I had the 1050 for over five years and I thought it was the best smoker I had ever used. Well, the XT has made me rethink that position! It truly is the boss! For those of you looking and thinking it is not much different from the 1050 or 1100, you are WRONG! Start with the weight of this thing. The 1050 I could pick up myself with no really issues. The XT took me, and my two sons-in-law to pick it up off the pallet! Did I just say pallet? YES! This thing is so big and heavy it is shipped on a commercial pallet by a professional trucking company! Once I got it setup (took about 1.5 hours and I am a retired military mechanic) I went about firing it up and getting it ready for some real smoking. I was very suprised that Masterbuilt did not recommend "seasoning" this smoker. After doing some reading and research it is because all the grates are stainless steel. There is no reason to "season" them. So, I did the burn off per Masterbuilt's recommendations. Take your time when doing this. Make sure to thoroughly clean the smoker after both the high temp burn in and the lower temp burn in. Once that was done, it was time to put it to the test! I chose Memphis style, dry rub baby back ribs. The XT kept a very consistent and even temperature. I used both the probes that came with it as well as my own. I did find that the issue with the XT running about 15 - 20 degrees hot is still there (the LSS temperature probe mount has already been ordered) but knowing that, I just adjusted the temp of the XT down from 250 to 220 and it cooked it perfectly! The ribs were fall off the bone tender and everyone loved them. Next came the cleanup. The single damper handle is a game changer and really puts the fire out quickly to save as much of your expensive fuel as possible. Since the grates are stainless steel, I pulled them and put them in the dishwasher. this gave me full access to the rest of the grill, and I had it cleaned up in 10 minutes flat! I really do LOVE this grill! I already have cooks with a full brisket and a Boston butt lined up for the next couple of weeks. I was so impressed with it I was telling my local butcher about it and he told me the XT is what he smokes all of the meats in his shop with!!! We both reveled over how good the XT really is and how we both feel it is one of the best values on the market. Now, please don't misunderstand, this is not an Assassin or Stumps or a Southern Smokers competition smoker but it by far the best pro-sumer model you are going to find!

Use/review the online .pdf version of the manual on your phone or tablet as the CAD drawings in the printed version do not reproduce with the detail that is displayed on screen. Step 1. Note placing the grill back on the pallet. This is needed because the legs are angled and will extend below the plane of the back of the grill. I was by myself and was able to place a 2x4 wrapped with a moving blanket under the grill to tilt it for clearance. Step 5. Leave the fasteners a little loose as there will be a 3-way alignment task in steps 10 and 11 while attaching the heat shields. Step 13. If I tightened the bolts all the way the folded table would press tightly against the side of the grill and not be able to move to use. I shimmed behind the shelf bracket with a couple of stainless washers to give about 1/16 of an inch clearance to allow the folding bracket to move freely. I felt having the bolts tight was important due to the handle used for moving the grill uses the same mounting bolts. I had difficulty pairing the XT with the App. Ultimately, I consulted the Google which led me to offload the App and re-install. It linked up right after that. Seasoning went off without a hitch and I'm starting my using the grill use journey.

I'm still in the honeymoon phase with this grill. I've had it less than 1 month and like some things about it but not others. I have done several cooks now and this is what I think. I had an kamado type grill before this and I had trouble getting the fire going and then getting it to and staying at the temp I wanted. That problem is solved with the XT, but I'm going through charcoal so much faster with the gravity. I can start the XT, set the temp, walk away and go prepare food. The temperature is going to be ready when I go back to put food on. I like the app for it, so I can see where the temp is. The cooking area is so enclosed that it is dark inside the grill on my back porch even on a bright day. Cooking steaks on it is easy enough, and they came out great. I smoked chicken, burgers, and green beans for Easter. The chicken and beans were raved about. The burgers were a pain. A lot of flame in the grill and smoke in my face. I also have cooked chicken quesadillas on it and same issue with smoke in my eyes from it. I think for a smoker it will work great and for the steaks it will be good also, but hamburgers that have a lot of grease it won't be fun, unless I use the griddle and make smash burgers. I haven't figure out yet, was it worth the high cost of this grill/smoker or should I have gone a different route. For someone that loves to grill during the week, will it work as a grill or is it really only going to be good for those long smokes.

Got my gravity xt a month ago it's a incredibly awesome grill and smoker it's a hundred times better than the traeger pellet grill I had for years better flavor and smoke than a pellet grill ever was I'm totally satisfied

I bought the Gravity XT to replace a Traeger I have been using for the last 6 years. I love the ease of use, functionality, and quality of the foods that have came off of it so far. Only "gotcha" I've experienced so far is shutting down and hoping for briquettes to burn out, wasn't as ideal as into the next day the remainder burned out of the hopper. Just need to add enough for cook and add more as necessary. Not a complaint necessarily just new ownership tips!

The thing just works! I get to control the temperature and the amount of smoke. I mix a few wood blocks and set the temp, insert the meat probes and sit back until the cook is finished. It works in could weather and light rain during exposed to the elements. I've owned several other smokers: Traeger Ironwood XL, a smaller Traeger, a gravity geed 800, but this is my favorite.

I have had 3 pellet grills/smokers over the last 8 yrs. Decided to make this the center of a new outdoor kitchen. My kids say this makes the best burgers, brisket and rotisserie chicken I've ever made for the past 20 yrs

o BOGHT THR UNIT ABOUT A MI TH AGO. HAVE USED IT ABOUT 6 TIMES/ SUPEREIOR EASE OF USE AND RESULT. HAVE DONE RIBS, PORK SHOULDER STEAKS, ETX

Excellent smoke with unmatched smoking ability especially with white oak or fruit wood. Close to an offset in my experience. Searing at high temp is good on left side..