Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 vs Char-Griller Grand Champ Offset Smoker
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Quick take: The Char-Griller Grand Champ Offset Smoker costs $70 less; the Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 offers more cooking space (980 vs 780 sq in); the Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 reaches a higher max temp (700 vs 400°F).
| Spec | Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 | Char-Griller Grand Champ Offset Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$799 | ~$729 |
| Rating | 3.7★ (13) | — |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Offset Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 980 sq in | 780 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 400°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Wood/Charcoal |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Heavy-Duty Steel with Expanded Metal Grates |
| Hopper Capacity | 16 lb charcoal | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | No |
| App control | Yes | No |
| Meat probe | Yes | No |
| PID controller | Yes | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 65 x 34 x 51 in | 71 x 35 x 57 in |
| Weight | 200 lbs | 254 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | — |
Pros & cons
Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980
- ✓Real charcoal flavor with pellet-grill convenience - the fan and controller hold your set temp automatically while gravity feeds the fire
- ✓The 200-700°F range out-sears any pellet grill and reaches temp in about 20 minutes from lighting one fire starter
- ✓980 sq in total (680 primary) is enormous for the price - multiple briskets and rib racks fit at once
- ✓The triple-insulated lid and body hold temps steadier in wind and cold than the thin-walled Masterbuilt 800
- ✓A 16 lb hopper of briquettes runs 8+ hours unattended - genuine overnight-cook capability on charcoal
- ✓At ~$600 it undercuts the Masterbuilt 1050 while owner threads frequently rate its body construction higher
- ✓WiFi/Bluetooth app control with included probes covers remote monitoring and temp changes from the couch
- ✓Porcelain-coated cast iron grates put real sear marks on steaks and clean up easily
- ✗Like all gravity smokers, the fan, controller, and temp sensors are electronic failure points, and the 1-year warranty is short
- ✗The Char-Griller app is the weakest link per owners - laggy connections and occasional dropped sessions mid-cook
- ✗The hopper and ash areas need diligent cleaning; grease and moisture buildup can jam the charcoal feed or corrode the switches
- ✗It needs a powered outlet for the fan, so it's not a true off-grid charcoal cooker
- ✗The powder-coated steel will rust at hinge points and the firebox without a cover and touch-up paint
- ✗At 200 lbs with a wide 65-inch footprint it's a beast to position and not remotely portable
- ✗Smoke flavor runs lighter than an offset unless you layer wood chunks into the hopper
- ✗QC is hit-or-miss - misaligned doors and leaky gaskets show up in owner threads, usually fixed with lava lock tape
Char-Griller Grand Champ Offset Smoker
- ✓254 lbs of steel at $729 is the best pounds-per-dollar in the mass-retail offset tier
- ✓1,200 sq in total across primary and warming rack
- ✓EasyDump ash pan empties the firebox without dismantling anything
- ✓Folding front shelf with utensil hooks keeps a 71-inch pit from needing a separate prep table
- ✓Available at both Lowe's and Home Depot, unlike the Home Depot-only Competition Pro
- ✗Rated only to 400°F — the lowest ceiling of any offset here, so it is a smoker first and a grill a distant second
- ✗Char-Griller publishes no steel gauge and no warranty term
- ✗Sold out on Char-Griller's own store as of September 2026; availability runs through the retail channel
- ✗Bolted rather than welded seams mean the same leak-sealing work as any mass-market offset
- ✗71 inches wide and 254 lbs — effectively a permanent patio fixture