Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker vs Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600
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Quick take: The Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker costs $400 less; the Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker offers more cooking space (960 vs 600 sq in); the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 reaches a higher max temp (700 vs 375°F).
| Spec | Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker | Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$400 | ~$800 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Propane Smoker | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 960 sq in | 600 sq in |
| Max Temp | 375°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Insulated Steel with Chrome-Coated Racks | Dual-Wall Insulated Steel with Porcelain Interior and Cast Iron Grates |
| Hopper Capacity | — | 17.6 lb |
| Burners | 1 | — |
| WiFi / App | No | Yes |
| App control | No | Yes |
| Meat probe | No | Yes |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 28.7 x 22.8 x 53 in | 52.8 x 30.4 x 49.7 in |
| Weight | — | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker
- ✓The ThermoTemp thermostat regulates the burner automatically — the main reason to pick this over a manual-valve propane cabinet
- ✓375°F ceiling is 100°F above the electric cabinets, which is enough to actually crisp chicken and turkey skin
- ✓Runs off a standard 20 lb propane tank with no electricity, so it works at a campsite, a tailgate or during an outage
- ✓960 sq in over four racks matches the 40-inch electric for capacity
- ✓Fully insulated body plus gas heat recovers temperature far faster than electric after the door is opened
- ✓Side wood-chip loading means the door stays shut through the smoke phase
- ✗Propane cabinets are the least precise of the automated smokers — expect ±25°F swings even with the thermostat
- ✗No probes, no app, no digital readout; the door-mounted dial thermometer is the only feedback
- ✗A 20 lb tank runs roughly 18–24 hours at smoking temperature, so long cooks need a spare tank on hand
- ✗Wind affects the burner more than it affects an electric element — a sheltered spot matters
- ✗1-year warranty, and the gas valve assembly is the usual failure point
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