Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT vs Napoleon Professional 605 Charcoal Cart
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Quick take: The Napoleon Professional 605 Charcoal Cart costs $150 less; the Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT offers more cooking space (1,260 vs 605 sq in).
| Spec | Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT | Napoleon Professional 605 Charcoal Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,799 | ~$1,649 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (145) | 4.4★ (38) |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 1260 sq in | 605 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Wood/Charcoal |
| Build Material | Dual-wall insulated steel with porcelain interior | Stainless Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 18 lbs | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | No |
| App control | Yes | No |
| Meat probe | Yes | No |
| PID controller | Yes | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | Yes |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 61 x 33 x 52 in | 67.5 x 24.75 x 49.25 in |
| Weight | 199 lbs | 241 lbs (packaged) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 15 years |
Pros & cons
Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT
- ✓Real charcoal flavor with pellet-grill-style automation
- ✓700F sear capability with reversible cast iron grates
- ✓Massive 1,260 sq in capacity - 16 rib racks or 20 chickens
- ✓Dual-wall insulation makes it fuel-efficient and cold-weather capable
- ✓Four probe ports and solid WiFi app monitoring
- ✓24-hour hopper runtime covers overnight briskets
- ✓3-year warranty triples the old Gravity Series coverage
- ✗$1,799 is premium pricing for a brand with a budget reputation
- ✗Electronics (fan, lid switch, board) remain the long-term failure risk
- ✗199 lbs and a lengthy two-person assembly
- ✗Charcoal ash cleanup is still messier than any pellet grill
Napoleon Professional 605 Charcoal Cart
- ✓A rear rotisserie burner fired by charcoal rather than gas — genuinely unique in the US market
- ✓The charcoal bed raises and lowers on a crank, so sear height is adjustable mid-cook without touching the fire
- ✓Front-loading charcoal door means you reload without moving a grate full of food
- ✓15-year limited warranty, the longest on any charcoal grill in the catalog
- ✓850 sq in total cooking area and 605 sq in of main grid — roughly two Weber kettles
- ✓ACCU-PROBE lid gauge reads to 700°F with the smoking and searing bands marked, not a vague dial
- ✗$1,649 is Big Green Egg XLarge money for a steel grill that will not hold heat like ceramic
- ✗67.5 inches wide — this needs as much patio as a full gas cart
- ✗The rotisserie kit is $221.99 extra despite the rotisserie burner being the headline feature
- ✗38 reviews at 4.4 on Napoleon's own store is a thin base for a $1,649 purchase
- ✗241 lbs packaged; assembly and placement are a two-person job
- ✗Stainless at this price point still discolors above the firebox — that is physics, not a defect, but buyers are surprised