Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 vs Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600
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Quick take: The Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 costs $1 less; the Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 offers more cooking space (980 vs 600 sq in).
| Spec | Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 | Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$799 | ~$800 |
| Rating | 3.7★ (13) | — |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 980 sq in | 600 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Dual-Wall Insulated Steel with Porcelain Interior and Cast Iron Grates |
| Hopper Capacity | 16 lb charcoal | 17.6 lb |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 65 x 34 x 51 in | 52.8 x 30.4 x 49.7 in |
| Weight | 200 lbs | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | 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
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600
- ✓Gravity feed plus DigitalFan holds a set temperature on real charcoal — the flavour advantage over a pellet grill without the fire management of a bullet
- ✓225°F to 700°F from one cooker: it low-and-slows and then sears steaks, which no electric or propane cabinet can do
- ✓17.6 lb hopper is larger than the 560 it replaces and covers a full overnight cook
- ✓Dual-wall insulation with a porcelain interior is new for this size and meaningfully improves cold-weather stability
- ✓App control with four-probe tracking at $800 undercuts most WiFi pellet grills of comparable area
- ✓Reversible cast iron grates give a proper sear surface on one side and a flat surface on the other
- ✗600 sq in is modest for the money — the 1050 gives 75% more area for $200 more
- ✗Gravity-fed ash management is messier than a pellet grill's: the ash bucket needs emptying and the chute can bridge with poor-quality lump
- ✗The fan and controller are mains-powered, so a charcoal cooker that needs an extension cord
- ✗1-year warranty, and the controller and fan are the components that fail in this design
- ✗Reaching 700°F burns charcoal fast — sear sessions drain the hopper far quicker than the 15-hour smoking figure implies